Adorable Collie sells for world record-breaking price
A border collie has been sold for a world record-breaking amount at the Ray White Rockhampton Working Dog Sale and Trial.
Helen and James Parker paid $40,000 for Liz, a border collie who they describe as the "whole package".
The couple, who run a wagyu cattle farm in Monto, Queensland are keen to welcome the pup who will help them muster cattle as part of the day-to-day running of the farm.
"We leave in the morning early, they might do three to four hours mustering in the morning, then we get the cattle to the yard and then in the afternoon we'll walk them away," Helen said.
"Our mustering round's about a week, so all day for a week, so some big days and it's hot up here in summer so they need to be able to travel and follow us on a horse and big days in hot conditions so we can't do the job without them."
Liz, who was raised by Joe Leven, is the second dog the couple have purchased from Joe, and they say the price was worth it.
"We weren't planning on breaking records but we're happy to have her," Helen told 2GB's Ben Fordham.
"She's the whole package, she's got breeding behind her, she has all herding ability, natural instinct. I just think she's a great asset to our team."
Although Liz is an unusual name for a cattle dog, it is actually a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.
"Joe named them and there's a bit of a story behind how Liz got her name. She was born the year that Queen Elizabeth passed away, so she's really upheld her name, she's the queen," Helen explained.
The Rockhampton Working Dog trial and Sale was a success for Joe and Cabra Glebe Working Dogs, who managed to sell another dog, Jenny for $38,000.
Image: Ray White Working dog sale Facebook