Human orientation
The dog is attached to the family, but has a reserved attitude towards strangers, so acquaintances are conducted calmly. The level of contact depends on the experience and socialization of a particular dog.
THE PAW CATALOG
Australian kelpie
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History of the Australian Kelpie breed
Origin: Australia
Kelpies appeared in rural western Victoria around the 1870s, near the town of Casterton. Already at the end of the same decade, they won sheepdog competitions in New South Wales and Victoria. Since then, the dogs have been exported all over the world, and in addition to herding, they work in search, customs and rescue services.
The Australian Kelpie is a tireless working herding dog of medium size, bred in Australia to work with sheep. Intelligent, energetic and attached to the family, he is bored with nothing to do and is able to invent an occupation that you will not like. It is suitable for owners who are ready to give it both movement and mental work every day.
Sizeaverage
OriginAustralia
Life is nearby
This is a dog for people who spend a lot of time with it. He does well in a house with a yard, but needs daily exercise, not just access to the yard. Being alone for a long time, especially without movement, quickly leads to boredom, barking and gnawing on furniture. Kelpie is friendly to its own, but usually reserved with strangers.
Walks
A healthy adult kelpie needs daily walks, runs and mental challenges. About 40 minutes of movement per day is considered the minimum, but needs depend on the dog: those from working lines need more. No less important are olfactory games, training and the opportunity to do sports.
Training
The dog learns quickly and works willingly, but the same intelligence helps him find loopholes in the rules. Effective short classes with complex tasks, progressively more difficult. Separately, it is worth working out the call and the ability to calm down, because the work instinct encourages you to run after movement.
Care
The coat is short, hard, water-repellent, with an undercoat. It is enough to comb it about once a week, and more often during the shedding period. You rarely have to bathe. Ears, claws, skin and teeth are checked regularly, and weight is monitored with the help of ribs, which should be easily palpable.
Children
A Kelpie can be a great family dog if given enough exercise and activity. He is energetic, so he can accidentally push around small children or take an interest in their running around. An adult should monitor the game and show the child how to calmly contact the dog.
Other animals
Acquaintance with other dogs and pets is carried out gradually. The working background prompts the pursuit of moving objects, in particular cats and small animals, so compatibility is assessed individually and play is controlled.
Peculiarities of the breed
Estimates help compare breeds. For zooaggression, 5/5 means less tendency to aggression towards dogs. The behavior and health of a particular dog depend on many factors.
Training
The breed learns well with consistent training. Short sessions with a reward work best, and forceful coercion does not help and hurts. Difficult tasks keep her interested.
Zooaggression
An average score means that the attitude towards other dogs and small animals needs individual assessment. Early socialization helps, but the working instinct in some dogs remains strong.
Health and reproductive risks
In the British cohort, the median lifespan of the breed was 12.0 years, but the sample was small, with 49 deaths. The absence of the mentioned risk does not prove the absence of hereditary diseases, therefore, the examination of the parents is clarified with the veterinarian.
Ease of care
The coat is combed approximately once a week, and the skin, ears and claws are also regularly inspected. Caring for the coat is simple, but high activity adds daily walks and mental tasks.
Health
Breed screening
Hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and cerebellar abiotrophy are known for the breed. The breeder must show the test results of both parents and confirm that they meet the club's recommendations. Check the list of tests, because it changes.
Locomotor apparatus
Growth and load are selected according to age. Lameness, pain, or reluctance to move should be seen by a veterinarian. In adulthood, watch your weight so as not to overload the joints.
Eyes and heart
Progressive retinal atrophy belongs to eye diseases that are detected by a special examination. Preventive examinations of the eyes and heart are carried out according to the recommendations of the club and the veterinarian.
Photo of the breed
