Australian Kelpie
澳洲凱皮犬
Draft — this profile is still being checked.
At a glance
The Australian Kelpie is the sheepdog developed for the vast, hot and dusty runs of New South Wales and Victoria from Collie-type dogs imported from Scotland, able to do the work of several men over huge distances. It is a lithe, hard-muscled, supple dog with a rain-resisting double coat about 2–3 cm long on the body, males 46–51 cm and females 43–48 cm at the withers. The FCI standard calls it extremely alert, eager and highly intelligent, with a mild, tractable disposition, an almost inexhaustible energy and marked loyalty and devotion to duty.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 43–51cm |
| Breed group | FCI: 1 |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Double coat |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
The breed standards this profile is built from don't list breed-specific health screening. Ask a vet which checks suit the dog in front of you.
Behaviour
Inexhaustible energy and a strong working instinct
The FCI standard's Behaviour / Temperament section reads: "The Kelpie is extremely alert, eager and highly intelligent, with a mild, tractable disposition and an almost inexhaustible energy, with marked loyalty and devotion to duty. It has a natural instinct and aptitude in working of sheep, both in open country and in the yard. Any defect of structure or temperament foreign to a working dog must be regarded as uncharacteristic."
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
FCI nomenclature — Australian Kelpie (standard no. 293, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Australian Kelpie — FCI standard no. 293 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]FCI-Standard No. 293 — Australian Kelpie, 11.12.2012 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.