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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+9
Dogs
# The Kelpie: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Australia
A lively, hardy Australian herding dog, deeply oriented toward work.
Size MediumLife expectancy 10–14 yearsBudget ≈ €107/monthPuppy €700 – €900
[Find a breeder 10](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=kelpie)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Limited
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Remarkable endurance: The Kelpie is capable of maintaining a high and steady level of activity.
- Great aptitude for work: It excels as soon as it has a clear mission and activities to accomplish.
- Responsive training: Its intelligence and willingness to cooperate make learning easier.
- Very high activity needs: A lack of exercise can quickly harm its behavioral balance.
- Apartment living is difficult: This dog does not tolerate an environment that is too confined or too sedentary.
- Not well suited for beginners: Its energy and need for structure require an available and experienced owner.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Very active households: The Kelpie is suitable for people who like to keep moving and offer daily activities.
- Dog sports: Its energy, flexibility and motivation make it a good candidate for obedience or agility.
- Rural environment: It thrives more easily in a setting offering space, outings and freedom of movement.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary lifestyle: It is not suitable for a household that cannot offer it real daily exercise.
- Small homes without long outings: A limited space without sufficient activity may frustrate it.
- New owners with little availability: It requires time, consistency and real involvement in its training.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
47 cmKelpie
- Height at the withers
- 43–51 cm
- Weight
- 11–22 kg
- Coat
- Short, double, close
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- Australia
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Kelpie in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Kelpie was developed in Australia, notably in New South Wales, by sheep breeders who were looking for a dog capable of driving large flocks over vast territories and in demanding climatic conditions. It probably descends from dogs brought by Scots and would be the result of crossbreeding involving smooth-coated Collie-type dogs, with an often-mentioned influence of the Dingo. Its definitive recognition by the FCI dates from 3 September 1973.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Kelpie is a medium-sized herding dog, longer than tall, with lean and toned musculature. Its head resembles that of a fox, with a lively and intelligent expression, erect ears and a supple body made for endurance. Its coat is short, close and double, with a dense undercoat, and its coat color can be black, red, fawn, chocolate, smoke blue, black and tan or red and tan.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Energetic, very active and tireless worker, the Kelpie stands out for its enthusiasm, its relative independence and its great loyalty to its owner. With the family, it is gentle, devoted and obedient when its needs for activity and stimulation are met. It is a dog that thrives when it has a mission to accomplish.
Playful Intelligent Easy to train Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Kelpie needs to expend a lot of energy every day and tolerates inactivity poorly. Very athletic and playful, it prefers wide open spaces to a sedentary life and adapts with difficulty to apartment living. It can live with a family, but its balance depends on an active lifestyle, long outings and regular stimulation.
Training
## Training and socialization
The Kelpie is known to be easy to train because it likes to learn and seeks to please its handler. Its training must start early, with careful socialization and a framework that is both firm, consistent and gentle. This intelligent dog responds particularly well to varied exercises, obedience work and activities that engage its body as well as its mind.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Kelpie
The purchase price of the Kelpie varies mainly depending on the quality of the bloodline, the seriousness of the breeding, the dog's intended purpose and the availability of the breed. It is preferable to choose a well-socialized puppy, identified and monitored rather than an abnormally low offer.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/kelpie/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Kelpie is overall a hardy, robust and resilient dog. Its double coat helps it cope with climatic variations and the breed is not particularly known for accumulating numerous health frailties when the dogs come from serious lines and are well cared for.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/kelpie/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Kelpie needs good-quality food, adapted to its age, its weight and above all to its level of activity. A naturally athletic dog, it requires a well-balanced ration to support its endurance without encouraging an excessive intake.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/kelpie/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Kelpie is above all a great specialist in herding work and remains famous for its remarkable endurance on vast Australian farms. Its general appearance and head often resemble the fox, which contributes to its lively and very characteristic expression among sheepdogs.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Kelpie
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Kelpie live in an apartment?
The Kelpie adapts with difficulty to apartment living, because it needs a lot of exercise, freedom of movement, and daily stimulation.
### Is the Kelpie easy to train?
Yes, the Kelpie is willing to learn and seeks to please, but it requires a consistent handler, available and able to channel its energy.
### Is the Kelpie suitable for a family?
It can be a good family dog in an active household, because it is gentle and obedient at home when its physical and mental needs are truly met.
## Find a Kelpie breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Kelpie breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Kelpie breeders in Île-de-France3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie/ile-de-france)
### Kelpie breeders by country
[16 breeders of Kelpie in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie/germany) [10 breeders of Kelpie in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie) [6 breeders of Kelpie in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie/italy) [5 breeders of Kelpie in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie/denmark) [3 breeders of Kelpie in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie/finland) [3 breeders of Kelpie in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie/netherlands) [1 breeder of Kelpie in Luxembourg](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie/luxembourg)
[All breeders of Kelpie in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie)
## Ready to welcome a Kelpie?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-kelpie)
## Discover other breeds
[Australian Cattle Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-cattle-dog)
[Miniature American Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/miniature-american-shepherd)
[Australian Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd)
[Border Collie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/border-collie)
[Bearded Collie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bearded-collie)
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