The kelpie is more than a national icon, the breed itself developed in tandem with Australia’s character. As settlers stepped further into the harsh interior, the increasingly specialised working dog became the backbone of the sheep farm, Australia’s engine room.

Today the kelpie features heavily in suburban backyards and popular culture, but its position on the land is still pivotal. 

Ms Sant and her partner Anthony Attard grew up with working dogs and have spent 25 years training generations of kelpies together. They founded the Hawkesbury Kelpie Stud together near Young.

“We used them on our farms for loading and unloading livestock,” Ms Sant said.

“From that practical background we developed the kelpie show.”

The kelpie show will demonstrate the talents of fully trained dogs, young developing dogs and the natural instincts of tiny kelpie pups that have made the breed ideal for farm work.

“While cattle dogs are driving dogs that want to run alongside the drover, the kelpie is a gathering dog that tries to bring stock toward you,” Ms Sant said.

“We let them show off their natural instincts for the first year of their life then we start teaching them.

“The highlight would be watching the pups run around the ankles of the sheep trying to round them up.”

Ms Sant’s shows take a ­practical approach. The kelpies herd a small flock of sheep and participate in a drenching, and race, rather than perform tricks.

As she explains the manoeuvres and motives of the dog, she said the crowd comes to understand their value for farmers.

“The males and females work equally, they don’t chuck sickies and they’re on site 24 hours a day, so it’s not hard to see why they can be worth more than $10,000 fully trained.”

The crowd will be encouraged to ask questions and will receive showbags. 

There will also be an all-day petting pen where visitors can meet the kelpies.

Maitland Show is on February 19, 20 and 21.