Australian Kelpie

​Australian kelpies are bred to work all day in challenging conditions, necessitating a significant amount of exercise. The breed requires only basic grooming skills, which is beneficial as it allows owners to dedicate more time to exercising their kelpie.

Exercise

If you are considering an Australian kelpie as a pet, be prepared to provide the dog with a significant amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation. This could include activities such as jogging, hiking, retrieving games, trick training, herding, agility training, swimming, or competing in disc dog events. The breed is renowned for its impressive endurance, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a running partner. It is important to note that a kelpie is not suited to being on a leash at all times. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with free-running opportunities in a safe area away from traffic.

Grooming

The Australian Kelpie has a double coat with a short, dense undercoat. The outer coat is close-lying, with each hair straight, hard, and flat, providing excellent rain resistance. It is recommended that Kelpies be brushed or combed weekly to remove dead hairs and bathed occasionally to maintain cleanliness and optimal appearance. In general, the Kelpie requires minimal maintenance.

Training

As is the case with the majority of herding breeds, Australian kelpies are highly intelligent and responsive to direction. Indeed, the breed's intelligence is on par with that of the renowned Border Collie. Kelpies can be trained to perform a wide range of tasks and demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm for learning new skills.

Training is an effective method for utilizing a kelpie's high-capacity brain and can contribute significantly to preventing boredom. Positive reinforcement methods, such as clicker training, have proven to be highly effective when used with kelpies.

It is essential to socialize Australian kelpie puppies early on to ensure they will be accepting of friendly strangers and comfortable in an urban environment. It should be noted that the breed may bark excessively, particularly if not trained to cease once the alarm has been appropriately sounded.

Common Health Problems

Australian kelpies are in general a very healthy and hardy breed. However, as with all breeds, certain genetic issues have been identified in the Australian kelpie. These include the following:

• Cerebellar Abiotrophy: A developmental disorder of the brain
• Collie Eye Anomaly: A disorder that can cause several problems with the eyes including vision loss
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: A term used to describe a group of related degenerative eye diseases that can leave to blindness.

Diet and Nutrition

It is essential to provide Australian kelpies, particularly those engaged in work, with a diet that is rich in energy and high in quality to sustain their active lifestyles. If you require guidance on the appropriate diet for your kelpie or the recommended quantity, please consult your veterinarian or breeder. It is unlikely that kelpies will become overweight when they receive an adequate amount of exercise. However, older kelpies or those recuperating from an injury may require a diet with a lower calorie content to prevent weight gain. Excess weight can contribute to the development of joint disorders such as arthritis, elbow dysplasia, and hip dysplasia, as well as other health issues such as diabetes.