Petzopedia
Origin: The Australian Kelpie originates from two dogs “Bruce” and “Jenny” who were imported from Australia to Scotland in the late 1800s. They were known as “fox collies” as at least one of the puppies in each litter was of red color, like the hue of a foxes coat. The sheep dogs proved to be agile, silent workers, much like their cousin the border collie. The breed also is thought to have wild dingo in their ancestry. The name “Kelpie” comes from the name of the proven breeder of winning sheepdogs and the daughter of Bruce and Jenny. After the breed proved to be a superb sheepdog, its popularity grew and today it is a well-known and loved breed.
Physical Characteristics: This breed has a short, strong body with a broad chest and well-developed limbs. The face is long and narrow with large erect ears. The coat colors of this breed are black with red, fawn, blue and chocolate. They possess a short thick coat, with a dense undercoat.
Height: Both dogs and bitches are approximately 17-23 inches at the shoulder.
Weight: Varies from 30-45 pounds.
Personality: The Australian Kelpie has a energetic, strong personality. They are naturally working dogs, and have intelligent, quick minds. They strive on being active and keeping their minds occupied. They tend to be one-man dogs and are very obedient and loyal to their masters.
Suitability with Children: This breed gets on with children if they are introduced to them at the early stage of puppyhood. As they are sheepdogs, they will have the natural instinct to try to herd children as well as other household pets. This can cause some confrontation, thus making the Kelpie better suited for older children.
Health Problems: A naturally hardy bred with few health problems, though hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy can be seen.
Lifestyle Suitability: This breed requires a lot of physical exercise and fares well outside, due to its thick, coarse coat and working dog ancestry. Thus, it is not recommended to have this breed living in an apartment. This type of dog requires a large backyard as well as long daily walks to stay healthy and happy. It is also recommended to get involved in agility or sheepdog trials events with this highly energetic breed.
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
