On the fifth day of Christmas: Kelpie fetches $50,000

"Pilbara Brutus", a black-and-tan pup bred by Aticia Grey of Pilbara Working Dogs, claimed the title of Australia's most expensive working dog, selling for a record-breaking $50,000.

The landmark sale took place during the ‘Kelpies for Kids’ charity auction at the Perth Royal Show and was interfaced through AuctionsPlus.

The young Kelpie was purchased by Alcoa, surpassing the previous record of $49,000 set in 2022, set in 2022, when the Capree Stud from Newbridge, in Central NSW, sold a 20-month-old Kelpie for $49,000.

As part of the event, Brutus was paired with eight-year-old Emily Houston, a leukemia survivor and Telethon Star, who was gifted the dog after the auction.

The auction, organised by Kate and Rohan Willcocks of Lake Grace, raised more than $70,000 for Telethon, supporting medical research and regional families in need.