Sunday Age interview with Courtney
EPISODE 3
SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY 7.30PM
It’s assessment time for our six puppies and their novice handlers as they reach the six-month milestone in their training journey. With a little more time to prepare, each team is put to the test under the watchful eye of one of our experienced mentors.
After the assessment, the mentors help the participants fine-tune their training to keep each team moving forward on their Muster Dogs journey.
Lisa Millar is on the cover of Sunday Life magazine inside Sunday Age and The Sun-Herald today (paywall)
EPISODE 4
SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 7.30 PM
The eight-month assessment puts our novice handlers to the ultimate test. For the first time, they’ll be asked to complete two stock-handling tasks without their dogs by their side.
It’s a challenge designed to reveal just how much they’ve learnt about reading livestock, moving animals calmly, and positioning their bodies to influence stock flow.
EPISODE 5
SUNDAY 1 MARCH 7.30PM
As the 10-month assessment arrives, the pressure continues to mount for our handlers and their pups. With setbacks, breakthroughs, and unexpected challenges, each team enters this stage of the competition with a very different story.
EPISODE 6 - Final
SUNDAY 8 MARCH 7.30 PM
Our six participants and their pups are nearing the end of the Muster Dogs experiment and preparing for their final assessment.
All teams have successfully passed the first three assessment milestones and are now gearing up for the most important challenge of all.
The competition is tight, but one exceptional dog outshines the rest and claims the title of Champion Muster Dog.
Muster Dogs will have live demonstrations at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which starts today.
A New Zealand version will be produced by The Downlow Concept for Sky Open, Sky Go and ThreeNow. It has received funding from NZ on Air.
The US version will be called Wonder Dogs.
ABC Commercial’s Muster Dogs Expands to New Zealand and US as Global Format Momentum Builds
ABC Commercial is celebrating the growing international success of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC’s) original factual entertainment format Muster Dogs, with local adaptations now in production in both New Zealand and the United States.
The expansion marks a major milestone for the much-loved ABC series, on the way to becoming one of Australia’s most successful original factual entertainment formats, proving that authentic stories of challenge, connection and personal achievement can resonate with audiences anywhere in the world.
Commissioned by Sky New Zealand Originals and produced by The Down Low Concept, Muster Dogs NZ will follow five Kiwi farmers from across Aotearoa NZ as they each take on a puppy from the same litter and embark on a year-long journey to train it into a fully-fledged working farm dog. The series is currently casting and is slated to air in 2027.
Meanwhile in the United States, the entertainment company, studio and streaming service Wonder Project has secured the exclusive rights to produce a local adaptation, Wonder Dogs, which will premiere in 2027 on Wonder Project’s subscription on Prime Video in the US. Produced in partnership with Hellcat and in collaboration with the original Australian production team, the series follows five ranchers from across America as they raise and train working livestock dogs from the same litter over the course of a year, culminating in a national championship.
Originally created by Ambience Entertainment for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Muster Dogs has become a breakout success across four seasons, attracting millions of viewers and building a passionate fanbase drawn to its authentic storytelling, rural landscapes and uplifting emotional journeys.
Jessica Ellis, Head of ABC Commercial, said:
“The success of Muster Dogs demonstrates the power of a simple but universally relatable idea. At its heart, the format is about partnership, perseverance, community and the remarkable connection between people and animals. Those themes transcend borders, which is why we’re delighted to see the format resonate with broadcasters in both New Zealand and the United States.”
Nick Ward, Senior Commissioner, Sky NZ commented:
“Muster Dogs is a really entertaining format grounded in heart and the deep connection between people, animals and the land – values that resonate strongly here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Sky is thrilled to team up with The Down Low Concept to bring a Kiwi version of this successful series to life, and we look forward to celebrating our rural communities and finding our nation’s Champion Muster Dog!”
Pippa Lambert, CEO of Hellcat said:
“I knew Muster Dogs was something special the first time I saw it, and it’s a privilege to bring it to American audiences. It’s a joyful, uplifting series with incredible dogs, unforgettable characters and enormous heart. I can’t wait for viewers to fall in love with these puppies and the ranching communities that help feed the nation”.
The international adaptations showcase the format’s flexibility across different agricultural communities while retaining the core elements that have made the Australian original such a standout success: real people, real challenges, expert mentorship and the shared experience of raising and training a working dog from puppyhood.
ABC Commercial manages international format licensing and distribution for Muster Dogs worldwide and continues discussions with partners across multiple territories.
Last season’s winner Courtney has lost her dog Blossom.
Muster Dogs is searching for the next six experienced handlers who are ready to dive headfirst into a year of training a new muster dog puppy from the ground up, with the aim of showing how in just 12 months that pup can become an effective member of the team – and who are open to being helped out by some of the industry’s best.