A three-year-old Border Collie is the new state yard dog champion, overcoming a record field of 60 kelpies at the South East Field Days at the weekend.
The win by Waramara Joker was just the second time a Border Collie has become the top dog in SA.
Lee Mickan, Loxton, acquired Joker in a dog swap with Joe Gerritsen, Naracoorte, as a nine-month-old and has not looked back.
“He was second two years ago in the state competition and the same year was Dog of the Year,” Mr Mickan said.
Joker scored 86.5 points out of a possible 100 in his first run and improved by a point in the second run for a total of 174 points.
“If you get the right one (Border Collie) they are every bit as good as a kelpie and he certainly is,” he said.
It was the third time Mr Mickan has got his name on the shield, winning back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 with another dog Eulooka Diesel.
Joker edged out 2017 state champion Pushmeup Nitro, owned and trialled by Lyndon Cooper, Kingston.
