TV show 'Muster Dogs' drives surge in demand for working dogs, trainer says

Internationally renowned working dog trainer Gary White suggests that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) popular series "Muster Dogs" is significantly boosting the demand for trained working dogs across Australia. White, who travels extensively to conduct workshops, focuses on teaching handlers how to effectively partner with their dogs, emphasizing that the handler's role is crucial in the training process.

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It's more about teaching the handler where they've got to be and what they've got to do. And when they know, they can actually teach their dog.

Having spent his life working with dogs on rural properties, White views working dogs as indispensable partners. He notes that while modern mustering techniques increasingly involve technology like drones and autogyros, a skilled working dog remains vital on a station. His own family has a long history with working dogs, with his father founding White's Kelpie Stud in the 1950s. White's expertise has led him to conduct training workshops in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, and Europe.

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My dogs were my right-hand man.

A report by ANZ indicates a growing demand for working dogs over the past decade, particularly amid pressures on the agricultural workforce. White confirms this trend, recalling instances where employing a team of working dogs was more cost-effective than hiring additional human labor. The value of these dogs is reflected in their rising prices, with top working dogs fetching prices close to $30,000 at recent auctions. White stresses that the investment is worthwhile, highlighting the significant physical work these dogs can save farmers.

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When I was contracting, they'd employ me with my team of working dogs instead of employing another two people. They're very cost-effective.