Muster Canine season 3 places each Border Collies and Kelpies to the take a look at to find out the final word Champion Muster Canine.

Within the six-part collection, six passionate graziers are challenged to coach a pet – three Collies and three Kelpies – into environment friendly working members of their mustering pack inside 12 months.

Coaching consultants then set challenges and fee every pup’s progress. They are going to be assessed on the similarities and variations between the 2 iconic breeds to check methods, aptitude and job suitability. They are going to concentrate on discovering the right breed to match the farmers’ persona, inventory and circumstances.

Viewers will uncover the strengths and weaknesses of Border Collies and Kelpies, settling the age-old debate of which breed reigns supreme. Simply don’t name it Collies v Kelpies!

Trainers

Jack Kennedy, 30, Dunkeld, Victoria.
Jack of all Trades
Passionate, Inquisitive, Charismatic
Canine: Pesto

Jack is a real Dunkeld native with deep roots locally. Because the son of a shearer, Jack has inherited a powerful work ethic and a love for the land. At the moment working because the farm supervisor for the Dunkeld Pastoral Firm, Jack oversees an unlimited property spanning 3,000 acres, dwelling to 7,000 merino sheep and 150 cows. Pushed by curiosity and a thirst for information, Jack is at all times searching for to increase his expertise and pursuits. Regardless of his demanding schedule, he stays engaged in each private hobbies and the group. Jack is the President of the “Robust Man E-book Membership” Hamilton chapter, a month-to-month gathering that brings collectively males from throughout the area who typically reside and work in isolation with the intention to get them to “learn extra, discuss extra and have extra buddies”. When he’s not tending to his tasks on the farm, Jack could be discovered on the soccer field, the place he proudly represents the native membership the Glenthompson- Dunkeld Rams. Lately Jack and his spouse Niki expanded their household with the arrival of their daughter, Mara. Jack can be very enthusiastic about canines and at the moment shares his dwelling with 11 black and tan kelpies and their pet whippet, Bagel. Having educated a number of canines previously, Jack is happy to welcome one other new addition to the household – Pesto! With aspirations to remodel Pesto into the Champion Muster Canine in simply 12 months, Jack is juggling a mess of tasks as he embarks on this coaching journey. Jack is aware of that he has the abilities and perseverance to show Pesto right into a winner and if you happen to ask anybody in Dunkeld, they’ll inform you; if anybody can, it’s Jack!

Renee Spencer, 25, Central Highlands, Queensland
Animal & Nature Lover
Vibrant, Devoted, Clever
Canine: Pockets

On the age of 25, Renee is enthusiastic about nature, animals, and sustainable farming practices. She grew up on her family-run cattle property within the Central Highlands, Queensland the place they concentrate on natural, grass-fed cattle farming, using time- managed grazing strategies. Regardless of venturing away from the land to pursue a Bachelor of Arts diploma and educating in Brisbane, Renee realised that her true calling lies in agriculture, main her again to the household farm. She’s now actively concerned within the every day operations of the property, the place her 4 working Kelpies play an important function in shifting and dealing with their livestock. A passionate and devoted particular person, Renee needs to make a significant affect. She has a powerful want to coach others about agriculture, livestock dealing with and the potential of working canines. Her strategy will probably be to coach her pup on-the-go, guaranteeing it develops the mandatory expertise to satisfy the calls for of their household’s property and sort out every milestone problem.

Blythe Calnan 39, Uduc, Western Australia.
A New Hope
Optimistic, Robust, Bubbly
Canine: Banksi

Blythe is a first-generation farmer, buying her 450 acre former dairy farming land five years in the past. The choice was pushed by Blythe’s prior expertise engaged on the property, the place she initiated the regenerative course of that has turn into her farming ethos. When the chance arose to buy the land, Blythe jumped on the probability to turn into a full-time farmer, regardless of the financial burden incurred. As a revered and wanted regenerative farmer, Blythe’s total philosophy centres on restoring soil well being, optimising water programs and mineral biking and minimising reliance on chemical compounds and artificial inputs. She authentically walks the discuss and is enthusiastic about sharing the benefits and ideas of regenerative agriculture with others. Recognized for her positivity and sense of humour, Blythe’s biggest problem will probably be finding the time to coach the Champion Muster Canine. Balancing the calls for of the property, implementing the foundational programs that underpin her beliefs, increasing her enterprise, navigating debt and coaching a brand new pup will undoubtedly take a look at Blythe’s resilience.

Marlene Brewer 60, Bingara, New South Wales.
Robust Woman on Robust Nation
Genuine, Resilient, Educated
Canine: Hudson

With over three many years of devoted work on the farm, Marlene, now 60, embodies a wealth of data and expertise. Her journey started on the younger age of 24 when she bought her first block of land in Bingara, New South Wales. Life on the land introduced significant challenges, leaving Marlene with the daunting activity of dealing with all farm operations fully by herself. With a son to lift and a farm to handle, Marlene took on each problem, embracing the function of boss and being the driving pressure behind the farm’s future. Constructing the farm right into a legacy for her son turned Marlene’s mission, compelling her to be taught each aspect of farm administration and succession planning. From mastering horseback using to cultivating her experience with working canines, Marlene dedicated herself wholeheartedly. At all times wanting to tackle new challenges, she has not too long ago began testing her skills in canine trialling. Marlene sees each alternative as an opportunity to enhance and refine her craft, turning every new expertise into an funding within the farm’s future. Her journey has been marked by significant trials, but every problem solely deepened her dedication to the land. Immediately, Marlene’s dedication goes past her personal farm; she’s pushed by a want to empower youthful ladies within the trade, hoping her story will encourage others to step confidently into roles of management. Whereas she lacks formal coaching in canine dealing with, Marlene’s expertise and deep connection to the land place her uniquely to coach the Champion Muster Canine.

Kim Dodson 45, Kaniva, Victoria.
Striving for Success
Shy, Resilient, Motherly
Canine: Banjo

Farmer and mom, Kim Dodson lives and manages a 6,000-acre property in Kaniva, Victoria together with her husband and two sons. Their bustling household life is filled with exercise, with each sons at an age the place they interact in plenty of extracurricular actions. Balancing the calls for of every day farm chores with their youngsters’s commitments presents Kim with many challenges. With a shy and reserved nature, Kim’s ardour for farming shines, significantly in her deep bond together with her working canines. Her canines not solely play a pivotal function in farm operations however are a supply of psychological assist and companionship. Kim cherishes moments spent together with her youngsters, actively involving them in farm actions and nurturing their connection to the land within the hope that they may in the future inherit the household legacy. Nonetheless, the difficult determination to ship her eldest son to boarding faculty weighs closely on her coronary heart as she strives to supply him with one of the best alternatives for the longer term. With a wealth of expertise in canine coaching and a various pack of canines on her property, Kim’s strategy to coaching is adaptable, as she believes every canine is exclusive and should reply in a different way to varied coaching strategies. Kim is happy to welcome a brand new pup into the household. The largest problem she faces is managing an already busy family and property with finding the time to decide to the brand new pup.

Nathan Obst 17, Kingaroy, Queensland.
Smart past his Years
Confident, Motivated, Smart
Canine: Chief

On the younger age of 17, Nathan is extremely clever and has an ideal sense of self, his targets and the place he sees the way forward for the agriculture trade going. Raised on his household’s 750-acre property in Kingaroy, Queensland which his dad and mom bought from his grandparents, Nathan has been immersed in farming from a younger age. Confident and motivated, Nathan is in his final 12 months of highschool and is happy to finish his final exams so he can dedicate his time to the farm, his true ardour. Faculty has by no means been his prime precedence, as such the varsity holidays are his favorite time of 12 months, the place he could be exterior together with his canines engaged on the land. Nathan is an skilled and educated canine coach for his age, having participated in a number of Neil McDonald faculties and benefited from the knowledge of his grandfather ‘Poppy’. Nathan’s greatest problem will probably be managing his faculty workload and household expectations whereas coaching a pet. Nathan says, “Mum and Dad have at all times instructed me to attempt my greatest. Although faculty wasn’t for me, I nonetheless tried my hardesWith a pack of Kelpie canines, Nathan is happy to tackle the problem of coaching a Border Collie. He’s wanting to discover the distinctive traits of this breed and increase his information and expertise in canine coaching.

Narrator

Lisa Millar
Lisa Millar was the co-host of ABC Information Breakfast for five years and is a daily visitor presenter on the ABC’s well-liked Again Roads program. She’s additionally the voice of the smash hit present, Muster Canine. Lisa was an ABC international correspondent for 12 years within the US and Europe earlier than returning to Australia in 2018. She grew up in nation Queensland and is a part of a nonetheless increasing household. Her childhood within the small city of Kilkivan options in her best-selling memoir ‘Daring To Fly’. She has lived in Melbourne since 2019 and is a daily tennis participant and runner and hopes that her skill in each will ultimately meet up with her enthusiasm. In 2024 Lisa launched a companion e book to Muster Canine, ‘From Pups to Professionals: How ten canines stole hearts and adjusted lives ceaselessly’. The e book takes you behind the scenes to satisfy the solid, crew and the star canines themselves. She appears at how the present started and why it resonated with audiences, in addition to the affect on her personal life, juggling the Muster Canine world.

Specialists / Breeders

Neil McDonald, 65, South Australia
Canine and Inventory Dealing with Educator & Provider of the Kelpie Pups
Neil grew up within the South Australian outback, studying the sheep shearer recreation from the ripe age of 14 years outdated. Again-breaking days within the sheds didn’t depart an excessive amount of down time however when he had it, Neil would examine the habits and traits of working canines purely as a passion. It wasn’t till his early 30s that Neil realised, he was making a particular reference to these animals, turning his passion right into a occupation. Calls have been coming in from all around the nation as farmers needed to be taught his secret to efficiently prepare the final word working canine. Lately Neil runs world-class working canine and inventory dealing with faculties throughout Australia, educating seven primary non-negotiable ideas for coaching a working canine. For canine and animal lovers worldwide, this medical strategy is polarising, however as we uncover via our collection, it’s the construction, respite and self-discipline that these canines search and thrive on. It’s essential to their welfare and the welfare of livestock. Neil is the provider of the three Kelpies featured within the collection. Bred from a powerful bloodline, this litter of Australian Kelpie pups contains a mixture of black and tan head and pink Kelpies.

Helen McDonald, 55, South Australia.
Grazier And Pet Coaching Skilled
Helen McDonald is a grazier. Married to Neil for over 30 years she runs their sheep property all 12 months spherical whereas Neil excursions the nation operating his inventory dealing with faculties. Helen’s inventory palms are her workforce of well-trained working canines. She has used her superior pet coaching expertise to information and form them right into a excessive functioning and environment friendly workforce of working canines. Helen’s specialty is taking younger pups from start and nurturing that important bond that ensures they join with their coach for all times. She’s additionally refined the timeline for when the puppies needs to be launched to inventory, safely encouraging the event of their pure herding intuition. Helen is a large supporter of secure and efficient inventory dealing with, supported by effectively educated canines and is especially pleased with the ladies who’re collaborating on this collection. Helen has rigorously nurtured the Kelpie puppies on this collection, tending to their wants, feeding them, and acquainting them with livestock to organize them for his or her trainers.

Mick Hudson, New South Wales.
Canine Trialling Champion, Working Canine & Livestock Educator & Provider of the Border Collie Pups
Mick Hudson is a grazier, and multi–Supreme Australian Champion, Nationwide Champion and State Champion. Mick principally wins all the pieces in each state and has executed so for years. Mick is the provider of the three Border Collies featured within the collection. He has high quality bloodlines of Nationwide and Supreme Australian Border Collies going again three generations. He calls his bloodline ‘Australian Working Border Collies’.Mick not often sells his canines and breeds them just for these closest to him and his personal inventory and trialling work. Mick’s talent and experience as a canine and inventory educator is the results of generational nurturing and shut statement of natural tendencies and instinct.

Carolyn Hudson, New South Wales.
Grazier and Pet Educator
Carolyn Hudson is a grazier from nation New South Wales. Spouse of Mick Hudson, they’ve twin sons of their 20’s and have properties in each Dubbo and Cobar the place they’ve sheep, cattle and goats. Carolyn has endured droughts and hardships and has a deep resilience frequent with so many ladies residing on the land. Elevating the pups and collaborating in canine trials brings the couple pleasure and reduction from the pressures of grazing. On this collection, Carolyn takes care of the Border Collie pups from start, cuddling and dealing with them to make sure they’re well-socialised, so they may transition properly to Mick for coaching, earlier than starting their journey with our contributors.

Judges

Joni Corridor
Joni is a extremely skilled and revered canine and cattle coach with over 15 years within the field. She gained nationwide consideration as a standout participant in Collection 1 of Muster Canine, the place she impressed each the judges and viewers together with her unmatched talent in working with canines and her deep understanding of animal behaviour. Though she didn’t win the competitors, Joni’s calm, educated strategy and her skill to convey out one of the best in even essentially the most difficult canines made her a fan favorite. Earlier than her time on Muster Canine, Joni had accomplished quite a lot of Neil McDonald’s coaching faculties, and she or he is now arguably one in every of Australia’s most in demand ringers. Joni has mentored lots of of individuals within the artwork of canine coaching, her educating model is hands-on, affected person and targeted on constructing belief and respect between handlers and their canines.

Zoë Miller
Zoë grew up on her household’s cattle station, studying the artwork of muster canine coaching from a younger age. Her dad and mom, each expert trainers, instilled in her a love for working canines and the significance of endurance and consistency. Her pure expertise for understanding canines and her skill to work in high-pressure environments led to her standout efficiency in Collection 2. She confronted powerful competitors however attributable to her unwavering dedication and the distinctive expertise of her canine, Buddy, took out the title for having educated a Champion Muster Canine. After her victory, Zoë turned a widely known figure within the rural and agricultural communities, touring throughout Australia to mentor younger trainers and share her experience. Returning to Muster Canine as a choose for the finale, Zoë brings a wealth of expertise and empathy. Her judging model is each supportive and candid, offering useful suggestions to the contestants whereas recognising the arduous work and emotional funding that goes into coaching a muster canine. As a former winner, Zoë is aware of precisely what it takes to win, and her insights are invaluable to the opponents.

Barry Knight
Barry Knight has spent his life working with canines and is a well-respected figure within the sheepdog trial circuit. Since 2015, he has been each competing in and judging sheepdog trials throughout Australia. His achievements embrace profitable the 2022 NSW Sheep Canine Championships, the 2024 Australian Sheep Canine Championships, and being named the 2024 QLD Supreme winner. Barry is happy to be on the judging panel for Muster Canine and is trying ahead to seeing what the canines and their trainers have achieved in simply 12-months.

7:30pm Sunday February 2 on ABC