All breeds › Kelpie
Kelpie
An energetic Australian sheepdog known for its stamina and working intelligence.
♥ Swipe on the KelpieQuick facts
- Origin
- Australia
- Size
- Medium
- Energy
- High
- Bred for
- Herding sheep
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
- Temperament
- Energetic, smart, tireless
- Exercise
- 120 min/day
- Grooming
- Low
- Shedding
- Medium
- Training
- Easy
- With children
- Good
- Apartment
- No
Where the Kelpie comes from
The Australian Kelpie was developed on sheep farms in the 1870s and is named after a famous early dog. Kelpies can work huge flocks with little direction.
Personality and daily life
Energetic, smart and eager. Kelpies bond deeply with their person and learn fast, but they get destructive when under-exercised.
Kelpies are Australian working dogs with endless stamina. They suit active owners with space, ideally with a task to do each day.
Exercise, grooming and health
Two hours or more of activity and mental work each day. The short coat is easy to groom. Health is generally good, but work lines can be too intense for family life.
Is a Kelpie right for you?
Farm owners, sport competitors and very active households. Not for apartment living.
- Needs space, so not ideal for small apartments
- Easy to train, good for beginners
- Easy to groom
Similar breeds
Profiles are general guides. Individual dogs vary, so always meet the dog and talk to a breeder, shelter or vet.