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The $3 billion dog
Whether it’s a kelpie circling a flock of merino sheep or a blue heeler holding a stubborn bull in place, livestock dogs are the quiet, four-legged workforce behind Australia’s red meat and wool industries.
“Their contribution touches every stage of the supply chain, from reduced labour needs and improved stock handling to higher yields, better animal welfare and more efficient daily operations.”
For thousands of years, farmers have used dogs to protect, move and control sheep and other livestock. They play a vital role in farm management. While many city residents may think of them as loyal, clever and cute – on the farm, they’re an economic asset that rivals machinery, fencing and even hired labour. So – just how much is the Aussie sheepdog worth to the Australian economy?
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Australia’s hardest-working dogs
While there is no definitive national count, industry estimates suggest there are likely over 270,000 working livestock dogs in Australia – and possibly many more. Their work stretches well beyond the farm gate. They’re found on sheep stations, cattle properties, mixed farms, feedlots, in livestock transport and at saleyards – helping producers and agents manage over 70 million sheep and around 25 million cattle. Without them, many parts of the red meat and wool supply chain – especially in large or remote areas – simply wouldn’t function the way they do.
While they make loyal companions, working dogs are much more than pets. They’re highly trained partners that help load trucks, sort livestock in yards and bring animals out of hard-to-reach gullies. Their skill and independence reduce the need for extra labour, fuel and machinery – all while working with focus, intelligence and stamina. Well cared for and deeply valued by their handlers, these dogs thrive on the work they’re bred and trained to do.
A history of loyalty and evolution
Australia’s working dogs trace their lineage to British imports such as border collies, Smithfields and other herding breeds brought over in the 1800s. While many of these breeds are still in use today – especially border collies, prized for their intelligence and agility – Australian conditions quickly demanded a dog with even greater endurance and independence.
The Australian kelpie was developed to meet the demands of local conditions, including vast areas and higher temperatures. The first kelpie – a black-and-tan female born in the early 1870s – was bred from Scottish working collies. Her descendants were carefully selected for stamina, heat tolerance and a strong natural herding instinct, giving rise to a new breed perfectly suited to the testing conditions of the Australian rural landscape.
Over time, other distinctively Australian breeds also developed. The Australian cattle dog – often called the blue or red heeler – was bred specifically to manage tough, often stubborn cattle over long distances. Koolies and collies remain part of the team too, each suited to different livestock, terrains and styles of work.
Compared to the UK or New Zealand, where farms are smaller and more intensively managed, Australia’s vast landscapes demand dogs with greater independence, problem-solving ability and physical resilience. Australian working dogs are expected to make decisions, adapt on the move and cover far more ground – and they do it with remarkable consistency.
How are they trained?
Training a livestock dog usually starts at eight to ten weeks of age, with name recognition, recall, basic commands and early socialisation. Pups are gradually introduced to farm environments and livestock in a safe, controlled way, developing stock sense – the instinct to move animals calmly and confidently.
As they mature, training expands to voice and whistle commands, teamwork, and specific paddock or yard roles. The best dogs can do both.
Training is positive and reward-based, using praise, repetition and food or toy rewards. Most dogs thrive on the routine and enjoy the challenge, building trust between dog and handler.
Some farmers train their own pups, while others buy part or fully trained dogs from breeders or auctions.
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The $3 billion workforce: how working dogs boost Australia’s economy
The economic value of working dogs reaches far beyond the paddock. These animals aren’t just helpful – they’re a major driver of productivity across the livestock sector. Their contribution touches every stage of the supply chain, from reduced labour needs and improved stock handling to higher yields, better animal welfare and more efficient daily operations.
On-farm, a well-trained dog can dramatically increase what a single person can manage – often up to 2,000 sheep or 500 cattle, particularly on large or remote properties. Without dogs, those numbers could drop sharply. More workers would be required, mustering would take longer, fuel use would rise and productivity could fall.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact dollar value of their contribution, modelling suggests that working dogs add around $3 billion a year to the Australian economy. This estimate is based on conservative, defendable assumptions using industry data on labour costs, livestock productivity and measurable downstream impacts.
Labour savings make up the largest part of that figure. Based on the number of working dogs in use, and industry estimates of how much labour they replace, these animals likely save producers around $800 million each year in wages alone. That’s before factoring in the additional savings they bring by reducing the need for fuel and vehicle use, which is estimated at another $100 million annually. A dog can cover ground that a ute or motorbike can’t – and do it without fuel, noise or mechanical wear.
Their impact on animal outcomes is also significant. Calm, confident dogs improve livestock handling, reducing stress on sheep and cattle. That translates to better lamb survival rates, improved meat quality and cleaner fleeces – potentially contributing an estimated $150 million each year in added value. On top of that, the daily operational efficiencies working dogs deliver – from faster mustering to smoother yard work – are estimated to contribute at least another $100 million a year, in saved farmer time.
In many operations, especially larger ones, dogs enable farmers to run bigger herds with the same or even fewer staff. That increased capacity adds to national production and accounts for an estimated $250 million a year in extra livestock output.
Sheep on farm in Victoria, Australia
Beyond the farm gate, the benefits continue. More efficient livestock production helps keep meat and wool prices lower for consumers – a flow-on benefit equivalent to around $400 million a year. Meanwhile, the pet and veterinary sector earns over $100 million annually from food, health and gear for working dogs. Breeders and trainers contribute another $50 million, with well-trained dogs often fetching five-figure sums at auction.
The value of livestock dogs also shows up in land valuations, workplace safety, rural tourism and regional employment. Farms that are more productive and efficient tend to be worth more, and well-trained dogs support safer livestock handling by reducing the physical strain and risk involved in mustering and yard work. Events like sheepdog trials attract thousands of visitors each year, while skilled dog handling has become part of Australia’s rural identity – both culturally and commercially.
Taken together, these impacts conservatively add up to more than $3 billion every year. The estimate doesn’t count every possible saving or benefit – just the ones that can be reasonably modelled. What it does show is that working dogs don’t just make livestock farming easier. In many cases, they make it possible.
More than man’s best friend – a serious investment
For many graziers, a top working dog is not just a valued partner – it’s a core part of the business. Ask a livestock producer which they'd rather lose for a day – their main dog or their motorbike – and many will back the dog every time.
That’s not just sentiment. A skilled dog can replace the need for an extra worker during mustering or yard work, saving tens of thousands of dollars each year. They also cover terrain that utes and bikes can’t, helping get the job done faster, more efficiently and with less stress on stock.
It’s little wonder, then, that elite working dogs now command serious money. At the renowned Casterton Kelpie Auction in Western Victoria, one dog sold for $35,200 in 2021. That record was broken the following year when Capree Eve, a kelpie from New South Wales, fetched $49,000 – a world record for a working dog. While most trained dogs sell for less, it’s now common to see five-figure prices at major auctions.
To the buyer, that price reflects more than just pedigree or polish. It represents years of training, day-in-day-out dependability, and the ability to turn time, terrain and temperament into tangible productivity gains.
Brian and James Leahy on their sheep farm in Victoria, Australia
Changing farms, changing roles
As Australian agriculture continues to evolve, so too does the role of the working dog. Farms are becoming more connected and technology-enabled, and while there are more large-scale operations than ever before, many smaller family farms remain – and working dogs are just as valued on both.
Working dogs have long been essential to farm productivity – but the way they are used is evolving. On large pastoral operations, they now increasingly work alongside drones, GPS-tagged livestock and digital mapping tools. On smaller or family-run farms, they remain trusted all-rounders, forming part of a close-knit team and, in many cases, working across generations.
Some dogs are now even fitted with smart collars, tracking their speed, distance and movements across a day – much like a smartwatch does for humans. This allows handlers to monitor performance, manage fatigue and better understand how dogs interact with different terrain and stock.
An asset worth keeping
The Australian sheepdog is more than a rural tradition – it’s a vital part of the modern livestock economy. From farmers and agents to supply chain managers, banks and investors, many across the agricultural landscape recognise the value these animals bring. Working dogs help scale operations, lift productivity and support smarter, more resilient farming across a sector which is constantly adapting to changing conditions, technologies and global demand.
They are also a reminder that not every valuable asset is a piece of machinery. Some of the most important tools in agriculture come with four legs, sharp instincts and an unshakable work ethic.
The next time you see a sheepdog on TV or in a viral video, remember this: they’re not just good boys and girls – they’re part of a national economy that helps feed the world.
Michael Whitehead is Executive Director, Food, Beverage and Agribusiness, ANZ and Alicia Muling is Senior Writer, ANZ
The views and opinions expressed in this communication are those of the author and may not necessarily state or reflect those of ANZ.
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