Australian Kelpie

The Australian kelpie is a medium-sized sheepdog developed in Australia from British herding stock selected for stamina, independence, and the ability to work vast paddocks in heat and dust. Working kelpies may be registered or unregistered through stock-dog communities, while show or bench kelpies are maintained under kennel standards in many countries. Most have pricked ears, a lean athletic build, and a short coat that may be black, red, chocolate, blue, fawn, or black and tan. Good kelpies are noted for casting wide, reading sheep, and making quick decisions away from the handler.

A kelpie kept off a farm still needs a practical job. Long runs alone rarely replace the control work, problem-solving, and handler partnership this breed was selected for, so herding, agility, obedience, bikejoring, or scent work can be useful outlets. The coat needs little more than brushing and tick checks, but working dogs need foot care, shade, water, and conditioning before heavy days. Prospective owners should ask whether a litter comes from working or show lines, because drive, intensity, and ease of living in a suburban home can vary sharply.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and Tan, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and Tan, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow