Australian Kelpie
Also known as: Kelpie, Barb
The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized dog breed originating from Australia. The Australian Kelpie comes from Australia, typically weighs 13–19 kg, and has a short double coat coat. Individual Australian Kelpies vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Australia
- Weight
- 13–19 kg (29–42 lb)
- Height
- 39–51 cm (15–20 in)
- Coat
- short double coat
- Colour
- black, black and tan, red, red and tan, chocolate, chocolate and tan, blue, blue and tan, fawn, fawn and tan, cream, black and white
- Other names
- Kelpie, Barb
About the Australian Kelpie
The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized dog breed originating from Australia. It weighs 13-19 kg and stands 39-51 cm tall.
Overview
The Australian Kelpie , or simply Kelpie , is an Australian sheepdog capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It is a medium-sized dog and comes in a variety of colours. The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats. The breed has been separated into two distinct varieties: the Show (or Bench) Kelpie and the Working Kelpie. The Show Kelpie is seen at conformation dog shows in some countries and is selected for appearance rather than working instinct , while the Working Kelpie is bred for its working ability.
Health
Kelpies are a hardy breed with few health problems, but they are susceptible to disorders common to all breeds, such as cryptorchidism , hip dysplasia , cerebellar abiotrophy and luxating patella . Research is underway to find the genetic marker for cerebellar abiotrophy in the breed. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12 years based on a sample of 49 deaths for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds .
History
The ancestors of most Kelpies were British dogs known loosely as collies (sometimes spelled colleys). These were mostly black, or very dark brown, dogs – hence the name collie, which has the same root as coal. (The official collie breeds were not formed until about 10 or 15 years after the Kelpie was established as a breed, and the first recognised Border Collie was not brought to Australia until after the Federation in 1901). Some collies were imported to Australia for stock work in the early 19th century, and were bred with other types of dogs – usually with an eye to working sheep without direct supervision. A 1950 article in the Dungog Chronicle as an example, amongst a number of them that can be found in public archives, reports a then-popular account claiming that the first Kelpies descended from a deliberate cross between a smooth-haired Scottish Collie and a dingo around 1870. The story reflected a widespread belief of the time that Australian working dogs owed some of their hardiness to native dingo blood. In May 2019, several media outlets reported that a University of Sydney genomic study had found “no dingo ancestry” in the Kelpie. However, the study’s lead author, Professor Claire Wade, later clarified that this interpretation was incorrect. The research compared some specific genes associated with the visible traits of the ear shape and coat colour but not the breed’s entire genome. Wade stated that she had never suggested there was “no dingo blood in the Kelpie breed,” explaining that the study merely showed no genetic link for those two characteristics which some people believed shows a relationship between the dingo and the kelpie. The first dog known as a Kelpie was a black and tan female pup with floppy ears bought by Jack Gleeson about 1872 from a litter born on Warrock Station near Casterton , owned by George Robertson, a Scot. This dog was named after the kelpie , a mythological shapeshifting water spirit of Celtic folklore. In later years she was referred to as "(Gleeson''s) Kelpie", to differentiate her from "(King''s) Kelpie", her daughter. The second "Kelpie" was "(King''s) Kelpie", another black and tan bitch out of "Kelpie" by "Caesar", a pup from two sheepdogs imported from Scotland. "(King''s) Kelpie" tied for the prestigious Forbes Trial in 1879, and the strain was soon popularly referred to as "Kelpie''s pups", or just Kelpies. The King brothers joined another breeder, McLeod, to form a dog breeding partnership whose dogs dominated trials during 1900 to 1920. An early Kelpie, Sally, was mated to Moss, a Smooth Collie, and she produced a black pup that was named Barb after The Barb , a black horse which had won the Melbourne Cup in 1866. Consequently, black Kelpies became known as Barb Kelpies or Barbs. There were a number of Kelpies named Red Cloud. The first and most famous was John Quinn''s Red Cloud in the early 20th century. In
Appearance
The Kelpie is a soft-coated, medium-sized dog, usually with prick ears and an athletic appearance. Their coat colours include black, black and tan, red, red and tan, blue, blue and tan, fawn, fawn and tan, cream, black and blue, and white and gold. The Kelpie generally weighs 14–20 kg (31–44 lb) and measures 41–51 cm (16–20 in) at the withers . They can reach a maximum weight of 25–27 kg (55–60 lb) .
Show Kelpie
Kelpies that are bred under the ANKC registrations are registered for show (Main Register) only in the following colours: Black, Chocolate, Red, Smoky Blue, Fawn, Black and Tan, and Red and Tan. They have a double coat and pricked ears. The other colours can be registered as pets and sporting dogs (Limited Register): Blue and Tan, Fawn and Tan and Yellow/Cream. Kelpies were first exhibited in the early 20th century, at the Sydney Royal Easter Show . ANKC "Show" Kelpies are now becoming very popular both nationally and internationally as family pets, companion dogs, running mates and sport dogs due to their trainability, good nature and low maintenance of care and can be found all over the world.
Temperament
Show Kelpies generally excel in agility trials and may be shown in conformation in Australia . Kelpies are intelligent and easy to train dogs making them good-tempered and good pets, especially with children. However they require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation, otherwise they can become bored and hence be disruptive by constantly barking or digging, or by chewing on objects. Working Kelpies are often described as "workaholics", with a strong drive to herd.
Working Kelpie
The Working Kelpie comes in three coat types: short, smooth and rough. The coat can be almost any colour from black to light tan or cream. Some Kelpies have a white blaze on the chest, and a few have white points. Kelpies sometimes have a double coat , which sheds out in spring in temperate climates. Agouti is not unusual, and can look like a double coat. Working Kelpies vary in size, ranging from about 19–25 in (48–64 cm) and 28–60 lb (13–27 kg) . A Working Kelpie can be a cheap and efficient worker that can save farmers and graziers the cost of several hands when mustering livestock. {{cite web |url=https://www.sheepcentral.com/hoovers-35200-prices-sets-world-record-at-casterton/ |title=Hoover's $35,200 price sets world record at Casterton auction |work=Sheep Central |publisher=Nascon Media |date=16 June 2021 |access-date=1 January 2022 |first=Terry |last=Sim}}</ref>"}},"i":0}}]}''> [ a ] The good Working Kelpies are herding dogs that will prevent stock from moving away from the stockman. This natural instinct is crucial when mustering stock in isolated gorge country, where a good dog will silently move ahead of the stockman and block up the stock (usually cattle) until the rider appears. Kelpies have natural instincts for managing livestock. They 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. Kelpies compete and are exhibited in livestock working trials, ranging from yards or arenas to large open fields working sheep, goats, cattle, or ducks.
Breed standards
Robert Kaleski published the first standard for the Kelpie in 1904. The standard was accepted by leading breeders of the time and adopted by the Kennel Club of New South Wales. Contemporary breed standards vary depending on whether the registry is for working or show Kelpies. It is possible for a dog to both work and show, but options for competition in conformation shows might be limited depending on ancestry and the opinions of the kennel clubs or breed clubs involved. In Australia, there are two separate registries for Kelpies. Working Kelpies are registered with the Working Kelpie Council (WKC) and/or the Australian Sheepdog Workers Association. The WKC encourages breeding for working ability, and allows a wide variety of coat colours. Show Kelpies are registered with the Australian National Kennel Council , which encourages breeding for a certain appearance and limits acceptable colours. The wide standards allowed by the WKC mean that many Working Kelpies do not meet the standard for showing. In the US, the Kelpie is not recognised as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, the United Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club recognise the Kelpie and allow them to compete in official events. As of 2015, Australian Kelpies have been accepted by the AKC as Herding Dogs allowed to compete in AKC sanctioned Sheep Herding Trials.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the Australian Kelpie?
The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a sturdy build, capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It comes in a variety of colours and has a distinctive head shape, erect ears, and a docked or natural tail. The breed is highly intelligent, energetic, and athletic.
Is the Australian Kelpie a good family dog?
The Australian Kelpie is a high-energy breed that requires regular exercise and mental stimulation. They are generally good with children if socialized properly, but may not be suitable for very young children due to their energetic nature. They also require consistent training and attention from experienced owners.
What health problems do Australian Kelpies have?
Kelpies are susceptible to disorders common to many breeds, including cryptorchidism, hip dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy, and luxating patella. Research is underway to find the genetic marker for cerebellar abiotrophy. Regular veterinary check-ups and genetic testing can help identify potential health issues early on.
How much does a Australian Kelpie puppy cost?
The cost of an Australian Kelpie puppy can vary depending on factors such as location, breeder reputation, and bloodline. On average, a working Kelpie puppy can cost between $500-$1,500, while a show Kelpie puppy can cost between $1,000-$3,000. Prices may also include additional costs for registration, vaccination, and microchipping.
Where do Australian Kelpies come from?
The Australian Kelpie comes from Australia. The breed developed there before spreading to dog fanciers worldwide.
Related breeds
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Australian Kelpie, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.