FRANTIC bidding saw a top price of 9,200gns (£9,660) paid for a 17-month-old black-and-white dog at the annual spring sale of working sheepdogs at Skipton mart.

Moss was bred by Brian White and Aoife Smith, a talented couple from Naul in North County Dublin, out of their top-class bitch Malta Gwen, bred by Carlaine Thom, of Co Tyrone.

She was bred to leading breeder Ricky Hutchinson’s Sweep, an International reserve supreme champion. Moss sold to fellow Irishman Pat Byrne, of County Roscommon.

It was the second highest price ever seen at Skipton, bettered only by the world record price of 14,100gns (£14,805) achieved 12 months ago by Cap, a 16-month-old dog bred by Padraig Doherty, of County Donegal.

The top price achievers also sold two more dogs for 2,200gns each to make 13,600gns (£14,280) on the day.

Shaun Richards, who runs Pen-y-Borough Sheep Dogs in Eldroth, Settle, did well with a 4,400gns and 4,000gns sale. The former with his August, 2015, black-and-white bitch Gill – bred in Scotland by JJ Templeton – and bought by Jock Sutherland, ofDurness.

The latter was for his home-bred November, 2015, black-and-white bitch, Pen-y-Borough Ann, by Marchup Roger.

A 3,700gns sale was achieved by Alec Baines, who runs Tanhill Sheepdogs at South Stainmoor, Kirkby Stephen, with his home-bred November 2014 black-and-white dog, Tanhill Jock, out of his own Tanhill Jess. Jock was bought by John Brennan, County Tipperary.

Prices and Averages: broken section: 31 registered dogs sold from 400gns to 9,200gns (av £2,207); 17 registered bitches from 150gns to 4,440gns (av £2,501). The 48 registered dogs averaged £2,312. Unregistered dogs: four from 750gns to 2,500gns (av £1,509); three unregistered bitches from 750gns to 1,400gns (av £1,172).

Unbroken section: 11 registered dogs from 280gns to 1,120gns (av £580); nine registered bitches from 200gns to 1,400gns (av £531); two unregistered bitches at 150gns and 250gns (av £210); two unregistered Kelpie bitches at 220gns and 350gns (av £299).