The Australian Kelpie

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The Australian Kelpie

ɹ o ʇ ǝ l l ǝ ʞ s
February 1st, 2025 3:42:46pm
4,480 Posts

_{Hello angels! Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and be prepared to meet the backbone of Australian sheep farming...}

_{The Australian Kelpie.}

_{farmers.org.au}

_{The Australian Kelpie is one of the truest Australian breeds with its origins in the rural paddocks of western Victoria.In 1870, Jack Gleeson was sitting beside a creek near Casterton in country Victoria contemplating what to call his new puppy. He had just swapped a horse for her and she was a black and tan female with floppy ears. This mating was the result of two Scotch Collies imported by George Robertson. As the mist rose off the creek he decided to name her “Kelpie” - the word being Gaelic for water sprite. About the same time a Mr Arthur Robinson of Yaraldra Station, Victoria imported a dogs “Brutus” and “Jenny” from Scotland, “Brutus” being a big smooth haired, black and tan dog with pricked ears and “Jenny” a long-haired female with half erect ears. These two produced Caesar, Nero and Laddie, with Caesar eventually being mated with Gleeson’s Kelpie to produce “King’s Kelpie”. It is from these beginnings that we have the Australian Kelpie today.}

_{By the late 1870’s Kelpies were winning sheep dog trials in country NSW and Victoria.}

_{Today the breed is still popular in the working paddocks and in the show, obedience and agility rings and is exported all over the world. The Kelpie was bred to work sheep and for many farmers their dog is worth the wages of several men. Their hardiness and ability work long hours make them a valuable asset, but it is their devotion and loyalty to their family that makes them a suitable pet for today’s families.}
_{nationalpurebreddogday.com}

_Appearance

_{The general appearance is of a dog that is slightly longer than taller, lithe, athletic and muscular. The Kelpie should look and feel like it can do a day’s work without any effort. They have a tractable nature, are highly intelligent, alert and eager to please.}

_{The gait is a four-square gait and the Kelpie must be perfectly sound as even the show dog must display a ground covering gait in recognition of the work that the Kelpie was bred to perform. When herding the Kelpie must be able to turn suddenly at speed and be capable of couching, stealthy creeping towards the intended animals.}

_{The reason the eyes must be almond shaped is to avoid dust getting into them from the paddock or yard. If they had big round eyes they would be more open and susceptible to dirt. The ears should be pricked and the inside of them are well furnished with hair to keep out the dust of the sheep yards.}

_{The Australian Kelpie comes in seven colours black, black and tan, red, red and tan, chocolate, fawn, and blue, any deviation from these colours is not acceptable in the show ring.}

_{(dogsaustralia.org.au)

Martybugs at en.wikipedia}

_{For me, kelpies are the focal point of any sheep farmer in Australia. I was born and raised in rural South Australia, in a tiny town of 250 people that comprised predominantly of wool farmers. I grew up surrounded by kelpies, we always had a team of 4-5 dogs that worked the 5500 head of merino on our property.
Kelpies are not just working dogs, they are an essential part of the family. Every farmer's ute has a kelpie or three in the back, they're welcomed in pubs, and they are a key feature in every country show, every district field day, every working competition in the country.
This is a breed close to my heart and I would love to see them added to HP to represent my glorious southern island!}
_{www.dogster.com}