Australian Kelpie
Modified: 30-11--0001 00:00:00
The Australian Kelpie was developed in Australia for herding sheep and cattle, and is still widly used for that purpose in Australia and New Zealand. They are medium-sized dogs and come in a variety of colours. 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 Australian Kelpie and the working Kelpie. The Australian is the variety that is seen at conformation dog shows.
Appearance
The Kelpie's has a double coat, with a thick undercoat and a weather-resistent outer coat. The coat comes in seven colours: black, chocolate, red, smokey blue, fawn, black and tan (from dark brown to a light cream), and red and tan - in the 'Australian' the colour should be solid; the 'working' can have the colours either solid or with tan, and occasionally with small white markings. Different kennel clubs' breed standards have preferences for certain colours, so what is acceptable for show dogs in some venues might not be acceptable in others. The colour has no relationship to the dog's working ability, so ranchers looking for capable working dogs usually disregard the dog's colour.
Kelpies stand between 17 and 23 inches (43-58.5 cm) at the withers and generally weigh from 24 to 45 lbs (11 to 30 kg).
Temperament
Clever, resiliant and high energy, these dogs may run 60 kilometres(37 miles) in a working day. They can work in all temperatures, handling heat and cold(though not extremes) well. Seen often in commericals running on the backs of sheep, they do this as required in holiding pens where it is not possible or safe to run between the animals.
Health
Kelpies are a hardy breed with few health problems.
History
The history of this breed is not well documented so it's unclear how they came into being. Some say the breed came from crossing Scottish sheepdogs with smooth-haired collies. Others say they were borne of crossing domestic dogs with the Australian Dingo. This has some credibility, as they share the Australian Dingoes resistance to paralysis ticks, but it is not borne out from genetic testing.
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