The origin of the breed, the standard of the Australian Kelpie exterior, character, description of health, care and training characteristics, interesting facts. Puppy cost. Kelpie is a unique Australian shepherd dog, small, nimble and tireless. This dog is rightfully considered a real superstar of Australian dog breeders, who managed to create this cute "miracle" to help all the sheep breeders of the mainland. The Kelpie Sheepdog literally amazes with its irrepressible activity, energy and efficiency. Excellent health, extraordinary stamina and endurance, combined with dedication and obedience, have made the Kelpie one of the most desirable and sought-after breeds in Australia.
History of the origin of the Australian Kelpie breed
The Australian Kelpie is a wonderful herding dog, unique in that it can independently and almost without human intervention cope with huge flocks of sheep grazing in the Australian bush.
According to modern researchers of the variety, the ancestors of today's kelpies were black dogs called "collies" (they should not be confused with the modern well-known breed "Collie"). Black collies are believed to have been introduced to Australia by settlers along with other dogs during the mass colonization of the mainland by the British in the 19th century.
However, there are a number of other hypotheses leading the pedigree of the Australian kelpies from completely different breeds. All these versions agree on only one thing: an unknown species of canines was eventually crossed with wild Australian dingoes, which added to the resulting prototype of silence, the ability to navigate unfamiliar terrain, special endurance in running and good adaptation to a wide variety of weather conditions and temperatures. And in this the researchers are right. Modern DNA analysis has indeed found that the Kelpie Shepherd Dog has a dingo genome in the range of 3% to 4%.
The fact that the settlers, mostly pastoralists, crossed the European dog with the wild dingo (the natural enemy of sheep and sheep) naturally did not come from a good life. In 19th-century Australia, livestock breeders sorely lacked shepherds and cattle dogs to graze and drive the herd. European dogs, brought from Britain and other countries, could not withstand the difficult, unusual climate and long journeys through difficult terrain, overgrown with thorny bushes and almost devoid of water sources. The death of dogs was no less than the death of livestock. Farmers and livestock owners were forced to look for a solution to the issue.
It is difficult to say who the discoverer or creator of the breed really is, but historians attribute this merit to the Scotsman George Croom Robertson. It is believed that it was his dog in 1872 that brought the first black and tan kelpie puppy. He is also credited with the authorship of the name of the breed - "Kelpie". A highly educated and enlightened man, Robertson gave the name to the breed in accordance with Scottish mythology. The Celts and Scots called the Kelpie a water spirit that lives in lakes and rivers. What guided Sir Robertson, linking the waterman with the dog, is now difficult to say. There were probably reasons for that. But the name, oddly enough, stuck. Yes, and the dog itself liked. Dog breeders Sir MacLeod and the King brothers joined in the breeding. Active work on the breed began.
And although statistics and records on selection were extremely poor, and many documents were completely lost, but from what has come down to our days it is clear that the formation of the exterior and working qualities of the animal was basically completed by 1905. Then they publicly announced the creation of a new breed. Although its first standard was published only in 1956, the breeding work continued until the end of the 60s of the XX century, and according to some reports it continues to this day.
The Kelpies quickly gained popularity among Australian herders (they literally lined up to acquire these unique shepherd dogs). Now kelpies are widespread throughout Australia and New Zealand and are the favorite working shepherd of these countries. In addition, the dog is constantly exported to other countries and is now actively bred in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Russia, Argentina, Italy, Sweden and other countries. There is a division of kelpies into working type shepherd dogs (in this branch, attention is paid, first of all, to the working qualities of the dog) and show dogs performing at sports championships and exhibitions (there already in the foreground is the exterior and compliance with the standard, without performance testing).
The Australian Shepherd Kelpie is recognized by almost every kennel federation in the world, including the FCI. Despite its popularity, the breed is still not officially recognized in the United States.
Purpose and use of the Australian kelpie
The main purpose of the dog in Australia remains unchanged - energetic and intelligent shepherd dogs are the most popular working dogs among the country's sheep breeders. Abroad, the kelpies have successfully mastered the sports direction - they successfully compete in agility, freestyle and dog-frisbee championships. Dogs are popular in the USA and Canada as guard dogs. Well accepted in Russia, where they are also usually used as vigilant watchmen of country houses and agricultural estates. More and more of the world's population is paying attention to these cute dogs, bringing them up as energetic pets, which is called "for the soul."
Australian Shepherd Kelpie External Standard Description
The specimen of the breed is a small, well-built shepherd dog, with well-developed muscles and incredibly agile, flexible limbs. A dog with incredible performance and an intelligent, accommodating character. Since the kelpie has to work mainly with sheep, its size is relatively small. The height at the withers of an adult male of this breed reaches a maximum of 51 centimeters (often much less - within 45 centimeters), and the body weight does not exceed 20 kg. Kelpie females are significantly lower and weigh significantly less.
- Head the Australian kelpie is relatively large, but in proportion to the body, with a rounded skull. The occipital protuberance is well expressed. The stop (forehead-muzzle transition) is clear and distinct. The muzzle is cone-shaped, almost as long as the skull (about 5/6 of the length). The lips are tight, tucked up, and the fleas are absent. The color of the lips is dark (in the color of the coat). The bridge of the nose is straight, medium in width. The nose is pronounced, with large nostrils. The color of the nose is to match the color of the coat. The jaws are strong. The teeth are white, evenly set. The bite is dense, scissor-like.
- Eyes almond-shaped, medium set. Their color is dark in black and brown dogs (usually brown) and lighter shades in blue-coated dogs. The look is smart, attentive, diligent, a little "fox".
- Ears set high, rather tall, triangular in size, with sharp tips, erect.
- Neck muscular, of moderate length, rather dry, without dewlap, with a small woolen "collar".
- Torso Australian Kelpie is strong, elongated, perfectly balanced (without heaviness), with good muscles. The chest is developed, deep, moderately wide. The back is of medium length, strong. The back line is straight. The withers are easily marked. The croup is short, slightly sloping. The belly is tucked up.
- Tail medium rise, slightly curved, in length - up to the hock, lowered down (hanging in an arc). It is covered with long hair (the hair at the bottom of the tail resembles a "brush").
- Limbs straight, parallel, with well developed muscles and strong bones. The length of the limbs is average. Paws are rounded, compact ("in a lump"), with elastic pads and short strong nails. The color of the claws is to match the color or black.
- Wool straight, tough, close-fitting to the body, with an undercoat that does not get wet for a long time. The outer hair is coarse and reaches 2–3 cm in length. The shortest hair is on the head, ears, muzzle and limbs. Around the neck, the coat is long enough to form a “collar”. On the backs of the thighs there are feathering, and on the tail there is a "brush".
- Color Australian kelpies are the following: brown-chocolate, red, fawn, red, the color of a young deer ("fawn"), blue, smoky blue, and also with a tan (black and tan, red and tan, fawn and tan).
Now in the nurseries of Australia and New Zealand there are two directions of breeding Kelpie Shepherd Dogs. Work and exhibition. Show dogs are bred with maximum observance of standards, special attention is paid to the appearance and exterior, to the detriment of working qualities. Working animals are prepared for direct work with the herd, where the exterior and color of the coat are no longer so important. Therefore, working kelpie dogs also exist with different types of wool for regions with different climatic conditions. There are the following breed types depending on the coat: smooth-haired, short-haired and long-haired. Working dogs can also be larger in size than is stated in the current standard, and reach a height at the withers of up to 63 centimeters, and a weight of up to 27 kg.
Australian Kelpie character
It is likely that these animals are one of the most hardy and efficient shepherd dogs in the world, a real "workhorse" (so to speak in relation to a dog) of Australian livestock breeders.
A kelpie dog is unusually hardy, able to overcome tens of kilometers in the heat and dust of arid plains, “wind” kilometers around the flock for many hours, and easily adapt to changing temperatures and weather conditions.
The kelpie dog is a real irrepressible workaholic, intelligent and quick-thinking, striving, by all means, to find an application for his working talents. Australian livestock breeders are well aware of all these qualities of a shepherd dog, and do not be afraid to leave the herd in the care of two or three such dogs (especially since the traditions of animal husbandry in Australia provide for free grazing in the bush, without the use of corrals). Smart dogs know perfectly well where and when to drive the flock to a watering hole, to rest or to a new pasture.
If the dog lives in a city (and even worse - in a city apartment), and still does not have a long dynamic walk, this animal very quickly begins to wither and fall into depression. Such a hyperactive dog has absolutely nothing to do in the city, she needs complete freedom, a free rural life and a certain range of responsibilities that allow her to feel like a full-fledged kelpie. For city life, a show-class kelpie is much better suited, devoid of working talents, and although no less energetic, but much more accustomed to the bustle of cities and apartment loneliness.
Kelpies have a very high intelligence, are perfectly trainable and are very responsible for the execution of commands and tricks. That is why they are almost the best members of sports teams participating in competitions in agility, dog-frisbee and freestyle. Moreover, they are very strong, enduring, have remarkable jumping ability and excellent coordination of movements.
As a pet, Kelpie Shepherds are also great, especially if the owner himself is inclined to lead an active lifestyle, plays sports, loves to travel, hunt or fish. Then next to the owner there will always be a tireless faithful companion - the Australian kelpie dog, capable of being a reliable companion in all the affairs and hobbies of the owner.
Australian Kelpie dog health
The "Australian" Kelpie is distinguished by outstanding health, which is noted by almost all veterinarians and is confirmed by laboratory tests. The specimen of the breed is a dog with strong immunity, with quick adaptation to a wide variety of conditions of existence, active and irrepressibly energetic.
Nevertheless, even this generally strong breed could not do without "pitfalls" introduced by selection. The main problems that Australian kelpies have are as follows:
- dysplasia of the hip joints (less often the elbow joints);
- cryptorchidism (identical in males);
- cortical abiotrophy of the cerebellum (due to the death of Purkinje cells, the animal loses its sense of space);
- predisposition to dislocation of the kneecaps.
Despite the fact that the breed has serious hereditary predispositions, the life expectancy of Australian kelpies reaches 15 years, and under good conditions, good walking and diet, there are not so few centenarians among these dogs who have lived up to 18 years.
Australian Kelpie Care Tips
The breed of Australian kelpies attracts an increasing number of fans precisely because of the simplicity of maintenance, undemanding nutrition and ease of caring for the animal's fur. Therefore, all the minimum requirements for caring for pets of this size and temperament are quite applicable to a kelpie shepherd dog.
Features of the training of the Australian kelpie
Kelpie Sheepdogs are intelligent, self-confident and independent enough animals, but at the same time they are perfectly amenable to training. They are especially good at mastering the functions of a shepherd or guard dog (even though the kelpies are quite silent and rarely bark).
Interesting facts about the Australian Kelpie breed
"Australian" Kelpie - this is one of the most efficient dogs in the world, able to independently make decisions and actually does without the instructions of the shepherd in managing the herd. A study by the Australian National Kennel Club found that a single worker kelpie can replace as many as 23 people.
The Kelpie Sheepdog is so peculiar and extraordinary in its actions that, if necessary (for example, to overtake a herd or extract a certain sheep from the center of the flock), it simply runs to the right place right on the backs of the sheep.
Interestingly, there is no special methodology for teaching a shepherd dog to work with a herd in Australia. It's just that a two-month-old puppy, together with his mother-dog, goes to the sheep flock and in a few weeks learns all the necessary wisdom, adopting them from adult dogs. By the age of one, a young dog becomes a full-fledged kelpie herding dog. In 2011, the film “Red Dog” was released on the world screens, based on the book by Nancy Gillespie, which was based on a real story from the life of a red-and-red kelpie dog traveling through Australia in the 70s color. The plot of the book, like the dog itself, and then the film, made the audience so in love with the main character that a monument was even erected to him in his homeland in Western Australia in the city of Paraburdoo.
Australian Kelpie puppy cost
In Russia, representatives of the breed have been known since Soviet times. In 1987, 30 of these unique animals were routinely imported from the three main nurseries in Australia: "Avenpart", "Elfinvale", "Wyreema". Some of them were transferred to the nursery in Stavropol, and some to Kazakhstan for further breeding and use in sheep breeding farms in the USSR.
Therefore, nowadays it is not difficult to acquire a thoroughbred kelpie puppy (it is only important that unscrupulous sellers do not slip you the most ordinary "nobleman" so similar to the Australian kelpie at a young age). The cost of puppies varies greatly by region, averaging from 25,000 to 45,000 rubles.
More information about the Australian Kelpie in this video:
