The Australian Kelpie, or simply
Kelpie, is an Australian sheep dog
successful at mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It is a
medium-sized dog and comes in a
variety of colours. The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is
used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats.
The
breed has been separated into two distinct varieties: the Show (or Bench) Kelpie
and the Working Kelpie. The Show Kelpie is seen at conformation dog shows in
some countries and is selected for appearance rather than working instinct,
while the Working Kelpie is bred for working ability rather than appearance.
Appearance
The
Kelpie is a soft-coated, medium-sized dog, generally with prick ears and an
athletic appearance. 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. The Kelpie generally weighs 14–20 kg (31–44 lb) and measures 41–51 cm
(16–20 in) at the withers.
Breed standards
Robert
Kaleski published the first standard for the Kelpie in 1904. The standard was
accepted by leading breeders of the time and adopted by the Kennel Club of New
South Wales. Contemporary breed standards vary depending on whether the
registry is for working or show Kelpies. It is possible for a dog to both work
and show, but options for competition in conformation shows might be limited
depending on ancestry and the opinions of the kennel clubs or breed clubs
involved.
In
Australia, there are two separate registries for Kelpies.Working Kelpies are
registered with the Working Kelpie Council (WKC) and/or the Australian Sheepdog
Workers Association. The WKC encourages breeding for working ability, and
allows a wide variety of coat colours. Show Kelpies are registered with the
Australian National Kennel Council, which encourages breeding for a certain
appearance and limits acceptable colours. The wide standards allowed by the WKC
mean that Working Kelpies do not meet the standard for showing.
In
the US, the Kelpie is not recognised as a breed by the American Kennel Club
(AKC). However, the United Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club recognise
the Kelpie and allow them to compete in official events. As of 2015, Australian
Kelpies have been accepted by the AKC as Herding Dogs allowed to compete in AKC
sanctioned Sheep Herding Trials.
Working Kelpie
The
Working Kelpie comes in three coat types: smooth, short, and rough. The coat
can be almost every colour from black through light tan or cream. Some Kelpies
have a white blaze on the chest, and a few have white points. Kelpies sometimes
have a double coat, which sheds out in spring in temperate climates. Agouti is not unusual, and can look like a double
coat.
Working
Kelpies vary in size, ranging from about 19–25 in (48–64 cm) and 28–60 lb
(13–27 kg). The dog's working ability is unrelated to appearance, so stockmen
looking for capable working dogs disregard the dog's appearance.
A
Working Kelpie can be a cheap and efficient worker that can save farmers and
graziers the cost of several hands when mustering livestock. The good working
Kelpies are herding dogs that will prevent stock from moving away from the
stockman. This natural instinct is crucial when mustering stock in isolated
gorge country, where a good dog will silently move ahead of the stockman and
block up the stock (usually cattle) until the rider appears. The preferred dogs
for cattle work are Kelpies, often of a special line, or a Kelpie cross. They
will drive a mob of livestock long distances in extremes of climates and
conditions. Kelpies have natural instincts for managing livestock. They will
work sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, and other domestic livestock. The
Kelpie's signature move is to jump on the backs of sheep and walk across the
tops of the sheep to reach the other side and break up the jam. A good working
Kelpie is a versatile dog—they can work all day on the farm, ranch, or station,
and trial on the weekends. Kelpies compete and are exhibited in livestock
working trials, ranging from yards or arenas to large open fields working
sheep, goats, cattle, or ducks.
Show Kelpies
Show
Kelpies are restricted to solid colours (black, chocolate, red, smoky blue,
fawn, black and tan, red and tan) in a short double coat with pricked ears. It
was during the early 20th century that Kelpies were first exhibited, at the
Sydney Royal Easter Show. Different kennel clubs' breed standards have
preferences for certain colours. Show Kelpies are generally heavier and shorter
than working Kelpies.
Temperament
Show
Kelpies generally excel in agility trials and may be shown in conformation in
Australia.
Kelpies
are great with kids, easy to train but have lots of energy and can be too much
for some people.
Health
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