A NEW world record price of almost £15,000 for a working sheep dog at an official sale was set at Skipton on Friday.

The selling price of 14,100 guineas (£14,805) paid for Cap a 16-month old black and white dog from Northern Ireland’s Padraig Doherty shattered the previous record of 8,800 guineas (£9,204) also set at Skipton in May 2013.

Bred by Mr Doherty, who with his brother Joe runs Ardagh Sheepdogs in County Donegal, Cap was sold to a sheep farmer from Northern Ireland who requested anonymity. He will be used as a work dog on the farm and is also an excellent nursery trials prospect.

Last year at Skipton, the Doherty's sold litter mates of Cap including Ann, a six month-old black and white bitch, who made 1,850gns, the highest price ever paid for a pup at Skipton.

Mr Doherty said there had been tremendous pre-sale interest in Cap, though the eventual selling price was much higher than he had anticipated.

He thought Cap was probably his best-ever dog and said: "He is a special dog with genuine power and has a calming effect on sheep."

The previous world record was set at Skipton by John Bell of Howden, near Selby and a 15 month-old black and white dog.