The Kelpie: Sheepdog for the Outback
The Kelpie is one of the lesser known breeds outside its native Australia. 'Kelpie' is the Gaelic word for water sprite, and is thought to have stuck to the breed after being used for one particularly fine breeding dog specimen of these dogs, years ago.
A sheepdog, the Kelpie is said to be a breed that runs along the backs of the sheep it is herding.
Descended from British sheepdogs the Kelpie was introduced into Australia by 18th-century settlers; and there have been varying views ever since as to whether or not it was crossed with the native dingoes, when the modern breed was derived.
Certainly the fox-like shape of the head seems to owe more to the dingo than to its otherwise Border Collie ancestry. Whether Dingo genes are present or not, the end result is a tough, solidly built but fast-footed sheepdog, which is will happily work even in the extreme conditions of the Australian climate. Similarly, its adaptation to the Australian climate means that it is reported to be able to go without water for surprising long periods.
Any sheepdog needs to be the intelligent and the Kelpie is no exception. They are easy to train and loyal to theirs owner.
But it is a working dog and used to a great deal of activity and exercise. So a happy Kelpie must be given both space, interesting activity and lot of exercise. Many say that the exercise does really need to be in wide open spaces for much of the time - after all this is such a characteristic of this breeds home.
Breed Features
COAT
Thick, short and smooth. Colours range from black or black and chestnut through grey to red or tan.
HEIGHT
Dogs: 46-51 cm (18-20 in); bitches: 43-48 cm (17-19 in).
HEAD
Fox-like, with strong jaws. Pronounced stop. Brown, medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes. Erect, pointed ears.
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