A sheep dog is a farmer's best employee, says Graeme Brier of the King Country.

'A good dog might cost up to $5000 to buy – but over its working life, if treated well, will more than reward that investment,” says Graeme, who was one of the judges at the Te Puke Sheepdog Trial Club's event in March.

The only barking during the Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's event came from the big huntaways in action on the straight and zig-zag up-hill course.

'A dog will work willingly for you every day, without wanting annual leave or specified lunch and tea breaks,” says Graeme, who has been a trials judge for eight years. 'Good working dogs also save you a lot of walking.”

It is his admiration of sheep dogs and the relationships between them and their owners that motivates Graeme to keep judging. He enjoys watching experienced shepherds compete and offering advice to newcomers too.

The dedication dogs have for their owners and their eagerness to herd sheep were obvious during the two-day Te Puke trials. The dogs were well aware of what was about to be asked of them, as they waited for the command to start each course.

It was obvious too which of the dogs chained to the fence line belong to a shepherd out on a course with another dog. Those waiting in the wings were alert to every whistled command and their body language clearly told they wanted to be up on the hill moving the sheep too.

There were dozens of dogs at the event, but the only barking came from the huntaways at work herding sheep. Apart from the occasional growl, no aggression was shown between the dogs who were obedient to their owners' commands – on and off the courses.

Dogs of all shapes, sizes and colours were among those competing at the Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's event.

When will it be our turn? – dogs wait patiently to show their skills during the Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's event.

Dogs not on the course eagerly watched their owners' working other dogs on the courses at the Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's event.