Muster Canines season 3 places each Border Collies and Kelpies to the take a look at to find out the last word Champion Muster Canine.
Within the six-part collection, six passionate graziers are challenged to coach a pet – three Collies and three Kelpies – into environment friendly working members of their mustering pack inside 12 months.
Coaching consultants then set challenges and charge every pup’s progress. They are going to be assessed on the similarities and variations between the 2 iconic breeds to check strategies, aptitude and job suitability. They’ll deal with discovering the right breed to match the farmers’ persona, inventory and circumstances.
Viewers will uncover the strengths and weaknesses of Border Collies and Kelpies, settling the age-old debate of which breed reigns supreme. Simply don’t name it Collies v Kelpies!
Trainers
Jack Kennedy, 30, Dunkeld, Victoria.Jack of all TradesPassionate, Inquisitive, CharismaticDog: Pesto
Jack is a real Dunkeld native with deep roots locally. Because the son of a shearer, Jack has inherited a powerful work ethic and a love for the land. At the moment working because the farm supervisor for the Dunkeld Pastoral Firm, Jack oversees an unlimited property spanning 3,000 acres, dwelling to 7,000 merino sheep and 150 cows. Pushed by curiosity and a thirst for data, Jack is at all times searching for to increase his abilities and pursuits. Regardless of his demanding schedule, he stays engaged in each private hobbies and the neighborhood. Jack is the President of the “Robust Man E-book Membership” Hamilton chapter, a month-to-month gathering that brings collectively males from throughout the area who usually stay and work in isolation with the goal to get them to “learn extra, speak extra and have extra associates”. When he’s not tending to his obligations on the farm, Jack might be discovered on the soccer field, the place he proudly represents the native membership the Glenthompson- Dunkeld Rams. Lately Jack and his spouse Niki expanded their household with the arrival of their daughter, Mara. Jack can also be very keen about canine and at the moment shares his dwelling with 11 black and tan kelpies and their pet whippet, Bagel. Having educated a number of canine prior to now, Jack is worked up to welcome one other new addition to the household – Pesto! With aspirations to rework Pesto into the Champion Muster Canine in simply 12 months, Jack is juggling a mess of obligations as he embarks on this coaching journey. Jack is aware of that he has the abilities and perseverance to show Pesto right into a winner and when you ask anybody in Dunkeld, they’ll inform you; if anybody can, it’s Jack!
Renee Spencer, 25, Central Highlands, QueenslandAnimal & Nature LoverVibrant, Devoted, IntelligentDog: Pockets
On the age of 25, Renee is keen about nature, animals, and sustainable farming practices. She grew up on her family-run cattle property within the Central Highlands, Queensland the place they deal with natural, grass-fed cattle farming, using time- managed grazing strategies. Regardless of venturing away from the land to pursue a Bachelor of Arts diploma and educating in Brisbane, Renee realised that her true calling lies in agriculture, main her again to the household farm. She’s now actively concerned within the each day operations of the property, the place her 4 working Kelpies play an important position in shifting and dealing with their livestock. A passionate and devoted particular person, Renee desires to make a significant influence. She has a powerful want to teach others about agriculture, livestock dealing with and the potential of working canine. Her method will probably be to coach her pup on-the-go, guaranteeing it develops the mandatory abilities to fulfill the calls for of their household’s property and deal with every milestone problem.
Blythe Calnan 39, Uduc, Western Australia.A New HopePositive, Robust, BubblyDog: Banksi
Blythe is a first-generation farmer, buying her 450 acre former dairy farming land five years in the past. The choice was pushed by Blythe’s prior expertise engaged on the property, the place she initiated the regenerative course of that has change into her farming ethos. When the chance arose to buy the land, Blythe jumped on the probability to change into a full-time farmer, regardless of the financial burden incurred. As a revered and wanted regenerative farmer, Blythe’s complete philosophy centres on restoring soil well being, optimising water techniques and mineral biking and minimising reliance on chemical substances and artificial inputs. She authentically walks the speak and is keen about sharing the benefits and ideas of regenerative agriculture with others. Recognized for her positivity and sense of humour, Blythe’s biggest problem will probably be finding the time to coach the Champion Muster Canine. Balancing the calls for of the property, implementing the foundational techniques that underpin her beliefs, increasing her enterprise, navigating debt and coaching a brand new pup will undoubtedly take a look at Blythe’s resilience.
Marlene Brewer 60, Bingara, New South Wales.Robust Girl on Robust CountryAuthentic, Resilient, KnowledgeableDog: Hudson
With over three a long time of devoted work on the farm, Marlene, now 60, embodies a wealth of information and expertise. Her journey started on the younger age of 24 when she bought her first block of land in Bingara, New South Wales. Life on the land offered significant challenges, leaving Marlene with the daunting process of dealing with all farm operations solely by herself. With a son to lift and a farm to handle, Marlene took on each problem, embracing the position of boss and being the driving pressure behind the farm’s future. Constructing the farm right into a legacy for her son turned Marlene’s mission, compelling her to study each side of farm administration and succession planning. From mastering horseback driving to cultivating her experience with working canine, Marlene dedicated herself wholeheartedly. At all times desirous to tackle new challenges, she has not too long ago began testing her skills in canine trialling. Marlene sees each alternative as an opportunity to enhance and refine her craft, turning every new expertise into an funding within the farm’s future. Her journey has been marked by significant trials, but every problem solely deepened her dedication to the land. In the present day, Marlene’s dedication goes past her personal farm; she’s pushed by a want to empower youthful girls within the trade, hoping her story will encourage others to step confidently into roles of management. Whereas she lacks formal coaching in canine dealing with, Marlene’s expertise and deep connection to the land place her uniquely to coach the Champion Muster Canine.
Kim Dodson 45, Kaniva, Victoria.Striving for SuccessShy, Resilient, MotherlyDog: Banjo
Farmer and mom, Kim Dodson lives and manages a 6,000-acre property in Kaniva, Victoria along with her husband and two sons. Their bustling household life is filled with exercise, with each sons at an age the place they have interaction in a number of extracurricular actions. Balancing the calls for of each day farm chores with their kids’s commitments presents Kim with many challenges. With a shy and reserved nature, Kim’s ardour for farming shines, notably in her deep bond along with her working canine. Her canine not solely play a pivotal position in farm operations however are a supply of psychological assist and companionship. Kim cherishes moments spent along with her kids, actively involving them in farm actions and nurturing their connection to the land within the hope that they are going to someday inherit the household legacy. Nonetheless, the difficult determination to ship her eldest son to boarding faculty weighs closely on her coronary heart as she strives to supply him with the very best alternatives for the longer term. With a wealth of expertise in canine coaching and a various pack of canine on her property, Kim’s method to coaching is adaptable, as she believes every canine is exclusive and will reply otherwise to numerous coaching strategies. Kim is worked up to welcome a brand new pup into the household. The most important problem she faces is managing an already busy family and property with finding the time to decide to the brand new pup.
Nathan Obst 17, Kingaroy, Queensland.Sensible past his YearsConfident, Motivated, WiseDog: Chief
On the younger age of 17, Nathan is extremely sensible and has an important sense of self, his objectives and the place he sees the way forward for the agriculture trade going. Raised on his household’s 750-acre property in Kingaroy, Queensland which his mother and father bought from his grandparents, Nathan has been immersed in farming from a younger age. Confident and motivated, Nathan is in his final yr of highschool and is worked up to finish his final exams so he can dedicate his time to the farm, his true ardour. College has by no means been his high precedence, as such the varsity holidays are his favorite time of yr, the place he might be outdoors along with his canine engaged on the land. Nathan is an skilled and educated canine coach for his age, having participated in a number of Neil McDonald colleges and benefited from the knowledge of his grandfather ‘Poppy’. Nathan’s greatest problem will probably be managing his faculty workload and household expectations whereas coaching a pet. Nathan says, “Mum and Dad have at all times informed me to strive my greatest. Despite the fact that faculty wasn’t for me, I nonetheless tried my hardesWith a pack of Kelpie canine, Nathan is worked up to tackle the problem of coaching a Border Collie. He’s desirous to discover the distinctive traits of this breed and increase his data and abilities in canine coaching.
Narrator
Lisa MillarLisa Millar was the co-host of ABC Information Breakfast for five years and is an everyday visitor presenter on the ABC’s standard Again Roads program. She’s additionally the voice of the smash hit present, Muster Canines. Lisa was an ABC international correspondent for 12 years within the US and Europe earlier than returning to Australia in 2018. She grew up in nation Queensland and is a part of a nonetheless increasing household. Her childhood within the small city of Kilkivan options in her best-selling memoir ‘Daring To Fly’. She has lived in Melbourne since 2019 and is an everyday tennis participant and runner and hopes that her capacity in each will ultimately meet up with her enthusiasm. In 2024 Lisa launched a companion guide to Muster Canines, ‘From Pups to Professionals: How ten canine stole hearts and adjusted lives perpetually’. The guide takes you behind the scenes to fulfill the forged, crew and the star canine themselves. She appears at how the present started and why it resonated with audiences, in addition to the influence on her personal life, juggling the Muster Canines world.
Specialists / Breeders
Neil McDonald, 65, South AustraliaDog and Inventory Dealing with Educator & Provider of the Kelpie PupsNeil grew up within the South Australian outback, studying the sheep shearer recreation from the ripe age of 14 years previous. Again-breaking days within the sheds didn’t depart an excessive amount of down time however when he had it, Neil would examine the habits and traits of working canine purely as a interest. It wasn’t till his early 30s that Neil realised, he was making a particular reference to these animals, turning his interest right into a occupation. Calls have been coming in from all around the nation as farmers needed to study his secret to efficiently practice the last word working canine. Nowadays Neil runs world-class working canine and inventory dealing with colleges throughout Australia, educating seven fundamental non-negotiable ideas for coaching a working canine. For canine and animal lovers worldwide, this scientific method is polarising, however as we uncover via our collection, it’s the construction, respite and self-discipline that these canine search and thrive on. It’s crucial to their welfare and the welfare of livestock. Neil is the provider of the three Kelpies featured within the collection. Bred from a powerful bloodline, this litter of Australian Kelpie pups contains a mixture of black and tan head and pink Kelpies.
Helen McDonald, 55, South Australia.Grazier And Pet Coaching ExpertHelen McDonald is a grazier. Married to Neil for over 30 years she runs their sheep property all yr spherical whereas Neil excursions the nation operating his inventory dealing with colleges. Helen’s inventory fingers are her crew of well-trained working canine. She has used her superior pet coaching abilities to information and form them right into a excessive functioning and environment friendly crew of working canine. Helen’s specialty is taking younger pups from start and nurturing that important bond that ensures they join with their coach for all times. She’s additionally refined the timeline for when the puppies must be launched to inventory, safely encouraging the event of their pure herding intuition. Helen is a big supporter of protected and efficient inventory dealing with, supported by effectively educated canine and is especially happy with the ladies who’re taking part on this collection. Helen has rigorously nurtured the Kelpie puppies on this collection, tending to their wants, feeding them, and acquainting them with livestock to organize them for his or her trainers.
Mick Hudson, New South Wales.Canine Trialling Champion, Working Canine & Livestock Educator & Provider of the Border Collie PupsMick Hudson is a grazier, and multi–Supreme Australian Champion, Nationwide Champion and State Champion. Mick mainly wins every part in each state and has accomplished so for years. Mick is the provider of the three Border Collies featured within the collection. He has high quality bloodlines of Nationwide and Supreme Australian Border Collies going again three generations. He calls his bloodline ‘Australian Working Border Collies’.Mick hardly ever sells his canine and breeds them just for these closest to him and his personal inventory and trialling work. Mick’s talent and experience as a canine and inventory educator is the results of generational nurturing and shut remark of natural tendencies and instinct.
Carolyn Hudson, New South Wales.Grazier and Pet EducatorCarolyn Hudson is a grazier from nation New South Wales. Spouse of Mick Hudson, they’ve twin sons of their 20’s and have properties in each Dubbo and Cobar the place they’ve sheep, cattle and goats. Carolyn has endured droughts and hardships and has a deep resilience frequent with so many ladies residing on the land. Elevating the pups and taking part in canine trials brings the couple pleasure and reduction from the pressures of grazing. On this collection, Carolyn takes care of the Border Collie pups from start, cuddling and dealing with them to make sure they’re well-socialised, so they are going to transition properly to Mick for coaching, earlier than starting their journey with our individuals.
Judges
Joni HallJoni is a extremely skilled and revered canine and cattle coach with over 15 years within the field. She gained nationwide consideration as a standout participant in Sequence 1 of Muster Canines, the place she impressed each the judges and viewers along with her unmatched talent in working with canine and her deep understanding of animal behaviour. Though she didn’t win the competitors, Joni’s calm, educated method and her capacity to carry out the very best in even essentially the most difficult canine made her a fan favorite. Earlier than her time on Muster Canines, Joni had accomplished a lot of Neil McDonald’s coaching colleges, and she or he is now arguably one in all Australia’s most in demand ringers. Joni has mentored tons of of individuals within the artwork of canine coaching, her educating type is hands-on, affected person and centered on constructing belief and respect between handlers and their canine.
Zoë MillerZoë grew up on her household’s cattle station, studying the artwork of muster canine coaching from a younger age. Her mother and father, each expert trainers, instilled in her a love for working canine and the significance of endurance and consistency. Her pure expertise for understanding canine and her capacity to work in high-pressure environments led to her standout efficiency in Sequence 2. She confronted robust competitors however as a result of her unwavering dedication and the distinctive abilities of her canine, Buddy, took out the title for having educated a Champion Muster Canine. After her victory, Zoë turned a widely known figure within the rural and agricultural communities, touring throughout Australia to mentor younger trainers and share her experience. Returning to Muster Canines as a decide for the finale, Zoë brings a wealth of expertise and empathy. Her judging type is each supportive and candid, offering useful suggestions to the contestants whereas recognising the laborious work and emotional funding that goes into coaching a muster canine. As a former winner, Zoë is aware of precisely what it takes to win, and her insights are invaluable to the rivals.
Barry KnightBarry Knight has spent his life working with canine and is a well-respected figure within the sheepdog trial circuit. Since 2015, he has been each competing in and judging sheepdog trials throughout Australia. His achievements embody profitable the 2022 NSW Sheep Canine Championships, the 2024 Australian Sheep Canine Championships, and being named the 2024 QLD Supreme winner. Barry is worked up to be on the judging panel for Muster Canines and is wanting ahead to seeing what the canine and their trainers have achieved in simply 12-months.
7:30pm Sunday February 2 on ABC
