Australian Kelpie

Show Breed

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Size: Medium
Other Names: Kelpie, Barb
Country of Origin: Australia
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): FSS
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Herding
United Kennel Club (UKC): Herding Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Working Dogs
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Herding
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Working Dogs

Australian Kelpies are Mediums and come in a variety of colors. The variety of coloration and coat types puts the Kelpie in a select group, as it is not possible to look at an unidentified dog and classify it as a Kelpie. The breed has been separated into two distinct varieties: the Show Kelpie and the Working Kelpie. The Show Kelpie is seen at conformation dog shows and are selected for appearance rather than mustering instinct. Working Kelpies are bred for working ability over appearance. Show Kelpies are generally heavier and shorter than working Kelpies. The Kelpie's ears are pricked, but a few working Kelpies will have one or both ears flopped. His tail will often following the coat type, and will vary between smooth to bushy.

An intense herding dog who needs work every day; short coat, little grooming, and a poor match for a household that only offers a walk around the block.

The Australian Kelpie is a sheep dog, successful at mustering and droving with little or no command guidance. Kelpies have been exported throughout the world, and are used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and poultry. Kelpies will work sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, and other domestic livestock. The Kelpie's signature move is to jump on the backs of sheep and walk across the tops of the sheep to reach the other side and break up the jam. Working Kelpies have done quite well in dog sports, and Search and Rescue work.

Height: Working Kelpie: Male: 21½ inches; Female: 19½ inches
Weight: Working Kelpie: Male: 31–46 pounds
Color: Working Kelpie: almost every color from black through light tan or cream. Show Kelpie: Black, chocolate, red, smoky blue, fawn, black and tan, red and tan.
Coat: Working Kelpie: smooth, short, or rough, single coat. Show Kelpie: short double coat.
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Litter size: 4–8 puppies

Temperament

Kelpies are loyal, friendly, intelligent, energetic dogs. Australian Kelpies require a challenging job to be satisfactory companions. They need to be stimulated, as idle and bored dogs become frustrated, noisy, and destructive. A Kelpie is not aggressive towards people, so cannot be considered a guard dog. However, he will bark when alerted.

Training

Working Kelpies may nip when working stock and should be taught early not to do so to humans.

Care and grooming

For the show–bred Kelpie, walks and socialization may be sufficient to keep him happy. A working–bred Kelpie must have a job to do, and plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, to remain healthy and companionable.

Shedding

Moderate.

Health

Australian Kelpies may develop progressive retinal atrophy, collie eye anomaly, and hip dysplasia. Working lines are often hardy when kept fit and not overfed.

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