Cobber Dog Food, Media Release, 27 October 2025

After a gruelling 21-day competition that saw working dogs battle it out on farms across Australia, the winner of the 2025 Cobber Challenge has officially been crowned.

This year’s Cobber cohort covered more than 1,946 kilometres across sprawling mountain ranges, lush green paddocks and red-dirt desert but there can only be one champion.

The Cobber Challenge honours the unsung heroes who keep Australia’s 90 billion agricultural sector moving: the paws-itive champions of the industry – the working dog.

Taking out the highly coveted title of Australia’s hardest working dog is Duke, a tall leggy collie, and his owner Beck Smith based in Stonehenge, a remote town in Central Queensland with a population of 58. Beck is also only the third woman to win this competition, which celebrates its milestone tenth anniversary this year.

Duke is only the second Collie to win this prestigious competition, and the second winner from Queensland. The duo outclassed the field to take home the title, the trophy, a $3,000 cash prize and 12 bags of Cobber Working Dog feed.

Contestants were tested on speed, distance and duration over 21 days of activity, resulting in a composite score to find the top dog from the rest of the pack.

Beck and Duke covered a staggering 556km across the three-week campaign, the equivalent of travelling from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, Melbourne to Dubbo or London to Amsterdam.

A shortlist of 11 of the fastest and fiercest mustering champions were assessed on speed, duration and distance covered over the competition period.

Queensland farmer Beck Smith says she’s rapt to take home the win and he couldn’t be prouder of her best mate Duke.

“We’re over the moon that we’ve taken top spot in this year’s challenge. It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience being a part of the challenge, and I’ve been receiving messages from friends and family from across the country checking in to see how we’ve been doing,” said Ms Smith.

Based out in in Queensland’s Channel Country, Beck runs a resilient operation across 130,000 acres, supported by a hardworking team of five dogs with Duke as her lead in handling most of the mustering across the property, a farmstead that was heavily impacted by floods earlier this year.

For Lucy Marshall, Brand Manager at Cobber the recognition is a poignant reminder of the thankless work that working dogs and regional farmers do, day after day.

“Our farmers and working dogs play such an important and often unrecognised role in putting food on tables up and down the country. We’re so proud of Beck, not only for her efforts in the competition but as a strong woman who has shown incredible resilience to bounce back from the flooding that impacted her property and farming operations in Stonehenge,” said Ms Marshall.

“In the ten years the challenge has been running, I’ve not seen a field of competitors this impressive. These dogs are lightning fast,” said Ms Marshall. “All of our competitors reached average top speeds of around 9.6 kilometres an hour.”

“We are constantly in awe of these dogs. Our winner Duke covered on average just over 26 kilometres a day over the course of the competition.”

Over the last decade, Cobber Challenge competitors have clocked up enough distance to lap Australia two and a half times, moving at a pace that would take a human nearly half a year to keep up with. Not bad for a pack that still finds time to herd livestock and chase the odd ball.

Taking out second place was Denzel Bambridge and Buck, who covered a total distance of 316 kilometres. The NSW duo have won a cash prize of $1,000 and four bags of Cobber Working Dog feed.

Third place went to Tahlia Carroll and Stan (NSW), who covered 184 kilometres. They have won $500 and two bags of feed. The final standings for the 2025 Cobber Challenge are included in the leaderboard below.

Final leaderboard

Biographies

Denzel Bambridge and Buck – Tarlo, New South Wales

Denzel’s bond with his dog Buck is built on resilience, trust and a shared connection to the land. A border collie x kelpie, Buck joined the team two years ago and quickly became Denzel’s go-to paddock dog.

From the start, Buck showed grit and heart well beyond his years. Calm, strong, and always ready to work, he’s known as a “big diesel engine” for his steady presence and relentless drive with livestock. Whether it’s in the thick of the paddock or across wide-open country, Buck never backs down from a challenge.

Denzel only started training dogs 18 months ago, and Buck has grown with him. He learned by watching older dogs and, over time, figured things out for himself. His quiet confidence makes him more than a working dog – he’s a true partner.

Through the Cobber Challenge, Denzel hopes to prove that success isn’t about pedigree, but patience, respect and good training. Buck shows what’s possible when you look beyond bloodlines – and treat your dog as part of the team.

Jess Zammit and Bundaberg – Wonthaggi, Victoria

Jess and Bundaberg (or Bundy) share a powerful story of rescue, resilience and partnership. Bundy, a black and white kelpie x border collie, was rescued by Jess after a touch-and-go relationship with his previous owner. Untrained, aggressive and unruly, he was a difficult fit at first – especially for Jess, who was used to working with female dogs.

But through patience, persistence and foundational training, Jess built trust and connection. Teaching Bundy the basics – sit, stay, recall – was just the start. Over time, he transformed into a loyal, confident worker with a unique ability to manage stubborn livestock and make independent decisions based on Jess’s cues.

Now a key team member of Jess’ dairy farm and a regular on the sheep trial circuit, Bundy is proof of what’s possible when you give a dog a second chance. By entering the Cobber Challenge, Jess hopes to inspire others to consider rescue dogs as capable, loyal and hardworking teammates.

Riley Watson and Kip – Grenfell, New South Wales

Riley’s three-year-old black and tan kelpie, Kip, is a courageous and hardworking dog who’s become essential to his life on the road, taking on contracting work across Australia.

A natural heading dog, Kip’s intelligence, independence and stamina make her the go-to partner on jobs ranging from hobby farms to vast 25,000-acre stations. She regularly covers 80–90 kilometres a day with minimal direction – often finishing tasks before Riley asks.

Kip’s calm focus and quiet determination sets her apart. Whether herding cattle through a tight gate or pushing sheep across wide-open country, she handles every task with a cool head and steady feet. With a mix of formal training and real-world experience, Kip has proven herself in sale yards, penning, and large-scale mustering.

Her success as a breeding dog – with pups working across Australia – has only strengthened Riley’s confidence. Encouraged by 2024 Cobber Challenge winner Tom Perkins, Riley is entering Kip to show what she’s truly capable of.

Tahlia Carroll and Stan – Carroll, New South Wales

Tahlia and her two-year old kelpie, Stan share a powerful partnership built on trust, hard work and shared drive. From a bold eight-week-old pup, Stan has grown into a mustering machine – barely two years old and already reading the paddock before the gate opens.

Stan quickly stood out as the “cream of the crop”. Since he was nine months old, he’s been a daily fixture on the farm, working full days managing sheep and cattle. His strength, instinct and reliability make him indispensable.

Tahlia’s passion for training working dogs has grown alongside Stan. She’s committed to expanding her knowledge, taking Stan with her as they learn new, modern ways to farm. Through their journey, Tahlia hopes to inspire more women handlers to get involved. Together, they’re more than a team – they’re a dynamic duo pushing boundaries and raising the bar in the paddock.

Tony Ward and Boss – Baldivis, Western Australia

Boss is a seven-year-old border collie from Baldivis and the undisputed leader of Tony Ward’s team of five. Bred from tough New Zealand working lines, Boss cut his teeth on cattle in New South Wales before joining Tony out west where he now plays a key role in contract mustering across the region.

Strong, sharp and tireless, Boss handles both sheep and cattle with precision and power. Trained on the whistle and unshakable in tough conditions, he’s the dog Tony turns to when the job gets hard and the pressure is on.

But Boss doesn’t clock off easily. Left to his own devices, he’ll herd chickens, watch the neighbour’s horses for hours, or, as he once did while Tony was away, muster sheep across the road, simply because he thought it needed doing.

Boss isn’t just part of the team – he sets the standard. Loyal, capable and always ready, he lives to work.

Kasey Connor and Moon – Lock, South Australia

Moon is a three-year-old kelpie and the lead dog in Kasey Connor’s team on their farm in Lock, South Australia. From feeding livestock to moving sheep through yards and sheds, she’s by Kasey’s side from first light to sundown.

Moon showed promise early, starting work at just 10 weeks old. Even as a pup, her focus and drive set her apart. Agile and capable, she could clear three-metre jumps and tackle any task. By six months, she was confidently backing sheep and handling complex work beyond her age. Trained alongside her mother, she quickly earned her spot as top dog.

Moon shows up every day and gives it her all. For Kasey, she’s more than a workmate – she’s a loyal partner with heart, grit, and quiet brilliance.

Lachie Groves and Borris – Ross, Tasmania

Borris is a two-and-a-half-year-old kelpie with a big job and an even bigger heart, working alongside Lachie Groves on his farm in Ross. Bred by Lachie’s father-in-law, he comes from proven working lines and was raised in a shearing shed in Campbell Town.

Now a vital part of life on Lachie’s large sheep property in Ross, Borris often works 12-hour days, helping manage 28,000 sheep across paddocks and yards. Despite his age, he’s calm, capable and fiercely reliable – a quiet backbone of the farm.

What sets Borris apart is his sharp mind and strong work ethic. He doesn’t need constant commands and Lachie can trust him to read the flock and get the job done. He’s a one-man dog: loyal, cheeky, and always keen to please.

When he’s not working, Borris is training with Lachie and his partner, always sharpening his skills. No fuss, no glory, just honest hard work from a young dog who’s truly earned his place.

Laine Eade and Rose – Tresco West, Victoria

Rose is a seven-year-old kelpie who’s spent her life working sheep, cattle and goats across rural Victoria. Based in Tresco West, she’s the trusted partner of 23-year-old stock contractor Laine Eade, always by his side in the yards, paddocks and across open country.

Known for her steady determination and tireless work ethic, Rose is always ready to push up to crutching trailers, dips or through a mob, tackling whatever the day throws at her, seven days a week. Raised on hard work and instinct, she operates with quiet precision and a calm confidence that makes her invaluable.

She and Laine have built a bond shaped by long hours on the land, grounded in mutual trust and respect. Independent yet loyal, Rose works as Laine’s shadow – diligent, capable, and always in sync.

Rose doesn’t need recognition to prove her worth. She’s the kind of dog who just gets the job done and she does it exceptionally well.

Beck Smith and Duke – Stonehenge, Queensland

Out in Queensland’s Channel Country near Stonehenge, Beck Smith runs a resilient operation across 130,000 acres, supported by a hardworking team of five dogs. Her lead dog, Duke, is a tall, leggy collie with Lithgow heritage and a heart as big as the land he works.

Nearly three years old, Duke leads the team in handling most of the mustering across the property. Despite long days, his energy never wavers. Each morning starts with a run, but once the work begins, he’s sharp, focused, and ready to go.

A natural blocker, Duke excels at keeping mobs tight, especially with young cattle and poddy calves. Still maturing, his instinct and drive are already impressive, but it’s his loyalty and softness that truly stand out. He’s always close by, ready with a nuzzle and love in his eyes. For Beck, Duke isn’t just a top worker. He’s the heart of the team.

Ben Wade and Flynn – Narrangullen, New South Wales

Flynn is a hard-working, loyal cattle dog who’s been clocking serious miles since he was 18 months old. Part of Ben Wade’s 14-dog team in Narrangullen, he stands out for his drive, independence and no-nonsense, old-soul working style. Whether it’s sheep or cattle, Flynn reads the mob and takes control – no fuss, no frills.

Trained in traditional cattle herding, he’s got a powerful nose, front foot and heel, making him a natural leader in tough mustering conditions. Working with him is almost hands-off – Flynn flies across steep terrain with purpose and precision.

Off the clock, Flynn is full of personality. He’s happiest riding on the ute, leaning in for a cuddle after a long day. He’s not overly social, keeping his loyalty close and his focus sharp, often putting in 10-hour days without hesitation.

Flynn doesn’t need praise – he works for the love of the job. But a good feed at day’s end never goes astray.

Daniel Bibby and Raffa – Loxton, South Australia

Daniel Bilby shares a deep bond with his five-and-a-half-year-old Kelpie, Raffa, on a family-run farm near Loxton, South Australia. For the past five years, they’ve worked side by side, tackling the daily demands of farm life with trust, grit and quiet teamwork.

Raffa is known for his all-round ability, stamina and loyalty. No matter the conditions, he stays focused and dependable—always ready for the job. Daniel learned the basics of dog training from his uncle, and while the pair have had success in local trials, his focus has always been on building a strong, productive relationship over chasing ribbons.

As Raffa nears his veteran years, Daniel sees every day as a chance to honour what they’ve built together. For him, good working dogs aren’t just born – they’re made through trust, consistency and mutual respect. And in his eyes, there’s no better proof of that than Raffa.

Caroline Houston and Beloka Vaila – Mirboo North, Victoria

Vaila, a one-year-old Kelpie joined Caroline’s dairy farm as a spirited new recruit to eventually step into the boots of her ageing team. Named after a Shetland Island in honour of Caroline’s Scottish roots, Vaila’s enthusiasm, balance, and grit have quickly set her apart.

Though still young, she’s already shown her promise; taking home first place as a nine month old at a puppy trial. Vaila strikes a perfect balance between the stubbornness of Caroline’s older dog and the gentle nature of her middle one, suiting Caroline’s calm approach to training. Despite not mustering thousands, Vaila works the steep country of Mirboo North with courage and joy.

Together, they represent the heart of working dogs across Australia – the unsung heroes doing vital, quiet work on small farms with loyalty, love, and a whole lot of enthusiasm.

Related story: A decade of dogged determination: Nominations open for the 2025 Cobber Challenge