If there’s a dog breed that has unlimited energy and a strong work ethic, it is the Australian kelpie. They combine intelligence, speed, and loyalty, and their medium-sized and sleek bodies allow them to cover vast distances in seconds. They’re the ultimate farm dogs and easily step into the role of livestock herders with little guidance. But with so much focus on being a working breed, do they make good family pets? Let’s get to know the Australian kelpie, the breed from Down Under.
Australian Kelpie vs. Working Kelpie
It gets a tad confusing when you start talking about the common kelpie and the working kelpie. Both dogs have large, pointy ears and a muscular body, so what is the difference between the two? Australian and working kelpies are the same breed of dog, split into two categories.
The regular kelpie is available in different colors and patterns and is bred for its conformation rather than herding abilities. The working kelpie is usually solid brown or black and selectively bred for their stamina, obedience, and independence. Working dogs can be registered with the Working Kelpie Council of Australia. Both types are alert and remarkably intelligent, but let’s get to know them by learning about their origins.
The History of the Kelpie
Kelpies have a bit of a mysterious background dating back to the mid-1800s. There is no documented history of the breed, but rather, researchers have pieced together information as to how these dogs became sheepherders. Kelpies are believed to descend from border collies and Scottish collies. They were always meant to work the farms, but to improve their robustness, speed, and adaptability, cattle dogs and dingoes were introduced to the line.
You’ll find kelpies in many coat colors, but black is predominant among the working type. An interesting fact about the black kelpie is that they’re also called Barbs. This name was given to one of the first solid black kelpie puppies born to a sheepdog breeding pair. The breeder named the puppy Barb after a champion black horse from the Melbourne Cup in the 1860s. The striking reddish-brown coat color of this breed is known as the red-cloud kelpie.
The Temperament of the Australian Kelpie
As kelpies are a mix of cattle dogs, dingoes, and border collies, what can we expect from their personalities and temperaments? Kelpies are described as gentle souls that are extremely loyal and friendly. They are not aggressive dogs, but you should always expose them to other people and pets from a young age. This type of socialization increases their confidence and prevents unwanted behaviors such as anxiety and fear that would make them difficult to handle. Most kelpies have a mind of their own and are described as strong-willed, which is why they aren’t recommended for first-time pet owners.
Does the Kelpie Make a Good Family Pet?
Kelpies are for experienced and active dog lovers who will put the time and effort into training them in agility and obedience. Kelpies don’t make the best family pets because they will always have drive, an abundance of energy, and a very strong herding instinct. They form close bonds with their family, but this can be overshadowed by problematic behavior if their needs aren’t met.
For some kelpie owners, a typical day includes long walks, runs, playing with dog toys, and socializing with other pets and people. However, this is not always enough to keep these dogs occupied, and this type of commitment takes a lot of time. They cannot be confined to a yard because their nature is to roam and herd. If you don’t give them outlets to use their intelligence and energy, they’ll become bored and destructive.
Why Kelpies Need Lots of Exercise
If you don’t exercise a kelpie, they will dig, chew, bark, and chase people, pets, and objects to vent their energy. Kelpies were bred to tolerate the outdoors and to herd and guard livestock. They’re hard-wired to be on the move and cover large areas throughout the day, come rain or shine. Working kelpies always need a job to do, and that’s why they excel in agility classes. But even the conformation kelpie requires daily exercise, and by that, I mean constant activity, including long walks and obstacle courses. These dogs are superb at learning new tricks, but you need to introduce higher-level training if you want them to be obedient.
Do Kelpies Make Good Guard Dogs?
A kelpie is very alert, and they will bark when a stranger approaches, but this timid breed might not make the best guard dog. They’re better suited to being watchdogs that provide alarms when there’s an unfamiliar noise or movement close by. These sheepdogs treat newcomers with suspicion, which is another important reason they need to be socialized.
While they may not be the first choice as a guard dog, there is some fear surrounding this breed. According to a Scottish legend, kelpies are shape-shifters from water that can turn into horses and take you to a water-filled grave. This certainly sounds scary, but you’ll never have to worry about your kelpie leading you astray!
What You Should Know Before Getting a Kelpie
If you want a kelpie but don’t give them the stimulation and activity they need, you’ll face a multitude of problems. These dogs will nip at people and other animals to herd them, dig under or jump over fences, and bark incessantly. If you want to keep a kelpie in the city, you need a secure and fully fenced yard and time to exercise, train, and stimulate them. I recommend high-intensity activities like hiking and agility if you want a happy kelpie.
These canine workaholics have a never-give-up attitude, but they’re also devoted to their families, and they’re exceptionally bright. But within the confines of the city, most kelpies are unpredictable and challenging to handle. Keep this in mind before you commit to the breed from Down Under
