The Kelpie Australian or Australian Kelpie He is a native of Australia grazing dog. Weighs between 12 and 22 kilos and reach a height between 43 and 50 cm to the cross. Their hair color can be black, red, Blue or fawn. Is classified as a dog by the FCI.

The inhospitable and unknown environment of Australia forced the English and Scottish settlers to select a few working dogs who adapt to the conditions of the country - much larger spaces, herd many great rebel breed Merino sheep, and the tremendous heat-.

The MOH (as they call in Australia to the flock) We had to pick it up in pens of the ranch or the station to spend the night protecting it from Aboriginal dingoes and so will not lose. This was missing a really worker dog who knew meet and direct the herd, more than the typical pastor of their country of origin.

Many areas of England had developed its own line of pastor, almost always with the name of the region or the owner. Most of them have lost today, but in 1.800 still existed when it had its heyday emigration to Australia. Many breeds were introduced in Australia, and those who served in the new environment were used and were crossed with each other.

One of the first types that proved ideal for Australian conditions was the North County Collie Rutherford. These dogs were of short hair, erect ear or semi, black or black and fire, and they were described by G. S. "Kempe as dogs"robust construction and brave temperament with a large head and powerful JAWS”.

Several members of the Rutherford family emigrated from Scotland to Australia, and they received a good batch of these dogs of their families. Other people soon saw the abilities of these dogs and wanted Cubs of this line. There are doubts about itself stayed pure 100%, that pragmatic owners of herds crossing their good females of working with the best dogs that could be found, No matter your genealogy. But the line Rutherford formed the basis for the breed now known as Kelpie.

At the end of the 19th century, a rancher called Gleason changed a horse by a black female puppy and raised in Victoria fire, parents imported line Rutherford. He called “Kelpie”, which in Gaelic means Ondine, and proved to be a splendid worker. The dog was known as "Gleason´s Kelpie", and it was their descendants who gave the name to the breed. This original Kelpie was crossed twice with “MOSS”, a black Australian dog, Rutherford line, and then with “Caesar”, a black dog and fire of purely Scottish parents. This latest litter with Caesar would give the most famous Kelpie of history. A black female and fire, also called “Kelpie“, It was given to G. T. W. King. The Kelpie (the second) He won the first working with herd dogs competition held in Australia. This victory has raised the interest in this line.

The Kelpie breed is based on these early, with crosses over the years with other lines. The race is essentially English, without the introduction of the Dingo. They left many good work Black dogs line created sobre “MOSS”, especially one called “Barb”.

For many years it was believed that black specimens were a separate race called Barb. Had other lines known by the names of his best dogs or its owner, but soon unified all under the name of Kelpie.

His head bears a resemblance to a Fox, but it differs from these by their almond-shaped eyes. Its overall texture is compact and muscular, but flexible, measuring the males among 46 to 51 cm and females between 43 to 48 cm.. Their coat is double layer, having a dense inner layer, and a foreign hard hair, prepared so that it is resistant to rain. It is long by the belly, becoming a fringe in the hind, While the rest of the extremities have a short hair. The neck has a long and thick hair forming a collar.

The color of the Kelpie is highly variable, through a range of dark colors to reds, These can be: Black, Black and Tan, Red, Fire and Red, Griffon, Chocolate, Smoke.

Although it is nice and easy to train, great energy and desire to work do not fit to live inside the House or an apartment. They do much to a single owner, and although he is loyal and intelligent, is very independent, essential aspect of his work.

The Kelpie is very smart, laborious and is always alert. It has also a docile disposition and an almost inexhaustible energy. On the other hand, It shows a great loyalty and devotion to work. It has a natural instinct for working with the sheep, both in the field, as in the poultry. Due to its great muscle ability in conjunction to his great energy and elasticity, arguably one of the best available for the working dogs, in general.

The Kelpie has also proven effective with pigs, horses, goats, birds and even reindeer. They are ex officio workers, and there are numerous stories of feats of specimens of the breed, Despite being injured.

The statistics of labour saving are amazing, and many American farmers are aware of the value of these dogs. Although by nature he is a shepherd, the Kelpie can be taught to work with cattle. The Kelpie was bred for working livestock is strong, and many can guide both push. They can be very useful to gather the sheep, taking them in pens, making them pass through bathrooms, making them upload to trucks and cars, and even “riding them” (weighing on his back) If trapped on channel loading. A team of Kelpie can be sent to gather a herd of cattle, While the owner waiting at the door of the corral. They can make them go through the veterinary vaccination, help load them, and bring them road down towards another grass.

Also, also used for other purposes apart from grazing, as search and rescue, Dog Guide and drug detection.

Kelpie Australian