Editing Australian Kelpie

{{Short description|Dog breed}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox dog breed
|name     = Australian Kelpie 
|image    = Hilu the Australian Kelpie dog.jpg
|image_alt = 
|image_caption = An Australian Kelpie
|altname  = Kelpie, Barb
|nickname = Farmer Dog
|country  = Australia
<!-----Traits-----> 
|weight       = {{convert|13|-|19|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|maleweight   = 
|femaleweight =
|height       = {{convert|39|-|51|cm|in|abbr=on}}
|maleheight   = 
|femaleheight = 
|coat         = short double coat
|colour        = black, black and tan, red, red and tan, chocolate, chocolate and tan, blue, blue and tan, fawn, fawn and tan, cream, black and white
|litter_size  = 
|life_span    = 
| kc_name        = [[Australian National Kennel Council|ANKC]]
| kc_std         = http://ankc.org.au/Breed/Detail/149
| kc2_name       = <!-- if required for dual-national breeds -->
| kc2_std        = 
| fcistd         = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/293g01-en.pdf
}}<!-- End Infobox -->

The '''Australian Kelpie''', or simply '''Kelpie''', is an [[Australia|Australian]] [[Herding dog|sheepdog]] capable of [[Muster (livestock)|mustering]] and [[droving]] with little or no guidance. It is a medium-sized dog and comes in a variety of colours. The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is used to [[Muster (livestock)|muster]] livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats.

The breed has been separated into two distinct varieties: the Show (or Bench) Kelpie and the Working Kelpie.<ref name="BB">{{cite web | title=Australian Working Kelpie | work=Burke's Backyard | access-date=1 November 2011 | url=http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/pets/pet-road-tests/dogs/australian-working-kelpie/}}</ref> The Show Kelpie is seen at [[conformation dog show]]s in some countries and is selected for appearance rather than working [[instinct]], while the Working Kelpie is bred for its working ability.

==History==
[[File:Casterton Kelpie Monument 001.JPG|thumb|The Kelpie Monument in [[Casterton, Victoria|Casterton]], "Birthplace of the Kelpie".]]
[[Image:Australian Kelpie circa 1915.jpg|thumb|right|Kelpie circa 1915]]

The ancestors of most Kelpies were British dogs known loosely as [[collies]] (sometimes spelled colleys). These were mostly black, or very dark brown, dogs – hence the name collie, which has the same root as coal.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=coal&searchmode=none|title= coal| work= Online Etymology Dictionary| via=etymonline.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=collie&searchmode=none|title= collie| work= Online Etymology Dictionary|via= etymonline.com}}</ref> (The official collie breeds were not formed until about 10 or 15 years after the Kelpie was established as a breed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/6392/beginnings.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413091606/http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/6392/beginnings.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2008|title=beginnings|date=13 April 2008|publisher= Petsburgh| via= geocities.com}}</ref> and the first recognised [[Border Collie]] was not brought to Australia until after the [[Federation of Australia|Federation]] in 1901).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/6392/early.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071209194204/http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/6392/early.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2007|title=early|date=9 December 2007|publisher= Petsburgh| via= geocities.com}}</ref> Some collies were imported to Australia for stock work in the early 19th century, and were bred with other types of dogs – usually with an eye to working sheep without direct supervision.

For much of the 20th century and early 21st century, it was claimed that kelpies were partly descended from [[dingo]]es.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-09/kelpie-the-mysterious-origins-of-the-australian-working-dog/7309992|title=The mysterious origins of the Australian kelpie|date=9 April 2016|website= abc.net.au}}</ref> In 2019, it was widely reported<ref>{{Cite web|title=Strewth! Turns out your kelpie is not a dingo|url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2019/05/27/strewth--turns-out-your-kelpie-is-not-a-dingo.html|access-date=2021-09-14|website=The University of Sydney|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-06-27|title=All kelpie: Study finds no dingo DNA in iconic working dog breed|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-06-28/kelpie-study-finds-no-detectable-dingo-dna/11250106|access-date=2021-09-14|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-06-01|title=Australian kelpies are not related to dingoes, but why owners wanted them to be? - Technology OrgTechnology Org|url=https://www.technology.org/2019/06/01/australian-kelpies-are-not-related-to-dingoes-but-why-owners-wanted-them-to-be/|access-date=2021-09-14|language=en-US}}</ref> that a [[genome|genomic]] study conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney indicated that the kelpie had no dingo ancestry<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.3390/genes10050337|title=Genomic Characterization of External Morphology Traits in Kelpies Does Not Support Common Ancestry with the Australian Dingo|journal=Genes|volume=10|issue=5|pages=337|year=2019|last1=Chew|first1=Tracy|last2=Willet|first2=Cali E.|last3=Haase|first3=Bianca|last4=Wade|first4=Claire M.|pmid=31058880|pmc=6563003|doi-access=free}}</ref> although this is still uncertain. Claire Wade, co-author of the study's paper, said that she has never suggested there was "no dingo blood in the Kelpie breed" as the media reported.<ref name="wkc"/> Wade explained:

{{quote|The genes studied in our analysis were specifically chosen because it is those aspects of Kelpies (the ears and the ginger/cream colours) that lead most everyday people to presume the relationship between Kelpie and dingo. The evidence of our study proves conclusively that, at least for those characteristics, there is no evidence for relationship to be found.<ref name="wkc">{{Cite web|title=Dingo Involvement in the Kelpie|url=http://www.wkc.org.au/News-Articles/Dingo-Involvement-in-the-Kelpie.php|access-date=2021-09-14|website=www.wkc.org.au}}</ref>}}

The first dog known as a Kelpie was a black and tan female pup with floppy ears bought by Jack Gleeson about 1872<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book| last= Parsons| first= Anthony D.| title= The Working Kelpie| publisher= Nelson| location= Melbourne| year= 1986| isbn= 9780170067621}}</ref> from a litter born on Warrock Station near [[Casterton, Victoria|Casterton]], owned by [[George Croom Robertson|George Robertson]], a Scot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/the-victor-trumpers-of-working-dog-trials/news-story/2eb10fa616d3fdc9dab7202257cf225a|title=The Victor Trumpers of sheep dog trials|date=1 July 2011|access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref> This dog was named after the [[kelpie]], a mythological shapeshifting water spirit of [[Celtic mythology|Celtic]] folklore.<ref>[http://www.wkc.org.au/Foundation.html#GLEESON The Kelpie Foundation & John D Jack Gleeson<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230170142/http://www.wkc.org.au/Foundation.html#GLEESON |date=30 December 2006 }}</ref> In later years she was referred to as "(Gleeson's) Kelpie", to differentiate her from "(King's) Kelpie", her daughter.

The second "Kelpie" was "(King's) Kelpie", another black and tan bitch out of "Kelpie" by "Caesar", a pup from two [[sheepdog]]s imported from Scotland. "(King's) Kelpie" tied for the prestigious Forbes Trial in 1879,<ref>[http://www.wkc.org.au/HisDtrialsHTML.htm#ForbesSheepdogTrial Historical Sheepdog Trials<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929053122/http://www.wkc.org.au/HisDtrialsHTML.htm#ForbesSheepdogTrial |date=29 September 2006 }}</ref> and the strain was soon popularly referred to as "Kelpie's pups", or just Kelpies. The King brothers joined another breeder, McLeod, to form a dog breeding partnership whose dogs dominated trials during 1900 to 1920.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

An early Kelpie, Sally, was mated to Moss, a Smooth Collie, and she produced a black pup that was named Barb after [[The Barb]], a black horse which had won the [[Melbourne Cup]] in 1866. Consequently, black Kelpies became known as Barb Kelpies or Barbs.<ref name="Sloane"/>

There were a number of Kelpies named Red Cloud. The first and most famous was John Quinn's Red Cloud in the early 20th century. In the 1960s, another Red Cloud became well known in Western Australia. This started the tradition in Western Australia of calling all Red or Red and Tan Kelpies, especially those with white chests, Red Cloud Kelpies.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.heydogs.com/breeds/a/australian-kelpie.html |title= Australian Kelpie| website= HeyDogs.com| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090603184300/http://www.heydogs.com/breeds/a/australian-kelpie.html |archive-date= 3 June 2009 | access-date= 6 November 2009}}</ref> Other notable specimens include [[Gunner (dog)|Gunner]] and [[Red Dog (Pilbara)|Red Dog]] (c. 1971 – 21 November 1979), a Kelpie mix which was the subject of a movie, ''[[Red Dog (film)|Red Dog]]'', released in 2011.

Kelpies have been exported to many countries including [[Argentina]], Canada, Italy, [[Korea]], [[New Caledonia]], New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States for various pursuits.<ref name="Sloane"/>

By 1990, Kelpies had been trained as [[scent dog]]s with good success rates. In Sweden they have been widely used for tracking and rescue work.<ref name= Sloane>{{cite book| last= Sloane| first= Steve| title= Australian Kelpie| publisher= TFH Publications, Inc.| location= US| year= 1990| isbn= 9780866228664}}</ref>

==Appearance==
The Kelpie is a soft-coated, medium-sized dog, usually with prick ears and an athletic appearance. Their coat colours include black, black and tan, red, red and tan, blue, blue and tan, fawn, fawn and tan, cream, black and blue, and white and gold. The Kelpie generally weighs {{convert|14|-|20|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and measures {{convert|41|-|51|cm|in|abbr=on}} at the [[withers]]. They can reach a maximum weight of {{convert|25|-|27|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |year=2002 |title=Kelpie |encyclopedia=Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia |publisher=World Almanac Education Group}}</ref>

=== Breed standards ===
[[Robert Kaleski]] published the first standard for the Kelpie in 1904. The standard was accepted by leading breeders of the time and adopted by the Kennel Club of New South Wales.<ref name =bio>{{Cite book |last=Walsh |first=G. P. |year=1983 |chapter=Kaleski, Robert Lucian (1877–1961) |chapter-url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kaleski-robert-lucian-stanislaus-6894/text11953 |title=Australian Dictionary of Biography |volume=9 |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=16 September 2011}}</ref> Contemporary breed standards vary depending on whether the [[breed registry|registry]] is for working or show Kelpies. It is possible for a dog to both work and show, but options for competition in conformation shows might be limited depending on ancestry and the opinions of the [[kennel club]]s or [[Breed club (dog)|breed club]]s involved.

In Australia, there are two separate registries for Kelpies. Working Kelpies are registered with the Working Kelpie Council (WKC)<ref>[http://www.wkc.org.au/ The Working Kelpie Council of Australia] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040322184213/http://www.wkc.org.au/ |date=22 March 2004 }}</ref> and/or the Australian Sheepdog Workers Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asdwa.org.au/|title=ASDWA – Australian Sheep Dog Workers' Association -|publisher=asdwa.org.au}}</ref> The WKC encourages breeding for working ability, and allows a wide variety of coat colours. Show Kelpies are registered with the [[Australian National Kennel Council]], which encourages breeding for a certain appearance and limits acceptable colours. The wide standards allowed by the WKC mean that many Working Kelpies do not meet the standard for showing.

In the US, the Kelpie is not recognised as a breed by the [[American Kennel Club]] (AKC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akc.org/breeds/complete_breed_list.cfm|title=Dog Breeds – Types Of Dogs| publisher= [[American Kennel Club]]|website= AKC.org}}</ref> However, the [[United Kennel Club]] and the [[Canadian Kennel Club]] recognise the Kelpie and allow them to compete in official events.<ref>{{cite web | publisher= [[United Kennel Club]] | title= Australian Kelpie | url= http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/Breeds/HerdingDog/AustralianKelpie | access-date= 3 December 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150206111712/http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/Breeds/HerdingDog/AustralianKelpie | archive-date= 6 February 2015 | url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=CKC Breed Standards | url=http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&groupCode=07 | archive-date=5 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005221516/http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&groupCode=07 }}</ref> As of 2015, Australian Kelpies have been accepted by the AKC as Herding Dogs allowed to compete in AKC sanctioned Sheep Herding Trials.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/working-kelpie/|title=Working Kelpie|first=American Kennel|last=Club|publisher=akc.org}}</ref>

=== Working Kelpie ===
The Working Kelpie comes in three coat types: short, smooth and rough. The coat can be almost any colour from black to light tan or cream. Some Kelpies have a white blaze on the chest, and a few have white points. Kelpies sometimes have a [[double coat]], which sheds out in spring in temperate climates. [[Agouti (coloration)|Agouti]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hnrworkingkelpies.com/Basic_Color_Genetics.html|title=Basic Coat Color Genetics|first=Ida|last=Parmer|publisher=hnrworkingkelpies.com|access-date=5 October 2017|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201133052/http://www.hnrworkingkelpies.com/Basic_Color_Genetics.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> is not unusual, and can look like a double coat.

Working Kelpies vary in size, ranging from about {{convert|19|–|25|in|cm| abbr=on}} and {{convert|28|–|60|lb|abbr=on}}. 
[[File:Kelpie walking across the backs of sheep.jpg|alt=A brown dog walks across the backs of sheep crowded tightly together in a pen|thumb|Kelpie "backing" sheep]]
[[File:Shorthorn heifers & kelpies.jpg|alt=Two dogs approach a group of cows in a field, one from each side. One of the dogs is crouching and the other walking upright towards the cows.|thumb|Two kelpies working shorthorn heifers]]
A Working Kelpie can be a cheap and efficient worker that can save farmers and graziers the cost of several hands when mustering livestock.<ref>{{cite journal | journal= [[Farming Ahead]]| title= Learning to train your four-legged workers| date= February 1997}}</ref>{{efn|The record price paid for a kelpie as at 2021 is A$32,500.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sheepcentral.com/hoovers-35200-prices-sets-world-record-at-casterton/ |title=Hoover's $35,200 price sets world record at Casterton auction |work=Sheep Central |publisher=Nascon Media |date=16 June 2021 |access-date=1 January 2022 |first=Terry |last=Sim}}</ref>}}  The good Working Kelpies are herding dogs that will prevent stock from moving away from the stockman.<ref name=ReferenceA /> This natural instinct is crucial when mustering stock in isolated gorge country, where a good dog will silently move ahead of the stockman and block up the stock (usually cattle) until the rider appears.<ref>{{cite book| last= Messner| first= Andrew| title= Green Gully Historical Report| publisher= [[Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (New South Wales)|New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation]]| year= 2006}}</ref> Kelpies have natural instincts for managing livestock. They will work sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, and other domestic livestock. The Kelpie's signature move is to jump on the backs of sheep and walk across the tops of the sheep to reach the other side and break up the jam. Kelpies compete and are exhibited in livestock working trials, ranging from yards or arenas to large open fields working sheep, goats, cattle, or ducks.<ref name="Sloane"/>

===Show Kelpie===
Kelpies that are bred under the ANKC registrations are registered for show (Main Register) only in the following colours: Black, Chocolate, Red, Smoky Blue, Fawn, Black and Tan, and Red and Tan. They have a double coat and pricked ears. The other colours can be registered as pets and sporting dogs (Limited Register): Blue and Tan, Fawn and Tan and Yellow/Cream. Kelpies were first exhibited in the early 20th century, at the [[Sydney Royal Easter Show]].<ref name="Sloane"/> ANKC "Show" Kelpies are now becoming very popular both nationally and internationally as family pets, companion dogs, running mates and sport dogs due to their trainability, good nature and low maintenance of care and can be found all over the world.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

==Temperament==
[[Image:Dog jumping.jpg|thumb|upright|Kelpie competing in a dog jumping class]]

Show Kelpies generally excel in [[Dog agility|agility]] trials and may be shown in conformation in [[Australia]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Kelpies are intelligent and easy to train dogs making them good-tempered and good pets, especially with children. However they require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation, otherwise they can become bored and hence be disruptive by constantly barking or digging, or by chewing on objects. Working Kelpies are often described as "workaholics", with a strong drive to herd.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilcox |first=Bonnie |url=http://archive.org/details/atlasofdogbreeds0000wilc |title=Atlas of dog breeds of the world |date=1989 |publisher=Neptune City, N.J. : T.F.H. Publications |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-86622-899-2}}</ref>

==Health==
Kelpies are a hardy breed with few health problems, but they are susceptible to disorders common to all breeds, such as [[cryptorchidism]], [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]], [[cerebellar abiotrophy]] and [[luxating patella]]. Research is underway to find the [[genetic marker]] for cerebellar abiotrophy in the breed. 

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12 years based on a sample of 49 deaths for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for [[Mongrel|crossbreeds]].<ref>{{cite journal | last=McMillan | first=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=| pmc=10834484 }}</ref>

==Notable Kelpies==
A Kelpie owned by a Victorian dairy farmer, Maggie, was thought to be the [[List of longest living dogs|world's oldest dog]] at her time of death.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hosford |first1=Paul |title=The 'world's oldest dog' has died aged 30 |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/worlds-oldest-dog-dies-aged-30-2726410-Apr2016/ |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=The Journal |date=20 April 2016|quote=MAGGIE THE KELPIE, thought to be the world’s oldest dog, has died aged 30....The former holder of the title was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey who lived to 29 and died in 1939. }}</ref>

=== In popular culture ===
A family of Kelpies appear in the animated series ''[[Bluey (TV series)|Bluey]]'' that include Dusty, Digger, and Rusty. 

The film ''[[The Fall Guy (2024 film)|The Fall Guy]]'' features a Kelpie.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dogtime.com/news/144479-ryan-gosling-eva-mendes-the-fall-guy-french-dog |title=Ryan Gosling’s French-Speaking Dog in ‘The Fall Guy’ Honors Wife’s Pet |website=DogTime |last=Tiwari |first=Sakcham |date=14 March 2024 |access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>

A Kelpie named Dart portrays the dog, Frankie (Francesca Camilla Kelpington III), in the Australian-British crime drama television series, ''[[Return_to_Paradise_(2024_TV_series)|Return to Paradise]]''.

==Show coat colours==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
File:Svart kelpie.png|Black Kelpie
File:Chokladbrun kelpie.png| Chocolate Kelpie
File:Röd kelpie.png|Red Kelpie
File:Black & Tan kelpie.png|Black and Tan Kelpie
File:Red & Tan kelpie.png|Red and Tan Kelpie
File:Rökblå kepie.png|Smoky Blue Kelpie
File:Fawn kelpie.png|Fawn Kelpie
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Dogs}}
* [[Australian Cattle Dog]]
* [[Australian Shepherd]]
* [[Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog]]
* [[Koolie]]
* [[List of dog breeds]]
* [[Sheep husbandry]]
* [[Working Group (dogs)]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book|first1 = Jeanne Joy | last1 = Hartnagle-Taylor | first2 = Ty | last2 = Taylor  |year=2010|title=Stockdog Savvy|publisher=Alpine Publications|isbn=978-1-57779-106-5}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040322184213/http://www.wkc.org.au/ Working Kelpie Council]
* [http://www.kelpiesinc.com/ North American Australian Kelpie Registry]
* [http://www.hnrworkingkelpies.com/Coat_Colors.html Kelpie coat colour genetics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227061753/http://hnrworkingkelpies.com/Coat_Colors.html |date=27 February 2021 }}

{{Pastoral dogs}}
{{Australian dogs}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Herding dogs]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Australia]]