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Australian Kelpie
| Other Names | Kelpie, Red Cloud Kelpie, Barb Kelpie, the Barb, Australian Sheepdog |
| Nicknames | Farmer Dog |
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| Weight | 25 - 45 lbs. (11 - 20 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 17 - 20 in. (43 - 51 cm) |
| Coat | These dogs come in three coat varieties, smooth, rough, and long. Some Working Kelpies have double coats and others do not. The tail will tend to match the coat, and may be either smooth or bushy. |
| Colour | 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. |
| Litter Size | 5-8 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 -15 years |
| Origin & History | The Australian Kelpie was first recognized as a distinct breed beginning in the 1870’s, but its ancestors go back much further in time. There is much debate over the true origin of the Kelpie, but all agree that the breed was originally developed in Australia for the purpose of working sheep and as a cattle dog. The history of the Kelpie began in the early 1800’s. Initially, the sheep and wool industry in Australia grew slowly, partially because most European sheep were either ill-suited to the Australian climate or did not produce quality wool. In 1801, there were approximately 33,000 sheep in Australia. That changed in 1912 when the Merino Sheep, a breed native to Spain, was first imported to Australia. Merinos not only produced some of the highest quality wool of any sheep, but they were also able to survive in the hot climate and rugged terrain found over most of Australia. The Merino sheep and the industry that followed would eventually transform the Australian economy and culture; as evidenced by the fact that by 1830, there were over 2 million sheep in Australia. The vast majority of these were Merinos and by the middle of the 1800’s, Australia had become the world’s primary wool producing country and wool exports dominated the Australian economy. Regarded as being one of the most unruly of all European breeds, Merino sheep are difficult to herd, and like to stray. These tendencies were exacerbated by the tremendous size and harsh conditions of the Australian Outback. Sheep that wandered off would likely never be found, and if they were found they would likely be dead. In order to control these flocks, farmers would be forced to rely heavily on dogs. As the vast majority of early Australian settlers came from the British Isles, the dogs they selected were those familiar to them, British herding breeds. England and especially Scotland had a long tradition of herding sheep with dogs, and had developed a number of different varieties of sheepdog. These varieties were not breeds in the modern sense; rather, they were localized varieties of working sheepdogs. Although appearance probably played a very small role in their breeding, the only thing that truly mattered was their working ability. These dogs have been present in the British Isles for so long that no one knows when or how they first arrived. It is most commonly suggested that they arrived with either the Celts or the Romans. Different varieties were given different names, but many of them became known as collies. Collie did not mean one of the modern collie breeds, but it was a generic term for a working sheepdog of certain physical types. There is much dispute over what collie originally meant. It was certainly a Scottish word, and most likely comes from the word ‘coalie’, a name for the black-faced sheep of Scotland. Although it is unclear exactly when the first collies were imported to Australia, it was either in the late 1700’s or early 1800’s. As the decades wore on, native born collies would become ever more adapted to the hotter temperatures and dangerous conditions found in Australia. Some of this adaptation was the result of planned breeding, and some was the result of natural selection. New settlers and existing farmers continuously imported more collies from the United Kingdom, steadily increasing the gene pool of Australian collies. Few strains were kept pure; most were crossed with each other extensively. At some point in the 1800’s, it became a regular practice to cross collies with Dingoes, semi-wild dogs native to Australia. Farmers generally kept this practice a secret, as it was illegal to own Dingoes in much of Australia and Dingoes are infamous sheep killers. These crosses were made because farmers believed (with good reason) that Dingoes were better adapted to life in Australia and more capable of working for long hours. Dingoes are also seen as highly intelligent and adaptable, traits which would increase the working ability of their dogs. These sheepherding dogs needed to be capable of surviving in Australia and of working with the troublesome Merino Sheep. Because of the size of the Outback, these dogs would also need to work independently of their masters, sometimes for hours at a time. The collies of Australia became much more heat tolerant than their British cousins, as well as more suited for dry and treacherous terrain. Additionally their temperaments had changed as well making them better suited to deal with large predatory creatures such as Dingoes, eagles, and goannas. Australian stock dogs also developed the intelligence and the ability to herd sheep instinctively, without any guidance from handlers. Tireless runners, this Australian strain of herding and livestock protection dog was able to work for hour after hour. Although the Australian Collie was still regularly crossed with new imports, by the 1870’s it had adapted and changed to a point that it was clearly distinct from its British counterpart. Perhaps the most distinctive behavior of these Australian collies was their tendency to run on the backs of sheep. If one of these dogs needed to get across the herd to round up a sheep, they would jump on the backs of other sheep rather than run around or through them. The foundation for the modern Kelpie breed was a black and tan female with floppy ears, born on Warrock Station, and owned by the Scotsman George Robertson. Sometime between 1870 and 1872, the dog was purchased by J.D. Gleeson, who named her Kelpie after a water monster of Celtic folklore. Robertson bred Scottish collies of the Rutherford or North Country variety. All agree that Kelpie’s mother was a Scottish Rutherford Collie, but there is dispute as to the nature of her sire. Some claim that Kelpie’s sire was also a Scottish Rutherford Collie, while others insist he was either a Dingo or a Dingo cross. There is no evidence either way, and the mystery will likely never be fully solved. Kelpie is better known as Gleeson’s Kelpie to distinguish her from her daughter, also named Kelpie. Gleeson’s Kelpie was bred with a black Scottish Rutherford Collie named Moss, which was owned by Mark Tully, a friend of Gleeson. These two dogs would produce an exceptional line of working collies. Around the same time that Kelpie was born, two other black Scottish Rutherford Collies were imported from Scotland, Brutus and Jenny. Some claim that these dogs were Australian natives descended from Dingoes, but this is probably just legend. Brutus and Jenny produced a puppy that was named Caesar. Caesar was bred to Gleeson’s Kelpie, producing an outstanding female also named Kelpie by her owners, the King Brothers. This second Kelpie has become known as King’s Kelpie to distinguish her from Gleeson’s Kelpie. King’s Kelpie would become such an excellent sheepdog that she tied the very prestigious Forbes Sheepdog Trial in 1879. King’s Kelpie became very famous and her descendants were highly sought by Australian stockmen. These dogs were initially known as Kelpie’s pups and then Kelpies and by 1890, the Kelpie strain had become well-established. At some point, the name Kelpie began to be applied to all Australian collies of a similar type, not just the direct descendants of King’s Kelpie. The King Brothers would partner with another collie breeder, McLeod and together they would produce dogs that dominated Australian sheepdog trials from 1900 to 1920, enhancing the reputation of the breed and the line. By the early 1900’s, the Kelpie was considered to be the premier sheep herding dog of Australia. A few other early Kelpies became quite prominent. One of the earliest Kelpies was a female named Sally. Sally was mated to a smooth collie named Moss (a different dog from Gleeson’s Kelpie’s mate) and produced a black puppy. This puppy was named Barb after a black Barb horse that won the Melbourne Cup in 1866. Barb became so renowned as a sheepdog that it has become common to call all black or black and tan Kelpies either Barb Kelpies or Barbs. Another famous early Kelpie was a red male named John Quinn’s Red Cloud. Many other red and red and tan Kelpies were named after him, including a Western Australian dog that became quite famous. It is now common to refer to all red and red and tan Kelpies, especially ones with white chests, as Red Cloud Kelpies. Australian stockmen strictly cared about the working ability of their dogs, and their Kelpies were highly varied. Some had semi-prick ears, others had prick ears. These dogs came in a variety of sizes, although most were medium. Australian stockmen cared little for color and working Kelpies can appear in almost any solid color, and most have some markings, especially on the chest. While these had immense working ability, they did not possess enough conformation to be shown in the ring. In the early 1900’s, some Australians became interested in standardizing the Kelpie into a show dog. In 1904, Robert Kaleski published the first Kelpie standard. Kaleski’s standard was adopted by several leading breeders and the Kennel Club of New South Wales. However, the vast majority of stockmen rejected the idea of standardizing the Kelpie for conformation, fearing it would destroy the working ability of the breed. From the early 1900’s, two distinct varieties of Kelpie developed in Australia, Working Kelpies and Show Kelpies. Working Kelpies continued to display the variety of their ancestors, while Show Kelpies were increasingly standardized. Show Kelpie breeders preferred solid-colored dogs with no markings, as well as fully prick ears and a short coat. Most kennel clubs officially call the breed the Australian Kelpie, although that name most accurately applies to the Show Kelpie. While breeders of both Show and Working Kelpies consider the dogs to be of the same breed, only pure Show Kelpies may compete in Australian National Kennel Council events, and few if any Working Kelpie breeders would cross their dogs with Show Kelpies. In Australia, the Australian National Kennel Council keeps the stud books for and judges Show Kelpies, while the Working Kelpie Council and the State Sheepdog Workers Association keep records of Working Kelpies and organize sheepdog trials. While there are a number of Show Kelpies in Australia, the Working Kelpie is much more common. Although it is impossible to get accurate statistics, there are almost certainly well over 100,000 Working Kelpies and Working Kelpie crosses herding sheep and cattle in Australia. Although the practice is rarely openly discussed due to legal issues, Working Kelpies are still occasionally crossed with Dingoes. Starting in the early 1900’s, the Australian Kelpie was exported to many other countries around the world. Farmers in those countries quickly discovered what their Australian counterparts already knew, that the Australian Kelpie is almost peerless when it comes to working with sheep over very large areas. Outside of Australia, the countries where the Australian Kelpie has become most prominent include Argentina, Canada, New Caledonia, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, and the United States. Although it is unclear exactly when the first Australian Kelpies arrived in America, it was probably in either the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. The first Kelpies were imported by American sheep farmers, to control their flocks over the immense expanses of the American West. The North American Working Kelpie Registry (NAWKR) was founded to register working Australian Kelpies in both the United States and Canada. Australian Kelpies proved very valuable to American farmers, and became a popular working breed in the American West. The breed is especially well-suited to life in the hot and arid conditions that exist in such states as Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona, but can also adapt to the colder conditions found farther north and into southern Canada. Although there is a substantial sheep and wool industry in the United States, the primary livestock in that country has always been cattle, and that shows no signs of changing. Cattle ranchers dominate the agricultural economy of the American West in much the same way that sheep herders do in Australia. In recent decades, American Australian Kelpie breeders have begun to focus more and more on the breed’s ability to work with cattle. As the Australian Kelpie becomes more adapted as a working cattle dog, it is becoming increasingly popular with American ranchers. During the 1900’s, Australian Kelpies were imported to Sweden. In Sweden the breed has found a new role, that of a sniffer dog for law enforcement and related agencies. This breed is not only highly intelligent and trainable, but also tireless and capable of working on its own. Surprisingly for a dog native to Australia, the Australian Kelpie is quite capable of adapting to the cold climate of Scandinavia, or at least the more southerly parts. The breed proved so successful at this role that it is now the primary sniffer dog used in Sweden. As is the case in Australia, the vast majority of Australian Kelpies in America are Working Kelpies. In the last few decades, a few Show Kelpies have been imported from Australia. Most of the companion Australian Kelpies in the United States come from these lines. Because there are so few Show Kelpies in the United States, there is a perception that this is a rare breed. However, several thousand working Kelpies are working dogs in the United States, in addition to the 100,000 plus that live in Australia and other countries. Initially, the American Kennel Club (AKC) showed interest in recognizing the Australian Kelpie, and had the breed in its Miscellaneous Class for a number of years. However, the NAWKR has long held a low opinion of the AKC, and strongly opposed the breed being recognized. Many breeders of working dogs see the AKC as focusing solely on conformation, without any regard for working ability. While this is not entirely fair, it is a perception shared by many fanciers. It is true that many AKC recognized breeds have lost most of their working ability, such as Irish Setters, Rough Collies, and American Cocker Spaniels. Additionally, AKC recognition usually brings out greater recognition of a breed among the American public, who often see a dog in a show and want to acquire one. This has led to many people acquiring dogs that are poor matches for their family, which often results in a breed getting a poor reputation or many members ending up in animal shelters. This fear was greater among Australian Kelpie breeders than most as their breed would not be capable of adapting to life in the vast majority of homes. In the early 1990’s, the Australian Kelpie was granted full recognition by the United Kennel Club (UKC). The UKC is much better respected among most breeders and fanciers of working dogs because that registry both focuses on the working abilities of dog and is less visible to the American public. In the late 1990’s, the AKC announced that unless substantial progress was made towards getting the Australian Kelpie full recognition it would be dropped from the Miscellaneous Class. The NAWKR predictably did not make any progress and the Australian Kelpie was dropped from the Miscellaneous Class in 1997. There is seemingly no current interest from either side to get AKC recognition for the Australian Kelpie. In America, the Australian Kelpie remains almost exclusively a working breed. This is to the great satisfaction of most fanciers. Although an incredibly intelligent and skilled worker, the Australian Kelpie adapts very poorly to life as a companion animal. This breed has one of the most intense exercise requirements of any breed and also requires a tremendous amount of mental stimulation. Of those Kelpies that are kept as companion animals, a sizable majority are either Show Kelpies or rescue animals. Both Show and Working Kelpies are among the most successful competitors at agility and obedience competitions, and any other dog sport. Although the Kelpie is a rare pet in the United States, there are large numbers of working Kelpies in that country and the population is quite secure. |
| Personality | A compact, robust, enthusiastic and tireless working dog. Excellent at herding, the Australian Kelpie is the most popular and successful working dog. Kelpies are devoted one-man dogs but far too work-oriented and energetic for a couch dog or apartment existence. Their easy trainability and keenness on the job make them a fundamental component of the Australian workforce. They are ready to respond immediately to any signal given by their masters, even from a great distance. They are good with children when they are raised with them from puppyhood and/or properly socialized. Kelpies will try to herd other dogs, pets and animals whether they want to be herded or not. This workaholic will work until it drops. They are independent and in business for themselves rather than for pleasing a handler. Boredom is the breed's doom and the owner's as well. In their native country of Australia, Kelpies work all day even in intense heat, covering 1,000 to 4,000-plus acres. The breed uses its "eye" similar to the Border Collie's on the tractable stock, but utilizes its nipping ability to turn more stubborn cattle. Kelpies can muster thousands of sheep from pasture to pen to truck. When a flock of sheep is packed as tight as Times Square on New Year's Eve, they will look for the shortest way to the other side, which is usually in a straight line. The very clever Kelpie will jump on the back of the nearest sheep and run lightly across the flock to reach the other side. They make excellent watchdogs and can also be trained as seeing-eye dogs. The Australian Kelpie is not an aggressive dog, but he can be protective when needed, and will guard his family and their belongings when necessary, regardless of the risk to himself. With the deep intelligence which this breed exhibits comes a high dominance level. Meek owners will not do well with this breed. They need an owner who knows how to display natural calm, but firm authority over the dog at all times. With the right type of owner and the proper amount of daily metal and physical exercise this breed can excel. Problems can and WILL arise with meek owners, and/or owners who do not provide the proper amount and type of exercise. This breed does best with a job to do. If you do not have time to extensively work with and exercise your dog, or do not fully understand canine instincts and their need to have leadership, this is not the breed for you. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Kelpies are a hardy breed with few health problems, but they are susceptible to disorders common to all breeds, like cryptorchidism, hip dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy and luxating patella. Current research is underway to find the genetic marker for cerebellar abiotrophy in the breed. Beware of PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), which is retinal degeneration causing partial to total blindness. |
| Grooming | This breed is easy to groom. An occasional combing and brushing is all that it needs. Bathe only when necessary as it will remove the natural oils in the weather-resistant coat and dry out the skin. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | The Australian Kelpie is a working dog that demands a great deal of exercise, preferably with some kind of job to do. Their energy levels are extremely high!! They are workaholics and will run until they drop!! They need to be taken on long daily walks. Makes an excellent jogging companion. Do not allow this dog to walk ahead of you on the walks. He needs to be beside or behind you to re-enforce the human is alpha. |
| Other Considerations | The Australian Kelpie is not recommended for apartment life. They are working dogs that need plenty of open space to run and will be happiest with a job to do. Their all-weather coat allows them to live where it is hot as well as where it is cold. They will be content to live outdoors with adequate shelter. |
