Working Kelpie
Official Cynology Profile & Standard Data.
AKC: The AKC keeps the Australian Kelpie and the Working Kelpie as two records; the FCI recognises only the Australian Kelpie, number 293.
History & Overview
Origin and historical development
The Working Kelpie is an Australian sheepdog that musters and drives stock with little or no direction from the handler, which is the quality it has always been bred for.
The American Kennel Club notes something unexpected about its beginnings: the dogs that founded the Australian Working Kelpie were not owned by shepherds, as one might assume, but by landholders from well-known and highly regarded families.
It is a medium-sized dog of 19 to 25 inches and comes in a range of colours. The AKC records it in the Foundation Stock Service.
Breed Standard
How the breed is described and measured
The breed is registered by the American Kennel Club.
Size, standard by standard
- American Kennel Club — height 48.3-63.5 cm
Full standards: American Kennel Club.
Country of origin: Australia
Breed Trivia
Unique facts and fascinating details
- It works stock with little or no command from the handler.
- Its founding dogs belonged to landholders rather than to shepherds.
- It comes in a wide range of colours.
- It stands 19 to 25 inches at the withers.
- The AKC records it in the Foundation Stock Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common inquiries about the breed
Is it the same as the Australian Kelpie?
They share origins, but the Working Kelpie is bred and registered for stock work rather than for the show ring, and the AKC records it separately.
How much direction does it need?
Very little. Mustering and driving with minimal command guidance is the trait the breed is built on.
How large is it?
The AKC gives 19 to 25 inches at the withers.
Is it recognised by the FCI?
No. It is recorded by the American Kennel Club in the Foundation Stock Service.
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