Appearance

Australian Kelpies have compact, muscular frames—slightly longer than tall—covered in coarse, weatherproof coats that come in black, black & tan, chocolate, blue and fawn. Their long, narrow heads have rounded skulls, pointy ears and brown, almond-shaped eyes. They have strong necks, deep chests and tails that curl up a bit at the end. Overall, Australian Kelpies have an alert and durable look.

History

Bred from a mix of English working dogs in the late 1800s, the Australian Kelpie was born from necessity: The outback climate was too rough and tough for your typical Border Collie. Today, the Australian Kelpie is still the most popular working dog Down Under. It also does a pretty good job in the role of household companion.