The luxury sheepdog market is booming

If Tillman the skateboarding bulldog (RIP) impressed you, we've got a new — and very expensive — hobby full of exceptionally talented dogs for you.

Once the domain of rural farmers, sheepdogs are increasingly attracting international buyers willing to pay upwards of $30k for energetic and hard-working dogs, per Bloomberg.

Join the flock

Farmers have used dogs to manage flocks for thousands of years. But in the 19th century, sheepdog trials grew in popularity as a way to showcase the dogs' and their handlers' skills.

And they're thoroughly impressive to witness:

• Handlers guide dogs from fixed positions, using verbal cues and whistles.
• From hundreds of yards away, the dogs quickly gather the sheep, navigating uneven terrain and obstacles.
• Points are awarded for completing obstacles.

While trials began in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Ireland, they've since expanded worldwide. There's even a "sheepdog Olympics" now.

In recent decades, those seeking top dogs have flocked to England's Craven Cattle Mart in Skipton (meaning "sheep town" in Old English). Once a local operation, international buyers come seeking well-bred border collies, renowned for their intelligence, athleticism, and "herding eye". While many buyers are commercial farmers, increasingly hobbyists keep sheep just to train sheepdogs.

At Craven, sales for puppies and trained sheepdogs frequently break records:

• In 2020, Megan, a 2.5-year-old border collie, sold for $25.2k to a farm in Oklahoma.
• In 2021, Kim, a 1-year-old border collie, sold for ~$39k and holds the Guinness World Record for most expensive sheepdog. 
• In 2021, a 9-week-old puppy sold for ~$10k set the record for an untrained sheepdog.
• The global Highland sheepdog herding market reached an estimated $150m in 2025 and is projected to reach $180m by 2033.

Online-only sales, which began during the pandemic, have also boosted business, especially as Brexit made it harder to bring dogs from Ireland.

Drones instead of dogs?

Several startups are exploring whether drones — or even robot dogs — could offer a cheaper alternative to sheepdogs. But they've yet to match the agility and instinct of the real thing; plus, sheep often get used to and ignore drones.

Besides, nobody wants to pet a drone.

Sheepdogs, however, have taught researchers strategies to control drone swarms, autonomous vehicles, and other network systems.

Now we just need to teach these sheepdogs to skateboard.