00:00They're the inspiration for cartoons and reality TV shows adored across Australia and around the world.
00:09More than 200 of the best working dogs in the country and their handlers
00:14have descended on WA's wheat belt for the Supreme Australian Sheepdog Championships.
00:20It stops all the rumours and innuendo and gossip about whose dog may be best. This is the ultimate test.
00:26The first recorded sheepdog trial was held in Wangaratta, Victoria in 1868.
00:32Almost 160 years later, one thing remains the same.
00:37A strong bond between dog and trainer is vital to success.
00:43You must be good with animals because if you aren't good with animals,
00:49you're not going to be able to work that dog to its best.
00:54For these dyed in the wool dog people, the animals are much more than an indispensable tool when mustering livestock.
01:01It's like a real close friend.
01:03So what's the secret to making a champion?
01:06So I'm wanting something with good walk up, a bit of eye so they can actually feel their way around their stock
01:15and something that's going to be trainable.
01:17After nine days of intensive dog trials, Australia's best sheepdog will be named
01:23and the top four teams will head across the ditch to Ashburton in New Zealand
01:28for the Trans-Tasman Championships in October.
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