By Bronwyn Hastings

Edenhope’s Sarah Lee loves what she does – working alongside her husband and children, breeding and trialling working dogs across the country.

Originally from England, Mrs Lee said she met husband David on a cattle station in Queensland, where he bred Border Collies, before the couple moved further south after about eight years.

“We started to get into kelpies as well because the Collies weren’t ideal for working sheep, kelpies were more suited for the job,” she said.

“We saw a couple of yard dog trials and thought it looked like fun, so we gave it a go and have been hooked ever since.”

Mrs Lee said the trials had improved their stock-handling and dog training.

“You think you’ve got a good handle on your dog until you go to a dog trial, that’s when you see where the cracks are, but you go back and work on those bits,” she said.

The Lees have bred dogs for about 16 years, trialling across the country and gaining valuable experience in the process.

“We’re showing our kids that trialling is more about the process than the prize,” Mrs Lee said.

“It’s great to win, but it’s even better to have fun, push ourselves to be better stockmen, and take every challenge as an opportunity to grow.”

The couple’s son Thomas, 10, also trains and trials his own dogs.

“He loves it – Jazz, one of his dogs, is such a great dog for him,” Mrs Lee said.

“She does everything he tells her to, and they have so much fun together. He does really well to remember the course and stay calm and cool in front of lots of people.

“He’s won an encourage with her, so now has to compete in the open with all the other adult handlers in the top class.”

Mrs Lee said the next generation of breeders were well-supported.

“It says a lot about the Victorian Yard Dog Association that they back the kids, and they want them there,” she said.

“You want the next generation coming through – and I also think it’s so much easier if you’ve done trials as a kid, you don’t get as nervous as when you’re an adult, it can be quite daunting.”

Mrs Lee said her daughter, seven-year-old Ivy, has her own dog but is a bit too little for trials yet.

“She loves it too, and when she’s ready, I daresay you’ll see her out there.”

Mrs Lee said the business – The Lee’s Working Dogs – offers clinics and training sessions for people and their dogs.

“We’re very fortunate we get to share our knowledge with other people and help them with their dogs,” she said.

“We get to do something for a business that we really enjoy and love and are passionate about it.”

The entire April 30, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire April 30, 2025 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!