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00:07When Series 3's Mustardog's Grand Finale wrapped up, with our champions announced...
00:13The lead, champion Mustardog, Banjo and Kim.
00:20Our six participants, and their now one-year-old pups, may have thought it was the finish line,
00:27but really, it was just the warm-up.
00:33Since then, life has taken them on all kinds of wild, unexpected turns.
00:41And we can't wait to discover what they've been up to.
00:47The whole crew are part of a growing Mustardog's community.
00:52He didn't brush his teeth, so don't let him lick you.
00:54With big dreams of a bright, sustainable future for farming,
01:02our cuddly mates will be part of that story.
01:05Hunting, come and join us, buddy.
01:09Has Nathan's mohawked collie pup, Chief, grown into his signature hairdo?
01:15If I hadn't known he was going to grow a mullet, I might have changed his name.
01:19And has Jack's fizzy kelpie, pesto, finally grown up?
01:23No, she definitely hasn't, to be honest.
01:26See how Blythe is tackling life with trusty sidekick, Banksy.
01:31Banks has just come into my life at such an important time.
01:34Marlene, with Loyal Hudson, is flying the flag for women in agriculture.
01:40You do not need a certificate to be capable.
01:44Aye, aye, good hour, good hour.
01:47Renee and Collie Pockets have a passion project to unveil.
01:51Telling the story from my family's journey from conventional agriculture to regenerative agriculture.
01:56Plus, Kim, with her champion muster dog Banjo.
02:00Get up, get up, get up, gorgeous.
02:02Have some very special news to share.
02:05Look at all these puppies.
02:08These gorgeous pups are destined for greatness
02:11as they find new homes with our next generation of graziers.
02:16You're a good boy. I love you now.
02:18You're Megan. Best mates.
02:20Well, they will once this tiny troublemaker decides to behave.
02:27Come on, Jane.
02:28Let's go.
02:29He's gone.
02:31Good boy.
02:35Good boy.
02:37Good boy.
02:39Good boy.
02:40Right.
02:41We can hug you in the news.
02:42Goodbye.
02:43Aw, Hudson, you're so beautiful.
02:47Good boy.
02:49What do you reckon, Testo?
02:51Hey.
02:52All right.
02:53You're still my favourite.
02:54Oh, there you go.
02:56Oh, there you go.
03:18As I travel around Australia, I get to meet incredible people,
03:22taking captivating landscapes and spend time in nurturing communities.
03:27They seem to be loving this.
03:30Oh!
03:30Yeah!
03:32They seem to be normal.
03:35Oh!
03:35That's not normal.
03:35That's not normal.
03:35The best part of my job is playing with puppies.
03:38Oh, my God.
03:41And catching up with the muster dogs we've fallen in love with, like Banjo.
03:47Ha!
03:49Thank you, Banjo.
03:55Good boy.
03:57Good boy.
04:02Close to the border of South Australia
04:04is where you'll find Mustardog Series 3 champion...
04:08Banjo, sit.
04:11Banjo.
04:14And his very proud handler...
04:16You're a dork.
04:17..and fourth-generation crop and lamb producer, Kim.
04:23What have we got here?
04:26A little boy.
04:27Kelpie pup Banjo landed in Kim's life at just the right time.
04:32Oh, my God!
04:34He's all yours.
04:36I think I was ready to get back into dog training
04:39after losing a job that I've loved.
04:41We had an immediate connection.
04:43He's never left my side, always interested in what I'm doing.
04:46It's a puppy!
04:48Banjo's training went well, but he was easily distracted.
04:52If he can find something naughty to do, he will.
04:55From day one, when I showed Banjo's stop, he was switched on.
04:59Good boy.
05:00Put him in the pen with a couple of my older dogs and...
05:03Banjo!
05:04Hear to me!
05:04Good boy!
05:06Then I'd basically have to drag him out because he didn't want to stop.
05:09Because he's so big and clumsy, he'll just put his paws up and want to be picked up like he's
05:15just a sook.
05:16Yeah.
05:17You don't have to rush, but it is a time trial, and the fastest time will win.
05:22In a grand final that had everyone on the edge of their seats...
05:26Banjo, come!
05:28...Kim and Banjo's teamwork on a technically difficult final cast...
05:33Good job.
05:34That was well done.
05:35...sealed the deal.
05:36I'm incredibly proud to be passing the lead of Champion Mustardog to Banjo and Kim.
05:46Oh, Kim!
05:47Yes, Kim!
05:49Very well done.
05:50Woo!
05:52Well done.
05:53How pretty is that?
06:05And now, the handsome Kelpie has been mated with gorgeous mum, Chilly...
06:12...producing this super cute rabble of pups.
06:17No!
06:18No, no, no, no, no!
06:20Who's that barking?
06:22Look at all these puppies!
06:25Hi, Lisa!
06:26How are you?
06:27So good to see you!
06:28You too!
06:29How many are there?
06:30Twelve.
06:32No!
06:32Yes.
06:33It's been a huge effort between mum and us, but we've gotten there.
06:38Hello, gorgeous!
06:39You don't have enough arms for all the cuddles.
06:42I know.
06:42I know.
06:43Every time someone comes, I'm like, go and have puppy cuddles!
06:50Oh, so beautiful!
06:52This one's got the colouring Banjo.
06:55Yeah, so he's going to be a little saddleback just like his dad.
07:00So Banjo's the most amazing colour.
07:03Good boy.
07:04His colour goes back to some of the first collies imported to Australia that made the Kelpie breed.
07:11It can be traced right back through his pedigree to some of the best dogs in Australia.
07:18So what does Banjo think of these new pups?
07:21Well, Banjo hasn't met them yet, but we could do that now.
07:25Banjo to me!
07:27Come on, buddy!
07:29Banjo!
07:30Hi, dude!
07:31What do you think?
07:34Huh.
07:34You've got a family of 12, Banjo!
07:36Yeah!
07:37You did this, buddy!
07:38You did this!
07:40I'd be hiding too.
07:43What did you do, mate?
07:45What did you do?
07:46He's still trying to work it out.
07:47Yeah, I know!
07:49Fatherhood aside, Banjo is still an eager worker for Kim in the Yards.
07:55Good job!
07:56Banjo, from day one, slotted into the team like he'd always been there.
08:01Good dog.
08:02Walk in.
08:02I'm down to four main dogs now, and they're just like a family.
08:07Sit, Joe!
08:09Banjo's just taking a little bit of a backseat for now, just taking the pressure off of him.
08:13Banjo, righto!
08:14He's had to do a lot in the first 12 months of his life, so I'm just letting him, you
08:18know,
08:19be a work dog and be a part of the team and trying not to make him too special, because
08:24I don't want the other dogs to get jealous.
08:26Sit down.
08:27Banjo, sit.
08:29Good boy.
08:30Nice work, Banjo.
08:34How does he feel about being champion, Mustardog?
08:37Well, I don't think Banjo really knows that he's a champion.
08:43Banjo, get up.
08:44Banjo, get up.
08:45Get up.
08:46Good boy, back.
08:47Sit down now.
08:48We're having a couple of issues at the moment.
08:52Round.
08:52Because he is so smart, he can anticipate what I want, and he's one step ahead of me.
08:59So we're just trying to bring that back a bit and get things done when I ask for them,
09:04not when he thinks they need to be done.
09:10I might just hand over to the Mustardog champion, Kim.
09:16Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the Kniper Show.
09:20I'm Kim, and this is Banjo.
09:23He is the champion for season three of Mustardog.
09:27How has being part of the champion Mustardog duo impacted your life?
09:32It's been amazing meeting lots of new people and going out and Banjo experiencing lots of new festivals.
09:41And by all accounts, Banjo is still a superstar.
09:48But at home, he's just another dog, part of the team, and I'm still a mum and a wife and
09:55a farmer.
10:03I think that's one of the key things for people, especially in the city, watching this show,
10:10to understand and see this beautiful connection that you all had with your animals.
10:14Absolutely, they're not just for work.
10:20They are, you know, a piece of us and our best mates,
10:24and we could not imagine life without Banjo now.
10:28He just knows when I'm having a bad day and he is always there.
10:34He's got a big piece of my heart.
10:37What's the matter? Can you hear? Banjo, here Banjo. Banjo. Banjo.
10:43Okay puppies, you win. I'm putting up the white flag.
10:48Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!
10:53Banjo! Woo!
10:56Now you've got a bigger one to contend with.
11:03Come on guys. Come on team. Let's go. Come on.
11:08Time to go home.
11:12You're so cute.
11:15It's just been a big day.
11:18With so many puppies to love, we can see why Kim's heart is so full.
11:26And she's not the only one with a delightfully filled cup,
11:30as we head to Queensland to meet our rhinestone cowgirl.
11:40This sprawling 20,000 acre regenerative grazing property
11:45is where you'll find a gorgeous black and white collie pup called Pockets.
11:52Here's your girls. Here you go home.
11:55Her handler is colourful station manager.
11:58Good girls. Good kids. Good girls.
12:02And collie convert, Renee.
12:06Good girl. We'll go master in a day.
12:15Oh that's very nice.
12:19Pockets puppy!
12:20Renee named her pup after the white patches on her coat.
12:24Look at you. You've got Pockets.
12:27I think you should be a Pockets.
12:30Pockets. She's absolutely gorgeous.
12:32A little pocket rocket.
12:35Pocket full of beans. Pocket full of sunshine.
12:38Just a full on little dog, but just gorgeous.
12:41Pocket, pocket, pocket.
12:42You ask her jump and she says how high.
12:45And I'm doing it now, so catch me.
12:47Up, up, up.
12:48Quick girl.
12:50Oh you're a banter.
12:52You're a banter dog.
12:53I've had a few complaints with my siblings.
12:57I've taught her to jump into my arms
12:59and that has kind of accidentally translated into her
13:03just launching herself without cue at my family and at me.
13:10After a year of getting to know each other's quirks.
13:14Pocket, Pock.
13:15No one was more gobsmacked than Renee.
13:18Go get what you did. Back.
13:20When she and Pockets smashed it at the grand final.
13:25Coming in just four seconds off the cattle time trial leaders.
13:29Which one is Quangland?
13:30Grabbing second place behind Marlene and Hudson in the barrel run.
13:37Good girl, good girl.
13:39And topping it off with a stylish 100 metre cast to finish.
13:44Good sheep. Good dog.
13:46With the final assessment challenges, I was a little bit surprised.
13:50Just the way that it all came together quite nicely.
13:54I did the best that I could.
13:56Pocket. That'll do.
13:57And I knew that if I was there for Pockets, I knew that she'd be there for me.
14:02And yeah.
14:04She's been amazing.
14:19Her heart on sleeve style made Renee a mustard dog's fan favourite.
14:25Pocket. Pocket. Stop.
14:27So what's been happening since her return to the family farm?
14:33This country in the central Queensland Highlands has a powerful vibration and a rhythm
14:39that has Renee and her precious pup Pockets living their best life.
14:46How's Pockets going?
14:47She's going really well.
14:48She's hit her strides and has definitely settled in with the pack.
14:51Ah, so nice down here.
14:53She's full on as ever.
14:55Still full of beans. Still pocket full of sunshine.
14:58Little pocket rocket.
15:01She smiles.
15:02She smiles.
15:03In the team, I wouldn't say that she's Queen Bee or anything, but maybe a bit of a politician.
15:09She likes to keep the peace, I'd say. She doesn't really start or finish any fights.
15:14But no, she's quite a good little team member.
15:18What do you reckon?
15:22Whoa, Wayne.
15:25Pocket. Pocket stop.
15:27She's still a puppy, so she does some pretty silly things here and there and she does have a tendency
15:32to get worked up, but no, she's quite impressive.
15:36Just like any other dog, really, she loves her sticks and she loves playtime and going for swims and she's
15:42still very much a dog.
15:44Sometimes she gets favourite treatment.
15:46She does a little bit.
15:48It's very easy to give her some privileges that some of my other working dogs might not get.
15:55You know what people ask all the time? Do they ever get into the house?
15:58Oh, to the dismay of my parents, yes, sometimes she has made it into the house.
16:04Hey, Pockets.
16:06Hey.
16:07Oh, you are gorgeous.
16:10Hey, does Pockets watch Mustard Dogs?
16:12She has. She's seen it.
16:14Pockets, did you like it?
16:15Pockets big.
16:17Oh, that's a yes.
16:18I think so.
16:25In a whole new chapter, Renee's running her own block on the family farm.
16:31And her partner, Dean, has left his job as a lawyer to work alongside her.
16:37Hey, how you doing?
16:38Hi, Dean.
16:39I've heard a lot about you.
16:41Hopefully only good things.
16:43Lots of good things.
16:44So what's it like working with Renee as your boss?
16:47I like all the dogs, my best mates. Renee's also my best mate up the paddock.
16:51Oh.
16:52That's very sweet.
16:54I wasn't expecting that answer. That's nice.
16:57So...
17:03Dan, could you loop around here and come here back?
17:08So, Renee, how does Dean shape up as a worker?
17:11I don't know what he was like as a lawyer, but he's a pretty good cowboy, so...
17:16I'm not complaining at all.
17:19Has it an amazing way with the cattle that I'm actually quite jealous of sometimes.
17:24I think he can lead stock better than me, so...
17:26Good dog. Lovely dog.
17:28Come on, Wiener.
17:29One of my favourite things at the moment is watching Dean have a win with his dogs.
17:33Good dog. Lovely dog.
17:34He gets all beamy and smiley and it's very, very, very sweet.
17:39He's got good teachers.
17:41Full of compliments.
17:42Need to be on camera more often.
17:46Oh, this is so gorgeous.
17:49Pockets loves you.
17:51You'll get her love with if you keep laughing like that.
17:54She's a bit of a comedian and I would say a class clown as well.
17:58She absolutely loves the attention that is brought by a good laugh, eh?
18:03Yeah.
18:03Really? Yeah.
18:04Well, have you got a joke you can try us on?
18:07Maybe. Maybe this one might work.
18:09The other day I told Dean to embrace his mistakes.
18:13And he gave me a hug.
18:17Oh, my God.
18:18Oh, he is that right.
18:21That's a jerk puppet.
18:25Apart from her laughter-loving collie,
18:29Renee's time on muster dogs has brought plenty of other good things too.
18:33So how did muster dogs impact your life?
18:37Well, in many ways.
18:38It's nicer talking to people that I went to high school with now.
18:43Just the response and I guess the connection that people feel
18:47when they watch muster dogs is pretty amazing really.
18:50It has actually opened up my eyes
18:52and that they are as passionate about the industry as I am and yeah.
18:58How have you gone with the response from the fans?
19:01It was very positive.
19:04Actually, a lot of rural women would say,
19:08I'm proud of you, which is pretty crazy to me.
19:10Yeah.
19:12I've got something nice to show you from one of your fans in New South Wales.
19:17Kate was so inspired that she made a doll of you.
19:26What do you think?
19:28That's very sweet.
19:30Has she got it right?
19:31She's got it spot on. It was brilliant.
19:34The shirt, the boots, the jeans, high waisted jeans too.
19:39That's gorgeous.
19:41Thank you so much.
19:46Getting me emotional.
19:51What do you think Pocket's going to make of it?
19:53Hopefully she won't put a hole in it.
19:57Deeply passionate about educating others on the benefits of regenerative agriculture,
20:03Renee's social media following is growing.
20:06Look at the difference.
20:07Australia has a water problem and it's not the one you think I'm talking about.
20:10It is time for all of us to kind of start thinking about getting the stuff that comes from the
20:16sky,
20:17putting it into the ground and keeping it there.
20:20And she's even having a go at the old school way of telling a tale.
20:24And leaving our soils bare.
20:26I am. I've been given the opportunity through Mustard Dogs.
20:29And we've been writing a book at the moment, yeah.
20:33It's, I guess, telling my family's story and my and the working dog's story on our properties.
20:40Life's washed enough.
20:42And it's to show the family's journey from conventional agriculture to regenerative agriculture.
20:48And how that's helped us really, so.
20:50Need more cows. Not enough poo for them.
20:54I've been able to, you know, put in a lot of little drawings and diagrams and things that helped me
21:00when I started off.
21:02And it actually promotes new growth.
21:04And it's as long as you rest it according to season. Like that.
21:08So I guess if I can give that back to the world, the Mustard Dogs opportunity, I guess paying it
21:15forward then.
21:19Attending events like the Agro Field Day.
21:22Happy. Yay.
21:24Have also been a fun opportunity for Renee to showcase her artwork.
21:28Hey pup pup. You ready?
21:30All dogs up.
21:31Ann for Pockets.
21:33And Kelpie teammate, Bassel.
21:35Are you ready to talk to some people?
21:37Have big yarns? Maybe sell a book?
21:38Oh, good dog.
21:40Charmed visitors to their tent.
21:42How you going, Renee?
21:43Madison Madison.
21:44Lovely to meet you.
21:45This here is Pockets.
21:46Good girl, Pockets.
21:47She loved it, I think.
21:48She loved meeting people and she's been working on her greetings.
21:52She was signing people's pieces of paper and she's been lapping it up, I suppose.
21:57What can you paint?
21:58Pockets.
21:59Good girl.
22:00She signed it for you.
22:02Pockhole.
22:03Good.
22:03Good girl, Pockets.
22:06Big day, hey?
22:07Big day having big chats, signing autographs.
22:11Pockets, you paint.
22:12Pockets did paint.
22:13I'm pretty lucky to have yous really.
22:17The combined joy and mischief of Renee and Pockets is infectious and truly makes you believe that anything is possible
22:25if you have the courage to give it a go.
22:30Do you want to play a stick?
22:32Oh, does he ever.
22:34Ready?
22:34Speak, speak, speak, speak, speak.
22:37So, you're going to be a grazier, an author, an influencer.
22:42What else is there on your bucket list of things to do?
22:47I would actually like to go travel around and, again, keep learning more skills, eh?
22:56There's been a lot on offer here, but my little brother has just finished up his diesel apprenticeship, so I
23:04might pass the reins to him for a bit and hopefully go travelling next year with my partner.
23:08So, yeah.
23:10A big trailer full of dogs and going around and seeing if there is work available.
23:16Sit back in the shade and tuck my boots up.
23:22So, Renee and Pockets could pop up anywhere in Australia.
23:26Yeah, maybe.
23:27We could.
23:28Maybe.
23:29Keep your eyes open.
23:31Pockets did a good job.
23:32You did a good job.
23:36Good job.
23:37Good job.
23:37Good job.
23:38Good job.
23:40Just like Pockets, I reckon this pup is going to grow up to love herding cows.
23:46A bit like a red and tan fella in Western Australia.
23:53What a lovely little boy.
23:56An hour and a half south of Perth is a 400-acre cattle and chicken operation.
24:02Dogs to me.
24:03Hear, hear.
24:04And just wait.
24:05Banksy wait.
24:06Home to an easily sidetracked Kelpie pup named Banksy.
24:13The property is run by passionate animal lover and grazier...
24:17Good dog.
24:18Blythe.
24:19I think you've been busy.
24:28Quickly grabbing a spot in her heart, Kelpie pup Banksy was easily distracted.
24:35I've been considering whether he is going to be a challenging dog.
24:38He's right on the mic now.
24:39He's chewing the mic.
24:42I love the fact he's a Kelpie.
24:45I've never had a red Kelpie before.
24:47He's chilled out.
24:48He's attentive.
24:49He is one cool dude.
24:52He's absolutely great.
24:54Proper little boy pup.
24:56He's quite masculine.
24:57He doesn't need to learn to say I adore you without using his teeth.
25:02Banksy, he's a bit mischievous.
25:05He has been a little bit of a humper.
25:07A few of the other dogs have copped his affection.
25:09Good.
25:10You know, he's just so enthusiastic about everything he does.
25:13Great.
25:13What a great little dog.
25:15Unfortunately, Banksy suffered a leg injury just weeks out from the grand final.
25:23Banks sliced his back leg open and so we stitched him up and it's healed up fine.
25:29But it was pretty clear then that he wasn't going to be getting much work before the finale.
25:34What's happening here, mate?
25:38What's happening here, mate?
25:41With pride and determination, Blythe faced the challenges with her best pal, Banksy.
25:47Well, fancy seeing you lot here.
25:49Hey!
25:50That's a funny looking dog.
25:52Talk to him and squeeze your cattle a bit.
25:55Let's bring him up.
25:55After a shaky start in the first two tasks.
25:58Banks here.
25:59Banks back.
26:01Sit down, sit down.
26:03Over.
26:04She and Banksy dug deep.
26:06And nailed a cracking performance in the 100 metre muster.
26:13Coming into that last assessment, you know, I think we were a red hot go.
26:17You know, he has been powering along.
26:19I've been so impressed with him.
26:21They're in.
26:21We're done.
26:22Well done, Blythe.
26:24I'm proud of myself.
26:27Being able to sort of stand up here knowing that we wouldn't perform at our best,
26:31but still finish as a team with the sheep work.
26:34And I'm so grateful for this little dog and this whole experience.
26:47What few could have guessed was the upheaval Blythe was heading home to in her private life.
26:53The end of 2024 and 2025 have been a pretty wild ride for me actually.
27:00I went through a quite dramatic and traumatic separation.
27:05And the effects of that have changed my life.
27:13And Banksy has been there by my side the whole time.
27:17And I really couldn't have asked.
27:19God already.
27:22Couldn't have asked to have a better little mate by my side.
27:29As part of that sort of ending of that relationship was the ending of our farming partnership.
27:35It was a really difficult decision to leave the farm and probably, you know, the hardest I've had to make.
27:42After all the challenges, Blythe knew she couldn't remain at home.
27:47Me?
27:48To be in the position I was in is very difficult.
27:53There were elements to the end of the relationship that were really hard to deal with.
27:58It's, you know, not something that will define me, but it's something which I want people to be able to
28:05talk about.
28:07And I think secrets thrive in dark, damp conditions and sunlight and fresh air are the best disinfectants available to
28:17us.
28:21And the sun doesn't shine brighter than in the Pilbara, Western Australia.
28:29True to her glass half full nature, Blythe's hit the road as a contract musterer.
28:37She's got a rolling team of ten dogs with Banksy the undeniable VIP.
28:44Hey Banks, what do you reckon about this adventure?
28:46Banks has just come into my life at such an important time.
28:50And then we're going to go to Broome, Banksy.
28:57He became my chief of security, chief of cuddles.
29:01The guy would lick me in the face in the morning and kind of say, come on, let's go have
29:05some fun.
29:06His work has come along beautifully.
29:12And he has become a really handy dog on the farm.
29:16He's my go-to fella for most of my work.
29:18Like us all, he's got some areas of development to work on.
29:23But he's the dog I choose to go with me anywhere I go, both in life and in work.
29:29He's a really handy fella with a heart of gold.
29:35Banksy has really adapted well to muster dog stardom.
29:39I'm rolling anyway.
29:40But he didn't love the cameras by the end of the shooting.
29:43Come here buddy.
29:45You know, sometimes he might even have a bit of a growl at a camera.
29:48Bank, come here buddy.
29:52He wouldn't go past in front of me.
29:54He wouldn't cross me.
29:55Yeah, traumatised.
29:56But when the cameraman comes past, he's like, hey, sorry dude, it was just that big scary thing you were
30:01carrying.
30:02If I ignore it, it'll go away. If I ignore it, it'll go away.
30:04Why is he still doing that?
30:06If you notice, he won't really look a camera in the eye.
30:17Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.
30:20Hello darling.
30:21And I'm now on the road with my team of dogs, working with incredible people, educating livestock.
30:28Here you go big fella.
30:29Catching up with lots of muster dogs, people.
30:33And travelling around Australia, seeing what my next adventure is.
30:36I can now really look at a blank slate and reinvent my life in a way which I hadn't really
30:42thought would be possible.
30:44So that is just such a gift.
30:49Bring it on.
30:51Yeah, I'm feeling it.
30:55Thanks.
31:07When they start off as soft and snuggly as this, it's no surprise that Banksy has become such an integral
31:15part of Blythe's life.
31:17It's been much the same for our youngest participant to take on the muster dogs challenge, Nathan from Queensland.
31:30On a 750 acre family run grazing property, just outside Kingaroy in Queensland.
31:37Go down, see it.
31:39A certain affable collie called Chief, is full of life.
31:46You like this don't you Chief?
31:48Do you want to pat a Chief?
31:50He's got a bit of a mullet like you mate.
31:52So did you see season three, muster dogs?
31:54Yeah, it's like he knows he's famous.
31:58And the pup is more than happy to share the limelight with his handler, Nathan.
32:05Hey Chief, you just love this don't you? You love the attention.
32:09Every person he sees he just walks straight over to and sits down, puts a paw up as if, you
32:15should know me and you'll want to pat me.
32:19Oi, look at you. How handsome are you.
32:23It was obvious from the start.
32:25Oh.
32:26The relationship between the handsome pup and high school student Nathan was going to be a special one.
32:33I think he is a very happy-go-lucky dog. Always wants to be with you or right on top
32:38of you.
32:38Hey buddy. Hey.
32:40He's a very friendly dog and he just likes people.
32:46Did you brush it this morning?
32:48I bet you didn't.
32:50You're used to it more than I am.
32:52He's started growing this mullet.
32:54It's all real short from halfway down his back.
32:57The top is just all long and overhangs the short stuff.
33:01He looks like a complete goofball.
33:03Come on. Off you go. Off you go.
33:06Chief, come.
33:06By the time the grand final rolled around, Chief's confidence had grown so much, the pair posted the fastest time
33:16on the cattle time trial.
33:18Well done.
33:20Good boy, Chief.
33:22Consistent in the other tasks...
33:23Nice work, Nathan. That's a good spot.
33:26...meant they came so close to taking the crown.
33:30Earning praise from the experts watching on.
33:33It's like he's had a nice run.
33:35He's had a ripper run.
33:36Cheers.
33:37Sit down.
33:40Good boy.
33:42Nathan and Chief have done really well.
33:44And the improvement Nathan made with that dog was just spectacular.
33:48He put a lot of effort in that young fella.
33:51Lovely dog. Good boy, Chief. Good boy.
33:53Nice run, mate.
33:54Future plans with Chief, I'd probably swap him.
33:58Nah. Nah, I couldn't swap him.
34:00No, definitely not.
34:01He's a keeper.
34:02Definitely. He's a ripper little dog.
34:08Good dogs. Good dogs.
34:11One year later, Nathan and Chief continue to grow together, working stock and refining their skills.
34:18Here to me.
34:21Good puppies.
34:22Good puppies. Good boy, Chief.
34:24He's loving the sunshine.
34:26Yes, it's about time we've had a nice sunny day.
34:28Yeah.
34:29And how are you going, Chief? You've still got your crazy haircut.
34:32He does.
34:33He does.
34:34If I hadn't known he was going to grow a mullet, I might have changed his name.
34:38Well, I think Chief suits him as a name.
34:41It does.
34:41He's grown into it.
34:42That's for sure.
34:44Hey, Chief.
34:45What do you reckon about that?
34:48Look at this.
34:50Look, there's so much.
34:52That might be because of the bath.
34:54He was actually a black and brown dog the other day.
35:00So how's he progressed as a working dog?
35:02He's definitely a little later maturing.
35:04Sit down.
35:05But he's become a better dog since the finale.
35:09So give me a sense of Chief's style out there.
35:12So Chief, when he works, he's not a very forceful dog.
35:15He fits in very well to the team though.
35:17Good dog.
35:18He is good up in the lead.
35:19But if something gets a bit confrontational, he's still a bit quick to slide away.
35:24So I just want to improve his confidence and get him to hold just that bit longer.
35:28Beecher, sit down.
35:30Come on.
35:31Sit down.
35:34What's Chief's personality like?
35:36Much the same as before the finale.
35:39He's a very happy dog.
35:41Chief, shake hands.
35:43Two hands.
35:44I think he wants a cuddle, Lisa.
35:47This is hilarious.
35:48He's got the paw on the shoulder too.
35:54Chief.
35:55Oh.
35:55What's Chief looking at?
35:57Probably the cattle that are behind us there.
36:00Always working, huh?
36:01Always.
36:02Always on the job.
36:03Hey big fella.
36:08How has being on the show changed life for you?
36:11It's definitely been flat out.
36:15Here in Queensland, getting to 20 degrees today.
36:19Could you be more excited?
36:20No, not really.
36:2120 degrees is a bit better than what it has been.
36:26Since I've been on the show, it's definitely busier.
36:29So this here, this Australian Border Collie, is Mustardog's Chief.
36:33The boy Chief.
36:35Been doing a bit of demo work and some promotional stuff.
36:39He didn't brush his teeth, so don't let him lick you.
36:42And then now I've finished school, so I'm working full time, so...
36:46Where are your manners?
36:47Come on, Chiefie.
36:48Chief.
36:49Chief.
36:49Don't bite the mic.
36:50I got a job in town at a local diesel mechanic shop.
36:54So it's been good in there, learning plenty, trying to, so...
37:03Come here, mate.
37:04Good fella.
37:06And Chief, we're into the Atherton show, mate.
37:10One of Nathan's first invites saw him build as the backup act at the Atherton show.
37:16Good dog.
37:18Good dog.
37:18Good dog.
37:19So, here in the line-up today, we have the beautiful Collie there, Mustardog's Chief,
37:23as you probably are all aware.
37:26So it's all about your energy when you're training dogs, moving cattle.
37:30Dogs pick up on your energy, and cattle pick up on the dog's energy.
37:36Originally, the demonstration was going to be shared with another former Mustardog star.
37:41Good dog.
37:42But tragedy intervened.
37:45So, he's all promised Frank Finger here today.
37:49Unfortunately, Frank could not be here today.
37:53And our thoughts go out to him in this time.
37:58So, Atherton turned out to be a bit more challenging than you were expecting, hey?
38:04So, I was supposed to be heading up there with Frank, but unfortunately, I just...
38:12Frank's wife passed, and shortly after Annie, so Frank was not feeling up to coming, which is completely understandable.
38:21So, yeah.
38:25Frank Finger would have called that space there between the dog sitting and the cattle, the relief corridor.
38:31You'll notice all the while I'm giving them plenty of praise.
38:33Good dog.
38:34Frank Finger says, lovely dog.
38:37I just did the best I can.
38:40And then I got a call from Frank, and Frank said that he'd be very proud of no matter what
38:46I did.
38:46So, to be stepping in for Frank and carrying on what he wanted to do, it's been a very big
38:53thing.
38:54Yeah.
39:00Frank tragically lost his wife of 47 years, Cathy.
39:05And then a week later, his champion muster dog, Annie, passed away.
39:12Lovely dog.
39:14You're a lovely dog.
39:15Muster dogs could not have asked for a better ambassador than Series 1 winner and lifelong grazier, Frank Finger.
39:22A man beloved by his community, his family, and his industry.
39:29I'm very privileged to have Annie.
39:32Lovely dog.
39:33That's a lovely dog.
39:35She's the princess, yeah.
39:37That's a lovely dog.
39:41So, yeah.
39:42Oh, there's a very special bond with Annie and I.
39:45Yes, yes.
39:55From meeting Frank to joining the muster dogs alumni, Nathan has zero regrets about training Chief in his final school
40:06year.
40:06Oh, you suck.
40:08How am I going to do my homework like that?
40:12We were a little worried about the fact you were doing grade 12 when you were also preparing for the
40:17finale.
40:18The pressure.
40:20Hey mate, what does DNA stand for?
40:23The timing between my exams and the finale was good.
40:27It meant I could work on Chief up till the finale and then still have plenty of time to prepare
40:32for my exams.
40:32Sit.
40:33Sit.
40:34There was some homework that didn't get done, but all the important stuff was done.
40:38I passed everything, so they're happy.
40:45Oh, I'm a big baby.
40:48So did Chief make an appearance at school at all?
40:50He did actually.
40:51He arrived on the back of our red ute for formal.
40:55So me and my partner, we decided we were going to match colours for our suit and dress and we
41:01tied a nice orange in with it to match Chief.
41:05Did everyone know though that Chief was going to be a TV star at that point?
41:09No, it was only between me and the partner.
41:12The newspapers actually said, and the farm dog turned up on the ute.
41:18We all had our little joke that he's not just a farm dog.
41:24What's next for Chief?
41:26I'll sell him.
41:27Get the big money for him.
41:28You lie.
41:30Oh yeah, I couldn't sell him.
41:32No, he's my best mate.
41:38Gorgeous boy.
41:40Do you think these fluff balls are going to end up with Chief style mullets?
41:45Or will they be slick haired like Banjo's litter of pups that I suspect are creating havoc?
41:53Nope.
41:54And you stay here.
41:57It's only been 12 weeks since my last visit to see Banjo's boisterous bunch.
42:02Is this one of the pups?
42:04It sure is.
42:06This is Indy.
42:07She's the one that I've kept from the litter.
42:10Wow.
42:11Lots of growing has been going on.
42:14Okay, that's enough licking.
42:16Yeah, she's so much like her mum, Chilly.
42:19So, Chilly is my husband Shane's main dog and she's had two litters before.
42:25All the pups from both of those litters have made good working dogs.
42:28So, I knew she would produce good pups and we were just seeing what this man here, if he was
42:35going to be a good sire or not.
42:38Cute.
42:39Let's go, poppers.
42:41Pop, pop.
42:43Under the watchful eye of Dad Banjo, all puppies started training young.
42:49Come here, fella.
42:50With mixed success.
42:52Well, you're not really interested.
42:54You are.
42:55The bird.
42:56Yes, it's been a bit of a mammoth effort to get them to where they are today.
43:03Don't get grumpy.
43:04But, yeah, very happy.
43:06So, the challenge is now finding them all home.
43:09And how have you done that?
43:10So, I never breed a litter unless I'm ready for a pup and I have a list of people waiting
43:15for pups.
43:16So, four of the pups have gone out to homes over Australia.
43:20I'm Ethan and this year is Dottie.
43:22This is Smurf, a daughter of Banjos.
43:25And they've got fantastic, loving, working homes.
43:27So, very pleased with that.
43:30Good boy.
43:30Kim and hubby Shane are keeping three of the puppies.
43:35Hey, you're beautiful.
43:36Leaving five power pups for Kim to lovingly home.
43:41Given they're as cute as these guys, it should not be a problem.
43:46So, what I've done is called upon my fellow participants to see if they can find some beautiful children to
43:55help set them up for success in the future.
43:58She wants to come to this spot all the time.
44:00All of us have, you know, had fantastic opportunities with muster dogs and, you know, having great mentors ourselves.
44:08So, if we could be mentors for a child, then, you know, it's a fantastic way of being able to
44:14pay it forward.
44:15So, five young people are about to get five very special puppies.
44:22What an awesome opportunity for them.
44:24Would you like to meet the pup that I'm going to give to a special boy in Victoria?
44:28I would love to.
44:30He's going to make one kid very happy.
44:33Oh, you are just beautiful.
44:38Isn't he gorgeous?
44:39Oh, those ears.
44:41Oh, he's a wiggly pup.
44:43We might just put him down.
44:46There's a lot of pup there.
44:47Oh, yeah.
44:48Yep, yep.
44:49Absolutely.
44:50Woo!
44:51He did it!
44:53Look at the two tails coming.
44:56Synchronised tails.
44:57All right, let's go.
44:59You coming too?
45:01Come on, Ben.
45:02Bedro, come on.
45:06Time to hit the road.
45:09Puppy delivery mission is go.
45:14Next time...
45:16Speak, speak.
45:17More catch-up news with our muster dog stars.
45:20You do not need permission if you want to get out and change your life.
45:25As Marlene and Hudson use their current fame for good.
45:29It's been my platform and I have loved this so much.
45:34Pesto, come. Pesto, come.
45:36There's still plenty of fizz in Jack and Pesto's life.
45:39We're expecting another child very soon.
45:43So we're all getting very...
45:45Congratulations. Thank you very much.
45:46And...
45:47We got a surprise for you.
45:49Our puppies are on the road.
45:51Oh my gosh, puppy!
45:54As five lucky young graziers...
45:56There you go, mate. Your very first working dog.
45:59...are handed bouncing banjo puppies...
46:02Yeah, you're a gorgeous boy. You look like your father.
46:04...to be next generation champs.
46:07Just like Dad.
46:10Look at him, settled right down. Just like his Aunty Pesto.
46:13Good girl.
46:14Yeah, best mates. Oh yes, thank you.
46:19Good boy.
46:21We gonna get back.
46:27Yes
46:29Oh!
46:34Oh!
46:35Woo!
46:39Though again, whatever.
46:40Oh no.
46:48The picture is the great adventures of.
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