The Working Kelpie is a medium sized dog with short coat and prick ears. He is extremely alert, open and friendly with a great will to work and an almost inexhaustible energy. His lively temperament and quick understanding makes it easy for him to learn, but he has also a will of his own which makes him tend to solve problems in his own way – not unfrequently to an extent that surprises his master. Most of the times he is right, for he notices situations and reacts far quicker than any human, which can be an asset at work, but it also makes demands on the owner/handler who usually wants to make the decisions and be one step ahead.

It is exactly this ability that makes it necessary to create good cooperation from the earliest beginning. It is surprising how much you can teach a Working Kelpie if you make the lessons a game. This makes a good rapport and that is important when you are dealing with an intelligent dog.

You must always remember that the Working Kelpie is bred to be a working dog and as such he needs to exercise his brain as well as his body in order to feel satisfied and harmonious. It is his enormous energy and eagerness to work coupled with an ability to relax when there is no work at hand, his alertness and intelligence, his balance and anticipation together with his independence and ability to show patience and calm when necessary that has made this breed appreciated in all parts of the world. A harmonious dog provided he gets opportunity to use his mental energy on some sort of work. Being just a house pet and lying on the sofa doesn´t do him any good.

In Sweden the Working Kelpie is registered by the Swedish Kennel Club under the breed name of Australian Stock Dog / Working Kelpie. The breed club is The Swedish Working Kelpie Club.

The versatile kelpie

Stormkappans Kaldari