Doggone! Noted Selby dog breeder John Bell knows how to get top dog prices for his working sheepdogs.

For the third Craven Cattle Marts' Skipton Auction Mart sale in succession - this time at the annual summer gathering - John, of Parks Farm, Howden, Selby, again sent out the top-priced dog, when "Glen" sold for 1,450 guineas (£1,522.50) to a York buyer.

The 20-month-old registered dog had impressed on trial at home, and demonstrated sufficient style and power on the show field to suggest he has high-class potential.

Craven Cattle Marts general manager Jeremy Eaton said: "While general trade was selective, there was a particularly strong demand for keen, newly-broken dogs to bring on for the northern trials circuit.

"A good entry has now firmly established the mid-summer sale at Skipton in the fixture list, attracting interest from around the British Isles and, increasingly, contact from Europe and America."

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, July 29, 2004