Veteran farm dogs in Western Australia still earn farmers' respect

At Ongerup, about 400 kilometres southeast of Perth, farmer Kingsley Vaux cares for Cassie, a 15-year-old border collie-huntaway cross that has lost hearing and shows signs of arthritis yet still tries to herd sheep, relying on hand signals. Vaux notes that Cassie’s experience helps train younger dogs on the property. Further south in Tenterden, Renae Parsons works with Bundy, a 13-year-old kelpie described as “one in a million,” who once identified a missing group of 300 sheep during a 3,000-sheep round-up and retrieved them on his own.

Parsons says Bundy responds poorly to harsh tones, preferring calm commands. Both farmers highlight the devotion of their aging dogs, describing them as faithful companions whose presence reflects a softer side of rural life. The stories illustrate how long-served working dogs remain valued members of Australian farms.