A top price of £16,100 and a four five-figure prices, were the main highlights of a timed online sale of sheepdogs staged through Farmers Marts' Dolgellau.

The largest working sheepdog sale staged to date by the firm with some 179 dogs entered, clearance rates were down from the 80% at the previous sale in February, to 65%.

However, a strong demand for working dogs, saw fully trained entries average £5245, with partly trained at £2515 and pups at £1365.

Top seller was Jaff, a two-year-old black and white trained dog, from Finland consignor, Ian Dodd, Mustajoentie, which sold to a buyer in Sweden.

Second top price was £15,200 paid by a Yorkshire flockmaster, for Glenview Jen, a 13-month-old black and white bitch, that has just done a lambing from Dewi Jenkins, Ceredigion. She is by Mr Jenkins' own Jock and out of David McMullan's Glencregg Eve.

Top trialist Kevin Evans, Llwynfedwen, Brecon, again came up with the goods with sales at £14,500 and £11,100. Dearest was Dewi Elle, a 21/2-year-old fully trained bitch purchased by J Knive, Norway.

Selling at £11,100 was Wyverne Gyp, a 16-month-old bitch by Derwen Doug, which sold due to Mr Evans' own Red Spot for the end of this month, to M Lott, Llangynog.

Irish breeder, James McGee, Ballybofey, sold his best, Barehead Glen, a fully trained yearling for £10,200 to a buyer from the USA.

OTHERLEADING prices

Working dogs – £9300, Tynygraig Queen, from S Jones, Corwen; £9000, Glebe Fort Tommy, from K Evans, Brecon; £8100, Burndale Ben, from D Henderson, Northumberland; £7100, Skye, from P Byrne, Rosscommon; £6600, Tess from I Hughes, Corwen; £6400, Wheatwood Izzy, from K Evans, Brecon; £6200, Meg from A Groucott, Gwent.

Auctioneers: Farmers Marts