While many of us are getting used to traveling again, Peter Barr has been adjusting to a new feeling when he hits the road.
The trainer and breeder from Pinnaroo in South Australia is still gaining recognition more than a year after his role as a judge on the ABC TV series Muster Dogs.
“I’ve been to Western Australia and back and almost every booth as you pull up someone talks to you [the show],” he said.
“You know, they’ve seen it and it’s been a good eye-opener.
“So hopefully more younger people, or newer people in general, can pick up the dog [training] side and enjoy it.”
Peter Barr says it’s been good to get out with open state borders again. (ABC Riverland: Eliza Berlage)
Mr. Barr has embraced the newfound fame and is grateful for the opportunity to share his passion for working dogs.
“You just have to enjoy it, promote it as best you can … and help people who want to talk about it,” he said.
Get off the beaten track
Since finishing the show, the 30-year-old has been in WA and Victoria hosting working dog schools.
“I haven’t been up north yet, but I’m hoping to make it next year,” Barr said.
And while she’s had some wins in dog trials around the country, she’s had even more success selling her Kelpies at auction.
One of Mr Barr’s adult dogs fetched $21,000 at SA’s first working dog auction in Lucindale. Their puppies sell for up to $3,000.
“Dog prices went up a lot last year,” he said.
Mr Barr’s dogs also enjoyed the ride.
“They are my life,” he said.
“I travel around Australia with them and they live on the road with me wherever I go.
“They’re a part of me. They’re my tools to work with, as well as my best friends, and yeah, we just had a good connection.”
Mr. Barr and his kelpies are inseparable. (ABC Riverland: Sophie Landau)
Work and play
The collection of contracts has kept Mr. Barr and plans to run more working dog schools soon.
“[I want to] helping people get the most out of their working dog and enjoy it,” he said.
It hasn’t just been work that has kept the star coach busy; he also found love last year while working on crutch trailers in the Victorian town of Hamilton.
Peter Barr with his nine-year-old dog Flash at the Loxton show. (ABC Riverland: Sophie Landau)
As for the return to the screen, Mr. Barr said he was not involved with the second series of Muster Dogs, but was keen to do an encore.
“I’m definitely going to be involved with the next one,” he said.
“We’ll try to do a mix of kelpies and collies in the third. So yeah [I’m] I’m looking forward to it and it should be good.”
Muster Dogs is available on ABC iview. A second series of the hit show is in development.