Australian Kelpie

Origin & history

The Kelpie was developed in Australia in the late 19th century from working collie-type dogs imported from Scotland, bred specifically to handle Merino sheep over huge distances in a hot, dry climate that British dogs struggled with. The breed takes its name from a bitch called Kelpie, bred in the 1870s, whose descendants proved outstanding workers. Whether the Dingo contributed to the breed is debated, but the Kelpie's heat tolerance, stamina and independent working style are unmistakably suited to the outback. There are effectively two strands today: the hard-driving working Kelpie, still indispensable on Australian sheep and cattle stations, and the slightly heavier show or bench Kelpie. The working Kelpie in particular is one of the finest herding dogs in the world and a genuine icon of rural Australia.

Temperament

With its handler or family the Kelpie is loyal, affectionate and intensely responsive, forming a strong working partnership and reading its person closely. It is usually devoted and gentle at home once its needs are met, but those needs are considerable. With strangers it can be reserved or aloof, and it makes an alert watchdog without being a true guard dog. The herding instinct is powerful, so many Kelpies will try to gather children, other pets or anything that moves, and they need that channelled into appropriate work. They are exceptionally intelligent and trainable, often learning at remarkable speed, but that same intelligence means a bored Kelpie will find its own, usually unwelcome, occupation. They are sensitive dogs that respond best to fair, positive, consistent handling and can become neurotic if frustrated, under-stimulated or isolated.

Appearance

A medium-sized, supple and athletic dog built for speed and endurance, standing roughly 43 to 51 cm at the shoulder and weighing about 11 to 20 kg, with males larger than females. The frame is lean and muscular with no wasted weight, clearly made for movement. The double coat is short to medium, flat and weather-resistant, lying close to the body. Colours include black, red, chocolate, blue (grey), fawn, and black-and-tan or red-and-tan, with the solid colours most associated with the working dog. The ears are pricked and the eyes almond-shaped, brown and very alert, giving the keen, intelligent expression typical of a switched-on herder.

Suitability

This is fundamentally a working dog and suits a property, a farm, or a committed dog-sport or endurance-sport home, never an apartment or a low-activity household. It needs an experienced, energetic owner who can provide hours of real physical exercise and mental work every day, whether that is stock work, running, agility, herding trials or flyball. First-time owners almost always find them too demanding. They tolerate some time alone if thoroughly exercised first, but long daily isolation produces anxiety and destruction. The breed handles the Australian climate, including serious heat, better than almost any other, which is exactly what it was bred for, though it still needs shade and water. Secure fencing is important, as an under-worked Kelpie will look for a way out.

Health

Kelpies are generally tough, healthy dogs that often live 12 to 15 years or more, with working lines bred hard for soundness. The inherited conditions to be aware of are progressive retinal atrophy, a DNA-testable cause of blindness, hip dysplasia, and cerebellar abiotrophy, a neurological condition for which a DNA test exists. Patellar luxation is also seen occasionally. Because they spend so much time outdoors and in water and grass, they can be prone to skin irritations and ear infections, so routine checking helps. Buy from a breeder who provides hip scores and DNA results for PRA and cerebellar abiotrophy on the parents, and who breeds for working soundness and good temperament. Keep the dog fit and lean, which suits the breed's athletic build, and stay on top of ears and skin.