Australian Kelpie
USD $500-$700 Price Avg.
Working Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Medium
Size
10-14 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Working Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 523 |
| Origin | Australia |
| Other Names | Australian Sheepdog, Australischer Kelpie, Barb, Kelpie |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $500-$700
How much does it cost to purchase a Australian Kelpie? The price of a Australian Kelpie will vary from breeder to breeder as well as from place to place. As a rough guide, you should expect to pay between $500 to $700 per Australian Kelpie if you purchase from a reputable breeder. Prices will be higher for show-quality dogs with a distinguished pedigree. Adult dogs who have already been trained may cost even more. It is usually less expensive to adopt a Australian Kelpie through a shelter. |
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 25-45 pounds (11-20 kg) |
| Height | 17-20 inches (43-51 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-14 years |
| Recognized by |
FCI
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
| Purpose | Herding, Watchdog |
| Date of Origin | 1870 |
| Ancestry | Collie, Dingo, Other Herding Breeds |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Double |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Black, Blue, Brown, Chocolate, Fawn, Red, Tan |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Brown |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black, Brown |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Black, Blue, Brown, Fawn |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Coat Density | Normal |
| Coat Texture | Straight |
| Recommended Brushes | Deshedder, Nail Clipper, Scissors, Slicker Brush |
| Brushing Frequency | Weekly |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Alert, Eager, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loyal, Robust, Vigilant |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | No |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Not really |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Health Problems | Cerebellar Abiotrophy, Collie Eye Anomaly, Hip Dysplasia, Osteoarthritis, Patellar Luxation, Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | High |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 14 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.,,An Australian Kelpie diet should be formulated for a mid-sized breed with high energy and intense exercise requirements. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 2.8 cups |
| Daily Cost | $1.20 - $1.40 |
| Monthly Cost | $34.00 - $45.00 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Australian Kelpie have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 4-7 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized, active, and intelligent breed of dog that originated in Australia. They are known for their strong work ethic and loyalty to their owners. The Kelpie is an excellent working dog, used for herding livestock and hunting game. They are also popular as family pets due to their friendly nature and intelligence.
Appearance: The Australian Kelpie has a muscular body with a wedge-shaped head, pointed ears, and almond-shaped eyes. Their coat can be short or long and comes in many colors including black, red, blue merle, chocolate merle, fawn merle, tan or cream.
Lifespan: The average lifespan of the Australian Kelpie is between 10 to 14 years when properly cared for.
Size & Weight: The Australian Kelpie stands between 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown.
Colors: As mentioned above the Australian Kelpie comes in many colors including black, red, blue merle, chocolate merle fawn merle tan or cream.
Personality: The Australian Kelpie is an intelligent breed that loves to work hard but also loves spending time with its family members as well as other animals it may come into contact with such as cats or other dogs. They are loyal companions who thrive on human interaction but can also be independent thinkers when needed which makes them great problem solvers!
Friendliness: The Australian Kelpie is very friendly towards people they know but can be wary of strangers until they get used to them which makes them great watchdogs! They are also very friendly towards other dogs if socialized properly from a young age but may not do well with small animals such as cats due to their herding instinct so it’s best not to leave them alone together unsupervised if possible! As far as children go they tend to get along well with them if raised together from puppyhood however it’s important that children understand how to interact appropriately with any type of dog in order for everyone involved (including the dog)to stay safe!
Temperament: The temperament of the Australian Kelpie varies depending on its individual personality however generally speaking they tend to be alert yet gentle natured dogs who love being around people and working hard at whatever task you give them!
Health: Generally speaking the health of the Australian Kelpie is good however like all breeds there are certain health issues that can affect this breed such as hip dysplasia or eye problems so it’s important that you keep up regular vet checkups in order for your pet stay healthy throughout its life span!
Adaptability Level & Benefits Of Having An Aussie As A Pet :The adaptability level of the Aussie kelpie is quite high meaning they do well living both indoors or outdoors depending on your lifestyle however due having an active nature they will need plenty of exercise no matter where they live so make sure you have enough time each day dedicated just for playtime activities! Some benefits of having an Aussie kelpie include their intelligence which makes training easier than some other breeds plus their loyalty means you will always have a faithful companion by your side no matter what life throws at you!
History
The Australian Kelpie, also known simply as the Kelpie, is a medium-sized dog that was originally bred in Australia for the purpose of herding sheep. The breed is most commonly black or tan in color, with some white markings on the chest and feet. The Kelpie is a descendant of the Scottish Collie and was brought to Australia in the early 1800s by British settlers. The breed nearly became extinct in the early 1900s due to a combination of factors, including the introduction of other herding breeds to Australia and the outbreak of World War I. However, the Kelpie eventually regained popularity and is now one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia.
The exact ancestry of the Kelpie is unknown, but it is believed to be a cross between the Scottish Collie and another herding breed, such as the Australian Cattle Dog. The first recorded mention of the Kelpie in Australia was in 1872, when a newspaper article described a dog that had been brought to Australia from Scotland. The article described the dog as being black with tan markings and having an unusually high level of intelligence. It is thought that this dog was likely the ancestor of all modern-day Kelpies.
The Kelpie nearly became extinct in Australia due to a combination of factors, including competition from other herding breeds and the outbreak of World War I. However, interest in the breed began to revive in the 1920s, and by 1930 there were an estimated 200 Kelpies in existence. Today, there are thought to be over 100,000 Kelpies across Australia, making it one of the country's most popular dog breeds.
