Australian Kelpie
Origin
The history of this breed is not well documented so it is unclear how they cam into being. Some say the breed came from crossing Scottish sheepdogs with smooth-haired collies. Others say they were born of crossing domestic dogs with the Australian Dingo. The Australian Kelpie was developed in Australia for herding sheep and cattle, and is still widely used for that purpose in Australia and New Zealand.
Description
The Australian Kelpie has a compact body and well-developed limbs. Slightly longer than he is tall, the Kelpie has a broad chest and firm hind quarters that contribute to his flexible, energized appearance. The head is long and narrow. The medium length tail is low set. The short, compact feet have well arched toes. The double coat consists of a short and dense undercoat and a hard, straight and weather-repellent outer coat. Colour possibilities include black and red, each with or without out tan; and fawn, chocolate and blue. Kelpie owners are more interested in the breed's working ability then their appearance. This robust, enthusiastic, and tireless worker, is Australia’s most popular and successful working dog. Kelpies have been exported throughout the world and are used for herding sheep, cattle, goats, ducks, and other livestock.
| Size | Medium |
| Colour | The coat comes in seven colours: black, chocolate, red, smokey blue, fawn, black and tan (from dark brown to a light cream), and red and tan |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Weight/Height Range | Dogs should measure between 46 - 51cms and weigh between 15 - 20kgs. Bitches should ideally measure between 43 - 48cms and weigh between 11 - 16Kgs. |
| Ailments | Beware of PRA= Progressive Retinal Atrophy - retinal degeneration causing partial to total blindness, Other Ailments to be mindful of are Microphtalmia and Multiple Colobomas |
Feeding & Ownership
This dog is relatively easy to feed, only really requiring greater nutrition during working periods.
| Food Cost | $10 to $15 |
Personality
The Australian Kelpie is a working dog that demands a great deal of exercise, preferably with some kind of job to do. Their energy levels are extremely high!! They are workaholics and will run until they drop!! They need to be taken on long daily walks and make an excellent jogging companion. The Australian Kelpie is a compact, robust, enthusiastic, and tireless working dog. The kelpie is a tough, independent, highly intelligent dog that is extremely loyal. They are very obedient and are exceptionally alert, they are eager to please and they make a devoted companion; however they have an inexhaustible amount of energy which makes them unsuitable for suburban living. They are good with children when they are raised with them from puppyhood. Kelpies will try to herd other dogs, pets and animals whether they want to be herded or not.
| Intelligence | Their easy trainability and dedication on the job make them excellent at herding and a fundamental component of the Australian work force. They are ready to respond immediately to any signal given by their owner, and can response signals from a great distance. They are independent and in business for themselves rather than for pleasing a handler. |
| Energy | High |
| Suitability for Children | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | High |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | Kelpies can run up to 60 kilometres in a working day. They require plenty of exercise, and can become frustrated and bored if cooped up for long periods of time. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | High |
| Ease of Transportation | High |
| Level of Aggression | Medium |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
The Kelpie has a double coat, with a thick undercoat and a weather-resistant outer coat, the Australian Kelpie is easy to groom. Brush on a regular basis with a firm bristle brush, and bathe once a month is all that is required as regular bathing will remove the natural oils in the weather-resistant coat and dry out the skin.
| Grooming Requirements | Once A Week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Heavy |
MAKE SURE YOUR PET IS EASILY IDENTIFIED 