Discover Everything About Working Kelpie
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Working Kelpie overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Working Kelpie is known as an extremely robust working breed with very few genetic predispositions, which is why it receives an excellent health rating. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should be aware of rare but possible risks such as cerebellar abiotrophy (a neurological condition) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Despite the breed's high level of fitness, hip dysplasia (HD) should also be screened for in the parent dogs prior to breeding.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
43–51 cm
Weight
14–22 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, dense, weatherproof, undercoat present
- Origin: Australia
Typical coat colors
- Black
- black
- tan
- blue
- red
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Working Kelpie, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Working Kelpie right for you?
The Working Kelpie is an athletic, highly intelligent workaholic—a pure Hütehund (herding dog) and Treibhund (drover dog) that was selected for independent work with massive flocks of sheep in the rugged Australian outback.
Perfect for you if:
- You have a real job for them, ideally with sheep, or you compete at the highest level in ambitious dog sports.
- You are active outdoors for hours every day and are looking for a partner for whom physical exhaustion is a foreign concept.
- You lead with absolute clarity and fairness, as these dogs react lightning-fast to the subtlest body language signals.
- You live in a rural area with plenty of space and direct access to nature right on your doorstep.
Less ideal if:
- You are just looking for a companion dog for jogging—pure physical exercise does not satisfy this highly specialized brain and will inevitably lead to frustration.
- You live in a busy city—the constant visual stimuli of cars and people will keep this herding operating system in a state of permanent stress.
- You expect a relaxed family dog that sleeps peacefully on the couch for the rest of the day after a short walk.
The real vibes check
A Working Kelpie is not a dog that just tags along with your life—they are a highly specialized employee who wakes up every morning asking for their shift schedule. If you don't give them a job, they will find one themselves, which quickly ends in the manic herding of cars or shadows. You aren't buying a pet here; you are hiring a colleague who will wither away without a real job.
Breed Profile
The Working Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a slim and athletic appearance. Its eyes radiate intelligence and alertness, its ears are medium-sized and stand erect or semi-erect. His body is well proportioned with strong muscles, allowing him to work for a full day without tiring. The coat is short, dense and weatherproof, with a soft undercoat that protects it from extreme weather conditions. Coat colors vary but are most often black, black and tan, blue, blue and tan, red, red and tan. He belongs to FCI Group 1, the herding dogs and cattle dogs. There is no clear separation between show and working lines in the Working Kelpie, as this breed is bred primarily for its working characteristics rather than its looks. Therefore, individual characteristics such as size, color and coat texture can vary as long as the dog has the ability to work effectively.
| Height | 43 - 48 cm (Female), 46 - 51 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 14 - 20 kg (Female), 15 - 22 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Character | Willing to work, intelligent, independent |
| Coat | Short, dense, weatherproof, undercoat present |
| Coat Color | Black, black and tan, blue, blue and tan, red, red and tan |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Working Kelpie is native to Australia and has its roots in the imported British herding dogs of the 19th century. The breed was developed to herd large flocks of sheep in the often inhospitable and vast landscapes of Australia. The name "Kelpie" comes from a water spirit in Celtic mythology, which is likely due to these dogs' ability to jump over obstacles with seeming ease. The breed was not officially recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council until the 1960s, although Kelpies have worked on Australian farms since the late 19th century. To this day, the Working Kelpie is primarily known and valued as a working dog, although it is also successful in dog sports such as agility and obedience.
The Working Kelpie was bred as a sheep herding dog on the vast plains of Australia, known for its endurance and willingness to work.
Australia
1870
Character & Temperament
The Working Kelpie is an intelligent and incredibly hard-working dog. He loves nothing more than a task that challenges him. He is known for his endurance and strong work ethic. It is therefore ideal for active people who can provide them with the necessary activity. It is important to understand that the Working Kelpie is not a breed that is content with a few short walks a day. He needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy. In terms of temperament, the Working Kelpie is alert, energetic, and very focused. Despite his work orientation, he is also a loving family dog who builds a close bond with his people. He is mostly reserved around strangers, but he is not aggressive or overly fearful. A Working Kelpie can stay alone just fine as long as he gets enough exercise and activity. However, he has a strong herding instinct, meaning he tends to herd people, animals, or even objects. This can also lead to him showing pronounced hunting or prey-catching behavior. The Working Kelpie is an alert dog that always keeps an eye on its surroundings. He will react quickly to unusual noises or movements and is therefore a good watchdog. But he is not prone to barking without reason, which makes him a pleasant companion. However, it should be noted that a Working Kelpie, just like any other dog, needs consistent and loving training to reach its full potential. Even if he is an independent worker, he needs clear instructions and boundaries. However, with the right leadership and employment, a Working Kelpie can be an incredibly loyal and versatile companion.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Working Kelpie was originally bred in Australia to herd sheep? These dogs are known for their impressive jumping ability and can jump over 3 meter high fences!
What Awaits You
The Working Kelpie is extremely alert, eager and highly intelligent. He has an open, friendly, active but calm nature with a good balance between enthusiasm for work and ability to relax. The Working Kelpie has almost inexhaustible energy, a strong loyalty and dedication to work, and a strong natural instinct and aptitude for working with sheep and other livestock, both in the open range and in the stables.
Housing & Care
Kelpies are active dogs that need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Therefore, they are only partially suitable as city dogs unless the owner can ensure sufficient exercise and activity. They are generally good with children and other dogs, but their herding dog instincts can sometimes lead them to "herd" children or smaller pets.
| Family Friendly Gets on well with different people and varying routines. | Family-friendly |
| Child Friendly Gets on well with children — with adult supervision. | With supervision |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Working Kelpies are intelligent, willing to learn dogs that can be trained well through positive reinforcement and consistent training. They need a lot of activity and can be encouraged through various sports such as agility, flyball or obedience. It is important to ensure a balanced activity so as not to overwhelm the dog. Since Kelpies can have a certain susceptibility to ball dependency, care should be taken to keep ball games in moderation and to keep the dog busy in other ways. Impulse control and frustration tolerance are particularly important for this breed because they have a strong work ethic. It's a good idea to start training these skills early to prevent problems later.
Nutrition & Care
Working Kelpies have high energy requirements and therefore need a high quality diet rich in proteins and healthy fats. They usually get along well with regular dog nutrition, but care should be taken with the quantity to avoid becoming overweight. Caring for the Working Kelpie is relatively straightforward. They have short, dense fur with a light undercoat that protects them from extreme weather conditions. In Germany they get along well with the climate. The dogs shed moderately, which can be minimized with regular brushing.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid
Health grade
The Working Kelpie is known as an extremely robust working breed with very few genetic predispositions, which is why it receives an excellent health rating. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should be aware of rare but possible risks such as cerebellar abiotrophy (a neurological condition) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Despite the breed's high level of fitness, hip dysplasia (HD) should also be screened for in the parent dogs prior to breeding.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
Due to the enormous physical strain caused by their agile working style, you should ensure they are raised in a way that protects their joints and inform your veterinarian about potential drug sensitivities.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, and eyes checked and ensure genetic testing for neurological diseases and drug sensitivities is performed to reduce risks within the line.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Sell Working Kelpie Puppies
Breeding Working Kelpie? Reach responsible puppy buyers and showcase your kennel on HonestDog.
Loading...
Frequently asked questions about the Working Kelpie
Is a Working Kelpie the right dog for me?
The Working Kelpie is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Working Kelpie live?
The average life expectancy of a Working Kelpie is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Working Kelpie need?
Working Kelpie grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Working Kelpie good for families with children?
The Working Kelpie can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
Working Kelpie Breeders Near You
Find verified Working Kelpie breeders in your region
Popular puppy searches
Other breeds with available puppies from verified breeders
Why HonestDog?
What makes HonestDog different from other platforms
Transparency Guarantee
We provide complete transparency in the breeding process, offering detailed information about breeders, their practices, health checks, and genetic testing results in an easily understandable format, ensuring buyers can make informed decisions confidently.
Responsible Breeding Assurance
Our platform prioritizes responsible breeding practices, ensuring all breeders meet stringent criteria including health checks and genetic testing for parent dogs, eliminating the worry of encountering unethical breeders or puppy mills.
Trust and Verification
HonestDog verifies both breeders and buyers, fostering a trusted community where interactions are reliable and secure, setting a new standard for trustworthiness in the dog breeding industry.
Convenience and Time Saving
By featuring thoroughly vetted breeders and providing comprehensive information, HonestDog saves buyers valuable time that would otherwise be spent researching and vetting breeders, allowing them to focus on choosing the perfect puppy for their family.
Our Mission
We connect dog lovers with responsible breeders and shelters to ensure every dog finds the perfect home.
Founded by dog enthusiasts, our platform focuses on ethical dog breeding and adoption.
Why HonestDog?
We connect you with vetted breeders and shelters so you can find your new companion with confidence.
Vetted Partners
Only verified breeders and shelters — for a safe start.
Highest Standards
Every animal's health and wellbeing is our top priority.
Guides & Resources
Guides, checklists, and breed profiles — so you can make a well-informed decision.