Put your dog to the test

Does your farm dog work harder than the rest? Now is your chance to put it to the test.

For the first time in its six-year history, the Cobber Challenge is going Trans-Tasman — with farm dogs from New Zealand invited to compete against their Australian counterparts.

The Cobber Challenge is a unique opportunity for Aussie and Kiwi farmers to measure just how hard their dog works.

Marketing manager Kellie Savage said the Cobber Challenge provided hard data to prove what most farmers already know — a good working dog can do the work of at least two or three people.

In previous years, dogs have regularly clocked more than 50 km in a day, highlighting their contribution to the farm team.

Twelve dogs from throughout Australia and New Zealand will be fitted with a GPS collar to track their distance, working duration and speed over a threeweek period.

Points are awarded, the dogs are ranked, and — by the end of the challenge — a new Cobber Champion is crowned.

Now in its sixth year, the 2021 Cobber Challenge will run from Monday, August 16 to Sunday, September 5.

Each day of the competition, data is uploaded to the Cobber Challenge website so fans can follow the performance of individual dogs, as well as the best performing team. Will the Australian or New Zealand dogs have the highest average points?

As well as 20 kg of dog food, the winner will receive $3000 to be spent on a working dog breeding program, training for a working dog or participation in working dog trials.

■ Nominations close Sunday, June 27. Find the nomination form at: www.cobberchallenge.com.au/applynow