He likes to have a job to do, and whatever it is, he will do it well.īe prepared to provide him with work that will satisfy him, whether that is bringing things to you - the paper, your slippers, dirty laundry left on the floor - competing in agility or obedience, accompanying you on errands or helping you keep an eye on the kids at the park. This is a highly intelligent and capable dog. He is noted for his loyalty and devotion to his work. The Kelpie’s breed standard describes him as extremely alert and eager with a mild, tractable disposition and an almost inexhaustible energy. They are recognized by the United Kennel Club and registered by the North American Australian Kelpie Registry, which has the goal of preserving the Kelpie’s natural working ability, purpose, conformation, temperament and overall good health.
They are rare in the sense that they are not commonly seen as pets, but thousands of them go to work everyday on farms and ranches around the world. Kelpies were brought to North America about a century ago and adapted easily to the varying climates and terrain, as well as different livestock. The Kelpie’s ancestors include the “coley,” a British herding-type dog that may also have contributed to the development of theīorder Collie, the English Shepherd, and the The sheep and wool industry in Australia was becoming big business, and ranchers needed tough dogs who could not only handle the unruly sheep but also the harsh environmental conditions and vast acreages. Like so many of the breeds that exist today, the Kelpie came into being in the late 19 The Kelpie has a shortish double coat that comes in black, red, blue, fawn, cream, black and tan, red and tan, blue and tan, and fawn and tan.The Kelpie is highly intelligent and needs a job to keep his clever mind occupied.Otherwise, he'll be lonely, bored and destructive. If your Australian Kelpie is a family pet, he needs to live indoors that is, when he’s not out with you playing, jogging, working or showing up all the other dogs at the local agility or obedience trial. He has an alert nature and will bark to let you know of anything or anyone unusual.Īlthough he loves the great outdoors, the Kelpie is by no means a yard dog. One task at which the Kelpie excels is that of watchdog. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep him occupied to his satisfaction. A couple of long daily walks, jogs or hikes will also help to meet his need for activity. He’s great at dog sports: agility, flyball, flying disc games, herding trials, obedience and tracking. Never let it go uncorrected, and then redirect the behavior by giving your Australian Kelpie demanding and interesting work or games that will provide him with the exercise and mental stimulation he needs.Ī Kelpie can be a search and rescue dog, detection dog, hearing dog, assistance dog, or therapy dog.
If they don’t have a flock to manage, they may transfer this behavior to children, other pets, and vehicles such as bicycles and cars. Australian Kelpies herd livestock by nipping at the animals’ heels. Understand the Kelpie’s working style before you bring him home. One that is underemployed can wreak all kinds of destruction in his attempts to find a job for himself. If you’re not sure, then you are right to hesitate before acquiring a Kelpie. They are medium-size dogs, weighing 31 to 46 pounds.Ĭan you provide this highly intelligent dog with a challenging job? Are you able to provide loving leadership, fair and consistent training, and plenty of daily exercise? If you can answer yes to all of these questions, the Australian Kelpie might be right for you. Kelpies were created by crossing earlyĬollies with other herding dogs and, possibly, Dingoes.
He’s a capable and clever herding dog used to work sheep and other livestock in the United States and his homeland of Australia. The Australian Kelpie, on the other hand, is no such thing. In Scottish and Irish mythology, a Kelpie is a magical water horse with malign intentions toward humans, especially children. Thousands of Kelpies are employed herding livestock every day in their homeland of Australia, as well as in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world.