Post by charmingnancy on Mar 26, 2009 20:32:02 GMT -5
Australian Kelpie
Group: 7- Herding
Origin: Australia
Purpose: Sheep herder
Description:
The Australian Kelpie is extremely agile and light footed, capable of a lightening start and a dead stop. They are an outstanding shepherd dog with strong natural herding and guarding instincts. A loyal companion with an inexhaustible supply of energy, Australian Kelpies are devoted to their duties. They will work and work even in extreme discomfort. They are rarely affectionate, but friendly and devoted to their masters. They are intense in the field and mild mannered in the home, although they prefer being in the field. Australian Kelpies are considered the best performing medium-sized sheepdog which has made them a favorite among sheep farmers worldwide.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
The general appearance shall be that of a lithe, active dog of great quality, showing hard muscular condition combined with great suppleness of limb and conveying the capability of untiring work. It must be free from any suggestion of weediness.
Coat & Colour:
Coat- The coat is a double coat with a short dense undercoat. The outercoat is close, each hair straight, hard, and lying flat, so that it is rain-resisting. Under the body, to behind the legs, the coat is longer and forms near the thigh a mild form of breeching. On the head (including the inside of the ears), to the front of the legs and feet, the hair is short. Along the neck it is longer and thicker forming a ruff. The tail should be furnished with a good brush. A coat either too long or too short is a fault. As an
average, the hairs on the body should be from 2 to 3 cm (approx. 0.75 - 1.25 inches) in length.
Colour- Black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate, and smoke blue.
Head: Head is in proportion to the size of the dog, the skull slightly rounded, and broad between the ears. Forehead: running in a straight profile towards a pronounced stop. Cheeks: are neither coarse nor prominent, but round to the foreface, which is cleanly chiseled and defined. Muzzle: preferably slightly shorter in length than the skull. Lips: tight and clean and free from looseness. Nose: colouring conforms to that of the body coat. The overall shape and contours produce a rather fox-like expression, which is softened by the almond-shaped eyes. Eyes: are almond shaped, of medium size, clearly defined at the corners, and show an intelligent and eager expression. The colour of the eyes to be brown, harmonizing with the colour of the coat. In the case of blue dogs a lighter coloured eye is permissible. Ears: are pricked and running to a fine point at the tips, the leather fine but strong at the base, set wide apart on the skull and inclining outwards, slightly curved on the outer edge and of moderate size. The inside of the ears is well furnished with hair. Teeth: should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, the lower incisors just behind but touching the upper that is a scissor bite.
Neck: The neck is of moderate length, strong, slightly arched, gradually moulding into the shoulders, free from throatiness and showing a fair amount of ruff.
Forequarters: Shoulders: should be clean, muscular, well sloping with the shoulder blades close set at the withers. Upper arm: should be at a right angle with the shoulder blade. Elbows: neither in nor out. Forelegs: should be muscular with strong but refined bone, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side, the pasterns should show a slight slope to ensure flexibility of movement and the ability to turn quickly.
Body: The ribs are well sprung and the chest must be deep rather than wide, with a firm level topline, strong and well-muscled loins and good depth of flank. The length of the dog from the forechest in a straight line to the buttocks, is greater than the height at the withers as 10 is to 9.
Hindquarters: Hindquarters should show breadth and strength, with the croup rather long and sloping, the stifles well turned and the hocks fairly well let down. When viewed from behind, the hind legs, from the hocks to the feet, are straight and placed parallel, neither close nor too wide apart. Feet: should be round, strong, deep in pads, with close knit, well arched toes and strong short nails.
Tail: The tail during rest should hang in a very slight curve. During movement or excitement it may be raised, but under no circumstances should the tail be carried past a vertical line drawn through the root. It should be furnished with a good brush. Set on position to blend with sloping croup, and it should reach approximately to the hock.
Gait: To produce the almost limitless stamina demanded of a working sheepdog in wide open spaces the Kelpie must be perfectly sound, both in construction and movement. Any tendency to cow hocks, bow hocks, stiltiness, loose shoulders or restricted movement weaving or plaiting is a serious fault. Movement should be free and tireless and the dog must have the ability to turn suddenly at speed. When trotting the feet tend to come closer together at ground level as speed increases but when the dog comes to rest it stands four square.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Size:
Height: Dogs 46-51 cm (approx. 18-20 inches) at withers.
Bitches 43-48 cm (approx. 17-19 inches) at withers.
Temperament:
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 the 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.
Health:
Genetic bone disorder, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), and hip dysplasia.
Average Lifespan:
10 - 14 years.
History:
Developed in Australia, Australian Kelpies are descended from the Collie and some believe, the Dingo. They were the result of a cross between a Collie from the north of England and a black and tan female from New South Wales, Australia. The breed's development is from English North Country Collies of the Rutherford Strain. They were officially recognized as a breed in the 1870s. In Scottish folklore a "kelpie" is a good water spirit in the form of a horse. The writer Robert Louis Stevenson refers to the water kelpie in his famous story "Kidnapped". The Australian Kelpie has become the most popular herding dog in Australia, and has taken great admiration from several other countries for their workability as well. A Kelpie is said to be the equivalent of two men on horseback.
Sources:
CKC (Breed Standards)
Puppy Dog Web
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 7- Herding
Origin: Australia
Purpose: Sheep herder
Description:
The Australian Kelpie is extremely agile and light footed, capable of a lightening start and a dead stop. They are an outstanding shepherd dog with strong natural herding and guarding instincts. A loyal companion with an inexhaustible supply of energy, Australian Kelpies are devoted to their duties. They will work and work even in extreme discomfort. They are rarely affectionate, but friendly and devoted to their masters. They are intense in the field and mild mannered in the home, although they prefer being in the field. Australian Kelpies are considered the best performing medium-sized sheepdog which has made them a favorite among sheep farmers worldwide.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
The general appearance shall be that of a lithe, active dog of great quality, showing hard muscular condition combined with great suppleness of limb and conveying the capability of untiring work. It must be free from any suggestion of weediness.
Coat & Colour:
Coat- The coat is a double coat with a short dense undercoat. The outercoat is close, each hair straight, hard, and lying flat, so that it is rain-resisting. Under the body, to behind the legs, the coat is longer and forms near the thigh a mild form of breeching. On the head (including the inside of the ears), to the front of the legs and feet, the hair is short. Along the neck it is longer and thicker forming a ruff. The tail should be furnished with a good brush. A coat either too long or too short is a fault. As an
average, the hairs on the body should be from 2 to 3 cm (approx. 0.75 - 1.25 inches) in length.
Colour- Black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate, and smoke blue.
Head: Head is in proportion to the size of the dog, the skull slightly rounded, and broad between the ears. Forehead: running in a straight profile towards a pronounced stop. Cheeks: are neither coarse nor prominent, but round to the foreface, which is cleanly chiseled and defined. Muzzle: preferably slightly shorter in length than the skull. Lips: tight and clean and free from looseness. Nose: colouring conforms to that of the body coat. The overall shape and contours produce a rather fox-like expression, which is softened by the almond-shaped eyes. Eyes: are almond shaped, of medium size, clearly defined at the corners, and show an intelligent and eager expression. The colour of the eyes to be brown, harmonizing with the colour of the coat. In the case of blue dogs a lighter coloured eye is permissible. Ears: are pricked and running to a fine point at the tips, the leather fine but strong at the base, set wide apart on the skull and inclining outwards, slightly curved on the outer edge and of moderate size. The inside of the ears is well furnished with hair. Teeth: should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, the lower incisors just behind but touching the upper that is a scissor bite.
Neck: The neck is of moderate length, strong, slightly arched, gradually moulding into the shoulders, free from throatiness and showing a fair amount of ruff.
Forequarters: Shoulders: should be clean, muscular, well sloping with the shoulder blades close set at the withers. Upper arm: should be at a right angle with the shoulder blade. Elbows: neither in nor out. Forelegs: should be muscular with strong but refined bone, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side, the pasterns should show a slight slope to ensure flexibility of movement and the ability to turn quickly.
Body: The ribs are well sprung and the chest must be deep rather than wide, with a firm level topline, strong and well-muscled loins and good depth of flank. The length of the dog from the forechest in a straight line to the buttocks, is greater than the height at the withers as 10 is to 9.
Hindquarters: Hindquarters should show breadth and strength, with the croup rather long and sloping, the stifles well turned and the hocks fairly well let down. When viewed from behind, the hind legs, from the hocks to the feet, are straight and placed parallel, neither close nor too wide apart. Feet: should be round, strong, deep in pads, with close knit, well arched toes and strong short nails.
Tail: The tail during rest should hang in a very slight curve. During movement or excitement it may be raised, but under no circumstances should the tail be carried past a vertical line drawn through the root. It should be furnished with a good brush. Set on position to blend with sloping croup, and it should reach approximately to the hock.
Gait: To produce the almost limitless stamina demanded of a working sheepdog in wide open spaces the Kelpie must be perfectly sound, both in construction and movement. Any tendency to cow hocks, bow hocks, stiltiness, loose shoulders or restricted movement weaving or plaiting is a serious fault. Movement should be free and tireless and the dog must have the ability to turn suddenly at speed. When trotting the feet tend to come closer together at ground level as speed increases but when the dog comes to rest it stands four square.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Size:
Height: Dogs 46-51 cm (approx. 18-20 inches) at withers.
Bitches 43-48 cm (approx. 17-19 inches) at withers.
Temperament:
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 the 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.
Health:
Genetic bone disorder, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), and hip dysplasia.
Average Lifespan:
10 - 14 years.
History:
Developed in Australia, Australian Kelpies are descended from the Collie and some believe, the Dingo. They were the result of a cross between a Collie from the north of England and a black and tan female from New South Wales, Australia. The breed's development is from English North Country Collies of the Rutherford Strain. They were officially recognized as a breed in the 1870s. In Scottish folklore a "kelpie" is a good water spirit in the form of a horse. The writer Robert Louis Stevenson refers to the water kelpie in his famous story "Kidnapped". The Australian Kelpie has become the most popular herding dog in Australia, and has taken great admiration from several other countries for their workability as well. A Kelpie is said to be the equivalent of two men on horseback.
Sources:
CKC (Breed Standards)
Puppy Dog Web
Pictures:
Photobucket