Five successful bids of over 2,000 guineas were registered at the late Spring sale of working sheepdogs at Craven Cattle Marts' Skipton Auction Mart. (Fri, May 25)

With 71 dogs forward, numbers allowed buyers to be selective, yet still prepared to pay strong prices for the better end of broken dogs.

Top call of the day went to Spot, a 28-month-old black and white Border Collie dog bred by Tom Birkett, of Carnforth, Lancs.

By northern breeder Derek Scrimgeour's Ben, out of Mr Birkett's own Lady, Spot has already proved himself a strong sheep and cattle dog with a natural gather, and sold for 2,400 guineas to Harold Smith, of Carlecotes, Dunford Bridge, Sheffield. Ben will be used as a working dog on Mr Smith's sheep farm.

Three broken dogs also sold for 2,100 guineas each. Robin Dean, of Chipping, Preston, presented talented all-rounder Ron, a January, 2004, black and white dog who has already won nursery trials and been placed in opens.

With more improvement to come, Ron, also a product of Derek Scrimgeour's Ben, was bought by Cumbrian dog man George Brownrigg, of Newbiggin-on-Lune, Kirkby Stephen, as a work dog for his nephew David Brownrigg.

Nip, a two-year-old tri-coloured dog who is proving both a quality young trialist and work dog, presented by JR Gilman, of Macclesfield, was purchased by a buyer from North Wales, while Jet, a newly broken 15-month-old black and white bitch, already showing promise, from Alec Baines, of Kirkby Stephen, joined Northern Ireland buyer and familiar face at Skipton working dogs sales Seamus Gormley, of County Derry.

Prices. Broken dogs to 2,400gns (£1,427), part-broken to 1,500gns (£737) unbroken to 250gns (£203), pups to 155gns (134).

Further seasonal working sheepdog sales will take place as Skipton Auction Mart this year on Friday, August 10 (entries close July 27), and Friday, October 26 (entries close October 12).

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