Illinois Farm Dog Won State Contest
A 3-year-old farm dog named Pez from Stockton took home the top prize in the 2026 Favorite Farm Dog contest.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Dogs
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Pez, a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog, has been named the winner of the 2026 Prairie Farmer Favorite Farm Dog contest. Owners Olivia Charles and Daniel Kloepping manage the working farm in Stockton, Illinois.
Why it matters
The annual competition highlights the essential role working dogs play in managing large-scale livestock operations. This recognition celebrates the daily contributions of these animals to Illinois farm efficiency and family life.
Pez earned a $100 prize for his work on a Stockton farm that supports 100 dairy cows and a 120-head cow-calf herd. The contest awarded $75 to Jacey Girl for second place and $50 to Roxi for third place.
The players
Pez
A 3-year-old farm dog of mixed border collie, Australian shepherd, and blue heeler heritage.
Prairie Farmer
A regional agricultural publication that hosts the annual Favorite Farm Dog contest.
Olivia Charles
A 2024 University of Illinois graduate and co-owner of the Stockton farm where Pez works.
Daniel Kloepping
A co-owner of the Stockton, Illinois farm where Pez manages dairy and beef cattle.
The details
Pez, a mix of border collie, Australian shepherd, and blue heeler, assists owners with moving dairy cattle and managing cow pens. The contest selection process requires that nominees have a unique, single-syllable name not found in standard veterinarian computer databases. Winners are selected annually by Prairie Farmer to showcase the effectiveness of working farm dogs.
Timeline
2024: Olivia Charles graduated from the University of Illinois.
2026: Pez won the Prairie Farmer Favorite Farm Dog Contest.
The Home Front
This award highlights the ongoing trend of recognizing working livestock dogs as integral components of midwestern farm infrastructure. The contest follows the annual pattern set by the Prairie Farmer Favorite Farm Dog Contest.
Farm owners looking to highlight their own working dogs should monitor the Prairie Farmer portal for future entry requirements. Ensure your working dog is up to date on all veterinary records, as naming and registry requirements for such contests can be strict.
The takeaway
The competition highlights how specialized training allows dogs to contribute directly to the logistics of a 100-cow dairy operation. Owners should consider documenting the daily work habits of their animals for potential inclusion in future agricultural spotlight features.
Further reading
Learn more about local pet competitions and working breeds at Illinois Dogs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
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