Australian Kelpie
Puppy
Fully Grown
Australian Kelpies are good-looking working dogs that can also make great family dogs as long as they receive lots of physical and mental stimulation.
Kelpies have a keen outlook on things along with a calm, balanced personality. They are orientated to their owner and the children and will thrive living in a big family. But it's worth keeping in mind that they are herding dogs and may sometimes turn this skill on the kids!
Their energy may at times seem inexhaustible. This energy, paired with their intelligence and natural herding instinct makes them highly suitable for farm work.
Kelpies are easy to train but can try to push boundaries. They are used to thinking for themselves so you won't be able to demand and achieve total obedience. Mental stimulation, paired with lots of daily exercise, is an absolute must for this breed.
| Weight: | 14-20 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 11-15 years |
| Coat: | Short |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | Average |
| Trainability: | Very high |
| Activity level: | Very high |
There are many sources to get your Australian Kelpie from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding an Australian Kelpie to adopt:
To help your rescued Australian Kelpie to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Australian Kelpie from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
