Australian Kelpie
Other names: Kelpie
#32
Wamiz's Top Breed

Motivated, energetic, focused, devoted and independent? That’s the Australian Kelpie for you. A breed with seemingly endless stamina, they were originally bred to herd livestock day-in-day-out and are independent thinkers at heart.
As a pet, they’re loyal, devoted and friendly in the right home. Without frequent exercise, thorough training and lots of mental stimulation, the Kelpie can be challenging and destructive.
They’re known to bond strongly to one member of the family, so if you’re looking for a loyal, loving companion for one (active) person specifically, the Australian Kelpie might be the perfect choice.
Key facts about the Australian Kelpie
Origins and history
The hot, dusty outback climate takes a tough working dog - and that’s exactly what the Australian Kelpie was bred for! This hardy dog can cope well in all sorts of conditions and, therefore, has been used as a working dog in Australia for hundreds of years. However, no one is completely sure how this breed was created, though it’s thought to be related to the Collie.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Australian Kelpie
Adult size
Female : Between 17 and 19 in
Male : Between 18 and 20 in
Weight
Female : Between 24 and 33 lb
Male : Between 29 and 49 lb
Coat colour
The Kelpie’s coat comes in:
- Black
- Black with tan markings
- Light to dark blue
- Light to dark blue with tan markings
- Various shades of red
- Various shades of tan
Type of coat
Their coat is medium length.
The Australian Kelpie’s double coat is short, straight, harsh-textured, and waterproof. The thick undercoat provides plenty of protection against wind, rain and cold temperatures.
Eye colour
The eyes range from shades of gold to deep brown, depending on the coat colour.
Description
This medium-sized breed has a compact yet muscular body, which is longer than it is tall. The legs are clearly powerful and muscled for their size. The head is narrow with a rounded skull, while the tail is set low and is medium in length. They’re easily recognisable by their pointy, prominent ears and expressive, alert, almond-shaped eyes. Overall, this breed has an athletic, durable and rather charming appearance.
Good to know
The first ever recorded Kelpie is believed to be a female black-and-tan puppy, whose records date back to 1860.