Australian Kelpie

The Australian Kelpie was developed in late 19th-century Australia from Scottish herding dogs, to manage huge flocks of sheep in hot, arid conditions.

It is famous for running across the backs of tightly packed sheep to reach the head of the flock.

Quick, intelligent and exceptionally driven, the Kelpie is very loyal to its owner. It is often reserved with strangers.

It learns very quickly but gets bored just as fast, so it needs daily occupation and positive training.

This is a robust breed. Hip dysplasia, some eye conditions and an inherited neurological disease (cerebellar abiotrophy), for which a test exists, should be monitored.

Ask the breeder for the parents' test results.

Good-quality food matched to its intense activity suits it. A working dog may need much larger rations.

Water should always be available.

It needs at least two hours of daily activity, ideally herding work or dog sports (agility, obedience, canicross).

It is a farm dog or an athlete's dog, not a couch dog.

It would be a perfect fit for sheep farmers, but it is unsuited to a city apartment.

Its short coat with undercoat needs weekly brushing, more often during the moult.

Check its paw pads after work on hard ground.