Australian KelpieCharacteristics, history, training and care

Its ancestors were the sheepdogs of Scotland and England, known generally as “collies”, which were brought to Australia in the 19th century. According to Wikipedia, the first dog called Kelpie was a black and tan bitch bought around 1872 by Jack Gleeson. The name comes from the kelpie, a water spirit from Celtic legend.

Her daughter, King's Kelpie, won an important herding trial in 1879, and her descendants became known as “Kelpie's pups”. Robert Kaleski published the first breed standard in 1904. The FCI recognised the breed definitively on 3 September 1973.

For a long time it was said that the breed has dingo blood, from Australia's wild dog. A 2019 genetic study by the University of Sydney was presented in the press as proof to the contrary. Its author, Claire Wade, explained, however, that the study compared only a few genes, so the question remains open.

How the breed developed

• Around 1872 – Jack Gleeson buys the first bitch called Kelpie.
• 1879 – King's Kelpie wins the trial at Forbes.
• 1904 – The first standard, written by Robert Kaleski.
• 3 September 1973 – Definitive FCI recognition.
• 2015 – Accepted at AKC herding trials.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The rating is based on the breed's AKC profile (energy 5 out of 5, trainability 4 out of 5, barking 1 out of 5) and on the FCI standard.

The FCI standard describes it as a lithe, active dog, capable of very quick movement, with no sign of heaviness or weakness. It has strong muscles and flexible joints. The head has a fox-like expression, softened by the almond-shaped eyes.

General appearance

The coat is double, with a short, dense undercoat and a harsh, straight outer coat that lies flat and keeps out the rain. The ears are erect and pointed. In Australia there are show Kelpies and working Kelpies, bred separately.

The FCI standard accepts black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate and smoke blue. Working Kelpies can be almost any colour.

According to Wikipedia, it is intelligent and easy to train, and its AKC profile gives it 4 stars out of 5 for trainability. Working Kelpies are often called “workaholics”, because they have a very strong instinct to gather livestock.

If it does not get enough exercise and mental activity, it gets bored. It may then bark, dig or chew things. It needs a daily task, not just a walk.

Tips for effective training

• Give it a daily task. It was made for work.
• Use rewards. It learns very quickly.
• Stop it “herding” children. Its herding instinct pushes it to do so.
• Vary the exercises. It gets bored easily.

It has almost endless energy: its AKC profile gives it 5 stars out of 5 for energy. Every day it needs several hours of exercise and activities for the mind. It does very well at agility, and in Sweden it is also used for search and rescue.

Tips for a balanced life

• Suits a farm or very active families.
• A large, well-fenced yard.
• Try agility or flyball.

Coat and skin care

The short coat is easy to look after: brushing once a week is usually enough. Its AKC profile gives it 1 star out of 5 for grooming. In temperate climates it sheds more in spring, when the undercoat falls out.

Common health problems

According to Wikipedia, it is a hardy breed with few health problems. A 2024 study in the United Kingdom found a life expectancy of 12 years. Possible problems include:

Other care

• Ask for the parents' hip tests.
• Check its paws after work in the field.
• Go for yearly check-ups.

A very active working dog needs good-quality food with enough protein. On days of hard work it eats more.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Split the food into two meals a day.
• Adjust the portion to the effort of the day.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Its name comes from a legend. The kelpie is a water spirit from Celtic folklore.
• It walks on the sheep's backs. Working Kelpies jump onto the backs of crowded sheep to get to the front.
• Maggie, aged 30. A Kelpie bitch from Victoria was considered the oldest dog in the world.
• Barb Kelpie. Black Kelpies bear the name of a horse that won the Melbourne Cup.
• It works on its own. It can gather the flock almost without commands.

Red Dog

Red Dog (c. 1971–1979) was a Kelpie cross who roamed Western Australia. His story became the film “Red Dog” (2011).

In cartoons

In the series “Bluey”, Rusty, one of Bluey's best friends, is a red Kelpie.

Can it live in a block of flats?

Hardly; it needs several hours of exercise and work every day.

Does it have dingo blood?

No one knows for sure; a 2019 study compared only a few genes.

What colours does it come in?

Black, red, fawn, chocolate or smoke blue, solid or with tan.

Does it bark a lot?

Little, if it has enough to do; when bored, it may bark and dig.