The Australian Kelpie is a native Australian breed that was developed
from Collies brought from the British North Country that were smoothhaired
with prick ears and stoutly built. They were crossed with other herding
dogs in order to create a working dog suitable for the vast lands of Australia.
The name comes from a female that an Australian rancher called "Kelpie,"
Gaelic for water sprite. Her offspring gave the breed its name. Besides
being outstanding herders of cattle, goats, and poultry, Kelpies are also
used in search and rescue and for drug detection. The Kelpie is registered
with the Working Kelpie Council of Australia and the National Stock Dog
Registry in the United States. He is recognized in the Miscellaneous Class
by the American Kennel Club.
Although friendly and trainable, the Kelpie's high energy and great drive
to work make them unsuitable as a housepet or apartment dweller. He prefers
lots of exercsie and free run of wide-open areas. He is loyal, intelligent
and will strongly bond to one owner. He is also a very independent thinker,
necessary for the work he is bred to do.
The Kelpie's head is slightly rounded at the topskull with a definate drop
off (stop) between skull and muzzle. The muzzle is slightly shorter than
the length of skull. The bite is scissors. The eyes are almond shaped and
of medium size. The ears are pricked. The neck is of moderate length, strong
and slightly arched. The legs are strong and straight. The body is slightly
longer than tall. The tail is of medium length, set low and well covered
with coat like a brush. The coat is a double coat with a short dens undercoat
and a hard, straight, weather-repellant outer coat. Colors may include black
and red, fawn, chocolate or blue. There may be tan markings also. Average
height is from seventeen to twenty inches and average weight is from twenty
five to forty pounds.