Rose the kelpie is ready to star in the Cobber Challenge.
There’s a couple of things contractor Laine Eade loves about his main ‘go-to’ dog, Rose.
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“It doesn’t matter what I am doing, she gets in and does it, with minimal hassle,” he said.
“In her prime she was a lot faster [she’s eight now], but she still goes all day long and doesn’t stop.
“She’s loyal, always there, pretty much my best friend.”
Laine and his favourite dog, Rose, will compete in the Cobber Challenge in October, an annual showcase of the country’s best working dogs.
Each dog will be fitted with a GPS tracker to log how far, how fast and how long they work each day over a three-week period. Points are scored based on distance, speed and duration.
At the end of the competition, one top dog will rise above the rest to claim bragging rights, $3000 cash, the legendary Cobber Challenge trophy and a year’s supply of Cobber working dog feed.
Rose is part of Laine’s contract crew of eight, but she’s his favourite.
Rose is always ready to tackle whatever the day throws at her, seven days a week.
Raised on hard work and instinct, she operates with quiet precision and a calm confidence that makes her invaluable.
Together they muster cattle and goats, and sheep in mobs running to thousands of head, on the plains in the Tresco district near Swan Hill.
She’s at home in the ute, on the buggy or perched on a motorbike.
Lainie bred Rose from mother Ivy, and Rose has produced her own litter of pups. He is hoping for a second litter.
Rose (left) with Laine Eade and another of his kelpie crew.
Rose and Laine Eade who will compete in the Cobber Challenge.
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