Australian Kelpie Breed Description

An Owner's Australian Kelpie Description
Keller has proved to be quite a challenge to transform from his natural instinct (herding) to get him to happily settle into life strictly as a companion dog. He's very intelligent and has a lot of energy, which means I am constantly searching for new ways to stimulate him physically and mentally.

He's been a loyal dog and has exhibited more patience with me than I have with him at times! Because he can get bored so easily, if I am away for even a short time, he's really been destructive in the yard. He'll dig or chew or bark out of pure boredom while he waits for me to get home.

Keller is in training for search and rescue work and this has improved his attitude quite a bit. Since he's not aggressive at all, I knew he wouldn't be a good guard dog. But working as a search and rescue dog seems to given him a purpose that he really enjoys. I've also entered him in some local sporting events and he's done quite well in those.

The hardest part in raising Keller has been keeping him busy. He would never do well in an apartment or as a Therapy Dog. He just has too much energy to sit and be petted. He thrives when he can be involved in some kind of activity and that's when he seems happiest in spirit.

I've been introducing him to other family members recently, and realized I should have begun this when he was just a pup. Now he really doesn't care to warm up to unfamiliar people and becomes nervous when they visit for any amount of time. It really keeps him from developing into a good family dog, but he's content with me.

 

 

Introduction

Also known as the Australian Kelpie, these dogs resulted from a cross between a Collie from the north of England and a Black and Tan from New South Wales in Australia. Australian Kelpies are robust, enthusiastic and tireless workers. These are Australia's most popular and successful working dogs numbering in excess of 100,000 in their country of origin. They are highly intelligent, eager, loyal and devoted to their work. Coat colors are fawn, red, blue, brown, black & tan or black. Grooming needs are minimal. They weigh 25 to 45 lbs. and stand 17-23" at the shoulders.

History

This is Australia's working dog: not a house pet nor a companion, but rather a vital member of the team of individuals who raise livestock. In the late 1800s, as the sheep and wool industry was growing Down Under, ranchers began breeding hardy dogs from the British Coley, also called the Working Coley at the time. Merino sheep are not a docile breed, so dogs needed a great deal of intellect and moxie to maintain leadership and control. The climate of Australia's sheep country is hot and dry with major droughts occurring every other decade. That factor means ranchers regularly seek greener pastures and working dogs must be able to range over great distances to maintain the herds. The Australian Kelpie was bred to master all these challenges. Few dogs possess their limitless energy or dedication. They reached the Americas in the early 1900s and were quickly the predominant choice of cattle ranchers.

Description

Kelpie colors include black, red, blue and fawn and all of those colors can present with tan. Additionally, cream is an accepted color for the breed. White blazes and other small white marks are common.

These are working dogs and look it: muscular and agile, they present as athletes. Bright eyed and alert, they demonstrate a keen intelligence. Throughout the rural areas of Australia, the British isles and North America, these dogs are the workforce of the livestock industry.

Temperament

Cattle and sheep dogs are bred for high intelligence so that they can make critical decisions on their own out on the range. However, they must also be able to take direction from the people running the herd. This combination of obedience and initiative is at the heart of a great stock dog - and Australian Kelpies exemplify those traits at their best.

They are dedicated and fearless and manage their herds with iron wills and ingenuity. Ask any rancher about their Kelpies and you'll hear stories of incredible tenacity and tireless support.

Kelpies are not housepets. Like all stock dogs, they need to be able to work as they were bred to do, and their popularity for the past century is a direct result of their expertise.

Colors

Color possibilities include black, and red, each with or without out tan; and fawn, chocolate and blue (gray) from dark to light. Minimal white markings like a spot, strip or a blaze are sometimes present as are white stockings.

Living Area

This dog is NOT suited for life in an apartment. They are working dogs and need plenty of open space to run. The working Kelpies LIVE to work and need to have a job to do. With the kind of coats they have - all-weather and quite adaptable - they can live in hot and cold climates. They are happiest outdoors with adequate shelter.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

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