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Australian Kelpie
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Description
The Australian Kelpie has a compact body and well-developed limbs. Slightly longer than he is tall, the Kelpie has a broad chest and firm hindquarters that contribute to his flexible, energized appearance. The head is long and narrow. The medium length tail is low set. The short, compact feet have well arched toes. The double coat consists of a short and dense undercoat and a hard, straight and weather-repellent outer coat. Color possibilities include black and red, each with or without tan and fawn, chocolate and blue. Kelpie owners are more interested in the breed's working ability then its appearance.
Temperament
A compact, robust, enthusiastic and tireless working dog. Excellent at herding, the Australian Kelpie is the most popular and successful working dog. Kelpies are devoted one-man dogs but far too work-oriented and energetic for a couch dog or apartment existence. Their easy trainability and keenness on the job make them a fundamental component of the Australian workforce. They are ready to respond immediately to any signal given by their masters, even from a great distance. They are good with children when they are raised with them from puppyhood and/or properly socialized. Kelpies will try to herd other dogs, pets and animals whether they want to be herded or not. This workaholic will work until it drops. They are independent and in business for themselves rather than for pleasing a handler. Boredom is the breed's doom and the owner's as well. In their native country of Australia, Kelpies work all day even in intense heat, covering 1,000 to 4,000-plus acres. The breed uses its "eye" similar to the Border Collie's on the tractable stock, but utilizes its nipping ability to turn more stubborn cattle. Kelpies can muster thousands of sheep from pasture to pen to truck. When a flock of sheep is packed as tight as Times Square on New Year's Eve, they will look for the shortest way to the other side, which is usually in a straight line. The very clever Kelpie will jump on the back of the nearest sheep and run lightly across the flock to reach the other side. They make excellent watchdogs and can also be trained as seeing-eye dogs. The Australian Kelpie is not an aggressive dog, but he can be protective when needed, and will guard his family and their belongings when necessary, regardless of the risk to himself. With the deep intelligence which this breed exhibits comes a high dominance level. Meek owners will not do well with this breed. They need an owner who knows how to display natural calm, but firm authority over the dog at all times. With the right type of owner and the proper amount of daily metal and physical exercise this breed can excel. Problems can and WILL arise with meek owners, and/or owners who do not provide the proper amount and type of exercise. This breed does best with a job to do. If you do not have time to extensively work with and exercise your dog, or do not fully understand canine instincts and their need to have leadership, this is not the breed for you.
Body Type
Muscular but sturdy compact body is slightly greater than the height, length. Long and narrow, erect ears, eyes and forceful, seems to only by eyes can control the sheep. Face such as fox. Chest broad, short limbs and compact, strong bones, muscles. The foot is relatively small, toes arched. Medium length tail drooping naturally. The hair is divided into two layers, a tough rough can resist snow outer hair and thick and short inner layer outer hair shiny hair. Colors are black, red, and some other color patterns, such as brown, fawn, chocolate, blue. Their ability to work is the main reason for their breeders like.
Coat
The Australian kelpies especially the working kelpie comes with three coat types; rough, smooth and short. A few of the kelpies have white spots on their coat while some have white blaze especially on their chest. Due to environment factors, the coat is a double layer. The outer coat is rough, flat, straight and tough characteristics which makes it weather resistant. The inner coat is relatively thick and keeps the dog warm during cold seasons. The coat is longer at the neck where it appears ruff while the hair on the tail is tough and bushy. The hair on the head, feet, legs and ears is short and smooth.
Color
The coat color of Australian Kelpie greatly varies from black with or without tan markings. The coat may have some minimal white markings which appear as blaze on the chest, white sports or strip markings. A blue Kelpie may range from light to dark blue with or without tan marking. A red Kelpie may range from light red to chocolate sometimes with or without tan markings. A Kelpie with tan marking may vary with the color of tan marking ranging from cream to dark
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