Breed Standard Australian Kelpie
Last updated September 2000
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club website here http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/watch for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The general appearance shall be that of a lithe, active dog showing hard, muscular condition, and conveying the capability of untiring work. It must give the impression of suppleness, and be free from any suggestion of weediness.
CHARACTERISTICS
The Kelpie is extremely alert, eager and highly intelligent, with a mild, tractable disposition, marked loyalty and devotion to duty. It has a natural instinct and aptitude in the working of livestock, both in a confined area and in open country. An open, friendly, alert but placid disposition is essential, with a good balance between keenness to work and ability to rest.
HEAD
The head is in proportion to the size of the dog.
SKULL
The skull is slightly rounded and broad between the ears. The forehead remains straight in profile to a pronounced stop. The cheeks are not coarse or prominent, but round to the foreface.
MUZZLE
The muzzle is cleanly chiseled and defined. It is slightly shorter than the skull, with tight, clean lips.
NOSE
The color of the nose harmonizes with the color of the coat.
TEETH
The teeth should be a full complement of strong, white, evenly spaced teeth meeting in a scissors bite. Dogs displaying broken or extracted teeth due to herding injuries should not be penalized.
Undershot or overshot bites are serious faults.
EYES
The eyes should be almond shaped, of medium size and widely spaced; clearly defined at the corners. The color of the eye should be brown, harmonizing with the color of the coat. In the case of blue (gray) dogs, a lighter-colored eye is acceptable. Expression should be intelligent and eager and is somewhat fox-like.
EARS
The ears should be widely-spaced, pricked, and running to a fine point at the tip; inclining outward and slightly curved on the outer edge and of moderate size. The ear leather is fine, but strong at the base.
NECK
The neck should be of moderate length, strong and slightly arched, gradually molding into the shoulders. It is free from throatiness, and has a fair amount of ruff.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders should be clean, muscular and well sloping, with close-set withers, the upper arm forming a right angle with the shoulder blade. The elbows set parallel to the body.
FORELEGS
Straight and parallel when viewed from the front, with strong but refined bone and good musculature. The pasterns should slope slightly for flexibility.
BODY
The length of the dog from the point of the breastbone, in a straight line to the buttocks, should be greater than the height at the withers, as 10 is to 9. The chest is deep rather than wide and the ribs are well-sprung. The topline is firm and level. The loin is well-muscled, with good depth at the flank.
HINDQUARTERS
These should show breadth and strength. The rump should be rather long and sloping, the upper thigh set into the hip socket at the pelvis at a corresponding angle to the shoulder blade.
HINDLEGS
The stifles should be well turned, and the hocks fairly well let down. Viewed from behind, the rear pasterns should be parallel.
FEET
Round and strong, with deep pads, and tight, well-arched toes. Nails are strong and short.
TAIL
Set on to follow the natural line of the sloping croup, the tail should be long enough to reach nearly to the hock. At rest, it hangs in a very slight curve. During movement or excitement it may be raised, but it should never be carrier higher than horizontally. It should be furnished with a good brush.
COAT
The outer coat should be moderately short, flat, hard, straight and weather resisting, with dense undercoat. On the head, ears, feet and front of the legs, the hair should be short. The coat can be longer at the neck, showing a ruff; and at the rear of the thighs, forming mild breeching; the hair on the tail sufficient to form a brush.
COLOR
Black with or without tan markings; blue (gray) ranging from dark to light, with or without tan markings; red ranging from chocolate to light red, with or without tan markings; tan ranging from dark to cream.
Minimal white markings such as a spot, strip, or at most, a blaze on the chest are acceptable. White stockings are a serious fault.
HEIGHT
Approximately 18-20 inches at the withers for males, approximately 17-19 inches at the withers for females.
GAIT
It is essential that the Kelpie be perfectly sound, both in construction and movement. The gait should be smooth, free and tireless with the tendency to single track becoming more pronounced as speed increases. There must be ability to turn suddenly at speed, and the capability of crouching, stealthy movement demanded by its work. Any tendency to cow hocks, bow hocks, stiltedness, loose shoulders, restricted movement, weaving or plaiting is a serious fault.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.