| Australian Kelpies are medium-sized dogs 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. |
| Height: |
Working Kelpie: Male: 21½ inches; Female: 19½ inches |
| Weight: |
Working Kelpie: Male: 31-46 pounds |
| Color(s): |
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. |
| Description: |
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. |
| 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 & 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. |
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| Health: |
Kelpies are a hardy breed with few health problems. They are susceptible to disorders common to all breeds, like cryptorchidism, hip dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy and luxating patella. Current research is underway to find the genetic marker for cerebellar abiotrophy in the breed. It is recommended that Kelpies be vaccinated against parvovirus and distemper, and rabies, if the dog is outside Australia, which is free of the disease. |
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