BREED OVERVIEW
AUSTRALIAN KELPIE
SIZE:
Medium sized with a shoulder height of 17-25" and weighs from 25-50 lbs
ENERGY LEVEL:
Moderate to High
COAT LENGTH:
Generally short with some medium coats found among the breed
COLOR:
Varies. Solids or with tan/rust points.
Medium sized with a shoulder height of 17-25" and weighs from 25-50 lbs
ENERGY LEVEL:
Moderate to High
COAT LENGTH:
Generally short with some medium coats found among the breed
COLOR:
Varies. Solids or with tan/rust points.
Breed Origin
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The Australian Kelpie's origin dates back to the late 1800's in the Australian Outback. The original "Kelpies" were bred by early landowners in an effort to develop a tough and hardy herding dog better adapted to the extreme environment and conditions. Foundation stock lore of the breed is a combination of folklore and fact. The folklore supports a tale of a “working collie” female in season used as bait to lure in wild dingo with a government imposed bounty. The tenacious male dingo with a single focused mindset bypassed poisoned-tainted meat and mated the tethered female. The hybrid offspring of the cross was kept secret to protect from bounty seekers. The progeny proved to be a line of dogs tough enough to endure. The fact stands firm today the combination of mental and physical endurance in addition to DNA, supports the legend. Fact or fiction adds to this breeds' enigma!
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Kelpies are hardwired to work and therefore need a job to be content. A bored Kelpie can be a destructive Kelpie if left to their own devices. Breed traits tends to be more of an independent thinker perhaps a result of their hybrid origins in the Outback. This trait is handy when these dogs must complete a task far from their master's view. Nonetheless individual Kelpies, like humans, each have their own distinct personality traits, and differences can be found within the breed.
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Colors
The Kelpie breed exhibits and wide range of coat colors. The predominant color is black but the breed can be found in red, silver/blue, fawn, and yellow with variants of each. Tan points are also characteristics commonly found among the breed. Many have a thick undercoat and often a medium coat of longer hair is found.
DNA testing sheds light on Kelpie trait of "Independent Thinking"
Read article here
Haven't aswered your questions?
The Working Kelpie Council offers a great insight!
The Working Kelpie Council offers a great insight!
