Brian White and Aoife Smith, from Naul in Co. Dublin, were top dogs at the recent spring sale of working sheepdogs at Skipton Auction Mart after their dog Moss came out with a top call of €11,200.

The annual sale saw in the region of 120 dogs turn out on Friday, 12 May.

Moss, a 17-month-old black and white dog was out of Malta Gwen, a well-known bitch, and Sweep, an International Reserve Supreme Champion.

The dog was among a litter of six out of four-year-old Gwen – three of which are understood to be trailling well.

Among much hype Moss was sold to Pat Byrne from Co. Roscommon, who often sells dogs at the mart.

Byrne will work his new acquisition on his 280-strong flock of Suffolk and Cheviot sheep, and Limousin and Charolais cattle.

Second highest price

Moss’ sale was the second highest price ever seen at Skipton, bettered only by the world record price of 14,100gns (€17,200) at the same venue 12 months ago by Cap, a 16-month old dog also bred in Ireland by Padraig Doherty, who with his brother Joe runs Ardagh Sheepdogs in County Donegal.

Breeders of top-notch working dogs are now increasingly filming their dogs at work and promoting them via social media channels and Brian White Sheepdogs’ Facebook and Youtube presences had done much to create all the hype ahead of the sale.

“It’s brilliant, but I felt under real pressure when taking to the trials field, as Moss had been the subject of such widespread interest.

“We had 3,600 views on Youtube in two weeks alone,” Brian said.

As well as Moss, Brian and Aoife, who farm pedigree Simmental cattle and Texel-cross and Suffolk-cross ewes, sold two more dogs at Skipton, scooping a total of 13,600gns (€16,600) on a highly successful day.

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