Welsh border collie becomes world's most expensive sheepdog after fetching £19,000 at auction

Elan Valley Sally with Kevin Evans before she became the most expensive dog sold at auction

A Welsh sheepdog has been virtually auctioned off for £19,451, a sum that is believed to be a new world record.

The hammer fell for Elan Valley Sally, a black-and-white border collie owned by David Evans, from Brecon in Wales.

The average price for a working dog is round £2,000 but the 19-month old fetched a much higher price at the Farmers' Mart online sale at Dolgellau, Gwynedd, being purchased by an anonymous buyer in the UK.

The dog was sold for 18,525 before the buyer's premium increased her value to over £19,000

Sally was bred by Dean Addison, raised by Derwen Doug, and owned by David Evans’ son Kevin, one of the top sheepdog trialists of his generation.

“Dad knew Sally was something a bit special when he offered her for sale,” said Kevin.

“She is a quality sheepdog with a lovely temperament.

“We produced a series of videos for Facebook and YouTube, showing the dogs working in different situations, so people were able to take a good look at what was on offer.”