Looking for an enthusiastic, active, tireless working dog? Meet the Australian Kelpie. This hard working, intelligent dog ticks all the working boxes. They’re capable of herding, protecting and watching their flock (which very much means their family). Loyal and loving, Australian Kelpies need a job to do and plenty of space in which to do it. With high energy needs, a Kelpie will become your best running / jogging / walking / playing companion although you’ll need to be confident and assertive enough to keep them in check.
Australian Kelpie Dog Facts
Australian Kelpies originally came from dogs imported from Scotland to Australia. These hardworking, tireless herding dogs were used to control sheep in large areas of New South Wales and Victoria. They were bred specifically to cope with tough Australian conditions, including heat and dust.
- Breed Group: Herding
- Height: 43-50cm
- Weight: 15-23kg
- Life Span: 10-13 years
- Coat: Smooth, double, short
- Colour: Various including black, blue and red
What Does an Australian Kelpie Look Like?
If you saw an Australian Kelpie, you’d probably struggle to guess what it was - you don’t see many of these hardworking farm pups on neighbourhood strolls. Kelpies are medium-sized dogs that have a compact body, broad chest and strong back legs that make running (and herding) a breeze.
Australian Kelpies have large, triangular shaped ears that normally stand straight up on their head, all the better for hearing livestock with. Although their coat can come in many different colours, including solid black, blue, chocolate, fawn and red, it’s common to see tan markings on their coats. Kelpies’ coats are double, with a short, dense undercoat and a weatherproof outer coat. Completing their look is a long bushy tail that acts as a rudder when they’re moving quickly.
Australian Kelpie
Australian Kelpie Dog Temperament: Always Busy
Australian Kelpies were born to work and are happiest when they’ve got a job to do. Bred to cope with the heat and rugged conditions of Australia, they’re used to working tirelessly the entire day to round up livestock, like sheep and cows. This makes them independent thinkers: great for herding without humans, not so great for training and pet life.
Kelpies need a job to do, and plenty of mental and physical stimulation, every single day. Without this, they will entertain themselves, usually by being destructive. Think chewing, digging and barking. Sure, Australian Kelpies can handle working without a lot of supervision. But these dogs still need human companionship and direction. They don’t do well when they’re left by themselves for long periods of time, especially if they’re cooped up inside. If you work outside the home, consider doggy daycare or a dog walker.
Australian Kelpies are very loyal and loving to their humans, which extends to being protective. They’re also territorial and wary of strangers. Great watchdogs who’ll let you know if they spot any danger coming (even if it’s only the mail person), Kelpies need proper socialisation training from when they’re a puppy. This teaches them when it’s ok to be suspicious and when they need to let new people and pups approach.
Keeping Australian Kelpies Healthy: 4 Issues to Watch Out For
Australian Kelpies are generally healthy dogs. They can be at risk of certain conditions, so preventative care, like regular vet check ups, can help keep an eye on any developing health problems.
Cryptorchidism
Some male Kelpies are born with cryptorchidism. This is when one or both testicles don’t descend into the scrotum but instead stay in the abdomen. This can cause health issues later in life, including a higher risk of developing cancer. Cryptorchidism is fairly easy to spot in a male Kelpie puppy and can be treated with surgery.
Joint Problems
Like a lot of working dogs, Australian Kelpies are at risk of hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia causes the hip joint to incorrectly develop so that the ball and socket rub and grind, instead of sliding smoothly. The joint will deteriorate over time, eventually leading to the joint not working at all. Signs of hip dysplasia include lameness in the back legs and difficulty getting up. It can be treated with medication, weight management and surgery in extreme cases. Keeping your Kelpie at a healthy weight can help prevent them developing hip dysplasia. It’s also an inherited condition which responsible breeders should screen for.
Eye Issues
Australian Kelpies are at higher risk of developing another inherited disease, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). Although it’s not painful, it’s not treatable and leads to blindness. Early signs of PRA include night blindness and bumping into furniture. Symptoms usually start when a Kelpie is around 3 to 5 years old. Most blind dogs adapt really well and live long, happy lives. Australian Kelpies can also suffer from Collie eye anomaly, which can lead to vision loss. Both of these conditions should be screened for by responsible breeders.
Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Cerebellar Abiotrophy is an inherited neurological condition that affects an Australian Kelpie’s movements. It causes them to lose their sense of space and distance, so they become very uncoordinated. Although it’s not painful, there’s no treatment or cure. Affected Kelpies will normally show symptoms when they’re between 6 and 16 weeks old.
Caring for Your Australian Kelpie Dog
You won’t be spending much time grooming your Australian Kelpie dog - instead, you’ll be focused on keeping them happy and healthy with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Grooming
Australian Kelpies are very low-maintenance dogs. Their short, smooth double coat is weatherproof, lies close to their body and only needs a brush once or twice a week. This helps remove dead hair and reduce shedding (which they don’t do much of anyway). You might notice more shedding during spring, so bump up the brushing to a few times a week.
Occasional baths (a few times a year) will help get rid of any dirt or debris build up. Bathe them too often and you’re at risk of stripping their skin’s natural oils and the waterproofing of their coat.
Because they’re so active, their nails should wear down naturally. But check and clip or trim them every few weeks to keep them comfortable as they move about. Have a regular check of those large ears too. Use ear cleaning wipes to gently remove any dirt from their ears. Finally, brush their teeth everyday for a healthy mouth and gums.
Nutrition
Australian Kelpies will happily tuck into quality commercial dog food that’s tailored to their life stage (puppy, adult or senior). If your Kelpie is a working dog, you might think about feeding them specific working dog food. It contains extra calories and nutrients to fuel their active lifestyle.
Even though they’ve got high energy levels, make sure they’re not eating more than they’re burning off. This can lead to weight gain which can put them at risk of health issues.
Exercise
For a truly happy Australian Kelpie, they need plenty of exercise. Think a decent jog, plus a few on-lead walks plus mental exercises like learning new tricks and commands - every day. Playtime with toys, especially high energy play like fetch, is also a daily must-do alongside interactive toys.
Although Kelpies thrive on having a job to do (without one you might find them trying to herd other dogs, pets and children), they do (thankfully) have an off switch. Expect them to do a 5km run with you then settle down on the couch for movie night.
Dog sports are ideal for Kelpies. Not only do dog sports help them burn their energy off, but they give them a job to do. It’s mental and physical stimulation in one. Look for agility or obedience classes in your area.
Training Your Australian Kelpie Dog
Australian Kelpies are easy to train - they’re intelligent and alert dogs. However, they need a confident and experienced trainer who can use positive reinforcement training methods without ever being harsh.
Kelpies do best with an assertive owner that understands their need for solid leadership. You might run into problems if you don’t make it clear that you’re top dog or don’t provide enough exercise and mental stimulation. An untrained Kelpie can be hard to handle and boisterous.
It’s important that you address their natural herding instincts from a young age. Otherwise you can expect them to nip at the heels of children, pets and guests. Start with early socialisation where you safely introduce them to new people, places, pets and experiences, to build their familiarity and confidence in new situations. Enrol them in puppy school or seek out an experienced dog trainer who can help you make the most of your Australian Kelpie.