DESCRIPTION

The Kelpie was developed nearly 140 years ago as a reliable livestock working dog for the harsh conditions of Australia. Kelpies handle all types of livestock: sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry. The disposition of the breed should be friendly, alert, but stoical, with a good balance between keenness to work and ability to rest. (Description courtesy of

HISTORY

The Australian Kelpie is an Australian sheep dog that has proven very successful at herding and droving with little or no command guidance in Australia and in the mountainous areas of New Zealand. They are medium-sized dogs and come in a variety of colors. Kelpies have been exported throughout the world and are used for herding sheep, cattle, goats, ducks, and other livestock.

The breed has split over time into the Show Kelpie and the Working Kelpie. The Show Kelpie is the variety that is seen at conformation dog shows. They usually have little or no herding instinct or skill. Show Kelpie breeders tend to call their breeding establishments kennels, whereas Working Kelpie breeders tend to call their breeding establishments “Studs” in a similar way to cattle and sheep Studs.

Working Kelpies are registered with the Working Kelpie Council (which is the primary authority on the breed standard) and/or the State Sheepdog Workers Association. The Working Kelpie cannot be shown. The Show Kelpie is registered with the Australian National Kennel Council; it can only be bred with other Show Kelpies and never back to the original Working Kelpies. This means that never again can the Show Kelpies have the working ability from the original working Kelpie lines legally bred into their bloodlines without a major rule change.

TEMPERAMENT

Kelpies are loyal, friendly, intelligent, problem-solving dogs and make excellent pets. However, they do need to be stimulated—idle and bored dogs become frustrated and destructive, no matter what breed they are. Walks and socialisation are more than sufficient to keep them happy, but agility and ball games bring out the best—as with any breed.

The Working Kelpie typically has an abundance of energy and deep endurance. It will often drove a mob of sheep over sixty kilometers (37 miles) and upwards in extremes of climates and conditions.

Kelpies are very agile: Working Kelpies are renowned for running along the backs of sheep when moving them through chutes. Show Kelpies generally excel in agility trials.

A Kelpie is not an aggressive dog, but family pets will protect their family with no regard for themselves.

Breeds

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