Australian Kelpie

		Australian Kelpie
		FCI standard Nº 293

Origin		Australia
Group		Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section		Section 1 Sheepdogs
Working		With working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Monday 03 September 1973
Publication of the official valid standard		Monday 08 October 2012
Last update		Tuesday 11 December 2012
En français, cette race se dit		Kelpie australien
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Australischer Kelpie
En español, esta raza se dice		Australian Kelpie
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Australian Kelpie

Usage

Sheepdog.

Brief historical summary

Following the opening of vast areas of land in the Australian States of New South Wales and Victoria, the sheep numbers increased so dramatically that some properties were over two million acres and ran over a quarter of a million sheep. In areas as extensive as these, herding (originally carried out by convicts) was impractical, wire fences were erected and sheep were left to run free. It was then necessary to have dogs to handle sheep in such large areas. A dog had to be developed to work in the conditions present in Australia. These conditions included heat, rough terrain, dust storms and vast distances. The Kelpie being able to perform the work of several men. Tireless workers in the hottest and dustiest of climates.
Like so many breeds, the origin of the Kelpie is disputed. There is no doubt, however, that the origin of the breed came from dogs imported from Scotland. These dogs were black and tan, long-haired with semi- pricked ears, medium sized and of Collie type. Others were smooth haired with erect ears but still of Collie type. Litters from these dogs also produced red (liverbrown) puppies.

General appearance

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.

Important proportions

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.

Behaviour / 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 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.

Head
Cranial region
Head		The head is in proportion to the size of the dog. The overall shape and contours produce a rather fox like expression, which is softened by the almond-shaped eyes.
Skull		Slightly rounded and broad between the ears. The forehead running in a straight profile towards the stop.
Stop		Pronounced.

Facial region
Nose		The colour conforms to that of the body coat.
Muzzle		Cleanly chiselled and defined, preferably slightly shorter in length than the skull.
Lips		Tight and clean, free from looseness.
Jaws and teeth		The teeth should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, the lower incisors just behind but touching the upper; that is a scissor bite.
Cheeks		Neither coarse nor prominent, but round to the foreface.
Eyes		The 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, harmonising with the colour of the coat. In the case of blue dogs a lighter coloured eye is permissible.
Ears		The 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 are well furnished with hair.

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.

Body
Topline		Firm, level.
Loin		Strong and well muscled. Flanks of good depth.
Croup		Rather long and sloping.
Chest		Deep, muscular and moderately broad. Ribs well sprung and carried well back, not barrel ribbed.

Tail

The tail during rest should hang in a very slight curve. During movement of 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 a position to blend with sloping croup, and it should reach approximately to the hock.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		The forelegs should be muscular with strong but refined bone, straight and parallel when viewed from the front.
Shoulders		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.
Pastern		When viewed from the side, the pasterns should show a slight slope to ensure flexibility of movement and the ability to turn quickly.
Forefeet		The feet should be round, strong, deep in pads, with close knit well arched toes and strong, short nails.

Hindquarters
Generality		Should show breadth and strength. When viewed from behind, the hind legs, from the hocks to the feet, are straight and placed parallel, neither close nor too wide apart.
Stifle		Well turned.
Hock		Fairly well let down.
Hind feet		The feet should be round, strong, deep in pads, with close knit well arched toes and strong short nails.

Gait and movement

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. 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.

Coat
Hair		The coat is a double coat with a short dense undercoat. The outer coat 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 cms in length.
Colour		Black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate, and smoke blue.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Males : 46 to 51 cms. Females : 43 to 48 cms.

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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Serious faults

Loose shoulders.

Any tendency of cow- or bow hocked.

Weaving or plating movement.

Movement that is restricted or shows stiltedness.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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Australian Kelpie