kelpiesrule

Here are some new pics of baby Jasper. At 4 and a half months old... all legs and ears !!

You could say there are two types of kelpies now... although some will disagree.. the working people think the show dogs shouldnt exist and the show people think their dogs are the same as the working dogs ! Basically when they split, the show people decided they liked the heavier built, solid colour dog for showing. If you look back over the old photos, the kelpies that were working dogs and taken to shows, were very like the show dogs of today. Yes there are some big variances on size and build these days, but essentially they are the same. Working dogs are bred firstly for their ability to work and for generation after generation that is in their genetic makeup. The showdogs, while breeding for temperment and soundness, are bred for a certain look in the show ring. So the working instinct has not been at the top of the list making them a more laid back dog... this is only generally (as I have mentioned before) as I have seen many a show dog that will more than keep up with its working cousin in the energy stakes. There are also many breeders out there that still work their 'show bred' kelpies. I was at a country show earlier this year watching a yard dog trial that had many beautiful kelpies entered. There was one solid black boy that was a dead ringer for my black dog Shamus. I have also had a gentleman with working dogs state one of his best bitches looked just like my red girl. So the type is still there across the breed. The working kelpies still have a standard to breed to, it is the same standard that the ANKC uses (with maybe a couple of variances), and the majority of your working kelpies match that standard.. they have to or they couldnt work and you wouldnt recognize them for the beautiful dog they are. The show people need to not lose sight of the most important part of the Kelpie standard... and that is in the first part... 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.

I think your dedication to Tilly has always been very clear. She seems like a great dog. I agree... you are doing a great job with Tilly, and the fact she is getting better shows that. One day the penny will drop with her and she will understand that all you ask from her is to listen to you. She will settle down, she is just young and loves life.

Very sad for such a special dog.

Actually Rhapsodical, the kelpie is VERY well known in Europe and Scandanavian countries, there are probably as many kelpies in Sweden, Finland and other similar countries as there are in Australia ! They are very well loved dogs over there. The working kelpie is loved in America for its tough working ability. But yes, this dog is relatively unknown in most countries, although they do tend to turn up alot in Pounds and Rescue places overseas. It is such a shame to find these beautiful dogs in Shelters, but probably due to the fact people are not prepared for the energy of working kelpies.

kelpiesrule, how do you effectively deal with the independent streak in a kelpie? Eg. I had Tilly at a park today (not a dog park, but people do walk or play the odd game of fetch with their dogs there) and Tilly got totally fixated on this old labrador that was playing fetch with it's owner as they walked through the park. Tilly rounded up the labrador non-stop as the man walked through the park, she ran rings around them the whole time. When Tilly goes to run with a dog that is playing fetch I normally keep my distance from her and call her, and walk in the opposite direction from her, or try to get her to focus on chasing her own ball. Or if i'm near the other dog owner and it's obvious that the other dog owner is happy for Tilly to run with their dog, then she will happily run with other dogs, but will keep an eye on me and will follow when it's time to leave. I just couldn't snap her out of it today. I've had a cold for several days now, with a sore throat so my voice isn't very strong at the moment and i've felt a bit rundown from it. The owner walked back towards me briefly, and smiled as he said she had too much kelpie in her. I apologised and reassured him that she would come back to me when she knew he was leaving...sure enough as soon as he began to leave the park, Tilly ran really fast towards me and seemed to have her listening ears turned on again . Tilly listens to me so well at home and listens at the park, provided she is not seriously distracted. I just always seem to have some minor trouble when I take her out, due to how independent she can be. This can be a very difficult thing to deal with in a kelpie, but no so bad as in other breeds. You need to be more exciting to be around than the distractions, and that can be hard. With my guys, from babies they are taught that coming when called is the most fun thing to do and they get heaps pats and yummy treats. With 'teenage' dogs or dogs you havent had from puppies, it can be a little more difficult at home. Unfortunately people seem to think off lead parks are a great and easy way to exercise their dogs, but unless your dogs are highly trained on recall and really focused on wanting to be with you, all it does is teach the dog that this is their playtime and you have nothing to do with it and they dont have to come to you as you cant make them and they are having way too much fun . Off lead parks used incorrectly can cause alot of problems. In situations like this park you were at with Tilly, I would be taking my dog on a very long lead... about 20m and let her run a play around you, but if she wants to run off and play with another dog, then you can call her and have control when she doesnt listen. Most people that go to parks to play with their dogs dont want some silly kelpie (or other breed ) coming along and joining in on the game. So Tilly needs to learn some manners, she needs to learn when you say it is ok for her to play and when it is not. I would never let my dog off lead until I had that kind of control. Most of what you are doing with Tilly is good but you really need to do more long lead work. Park time needs to be for YOU and her, not HER and the other dogs.

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) I started with my first purebred show kelpie in 2000 (I had a working kelpie and part bred before that) I have bred 5 litters and campaigned in Showing, obedience, agility, herding and endurance, gaining many titles with my dogs along the way.I have bred 1 Grand Champion, 4 Champions and exported overseas. My dogs are not kept in kennels, they are in the yard or in my house and firstly my beloved pets. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? In Australia to work sheep in our harsh and vast environment. 3. How common is it in Australia? Very common, but unless you have a black and tan or red and tan, most people dont recognise them. 4. What is the average lifespan? Around 15 years, but can live up to 20. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Outgoing and friendly, excellent family pet, great with kids and other animals. Love to please but also have an independant streak, which they need for working (often bringing in sheep by themselves). In obedience and agility this can come out as "I know what I am doing, just please get out of my way or keep up" 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? I believe this is where the working kelpie and show kelpie differ. As a rule working kelpies tend to required more exercise as they have been bred for generation after generation to work and they need something to do. If you dont have stock for them to work, then they will thrive on lots of obedience or agility, just exercise is not enough, they need brain work. The show kelpie tends to be more laid back, and while energetic, they can easily do well on just a walk and some play time in the back yard, more important is mental stimulation and quality time with you, they really need to be part of the family. My dogs are great couch potatoes, they will spend all day at my feet or on the couch just so they can be with me. Obviously this is only a general rule, i have come across very laid back working dogs and very highly strung show dogs. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? Yes I believe it is as long as they realise they cant just leave them in the backyard and ignore them, the Kelpie is not a dog to be ignored or it will find its own enterainment. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? As long as they are given something to do and play with. And when you get home you give them all the attention they require. Most people who have bought pups from me work full time and so the puppy spends a good deal of time at home alone, and the pups have coped very well. 9. How much grooming is required? A quick brush out once a week, everyday when shedding. An occasional bath if they are getting a bit whiffy. Even my show dogs dont get bathed every week. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Sometimes they can be boisterous when young, but all dogs should be supervised with small children. As an adult the kelpie can be very gentle and patient. They make excellent therapy dogs. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Not much in the way of herditary problems with kelpies, high hip scores can come up in some bloodlines, but as they are a smaller athletic dog, this doesnt always have an affect on them. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) Not much testing is done in the kelpie, as they are a very sound breed. You can ask if the breeding stock is hipscored and most of us are doing so now, but many dont. They are not a breed prone to deafness or blindness or have heart problems. I think the most important thing is the temperment of the breed.

If you are worried about cutting them back too far, try a dremel or nail grinder, they are great.

Just want to add my brag to this thread ;) My boy Shamus qualified for his second pass in Novice obedience on saturday night with a score of 191 and 3rd place

what an amazing idea... !!!

im loving my grinder... is the the one Hesa mentioned... quite small and easy to handle. I usually tip the nails with clippers and then grind the nail from there... I find the first time I use it the dogs struggle a bit but just get someone to hold them down on their side while you work... after a couple of goes, my dogs just lay there and sleep I would like a more powerful one, one day, but this does just nicely for now.

Yeah, he is a chunky, spunky monkey

and another....

For those couple of Jasper fans out there.... some more pics of the little man

His first show will be Brunswick Valley at Murwillumbah in July... so if anyone is in the area, you are more than welcome to come for puppy cuddles

LOL definately no longer a wombat !

Thanks guys, I have to admit, though i could be biased, I think he is a stunner too. I think he just could be the best pup I have bred so far

Ok, so Jasper's 8 weeks are up... and I DEFINATELY think he is staying !!! He is showing so much potential already, so fingers crossed he continues to mature into the nice dog he is showing to be at the moment... He is 8 weeks today... pics were taken on Saturday.

Some exciting news !! Jaspers Grandfather has just become a GRAND CHAMPION... so that gives this little guy 5 different Grand Champions in his pedigree.... all within 4 generations ! Mother, Grandfather, Greatgrandfather and Great Great Grandfather on one side... and Great Grandmother on the other side... So this little guy has some big shoes to fill !

LOL of course !!!

Fingers crossed Raz !!

Thanks Raz, im pretty happy with him so far... and he is the sweetest little thing too. Looking less like a wombat as he gets older though

some more pics !!! now 6 weeks old !!

Thanks guys he is pretty cute hey, he is just getting to the really fun stage. He is very funny when he plays, and his poor mother is very patient with him. As he has no litter mates to play with, she cops it a fair bit

Playing with Uncle Shamus