Bentham sheep dogs top at 1400gns

Working dogs and pups sold to a flying trade to buyers from all over the country at Bentham Auction Marts Inaugural Sale of Sheep Dogs this week.

Three quarters of the 44 forward sold to a top of 1400gns for Working Dogs and 880gns for unbroken dogs & pups.  Local farmer Nigel Barker was unsuccessful with a bid of 2700gns for 'Wenndale Nell', a 3 year old bitch with a pedigree of field trial champions from local trainer and breeder Richard Briggs, Wennington.

Nigel did, however, secure 'Mist' a three year old Black and Tan bitch from Mr Belfield, Macclesfield, for the top price of the day. Seven trained dogs exceeded the 1000gns mark and an 8 month old tri-coloured unbroken dog named 'Jim', just beginning to work, with lots of potential from Richard Briggs sold to Frank Brennand, Chapel-le-Dale for 880gns.

The sale generated a great deal of interest from farmers both locally and nationally, with dogs sold into Wales and as far south as Devon and Cornwall. We also had buyers out of Scotland and sold dogs onto the Isle of Luing and more locally the Isle of Man.