Should you get an Australian Kelpie?
Originating in Australia, Kelpies were bred for droving and controlling livestock on vast sheep stations on the island continent. They are known for their intelligence, agility and trainability; making them one of the more popular breeds today. Check out these 12 Kelpie facts.
The Australian Kelpie was developed
in the 1late 1800s from a breed of sheepdogs brought to Australia by Scottish immigrants. It was believed that the Kelpie was related to the Dingo but a genomic study conducted at the University of Sydney indicated that the Kelpie had no dingo ancestry. According to research, the Kelpie shares identical DNA to ancestors related to the Border Collie, Bearded Collie and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
The Australian Kelpie was bred for its ability
to work with livestock on the vast plains and open ranges of central Australia. The working Kelpie can cover long distances in a single day. They are so versatile and intelligent that today they are also used as search and rescue, therapy, drug detection and service dogs.
Kelpies are/were used to muster
or herd, a large flock of 100+ sheep from pasture to pasture in large open fields. They are capable working dogs who are also excellent at cattle work and require a lot of physical exercise. With ample mental stimulation, obedience training and enough exercise, they make very good family pets.
Growing Up Kelpie!
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Though capable of understanding dozens
or even hundreds, of commands, the Kelpie is also an independent thinker. They have a natural instinct to employ innovative methods to problems and challenges. In studies of dog breed temperament, they are rated by owners as “highly trainable” dogs.
The Australian Kelpie is a medium sized dog breed
(up to about 50 pounds) of the herding dog type. The working Kelpie can have 3 different coat types, rough, short and smooth. Coat colors may be white with black, blue smoke, red, or red speckles; sometimes with tan markings or sable or blue patches. A black Kelpie, regardless of gender is known as a “Barb”.
The head of the Australian Kelpie is wedge-shaped
with medium sized eyes that are dark brown in color. Ears are usually “pricked” but can be “dropped”. There are two types of Kelpies-the lighter, taller working dogs and the show dogs that generally have pricked ears and come in solid coat colors.
In research being conducted by the
University of Pennsylvania, called the C-BARQ, Kelpies ranked very high in aggression towards other, UNFAMILIAR dogs. They were ranked 18 of 124 breeds. This is defined as barking, snapping, growling and, in extreme cases, lunging or trying to bite another UNFAMILIAR dog.
In this same research study
they also rank VERY high in excitability. This is defined as their reaction when getting ready for a walk, a ringing doorbell, visitors coming to the house etc. They came in at 25th out of 124 breeds.
Australian Kelpies are exceptionally intelligent and agile.
They learn commands easily and usually obey them almost immediately. Even so, their herding nature can sometimes cause problems; for example the dog may nip at people’s heels in an attempt to herd them toward another location.
Kelpies at Work!
Kelpies are generally a very hardy breed
but there are three health problems worth noting:
Hip Dysplasia – common in many breeds
Luxating patella-unstable knees
Krabbes disease-degenerative disorder of the nervous system
Cerebellar abiotrophy-a genetic neurological disease the effects the dogs ability to move
In timed 100-yard dog racing competitions
held by the American Kennel Club, the average Kelpie running speed is 27.1 mpg and the fastest speed recorded was just under 28 mph by a Kelpie named The New Guy.
In Landmark Research on Modern Dog Breed
development, the Australian Kelpie has been shown to share the most DNA with an ancestor of the following breeds:
Border Collie
Bearded Collie
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Check Your Facts about the Australian Kelpie and Take a Kelpie Quiz!
Kelpie Humor!
Kelpie Facts-Final Thoughts
From their origins as hardworking herding dogs on vast acres of land to their adaptability as loyal family pets, Kelpies have proven time and time again that they are more than just good dogs. With the right training and positive reinforcement, Kelpies can excel in various dog sports and activities, showcasing their incredible athleticism and intelligence. However, it’s important to remember that Kelpies thrive when given ample mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom. So whether you’re looking for a loyal companion or a skilled working partner, a good working Kelpie is sure to impress.
