Australian Kelpie
● Key Characteristics Of Australian Kelpies
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Australian Kelpie Puppy?
● Most Asked Australian Kelpie Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
Having been bred as herding dogs, the Australian Kelpies have a sense of duty and are fiercely loyal. They are also intelligent with a drive for true working dogs.
● Key Characteristics Of Australian Kelpies
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Australian Kelpie Puppy?
● Most Asked Australian Kelpie Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
Having been bred as herding dogs, the Australian Kelpies have a sense of duty and are fiercely loyal. They are also intelligent with a drive for true working dogs.
Like most breeds, the Kelpie was developed in the 19th century; around 1870.
At that time, the sheep and wool industry in Australia was booming. As a result, ranchers were in need of a dog that could handle the unruly animals. The dog also needed to be capable of tolerating the extreme environmental conditions.
One of the main breeds that was used to develop the Kelpie, is the Collie. This was a working dog imported from Britain. Collies are also ancestors of the Border Collie, English Shepherd and Australian Shepherd.
| Are Cavoodles Family-Friendly? | These dogs get on well with their owners. But because of their small size, they are better suited for families with older kids as toddlers can be a bit rough. |
| Daily Exercise Needs? | A short walk for half an hour or so is enough. As cavoodles are playful, they burn off energy throughout the day. They do so by playing with a range of toys, which keep them mentally stimulated. |
| Common Health Issues & Considerations | Cavoodles may suffer from: ● Syringomyelia- a condition where their skulls turn out to be too small for their brains. ● Mitral Valve Disease- it’s a condition that affects the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. ● Cataracts- it’s characterized by the formation of a cloudy membrane over your dog’s eye. |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years. |
| Nature / Temperament | Cavoodles are a gentle and sweet-natured dog breed. They are lively and friendly dogs that are very sociable. This is not surprising since both of their parents have these traits. Even though they look like teddy bears, these dogs are intelligent as they are trainable. |
| Size | Weight: Both males and females weigh between 5 and 12 kg Height: 30 to 35 cm |
| Suitable Environment | This is mainly an indoor dog. Its small size makes it perfect for an apartment. Plus, it does not create a mess at home. Although it has a curious nature, the Cavoodle likes observing its surrounding silently. |
| Grooming | They are non-shedding to low shedding dogs. But even though they don’t shed that much, their fur still needs regular grooming. It’s a good idea to brush their coat on a weekly basis to prevent it from getting tangled. |
● Kelpies have short double coats that come in a variety of colours. The most common are black, red, chocolate and fawn.
● There are two varieties of the Australian Kelpie: the working and show stock. Working dogs are more popular than the show Kelpies.
● Kelpies are often used as guide and assistance dogs by those with special needs. They also come in handy in search and rescue operations.
Nutrition
The Kelpies are a very energetic breed. As such, they need foods that can boost their energy levels, in particular feed your Kelpie high-quality dog food twice per day. Also provide them with fresh water every day.
You can also feed them fruit and vegetables, and occasionally cottage cheese. Such products make their diet more interesting and provide adequate vitamins and minerals. These extra additions should not exceed 10% of their diet.
Keep in mind that their nutritional requirements will change as they grow – consult your vet.
Grooming
The Kelpies’ coats are short. But, these are double coats consisting of thick, dense undercoats. So, they still need regular grooming. Brush their coats two or more times each week.
These dogs are average shedders, however they molt or shed heavily twice in a year. They will need more frequent brushing during these periods.
Recommended Grooming Tips:
● These dogs need very little bathing; generally twice a year.
● Examine them for cuts when grooming them.
● Clean their ears at least once per month.
● Check and trim their nails as needed.
Exercise
Kelpie owners often find it difficult to provide adequate exercise to their dogs. The secret is to incorporate other physical activities into your dog’s routine. Apart from walks, you can take them swimming or hiking.
Another option is joining a canine sports club in your area. This way your Kelpie will get as much physical and mental workout as they need. It’s worth pointing out that Kelpies generally don’t like to curl up, they prefer to be on the go so they’ll follow you around everywhere.
Training
What makes Australian Kelpies easy to train is their level of intelligence and focus. Besides, training is an excellent way of engaging their brains.
Kelpies thrive in different dog sports, particularly agility and herding competitions. But one thing to note is that they need plenty of socialisation. This way, they will feel comfortable around children and strangers.
If you spend most of your time lounging by the couch, the Kelpie is definitely not the pet for you. The dog is more suited for owners with active lifestyles.
They have several traits that make them suitable for this role. One, their loyalty. Two, they are always alert to their surroundings and known to be vocal.
They are a medium-size breed. Their size ranges from 40 to 50 cm in height and their weight ranges from 14 to 20 kg. Of course, the higher limits of the both height and weight ranges are reserved for male Kelpies.
It is rare for breeders to crossbreed the Kelpie. But when this happens, it’s often with other working breeds. Some examples are:
● Collie – cross between a Kelpie and a Border Collie
● Australian Kelpherd – cross between a Kelpie and Australian Shepherd
Australian Kelpie for sale cost between $800 to $1500 approximately.
This is general information and should not be relied on as adoption or purchasing advice.
● Collie