The Australian Kelpie is an Australian herding dog that is adept at handling herds without the help of an owner. Medium in size, it can be of almost any color and is now mostly used for its intended purpose.
History of the breed
The ancestors of the kelpies were simple black dogs, called collies at that time. This word has the same root as the English words "coal" - coal, and "collier" - coal (ship).
Some of these dogs were imported into Australia during the 19th century and crossed with other breeds, including wild dingos. Today's collies appeared 10-15 years after the kelpie and these are completely different dogs.
There are dingo traces in the blood of kelpies, in those days wild dogs were forbidden to be kept at home, and the owners registered their dingos as Australian kelpies or mestizo.
There is no doubt that many of them crossed dogs with dingoes, but since these dogs were regarded as killers of livestock, such crosses were not spread about.
The progenitor of the breed was a black and tan bitch that Jack Gleeson bought at a small train station near Chesterton from a Scotsman named George Robertson.
That was her name - Kelpie, after the name of the water spirit from Scottish folklore. According to legend, she descended from the dingo, but there is no evidence of this. Jack Gleeson, on the basis of it, began to breed dogs suitable for working with local, stubborn sheep. To do this, he crossed local dogs with each other and brought them from abroad.
Australian cattle breeders cared little about the exterior of the dogs, they were only interested in the working qualities of the breed, so they were different in color and size. But, being excellent herding dogs, kelpies were not well suited for the show.
In 1900, some Australians wanted to standardize the breed and take part in dog shows. And in 1904, Robert Kaleski publishes the first breed standard, which is endorsed by several major kelpie breeders from New South Wales.
However, most cattle breeders wanted to spit on some breed standards, fearing that they would destroy working qualities. And since that time in Australia, there are two types: working kelpies and show kelpies.
The former remain varied in appearance, while the latter follows the standard. Show Kelpie breeders prefer monochromatic dogs with short hair and erect ears.
Although dogs are mainly called Australian Kelpies, this name is only suitable for show kelpies and only they can compete from the Australian National Kennel Council. But roughly 100,000 Kelpies are now simply running herds across Australia.
Description
Working kelpies
They are used exclusively for work, so they are often very different from each other. To most, they look like simple, mongrel dogs and mestizo, some look like dingoes. Although they can be of different heights, most males reach 55 cm at the withers and 50 cm in bitches. Weight ranges from 14 to 20 kg.
The coat can be either long or short, double or single. They are usually monochromatic but can range from cream to black, with all the transitions between these colors. As for markings and spots, the most common is white and fawn.
Kelpie show
Unlike their working brothers, they are more standardized. They are, as a rule, smaller: males 46-51 cm, females 43-48 cm. They weigh 11-20 kg, females are slightly lighter. Although bred for domestic use, most of their Kelpie dogs are still muscular and athletic. They look like they are ready to work for hours under the scorching sun.
The head and muzzle are similar to the rest of the collie, it is wide and rounded, in proportion to the body. The stop is pronounced, the muzzle is narrow, reminiscent of a fox. The color of the nose matches the color of the coat, the eyes are almond-shaped, usually brown. The ears are erect, set wide apart, and pointed. The overall impression is a mixture of intelligence and savagery.
The coat is of medium length, sufficient to protect the dog. It should be smooth, firm, and straight. On the head, ears, paws, the hair is shorter. The color in different organizations is different in terms of the standard. In the UKC, it is pure black, black and tan, smoky blue, red.
Character
Thousands of Australian and American breeders will say that these dogs are an essential part of their job. Although the Show Kelpies are slightly less energetic than their working brothers, this difference is only noticeable to the farmer.
They are loyal and form a lifelong relationship with the owner. Some of them love only the owner, while others love all family members.
Although they prefer the company of the owner, they can work for hours without his help or orders, alone or in a pack with other dogs. Their attitude towards strangers depends on socialization.
If correct, they are friendly and polite, if not, alert or slightly aggressive. They are always on the alert and can be good guard dogs, but not ideal as they are small and not too aggressive.
Australian Kelpies are tireless working dogs. They are bred as herding dogs and have all the characteristics necessary for such a breed.
After a hard day at work, kelpies come home to rest and therefore get along well with children. But, little ones, are not ideal companions, as they play too hard and can pinch a child.
They are used to pinching and biting sheep in order to control them. And with little ones, they can behave like sheep, in order to control them. Although this is an instinctive behavior, not aggression, and you can wean the dog from it.
In relation to other animals, they behave differently. Since they often work in packs, they can form strong relationships with other dogs. They have low aggression towards outsiders. But, most males try to take a dominant position, although they are not as dominant as other breeds.
Australian Kelpies work with livestock and can live with almost all animals in the world. However, it is in their blood to drive any animal, be it a bull or a cat, which can lead to injuries in small pets. Not very often, but in untrained kelpies, this instinct can develop into a hunting instinct.
It is an intelligent and easily trainable breed.
There is nothing that they cannot learn, and moreover very quickly. Although they are used as herding dogs, they also serve as rescuers and service dogs. However, for an inexperienced owner, training will be a real challenge.
Kelpies are independent and love to do what they see fit. They do not need to give commands, they know everything that way. Not being dominant, they quickly understand who they need to listen to and who they can forget about.
If you fall into the second category, then you are in trouble, as they like to be mischievous. If they are not put in place, they bloom.
Like the Australian Cattle Dog, the Australian Kelpie needs a tremendous amount of activity and work. They were born to work for a long time under the scorching sun until they literally fall from fatigue. They have become an important part of the Australian animal industry and not only have to work, but they also cannot do anything.
Not only a daily walk, but even jogging is not enough for them, they need several hours of heavy load every day, free space for running, and keeping a kelpie in an apartment will be akin to a disaster. For an ordinary city dweller, the requirements are impracticable, since the dog needs a lot of stress. And if you are not able to give it, then it is better to refuse to buy a kelpie.
Even the most well-mannered and self-possessed of them become terrible if they do not receive their due. They can destroy everything in the room, if not in the apartment, howl, bark, gnaw. And then they develop manic states and depression.
For the kelpie to be happy, the owner must load it not only physically, but intellectually. It doesn't matter if it is sheep management or an agility course. Unlike other breeds, the Kelpie's vigor does not diminish with age. Most dogs are as active at 10-12 years old as they are at 6-7.
Naturally, they are best suited for farmers, especially those involved in animal husbandry. A lot of work, a large yard and freedom, this is the recipe for their happiness.
Care
In the fields of Australia, dogs that need constant care will not take root. So for a kelpie, it is quite minimal. Once a week, brushing and trimming your claws is all there is to it.
The only thing to watch out for is health. They do not notice pain and endure everything, so minor health problems can go unnoticed and develop into large ones.
Health
An extremely healthy breed. Most live 12-15 years, maintaining activity and enthusiasm and working qualities even after 10 years of life. Do not suffer from genetic diseases, the main cause of death is accidents.