The Australian Kelpie is a loyal and dedicated dog that is ideal if you like to do things with your dog. This dog breed was created when there was a need for a dog that could thrive under the hot conditions that the continent of Australia faces. The Australian Kelpie is a dog that can handle this well and also has a great stamina. The name Kelpie came about when in the state of Victoria there was a litter that consisted of all black-brown puppies except one that was red. You guessed it: this puppy was called Kel-pie. Want to learn more about this dog breed? Then read on below!
History: the result of a shortage of sheepdogs
The Australian Kelpie was the result of a shortage of sheepdogs in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales in the 19th century. Sheep ran free and the thenmali-ge residents were convicted criminals exiled to Australia from Europe. They could not keep the large flocks together and so it was decided to breed a breed of dog for this purpose. This dog breed descends from the black-brown collies, the English name for a shepherd dog.
The character: a very loyal dog
Like most dogs, the Australian Kelpie is a very loyal dog, give him some time to get used to you and he will be a buddy to you all his life. The Australian Kelpie is basically bred to perform shepherding tasks and because of this is a workaholic dog that likes to be busy. Another character trait of this dog is that he can handle the heat and drought that Australia has to deal with, this also applies to similar climates that you can find in Southern Europe and Central America.
The Australian Kelpie is a dog that gets along well with children. However, it is not an everyman’s friend right away, it is a dog that first has to get used to a new person and has good instincts with which he can judge a human being. When an Australian Kelpie sees you as a friend, you have a friend for life.
The appearance of the Australian Kelpie
An Australian Kelpie becomes about 43 to 51 centimeters high, measured from the shoulders and weighs between 14 and 20 pounds. He has a fox-like muzzle with a short, double coat that can withstand water well, he often has a chocolate-like color but they also occur in red, black and smoke blue. The tail hangs down in a slightly curved position when the dog is walking or standing quietly. Once the Australian Kelpie gets excited or is playing, the tail can come up.
Remarkable are the short but very strong legs that allow them to effortlessly perform a whole day of shepherding tasks in the countryside or a long walk with their owner.
The care
As already mentioned at the beginning, the Australian Kelpie is a herding dog that is used to a lot of exercise. Even if you’re not going to keep your dog as a shepherd dog, it is important that you give your dog enough exercise, this can be by means of long walks or running along if you like running. This will also create a better bond. After all, it is much more fun to exercise with your dog than alone. It is also very nice for your dog to just take your side in everyday life.
There are also various exercises that are good for the mental state of a dog. There are many behavioral problems in dogs due to the fact that not enough attention is paid to the mental aspect. Many of these behavioral problems can be remedied by a combi-nation of physical exercise and mental exercises. Examples of mental exercises are: tricks, hiding something or commands. This can be combined with a small course for maximum effect. By letting the dog do these exercises he will have to think for himself. This of course stimulates the brains extra.
Because of the short coat of the Australian Kelpie, it is often enough to brush the coat occasionally, only in the moulting period it is wise to brush the coat daily.
Are there any diseases that occur in this breed?
Unfortunately there are certain diseases that occur in this breed, a nasty disease that is seen more often than average in this dog breed is CA or Cerebellar Abiotrophy a disease that causes the coordination and movement of the dog to deteriorate. Other disorders that are more common in this dog breed are; epilepsy, heart, eye and back disorders. Elbow arthritis (ED) and hip arthritis (HD) are also more common than average. It is important to pay attention to proper nutrition, proper hygiene and medication use.
Did you know?
A fun fact about the Australian Kelpie is that it was one of the first sheepdogs to work the dry plains of the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales in the 19th century. This was because the sheep that were kept there reproduced so often that the farmers could no longer control their flocks, this caused countless sheep to escape to the then uninhabitable plains of Australia. It was then decided that there had to be a breed of dog that could function well especially under the weather conditions of Australia and so the Australian Kelpie was born.
Dog training for this breed
Like most sheepdogs, the Australian Kelpie is an active and tireless dog, therefore it is important that this breed gets enough exercise and that you as an owner start a dog training in time. Trainings that are suitable for this breed are fairly similar to the trainings of other types of shepherd dogs, there is no specific training for the Australian Kelpie but there are shepherds who specialize in training this dog breed for shepherding tasks.
Furthermore, an Australian Kelpie is ideally suited to participate in dog sport competitions. Think of a Flyball team or a Frisbee competition, in addition to the combination of both physical training and mental training, the bond between the dog and its owner will only get stronger. Flyball is a dog sport where training is done on both speed, strength and technique which is a good combination for an Australian Kelpie.
Finally, it is always wise to enroll a puppy in a puppy class. Here, you as an owner learn how to gain insight into the behavior of your dog and get insight into the mutual communication between dogs. But for the puppy it is also important to socialize and overcome possible fears. Of course, by working with your dog from day one, a nice dog-owner relationship will be created and the puppy will get the right education and training which makes it an even greater pleasure to have an Australian Kelpie as a pet.
What does an Australian Kelpie cost?
An Australian Kelpie costs between $600 and $2400 euro. There is no specific price to mention for this breed but depending on where you buy the dog you have to think of this amount. Always try to make sure you buy a puppy from a certified breeder. This is a breeder who puts a lot of love into a specific breed and ensures the preservation and improvement of the breed. The bitch is part of the household and is well taken care of, she does not get endless litters and there are often some home-bred animals to admire in the house.
How much exercise does this breed need?
This question is easy to answer, this breed needs as much exercise as possible. The Australian Kelpie is one of the most tireless dog breeds that you will come across, so take every opportunity to go out with your dog because your dog will only love it.
The Australian Kelpie is not a standard breed that has enough with a 10 minute walk, three times a day. It is important that an Australian Kelpie has enough energy every day. Are you going for a day of sunbathing on the beach? Take your dog with you and let him run back and forth on the beach, if you prefer to be found in the water, chances are that your dog will enjoy swimming with you. In short, any outdoor activity for you is also an opportunity for your dog to be active together and there is a good chance that you will be exhausted sooner than the dog.
Recognition in the United States
This dog breed is officially recognised in the United States of America, this can be found on the official website of the American Kennel Club. This means that it is a healthy dog breed that may be bred with and that can participate in various sporting events.
Do you already own an Australian Kelpie or are you planning to purchase one?
The Australian Kelpie is a dog breed that is extremely suitable within an active household. It is a tireless dog who besides being very loyal is also very dedicated in what he does. He gets along well with other animals and with children. Moreover, the Australian Kelpie is an easy dog to care for and is a real asset to the family. Are you someone who already owns an Australian Kelpie and would you like to share your story? You can do that below in the comments!
