A SMALL but quality entry of 17 fully broken field-run working sheep dogs at Skipton Auction Mart’s summer sale attracted a top price of 6000gns.

Hitting that top bracket was Carnforth-based Colin Birkett’s February 2022-born black and white bitch, Netherbeck Connie, by Frank Hickson’s Chase.

She is out of the home-bred Millie, which is a full sister to the 4300gns Miff sold here three years ago. Connie sold to an undisclosed Scottish buyer.

Younger brother Tony Birkett, also from Carnforth, took 4700gns for his fully home-bred May 2022-born Bob.

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Bob is sired by Spot – a son of Kevin Evans’ Red Spot – sold by Tony for 6000gns here in May. Having already won and been placed in several nursery trials, Bob was purchased by another unnamed Scottish buyer.

Second top price was 4800gns paid for the March 2022-born black and white bitch, Sal, from Rossendale’s Richard Holt, of Helmshore.

She is a daughter of Welshman Kevin Evans’ dual European Nursery and Royal Welsh champion Tanhill Glen. Sal is out of Tess, by Dean Aitken’s Tweeddale Buzz, and found a new home in Wedmore, Somerset with Ben Comer.

Copperthorns Liz, a February 2021-born black and white bitch from Paul Bouch, Kirkoswald, Cumbria, made 4700gns. Liz is sired by Jonah, the 2021 English National and International brace champion in the hands of Ricky Hutchinson.

She is out of the solid farm dog Kim that has bred progeny to 5500gns. The buyer was Stephen Fawcett, Fold Farm, Drebley.

Raymond Ross, Rogart, Sutherland, forked out 4000gns for Cydros Roy, an April 2022-born red and white dog from Michael Woods, of Lathom, Ormskirk.

His pedigree features the Welsh-bred Dreamwork Fred, out of Michael’s own Welsh-bred Fflos which was acquired as a youngster.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

Averages: Broken registered dogs averaged £3395; broken registered bitches, £3705.