Have You What it Takes to be Top Dog?

A new dog’s show bred from the Australian hit Muster Dogs is seeking Kiwi contestants.

The Sky NZ Original will follow five farmers over the course of a year training working dogs that are picked from the same litter in the hope of becoming Champion Muster Dog.

Here’s the media release:

Casting now open as Sky NZ Originals Muster Dogs NZ goes into production – could you raise Aotearoa’s next Champion Muster Dog?

Sky New Zealand Originals series Muster Dogs NZ is now in production, and casting is officially underway for the exciting new local adaptation of the ABC’s globally successful factual format, Muster Dogs.

Produced by The Down Low Concept and made with the support of NZ On Air, the series will be filmed across Aotearoa, following five Kiwi farmers as they each take on a dog from the same litter, and set about training it from a pup to a fully-fledged farmhand.

Guided by some of the country’s top canine experts, the trainers and their working dogs will compete for the title of Champion Muster Dog.

From seasoned farmers to the younger generation of shepherds, producers are seeking a diverse mix of contestants from across the motu who are ready to take on the once-in-a-lifetime challenge of raising and training their own working dog.

Producer Nigel McCulloch of The Down Low Concept says, “If you’re a passionate farmer up for the challenge, ready to raise and train a working dog pup over 12 months – and you wouldn’t mind a small TV crew following your journey – then we want to hear from you!”

Participants will need resilience, commitment and a genuine connection to the land and animals, as they embark on a journey that will test their skills, patience, and heart. Applicants can register their interest via the series’ official Facebook page, Facebook.com/musterdogsnz.

Blending entertainment, reality and documentary storytelling, Muster Dogs has become a four-season success on ABC Australia.

With a US version in production, it’s capturing audiences around the world with its heart, humour and celebration of the powerful bond between humans and dogs.

Muster Dogs NZ is a production by The Down Low Concept for Sky New Zealand, with the support of NZ On Air, in association with Australian Broadcasting Corporation as the original format holder. The series will air later in 2027.

To register your interest in casting for Muster Dogs NZ, visit Facebook.com/musterdogsnz