My father had many Kelpies and I've never seen a dog bread that literally spends its whole life dedicated to serving its owner. To watch the two in action was amazing they would watch for the slightest movement from my fathers eyes and the Kelpie would know exactly what his job was, far more obedient than us kids. They will work till it drops if that is what you tell it to. My father said he would give his right arm literally his right arm for his dogs. Great video well done.
The worst thing, for a Kelpie, is for a city dweller to get one & expect them to be happy in a backyard. They're working dogs. Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤
Yep exactly mate. They need to work. We got one of grandad's that didn't cut the muster as a working dog. He'd always had blue heelers on the farm. He was a fantastic dog but he always wanted to run everywhere.
😅people keep border collies and cattle dogs Shetland sheepdog as pets without problem plus other breeds I have a Kelpie pup and I will keep it on the go and I live near the beach and river
I’ve had five kelpies here in Aus as working dogs - some for paddock work with sheep and a couple as “yard dogs” handling sheep in wool sheds and sheep yards- they are highly intelligent, fantastic with kids, extremely hard working and tough. They are almost never vicious or inclined to bite people like blue cattle dogs can be - but they don’t have the fearless toughness of a bluey so tend to be fearful of wild cattle in my experience- they were bred to handle the hot climate and have much tougher feet than border collies so can work all day without overheating or going lame - they can make a fantastic pet for a young family with kids - mostly they are gentle and full of fun and easy to train
A mate of mine had a Kelpie/Border Collie cross and she was the smartest dog i have ever come across. She was so smart that if her owner wanted a beer she would come to the fridge and we would try to give her the wrong coloured can. She would not move until she got the right one and then she would gentle take it to her owner without puncturing it (after the first one that is).
Our neighbours had 8 kids and a kelpie, Tim, who would join in when they were running around the yard playing at their semi rural suburban house. He would softly mouth at their heels as they ran around barefooted and if they were wearing shoes and socks he would nip hard enough to pinch and pull the back of their sock without harming the skin. Tim was so entertained with all those laughing kids he never jumped the fence to go and run and play in the cow and calf paddock over the road. He knew his job was to stay in the yard and keep an eye on his flock of kids at all times.
When I was a kid around 8 to10 the old lady that lived next door had a Kelpie called blue . My mates and I spent every free moment playing cricket in a field at the end of our road , when it was tea time my mum used to call me home and if I was having a good time I would purposely not hear her on these occasions the lady next door would tell blue to GO GET THE KIDS and blue would take off down to the field where he would actually round us up like sheep and herd us up the street to our homes nipping those of us who were too slow for him , the bastard wouldn't let you stray away from the group until he reached his home where he was rewarded by his owner and my mum . He was a beautiful dog who loved to play with us kids and we were sad when he died a couple of years later at the age of 14 . I've seen the movie mentioned and it is well worth a watch.
Glad you picked up on this. My (our) 1st dog as a child was a kelpie, not by choice, my sister found Benny after being hit by a car. The previous owner never showed up and my parents were not going to take him to the pound. Great clever dog walked off leash yet under control daily loved sticks, balls and beach, we kept him active. He had a great and full life. Was impressed by his jumping, easily cleared a bicycle longwise and into tray of a Landcruiser tray with sides up.
I had a black and tan kelpie got him when he was a pup.Had a 1/2 acre block he shared with our rabbit and Indian runner ducks.He passed away about 4 years ago.Have a tear in my eye typing this,that is how wonderful he was.
Have had 2 kelpies and in my opinion they are the smartest dogs of all. Border collies may be smart but kelpies are another whole level. I swear they are fully capable of understanding hundreds of words, let alone signals and keen attention to your body language - i would trust their judgement of people, they don’t make errors. They are also loyal and affectionate, but many are one-person dogs. Kelpies are just the most brilliant dogs. Our last one was instinctively rounding up sheep at 10 weeks of age.
You really should read the original book 'Red Dog'. It goes more into the personal relationship red dog had with his chosen humans. Be warned, it ends with a true description of his suffering from what was really a 1080 poison dingo bait.
They are absolutely remarkable and loyal dogs. I saw several of them on as working dogs on a property in County Killarney, Ireland. The owner had them so well trained he had a thing going with a tour company who bussed tourists there. I thoroughly recommend a wonderful TV series on them on ABCTV Autralia that we screened not that long ago called Muster Dogs...it is bloody brilliant.
I'm in Melbourne, Australia and have my kelpie in my backyard. He's great with other dogs and people when we go walking. He doesn't bark at other dogs and people can pat him with no problem. He's 1 now. The red dog movie will make you cry.
Our beautiful pure bread Aussie Kelpie landed in our family, just before the Covid, after having been named "a failed farm dog." She has during 4 years dragged me and wife approx 10600km. We thank our Kelpie for our excellent health and we love this unbelievable dog to bits . My wife is 76 and I am 79.
A well bred and trained working kelpie can bring up to $35k AUD. YOU NEED TO WATCH THE ABC series Muster Dogs about training Kelpies for working live stock
Always had kelpies growing up. Definitely a lot of work, but with a big backyard, other dogs and us kids to play with, they lived happy and healthy lives with our oldest girl Toby living to 21 years old. Given space to live and grow, they are the most loyal and loving breeds.
We had a working red Kelpie named Chocko, mad as a cut snake. He would wait for us at the front gate to our farm and then run along side the Landcruiser for the one and a half kilometres to the farm house, and when we got to the house I would slam the door shut on the Landcruiser and he'd bolt off back down to the front gate, turn around and come back again. Yapping the whole way. Every single time.
We have kelpies, we're on a farm in Australia. If there are days we're not doing sheep work my husband has to take them for a run from one end of the farm to the other while he's on a motor bike. They just need to release energy. Oh and is so true about rounding up other animals. Our poor cats are often rounded up when they're bored. An these ones LIVE on a farm!
Everybody around here (Pilbara region, WA) has heard of Red Dog, I didn't realise it was the 1970s though, I thought it would have been later than that. Saw the movie, visited the memorial statue, etc.
You're right Rob, Kelpies need a lot of exercise, I've owned one and they're super intelligent and loyal and loving dogs. Watch Red Dog the movie, it's an Australian Kelpie.
The dots over the kelpies eyes are a great evolution . As working dogs the sheep think the dogs eyes are open and watching them even when their eyes are closed.
Had a kelpie as a family dog. Best dog ever. My BiL is a farmer. The stories he can tell about his working kelpies just go on and on. You will LOVE the film Red Dog. It's almost the Aussie version of 'Lassie Come Home' or 'Blackfriars Bobbie'
@@fugawiaus I must have watched it over 20 times, it's not the passing of Red but when he looses John that gets my me more, then again double whammie beautiful movie 100%
He didn’t mention the incredible jaw strength of a kelpie. Kelpies also have a very clear understanding of who all the wider family members are even if they don’t see them often. You get a lick hello in recognition and then you are welcome.
My boy is a Kelpie/Border Collie who is the color of a dingo. He is almost 1yr old and is so intelligent. As with all dogs of his Breed type I find he needs to feel he has a "job" to do. When my husband leaves for work in the morning my boy knows that his workday has started and he watches every move I make throughout the day, never leaving my side. I play interactive games with him and have several short training sessions per day. When "Dad" gets home it is time for FUN....off to the park to play with his friends, socialize with all the different people there and just release all that energy. He puts himself to bed at 10.30pm regardless of if my husband and I are still up or not, he is off the clock then it seems. My previous doggy was a Border Collie/Blue Heeler who lived to 15yr old.
I was a truckie from Western Australia and drove all over the counytry but mostly around WA and a couple of times spotted Red as I was going either south- north or north- south and gave him a lift as some other truckies did when he was hitch hiking around the country. Great dog, lots of character. Not sure if he ever passed up a lift when offered, but from the stories I heard from other truckies I met he wouldn't have turned down too many offers. like a lot of otjer old timers up that way, I think I could easily bejudged a criminal by some if I ever found out who fed bhim the stychnine.
G'day, I had one that loved to ride on motercycles. I took her on a trip to Melbourne (300km), told her to "Stay" and walked off into the croud. She stayed with the motercycle while huntreds of people walked past. Funny thing with people is, when they saw she was not on a lead they made sure to keep away from that bike. I called her at one stage, she jumped onto the seat and looked for me in the croud but stayed with the bike.
Red Dog is a simple and beautiful movie. I ugly cried twice and shed tears throughout. I recently adopted a kelpie x husky and she is so sweet and innocent. However, she can be cheeky when she wants to be and she does not trust strangers...she will accept visitors eventually and stop growling, but she always keeps an eye on them! Her ears are also two satellite dishes always following the sound...very alert.
Our dog shelters have large numbers of kelpies and kelpie mixes, as well as staffy mixes. People underestimate the amount of work they take for them to be calm in the house.
Rob you might enjoy an ABC Australia program called ‘Muster Dogs.’ Great show if you want to see them in their natural habitat, with different trainers across the country. Also a great film called ‘Red Dog.’
My parents both lived on farms with working dogs and loved the a ABC Muster Dog series ... and I am glad you suggested Red Dog. Firstly to check out the Pilbara WA and the movie Red Dog based on a true story. Love that film.
An Australian kelpie pup sold for a record $35000 AUD last year to a local grazier in our district of West Wimmera , which is close to Worock station Where the kelpies were first breed . Kelpies would be the main working dog in this area although there are quite a few border collies . While both breeds are herding dogs they work quite differently with the kelpie generally bring more forceful in the way they do their job while the Collies tend to use their ability to " eye" the sheep but just as effective
Found myself nodding and saying "yes" a lot during this one. Kudos to you for being a dog walker and for having such a good understanding of dog behaviour. I had a Kelpie mix from the RSPCA (Australia). She was super smart, eager to learn, and needed a lot of mental stimulation. I was always chuffed to teach her new behaviours and/or watch her figuring out different food puzzles, and etc. etc. etc. I now have an ex-racing Greyhound that rests/sleeps nearly all day :-) . Every dog is different. Cheers.
Had a kelpie growing up on a farm, the most wonderful dog. They are generally very low maintenance, and wonderful companion dogs, u just need the space and facilities to exercise and entertain them. Their only real problem is, due to their intelligence they can be destructive and/or very mischievous if not trained or looked after properly.
I have worked with quite a few red and blue Kelpies. These dogs are so good for working on a farm. Not only will they herd, they will protect a flock. I have seen these dogs go all day and still want to keep going. A really good Kelpie may cost up to AU$10,000. Red Dog and Red Dog: True Blue are great movies and i would recommend them.
@@melissabarrett9750 while that was obviously my point, I have seen them destroy shit out of jealousy too. Paying too much attention to a new person in the house? I’m wrecking your pillows.
@@tropicsalt. I don't stop myself from chewing on the couch. It's hard to tell from context if yer on my side or not but the dog and I like wrecking stuff when it's not going our way. Take care Bud.
My Kelpies were super athletic, moving from a farm to the suburbs, they easily cleared a 7ft fence and figured out how to climbed up trees to get over fence when we extended it to 8ft. I run them on a bike everyday and slow feeders kept them happy. I loved them, super smart dogs. My old dog has finally chilled out at age of 15yrs.
We had a kelpie she lived till she was about 19, she loved going for walks. We would would mile's, and lucky had big yard she would run around with us. She become blind and arthritic we could her for a walk. When someone would knock on the front door about an hour later she come around from back barking. So funny and lovely.❤️
Rob, you seem to be very well educated about dogs. When I was a child, my dad got an English Labrador puppy (they grow to about twice the size of typical Labradors). 'Sandy' went blind in his old age, but was quite happy until his hips failed him. He was the big guy with the soft heart.
My favourite dog is an English black lab. We board a couple and they are always the best behaved. Very easy to train and usually pretty laid back especially compared to the yellow, brown and red labs which are leaner and more energetic
Looks like you got out of Melbourne in time, we are facing a 1 in 200 year flood. Already many areas evacuated & flooded, and going to get worse. Seems like winter is not ending this year.
I had a pure breed red and tan Kelpie growing up on my parents farm, Kelly the Kelpie, got her as a pup, was a great watch dog, later came with me while I travelled around Australia for awhile till I got my own place. Had a nasty mammary tumour at around 11 Y/O that she beat. Sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 16, so she had a good run and she got to see a lot. They're extremely smart, she basically taught herself to fetch and drop the ball at your feet, if it rolled a bit too far she'd get it and try and put it in your hand. She even taught herself to bring a soccer ball back to you, when inflated there's nothing to bite so she learned how to use the side of her face and/or her front legs to kick/steer the ball right back to you. Even her first time in a car at our farm, opened the back door she jumped right in, on the back seat and just sat right in the middle looking right ahead with me and dad in the front, not a single hassle. They're definitely workaholics, Kelly would run around so much when she finally stopped to drink she'd start to faint because she wasn't breathing/panting enough. And she liked to borrow under the house so most mornings would have to fill in a borrow. Truly fantastic dogs and extremely loyal to who they see has their family, but they definitely need the mental and physical exercise.
Hey mate, cheers from Australia, I own 38acres near Bundaberg, my boy max never ever stops, he is my best mate, and is the most loyal loving dog I have ever owned. My point is, you need land and time. Cheers mick.
I've got two Kelpie crosses. Both are fantastically loyal and hardworking. One is crossed with a Bull Arab, the other with a Boxer. Any dog with Kelpie in it is fantastic.
They are escape professionals too. My parents in law had a Red cloud kelpie like Red Dog. He'd escape and take a run around 10km with the local running club, and did it twice. They had high fences and made then higher to try and keep him in. Nothing would stop him. He was gorgeous and super smart.
@@jimlofts5433 and super smart to go with the agility. Unfortunately the dog I mentioned is long gone but will never be forgotten. My kids adored him too.
Kelpie is No1 dog for me, my current bloke is 12 and has been a brilliant sheep, agility, obedience, pet and best mate. I've had several in my 78 years and haven't heard of many with dysplasia here in Australia.
We had a beautiful rusty coloured kelpie named Rusty. The most intelligent dog I have ever met. We lost him to lung cancer in 2004 and he is still talked about in the family. We went out one day and forgot to shut the driveway gate and according to our neighbours he sat in the driveway and did not set foot outside his property, could walk him off lead, would throw a ball to himself if no one was there to play with him. And he protected my son, he was my boys dog from 5 til he was 13. My son’s best mates mum was overly protective and even though we lived in town, would only let her boy go down the street with my son if they had Rusty with them as she knew how protective he was, and felt that her son was safe with Rusty there. I miss that boy every day ❤️
They were first bred in a small town west of Sydney called Ardlethan (other towns also claim this). My in-laws lived there so we saw the statues and legends everywhere in town.
@@fugawiaus no, I moved away after school. Lived all around the country and then moved back to Wagga. But my family and farm was near Colinroobie, not far from Barellan. I had relatives (everywhere in the region) out at Ardlethan, though. And I used to play against them in footy for Barellan, Marrar and Charles Sturt Uni Bushpigs.
My first dog @ 3. I remember tiny bits of the day we went to the pound to pick a dog and being asked what I’d call her. She lived her life with my grandmother - just around the corner from our house so as I got older I’d always be there and when I got really sick I’d spend my days in bed there while Ma looked after me and if I looked down onto the floor Patty would always be there lying quietly beside my bed. She never came in the house normally. As someone else said she was loyal, smart amd connected emotionally with us - like an equal more than a dog. She died @ 12 from a brain haemorrhage.
I've had kelpies from pups to adults and aren't dangerous around children, atm we have a jack Russell and a cat they get along well so it's all about the owners training methods that come to obedient skills when having cats and dogs. Kelpie tends to get arthritis of the legs
Kelpie's are amazing dogs. They are full of energy and love. They are softer than you think. People won't admit very much but they have a lot of genetics from Dingo's (if you see a black dingo they are almost indistinguishable). They are amazing jumpers as well, and when you see a Kelpie in it's "im ready" position your heart will fall in love. There is a bloke that I bump into a few times a week and I have become very close to his Kelpie puppy. He will see me usually before I see him and he will run up to me and want hugs and pats. P.s. Dingo's have a bad rap but they are remarkable "dogs" (not really a dog / K-9), Dingo's are the FIRST "dog".
We have a Kelpie, who is just the best nature and very chilled out for a typical kelpie breed, he also has one floppy ear which can be common for some, love these dogs 🙂❤️
We have a nearly 13yr old Kelpie who we rescued when he was 5. Will chase a ball all day long given half a chance! But stubborn when it comes to being hot and needing to cool down with a swim! No matter what you do he will not come back till he has found water to lie in! Then up and game for more ball chasing! He's slowing down now as his joints are giving him some trouble!
My old fella passed last year at 17. When he was young we tried to wear him out before rounding up the sheep. We were at my mates place 8km away and have the dog "Max" running behind the Ute. For the first 2 km he would keep up at 40km/h then we would drop back to 30 km/h for another 2km and then do the rest of the trip at 20km/h, then we would work the mob of sheep and he never got tired. I never had to cut his toe nails, he always wore them down. He only had health issues after 15 with his back legs, he was a very old man.
We own two red kelpies, a 12 month old male and a 2&1/2 yo female, and have had kelpies for many years (on 40 acres). The one at 1:18 is a dead ringer for our young girl who we rescued from the pound during COVID and the red/chocolate one at 4:48 is very similar to our handsome young lad who we rescued from the pound only a couple of months ago after our 16&1/2 year old black & tan "family patriarch" kelpie died. They are super intelligent, good natured, and highly trainable, but also need space to run around or they can get quite crazy. You do need to be a little careful where you let them out as their chasing/rounding instinct is very strong if you have other farm animals, who don't always appreciate it! Kelpies are generally healthy dogs and we've never had one with hip dysplasia. All have lived well into old age, being eventually taken by a couple of different types of cancer.
I have a 13-year-old Kelpie and we live in a smallish place, and he needs 2-3 good walk/runs a day, plus other mental stimulation. They are incredibly energetic, even as senior dogs.
My late father bred and trained pure bred red cloud kelpies. They were sent to cattle farms and sheep stations all over Western Australia. A well trained kelpie is worth thousands and are a much prized addition to any outback homestead. As children we were not allowed to interact with the puppies while they were in training. But they were so cute.
I grew up on a dairy farm with Kelpies. They are the most loyal dog you will ever find and they absolutely love kids! They get on easy with other pets though they do love to round up chooks, bunnies ect. I'm sure my bunny got just as much amusement running up and down his cage, in and out of his hutch playing with the dog. I found that you really only have to teach them someone once or they will watch you and learn themselves. They have amazing instinct with strangers too, always trust your dog! One of ours HATED Italians for some reason and another would scare the crap out of our local courier who would deliver parcels to the farm house. He would leave the parcel at a side door that was a passage way between 2 rooms of the house that came off a carport. He would never see him anywhere or hear him but once he left the parcel at the door, he turn and walk back out only to turn and find the dog standing there staring at him blocking his path. The courier would always tell us that he had NEVER come across a stealth dog like him ever. He would never bark and would let him out but he always said said it sent chills up his spine the way this dog would always just creep up on him. Another Kelpie we had loved nipping at the cows heels too much and the cows would always kick at him and he's always have bloody mouth ect. Dad tied a long rope to a 4 wheel motorbike to try and stop the biting by limiting his reach to the cows, he got to the stage where he would actually pull the motorbike along when Dad got off, that dog had muscles on muscles!! Unfortunately we found out later that many other dogs from the same litter (from farmer friends) had to be put down due to biting people yet both parents were great working dogs. This one had bitten my dad a few times too. He was the only Kelpie we knew that would bite and did have a slight aggressive nature to him but other than that, have never heard of aggressiveness in the breed. They're not a biting dog and NEVER had any issues like that from our other Kelpies, they're a very loyal, loving dog.
Owned a kelpie/heeler cross for 16 years. Best and smartest dog I've ever had. Never put him on a leash or needed to as he was always attentive to whistled commands and hand signals. Even when another dog would try to challenge him or start a fight or was on heat. He was taught not to cross the road without a signal, and to 'heel' of his own accord. This took maybe 5 minutes for him to learn. I used to do a lot of horse riding on trails, and he was the perfect companion. Would range about 50 metres ahead of the horse I was on, and if we came to a fork in the trail would wait for my signal for which path to take. I lived in suburban Melbourne in a standard house with a quarter acre yard. Daily walks were essential, with a long horse trail on weekends to mop up any excess energy. At home he did have two speeds though - flat out round the room half way up the walls, and flat out on his side on the couch. Was bathed maybe once a month, brushed whenever I brushed my horse (he insisted), and I don't think I ever trimmed his nails or needed to. Still miss him. I'm too old now to cope with that much of an exercise requirement, but I wish I wasn't. Kelpies are special. Not for everyone, but if your life has room for a kelpie in it you are blessed and probably a jogger. There's a famous story about a tradie that owned a kelpie, who used to fetch his tools from his pickup and bring them to him when he needed them. The tradie was fined by the RSPCA because he yelled at the dog for bringing him the 5/8ths gripley not the 3/8ths gripley. Up a ladder to the roof the tradie was working on. I believe it. Shouldn't happen to a dog.
When I was a child playing cricket on a miniature oval, we had a kelpie herding us... if we left to fetch the ball or go home, a 'nip' on the ankle was guaranteed. He never hurt us, it was pure instinct to vainly keep us "in our place." He was not trained to do this behaviour, and never prevented us from doing what we wanted. We just got use to it. 😊
1 working dog = 5 blokes on a farm. Old mate had a goat farm & theses dogs were great with any escaped goats. These dogs were brilliant in keeping the goats moving from paddock to paddock. "Paddy" the lead dog had a warning system of barking when things were not right - he warned us of a few snakes in the grass too.
I adore my kelpie.. they are not for everyone. you cant be lazy. It takes all 5 of us (me, hubby and 3 active teens) to provide the mental and physically stimulation she needs.. I walk and train her every morning.. hubby works at home and plays tug and fetch with her on his breaks and she lays by his side all day. kids walk her after school and then when i get home from work we take her to the dog park to play fetch or run with other dogs in the early evening.. and then i work her in the evening with her meals and she sits by me until bed time..then on weekends we go to the dog beaches and nature walks. its like having a full extra human family member who also has adhd but the snuggles we get all night are worth it.
Yes you should watch red dog. It’s a little bit cheesy but it is still pretty good especially since it’s based on a true story of very intelligent dog.
I have a 3 month kelpie puppy 🙂 Everything you said seems to be true so far. He can be a bit naughty when he tries to play tug-of-war with our feet, socks, shoes, pants and hands but he is a beautiful and intelligent pup who loves nothing more than running around the farm.
I live in regional Western Australia and have a Kelpie x Whippet (Lily) and Kelpie x Border Collie (Bindy). Bindy's favourite game is hide and seek where I hide treats around the house and outside for her to find, but after her cruciate ligament surgery has slowed down a lot but still does her perimeter checks of the property. Lily's favourite game is tag - simply running between Bindy and I from one end of the property to the other LOL. PS - I also grew up in Paraburdoo, perhaps where my love for kelpies comes from :)
a lot of people dont realise that Kelpies can be as fast as a Greyhound. Even with other dogs having a good 30 meter head start, the Kelpie quickly reaches its stride and easily catches up and outpaces other breeds except for the Whippet and Greyhound which it can easily keep up with. They have to chase and be competitive and be given tasks like working to survive.
the sequel had an all star cast, great movie, just not as good as original, does reference the original though. When the guy walks out from theater crying 'that was my dog'
I had a Kelpie mixed with a Whippet when I was a kid. I got her from the local veterinarian that found her as a stray. She was an amazing dog. Very smart and loving. Also very hyperactive lol. I used to walk her 2 or 3 times a day for an hour or so, then let her run around the local football oval for a bit, not to mention playing fetch and just running around all day. Even when she was obviously tired she never wanted to stop playing lol. I used to spend a lot of time with her training her and teaching her little tricks. She loved learning things. When I first got her she had food aggression. She was so skinny I think she just wasn't used to getting food. It only took about 2 days to stop that. Once she realised she would be getting food every day and growling only meant the food being taken away for a minute. She wasn't aggressive any other time with people. Although she didn't like other dogs. Except my mum's dog. She also loved cats. They used to hang out and play together all the time. She was such a great dog, all my friends and family loved her. Unfortunately I had to put her to sleep when she was 19 or 20. She had a long happy life though. I love Kelpies. I would've liked to get another one but decided to get a less active dog after she passed. I don't have as much time and energy to invest now. Kelpies are a great breed but need a lot of attention.
Everyone knows Bluey. The Blue Healer. Had some years ago I would never have a Kelpie in town they just have too much energy. The Blue healer can climb very high fences. They are very hard to contain. The Blues just kill everything for fun. A possum ran across the ground from one tree to the other. One bite they just watched it flailing around bleeding out. They are good at killing. Top fishing dogs as they scare off seagulls from the bait and can drag the fish into shore. Never owned a kelpie. I would if I had a heap of land.
Love Kelpies, my absolute favourite dog breed. Owned a few over the years, have a kelpie/border collie/ koolie x atm, smartest dog I've ever known, she knows what's going on well before I do.
I have two Kelpie x Collie dogs, they are a brother and sister from the same litter and both were rejected as a working farm dog. Now they are a year old, they are amazing. My mother is disabled and they both have adapted to her walking frame. But my boy has a bit of a mental condition, what works for his sister ( bones and slow feeder bowls and toys) don't work for him. But i have an amazing vet who has suggested an agility course and that he just likes his own voice. They work with me to calm any issues that uprise. He's very well looked after and he is absolutely a softy. His sister is a bit overweight but she's only has an allergy, which she's getting a treatment for. My boy is black and white, my girl red and white. Her white underbelly is where she gets a rash/ allergy. My neighbours don't like how vocal they can be, but they are amazing pups, even the local police said they were amazing during an attempted burglary of a neighbour. Without them being vocal the suspect would have gotten away. I'm raising them as family/ companion pets. But i know both are intuitive of my mothers medical condition and adapt for her. Kelpies are extremely smart, and loyal.
We have a Corgi here in Australia. They don't have the energy of a Kelpie but are a herding dogs and need some excitement. They nip your feet and heels a lot around the house and are quite bossy and stubborn. Similar but different in their own way. We want to move to a larger property in the Blue Mountains and may look at a Kelpie, Koolie or Cattle Dog - great dogs.
Rob, I had two Kelpies while I was farming, but you nailed it with the comment about Wippets and Greyhounds, they are the, other than Kelpies, the best!
My 9 and a half year old Kelpie cross has had very few health issues. Other than needing special food for a sensitive stomach, she only goes to the vet for her yearly check-up. My almost 8 year old border collie, on the other hand, already has arthritis, though it's not too bad and over the counter stuff is helping. We say our Kelpie Cross (she is half Kelpie, 1/4 poodle, and 1/4 cocker spaniel) is too smart for our own good 😅 but we love her to bits! Our border collie is as thick as two short planks 🤣
My parents have a kelpie. She is a genius and understands gravity. Well at least to the extent that when playing ball, she will drop a ball at the top of a hill so it rolls to the thrower instead of returning it all the way. 😆
I've been blessed to know, own and work with a lot of working dogs and while kelpies are loud workers, sneaky bastards and "stubborn" doesnt quite cover it (think more like a methed up rebellious teenager with lazer focus), theyre always loyal goofballs with big characters and theres a pretty good chance they'll be a cuddlebug when its not Go Time. They're particularly good climbers and will try to swim in anything as long as its wet, hence the name. If theres even the smallest hint of moisture where youre working, they''ll find it. There's definitely German shepherd in there. My current dog is GS kelpie mix and she can pass as either. People usually guess one or the other, only one person got it right so far and she had one herself.
Red Dog happened where I was born (Dampier). I've seen the statue there and everything. Also my Mum's, best friend's bro was the bus driver. When you watch it, take the tissues. 🥺🤧
I use to have an Australian kelpie. Her name was She-ra (named after cartoon character, when I was a little boy). A neighbor of our family gave us a kelpie pup. Had the pup/dog throughout her life. Passed away at our home to old age (15/16 years). RIP She-ra
My father had many Kelpies and I've never seen a dog bread that literally spends its whole life dedicated to serving its owner. To watch the two in action was amazing they would watch for the slightest movement from my fathers eyes and the Kelpie would know exactly what his job was, far more obedient than us kids. They will work till it drops if that is what you tell it to. My father said he would give his right arm literally his right arm for his dogs. Great video well done.
The worst thing, for a Kelpie, is for a city dweller to get one & expect them to be happy in a backyard. They're working dogs. Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤
its very doable if youre not a lazy ass
Yep exactly mate. They need to work. We got one of grandad's that didn't cut the muster as a working dog. He'd always had blue heelers on the farm. He was a fantastic dog but he always wanted to run everywhere.
😅people keep border collies and cattle dogs Shetland sheepdog as pets without problem plus other breeds I have a Kelpie pup and I will keep it on the go and I live near the beach and river
I’ve had five kelpies here in Aus as working dogs - some for paddock work with sheep and a couple as “yard dogs” handling sheep in wool sheds and sheep yards- they are highly intelligent, fantastic with kids, extremely hard working and tough. They are almost never vicious or inclined to bite people like blue cattle dogs can be - but they don’t have the fearless toughness of a bluey so tend to be fearful of wild cattle in my experience- they were bred to handle the hot climate and have much tougher feet than border collies so can work all day without overheating or going lame - they can make a fantastic pet for a young family with kids - mostly they are gentle and full of fun and easy to train
Beautiful dogs
A mate of mine had a Kelpie/Border Collie cross and she was the smartest dog i have ever come across. She was so smart that if her owner wanted a beer she would come to the fridge and we would try to give her the wrong coloured can. She would not move until she got the right one and then she would gentle take it to her owner without puncturing it (after the first one that is).
Pretty spot on. They can learn to work cattle well, but aren't natural to it - too smart to nip the ankle of the first cow they see.
Our neighbours had 8 kids and a kelpie, Tim, who would join in when they were running around the yard playing at their semi rural suburban house. He would softly mouth at their heels as they ran around barefooted and if they were wearing shoes and socks he would nip hard enough to pinch and pull the back of their sock without harming the skin. Tim was so entertained with all those laughing kids he never jumped the fence to go and run and play in the cow and calf paddock over the road. He knew his job was to stay in the yard and keep an eye on his flock of kids at all times.
BEST DOG AND FRIEND EVER
When I was a kid around 8 to10 the old lady that lived next door had a Kelpie called blue . My mates and I spent every free moment playing cricket in a field at the end of our road , when it was tea time my mum used to call me home and if I was having a good time I would purposely not hear her on these occasions the lady next door would tell blue to GO GET THE KIDS and blue would take off down to the field where he would actually round us up like sheep and herd us up the street to our homes nipping those of us who were too slow for him , the bastard wouldn't let you stray away from the group until he reached his home where he was rewarded by his owner and my mum . He was a beautiful dog who loved to play with us kids and we were sad when he died a couple of years later at the age of 14 . I've seen the movie mentioned and it is well worth a watch.
Glad you picked up on this.
My (our) 1st dog as a child was a kelpie, not by choice, my sister found Benny after being hit by a car.
The previous owner never showed up and my parents were not going to take him to the pound.
Great clever dog walked off leash yet under control daily loved sticks, balls and beach, we kept him active.
He had a great and full life.
Was impressed by his jumping, easily cleared a bicycle longwise and into tray of a Landcruiser tray with sides up.
I had a black and tan kelpie got him when he was a pup.Had a 1/2 acre block he shared with our rabbit and Indian runner ducks.He passed away about 4 years ago.Have a tear in my eye typing this,that is how wonderful he was.
Have had 2 kelpies and in my opinion they are the smartest dogs of all. Border collies may be smart but kelpies are another whole level. I swear they are fully capable of understanding hundreds of words, let alone signals and keen attention to your body language - i would trust their judgement of people, they don’t make errors.
They are also loyal and affectionate, but many are one-person dogs. Kelpies are just the most brilliant dogs. Our last one was instinctively rounding up sheep at 10 weeks of age.
That movie “Red Dog” was a great movie though I did shed a few tears. The Kelpies are fantastic dogs, especially on farms. Great video Rob💖
Yeh have a box of tissues ready
You really should read the original book 'Red Dog'. It goes more into the personal relationship red dog had with his chosen humans. Be warned, it ends with a true description of his suffering from what was really a 1080 poison dingo bait.
They are absolutely remarkable and loyal dogs. I saw several of them on as working dogs on a property in County Killarney, Ireland. The owner had them so well trained he had a thing going with a tour company who bussed tourists there.
I thoroughly recommend a wonderful TV series on them on ABCTV Autralia that we screened not that long ago called Muster Dogs...it is bloody brilliant.
You must definitely watch the ABC series "Muster Dogs", its brilliant.
I'm in Melbourne, Australia and have my kelpie in my backyard. He's great with other dogs and people when we go walking. He doesn't bark at other dogs and people can pat him with no problem. He's 1 now. The red dog movie will make you cry.
Our beautiful pure bread Aussie Kelpie landed in our family, just before the Covid, after having been named "a failed farm dog." She has during 4 years dragged me and wife approx 10600km. We thank our Kelpie for our excellent health and we love this unbelievable dog to bits . My wife is 76 and I am 79.
A well bred and trained working kelpie can bring up to $35k AUD. YOU NEED TO WATCH THE ABC series Muster Dogs about training Kelpies for working live stock
Yep, my dad was given 2 pups 40 years ago for a bag almonds. We loved them to death great dogs.
Rob, You HAVE to watch Muster. Dogs on ABC, Australia. It was the best program this year.
Always had kelpies growing up. Definitely a lot of work, but with a big backyard, other dogs and us kids to play with, they lived happy and healthy lives with our oldest girl Toby living to 21 years old. Given space to live and grow, they are the most loyal and loving breeds.
21!!??
So jealous. Lost our last boy at 12. You can see my girl Kelpie Marely in my thumbnail
We had a working red Kelpie named Chocko, mad as a cut snake. He would wait for us at the front gate to our farm and then run along side the Landcruiser for the one and a half kilometres to the farm house, and when we got to the house I would slam the door shut on the Landcruiser and he'd bolt off back down to the front gate, turn around and come back again. Yapping the whole way.
Every single time.
Haha, yep - we had a couple that would wait for us at the road until the school bus dropped us off. Wind, rain or shine. So good.
Just the other day we were going past outward bound of Port Fairy and a Kelpie and Border Collie were waiting in the driveway for their master.
'Yelpie'
We have kelpies, we're on a farm in Australia. If there are days we're not doing sheep work my husband has to take them for a run from one end of the farm to the other while he's on a motor bike. They just need to release energy.
Oh and is so true about rounding up other animals. Our poor cats are often rounded up when they're bored. An these ones LIVE on a farm!
Everybody around here (Pilbara region, WA) has heard of Red Dog, I didn't realise it was the 1970s though, I thought it would have been later than that. Saw the movie, visited the memorial statue, etc.
You're right Rob, Kelpies need a lot of exercise, I've owned one and they're super intelligent and loyal and loving dogs. Watch Red Dog the movie, it's an Australian Kelpie.
Great dogs. Super intelligent and mostly good natured. They are as hyperactive as anything, though. Need lots of walks and exercise to keep them sane.
The dots over the kelpies eyes are a great evolution . As working dogs the sheep think the dogs eyes are open and watching them even when their eyes are closed.
Had a kelpie as a family dog. Best dog ever. My BiL is a farmer. The stories he can tell about his working kelpies just go on and on. You will LOVE the film Red Dog. It's almost the Aussie version of 'Lassie Come Home' or 'Blackfriars Bobbie'
Just have some tissues nearby with red dog
@@fugawiaus I must have watched it over 20 times, it's not the passing of Red but when he looses John that gets my me more, then again double whammie beautiful movie 100%
He didn’t mention the incredible jaw strength of a kelpie. Kelpies also have a very clear understanding of who all the wider family members are even if they don’t see them often. You get a lick hello in recognition and then you are welcome.
My boy is a Kelpie/Border Collie who is the color of a dingo. He is almost 1yr old and is so intelligent. As with all dogs of his Breed type I find he needs to feel he has a "job" to do. When my husband leaves for work in the morning my boy knows that his workday has started and he watches every move I make throughout the day, never leaving my side. I play interactive games with him and have several short training sessions per day. When "Dad" gets home it is time for FUN....off to the park to play with his friends, socialize with all the different people there and just release all that energy. He puts himself to bed at 10.30pm regardless of if my husband and I are still up or not, he is off the clock then it seems. My previous doggy was a Border Collie/Blue Heeler who lived to 15yr old.
I’ve got a Kelpie and he is amazing! Maxwell is such an intelligent dog and everyone falls in love with the Kelpie breed after meeting him.
I was a truckie from Western Australia and drove all over the counytry but mostly around WA and a couple of times spotted Red as I was going either south- north or north- south and gave him a lift as some other truckies did when he was hitch hiking around the country. Great dog, lots of character. Not sure if he ever passed up a lift when offered, but from the stories I heard from other truckies I met he wouldn't have turned down too many offers. like a lot of otjer old timers up that way, I think I could easily bejudged a criminal by some if I ever found out who fed bhim the stychnine.
Good observations Rob. People need to choose a dog according to their lifestyle and ability to take care of their needs and instinctive behaviour.
Perfect for people who wants a personal trainer based at their own home!
deadset, i havent needed an alarm clock for 5 years
G'day, I had one that loved to ride on motercycles. I took her on a trip to Melbourne (300km), told her to "Stay" and walked off into the croud. She stayed with the motercycle while huntreds of people walked past. Funny thing with people is, when they saw she was not on a lead they made sure to keep away from that bike. I called her at one stage, she jumped onto the seat and looked for me in the croud but stayed with the bike.
Red Dog is a simple and beautiful movie. I ugly cried twice and shed tears throughout. I recently adopted a kelpie x husky and she is so sweet and innocent. However, she can be cheeky when she wants to be and she does not trust strangers...she will accept visitors eventually and stop growling, but she always keeps an eye on them! Her ears are also two satellite dishes always following the sound...very alert.
Our dog shelters have large numbers of kelpies and kelpie mixes, as well as staffy mixes. People underestimate the amount of work they take for them to be calm in the house.
People dont understand how much work a super smart supper active dog needs .
Keeping a farm dog in the city is a big commitment.
Red Dog is a great movie.
We have a Kelpie/Staffy rescue in our family and she is such a beautiful girl. 🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾
Mine was named Brucey…I miss him. I loved this reaction Rob it made my day….Melbourne🥶
Rob you might enjoy an ABC Australia program called ‘Muster Dogs.’ Great show if you want to see them in their natural habitat, with different trainers across the country. Also a great film called ‘Red Dog.’
Great. I was just going to suggest Muster Dogs too. I'm sure Rob will enjoy it.
My parents both lived on farms with working dogs and loved the a ABC Muster Dog series ... and I am glad you suggested Red Dog. Firstly to check out the Pilbara WA and the movie Red Dog based on a true story. Love that film.
I also watched this. It was a great show.
An Australian kelpie pup sold for a record $35000 AUD last year to a local grazier in our district of West Wimmera , which is close to Worock station Where the kelpies were first breed . Kelpies would be the main working dog in this area although there are quite a few border collies . While both breeds are herding dogs they work quite differently with the kelpie generally bring more forceful in the way they do their job while the Collies tend to use their ability to " eye" the sheep but just as effective
Found myself nodding and saying "yes" a lot during this one. Kudos to you for being a dog walker and for having such a good understanding of dog behaviour. I had a Kelpie mix from the RSPCA (Australia). She was super smart, eager to learn, and needed a lot of mental stimulation. I was always chuffed to teach her new behaviours and/or watch her figuring out different food puzzles, and etc. etc. etc. I now have an ex-racing Greyhound that rests/sleeps nearly all day :-) . Every dog is different. Cheers.
Had a kelpie growing up on a farm, the most wonderful dog. They are generally very low maintenance, and wonderful companion dogs, u just need the space and facilities to exercise and entertain them. Their only real problem is, due to their intelligence they can be destructive and/or very mischievous if not trained or looked after properly.
I have worked with quite a few red and blue Kelpies. These dogs are so good for working on a farm. Not only will they herd, they will protect a flock. I have seen these dogs go all day and still want to keep going. A really good Kelpie may cost up to AU$10,000. Red Dog and Red Dog: True Blue are great movies and i would recommend them.
I don't really see a problem with keeping a kelpie in an apartment. You'd just need a new couch three times a week.
They do it due to boredom.
@@melissabarrett9750 while that was obviously my point, I have seen them destroy shit out of jealousy too. Paying too much attention to a new person in the house? I’m wrecking your pillows.
@@bradcarby3765 I stop myself from chewing on the furniture by reading replies to comments like this. Thanks.
@@tropicsalt. I don't stop myself from chewing on the couch. It's hard to tell from context if yer on my side or not but the dog and I like wrecking stuff when it's not going our way. Take care Bud.
@@bradcarby3765 On your side dude. Just having a laugh at the internet's expense.
My Kelpies were super athletic, moving from a farm to the suburbs, they easily cleared a 7ft fence and figured out how to climbed up trees to get over fence when we extended it to 8ft. I run them on a bike everyday and slow feeders kept them happy. I loved them, super smart dogs. My old dog has finally chilled out at age of 15yrs.
On sheep properties a kelpie is worth as much as a human employee. They were bred to be extremely food efficient too.
We had a kelpie she lived till she was about 19, she loved going for walks. We would would mile's, and lucky had big yard she would run around with us. She become blind and arthritic we could her for a walk. When someone would knock on the front door about an hour later she come around from back barking. So funny and lovely.❤️
Rob, you seem to be very well educated about dogs. When I was a child, my dad got an English Labrador puppy (they grow to about twice the size of typical Labradors). 'Sandy' went blind in his old age, but was quite happy until his hips failed him. He was the big guy with the soft heart.
My favourite dog is an English black lab. We board a couple and they are always the best behaved. Very easy to train and usually pretty laid back especially compared to the yellow, brown and red labs which are leaner and more energetic
Looks like you got out of Melbourne in time, we are facing a 1 in 200 year flood. Already many areas evacuated & flooded, and going to get worse. Seems like winter is not ending this year.
I had a pure breed red and tan Kelpie growing up on my parents farm, Kelly the Kelpie, got her as a pup, was a great watch dog, later came with me while I travelled around Australia for awhile till I got my own place. Had a nasty mammary tumour at around 11 Y/O that she beat. Sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 16, so she had a good run and she got to see a lot.
They're extremely smart, she basically taught herself to fetch and drop the ball at your feet, if it rolled a bit too far she'd get it and try and put it in your hand. She even taught herself to bring a soccer ball back to you, when inflated there's nothing to bite so she learned how to use the side of her face and/or her front legs to kick/steer the ball right back to you. Even her first time in a car at our farm, opened the back door she jumped right in, on the back seat and just sat right in the middle looking right ahead with me and dad in the front, not a single hassle.
They're definitely workaholics, Kelly would run around so much when she finally stopped to drink she'd start to faint because she wasn't breathing/panting enough.
And she liked to borrow under the house so most mornings would have to fill in a borrow.
Truly fantastic dogs and extremely loyal to who they see has their family, but they definitely need the mental and physical exercise.
Someone said they come from Dingo's which dig burrows to live in - almost makes me wonder is that the DNA coming out ?
Yes Rob,you gotta check the movie(s) out👍👍 Great family movie too! ..very Australian movie,but you'll be better equipped than most to decipher it 😉😁
Great resilient working dogs. Ours are mixed with a splash of border collie…fun on four legs 😂
Hey mate, cheers from Australia, I own 38acres near Bundaberg, my boy max never ever stops, he is my best mate, and is the most loyal loving dog I have ever owned. My point is, you need land and time. Cheers mick.
I've got two Kelpie crosses. Both are fantastically loyal and hardworking. One is crossed with a Bull Arab, the other with a Boxer. Any dog with Kelpie in it is fantastic.
They are escape professionals too. My parents in law had a Red cloud kelpie like Red Dog. He'd escape and take a run around 10km with the local running club, and did it twice. They had high fences and made then higher to try and keep him in. Nothing would stop him. He was gorgeous and super smart.
you tube - Casterton Kelpie Muster 2016 new high jump record
@@jimlofts5433 and super smart to go with the agility. Unfortunately the dog I mentioned is long gone but will never be forgotten. My kids adored him too.
Kelpie is No1 dog for me, my current bloke is 12 and has been a brilliant sheep, agility, obedience, pet and best mate. I've had several in my 78 years and haven't heard of many with dysplasia here in Australia.
Yeah, I've never heard of dysplasia in them either or many other health issues or that matter. Theyre a tough dog.
I lost my boy Winston 15 years ago, he was half border collie and half Labrador, he was 18, and so so gentle 💔🥲. Hey you know your dogs lad 😃👍👍👍.
We had a beautiful rusty coloured kelpie named Rusty. The most intelligent dog I have ever met. We lost him to lung cancer in 2004 and he is still talked about in the family. We went out one day and forgot to shut the driveway gate and according to our neighbours he sat in the driveway and did not set foot outside his property, could walk him off lead, would throw a ball to himself if no one was there to play with him. And he protected my son, he was my boys dog from 5 til he was 13. My son’s best mates mum was overly protective and even though we lived in town, would only let her boy go down the street with my son if they had Rusty with them as she knew how protective he was, and felt that her son was safe with Rusty there. I miss that boy every day ❤️
They were first bred in a small town west of Sydney called Ardlethan (other towns also claim this). My in-laws lived there so we saw the statues and legends everywhere in town.
I'm from that area!
@@godamid4889 are you still there?
@@fugawiaus no, I moved away after school. Lived all around the country and then moved back to Wagga.
But my family and farm was near Colinroobie, not far from Barellan. I had relatives (everywhere in the region) out at Ardlethan, though. And I used to play against them in footy for Barellan, Marrar and Charles Sturt Uni Bushpigs.
@@godamid4889 I remember Barellan when we visited we’d go to bingo at the club.
@@fugawiaus haha, yeah I know the club well. Used to go there after the footy a fair bit.
My first dog @ 3. I remember tiny bits of the day we went to the pound to pick a dog and being asked what I’d call her. She lived her life with my grandmother - just around the corner from our house so as I got older I’d always be there and when I got really sick I’d spend my days in bed there while Ma looked after me and if I looked down onto the floor Patty would always be there lying quietly beside my bed. She never came in the house normally. As someone else said she was loyal, smart amd connected emotionally with us - like an equal more than a dog. She died @ 12 from a brain haemorrhage.
Like an equal. A work mate, or a family member. Well said.
I don't understand why you would keep these in the city. Its a working dog not a lap dog.
I’ve known people that have done exactly that. And ended up with a depressed, mentally tortured dog. Absolutely ridiculous
I've had kelpies from pups to adults and aren't dangerous around children, atm we have a jack Russell and a cat they get along well so it's all about the owners training methods that come to obedient skills when having cats and dogs. Kelpie tends to get arthritis of the legs
Working Kelpies don't. Its not uncommon for them to work hard for 10 years or more.
Kelpie's are amazing dogs. They are full of energy and love. They are softer than you think. People won't admit very much but they have a lot of genetics from Dingo's (if you see a black dingo they are almost indistinguishable).
They are amazing jumpers as well, and when you see a Kelpie in it's "im ready" position your heart will fall in love.
There is a bloke that I bump into a few times a week and I have become very close to his Kelpie puppy. He will see me usually before I see him and he will run up to me and want hugs and pats.
P.s. Dingo's have a bad rap but they are remarkable "dogs" (not really a dog / K-9), Dingo's are the FIRST "dog".
Mine looked exactly like a dingo - same colour slight build.
We have a Kelpie, who is just the best nature and very chilled out for a typical kelpie breed, he also has one floppy ear which can be common for some, love these dogs 🙂❤️
"Red Dog"!🤘
'Red Dog True Blue' is a prequel. The first movie is called 'Red Dog'.
Rob, if you can, please watch the Aussie movie, Red Dog. You'll get an even better understanding of kelpies! 😁
We have a nearly 13yr old Kelpie who we rescued when he was 5. Will chase a ball all day long given half a chance! But stubborn when it comes to being hot and needing to cool down with a swim! No matter what you do he will not come back till he has found water to lie in! Then up and game for more ball chasing! He's slowing down now as his joints are giving him some trouble!
My old fella passed last year at 17. When he was young we tried to wear him out before rounding up the sheep. We were at my mates place 8km away and have the dog "Max" running behind the Ute. For the first 2 km he would keep up at 40km/h then we would drop back to 30 km/h for another 2km and then do the rest of the trip at 20km/h, then we would work the mob of sheep and he never got tired. I never had to cut his toe nails, he always wore them down. He only had health issues after 15 with his back legs, he was a very old man.
We own two red kelpies, a 12 month old male and a 2&1/2 yo female, and have had kelpies for many years (on 40 acres). The one at 1:18 is a dead ringer for our young girl who we rescued from the pound during COVID and the red/chocolate one at 4:48 is very similar to our handsome young lad who we rescued from the pound only a couple of months ago after our 16&1/2 year old black & tan "family patriarch" kelpie died. They are super intelligent, good natured, and highly trainable, but also need space to run around or they can get quite crazy. You do need to be a little careful where you let them out as their chasing/rounding instinct is very strong if you have other farm animals, who don't always appreciate it! Kelpies are generally healthy dogs and we've never had one with hip dysplasia. All have lived well into old age, being eventually taken by a couple of different types of cancer.
I think the yanks need to refresh the gene pool
I have a 13-year-old Kelpie and we live in a smallish place, and he needs 2-3 good walk/runs a day, plus other mental stimulation. They are incredibly energetic, even as senior dogs.
My late father bred and trained pure bred red cloud kelpies. They were sent to cattle farms and sheep stations all over Western Australia. A well trained kelpie is worth thousands and are a much prized addition to any outback homestead. As children we were not allowed to interact with the puppies while they were in training. But they were so cute.
I grew up on a dairy farm with Kelpies. They are the most loyal dog you will ever find and they absolutely love kids! They get on easy with other pets though they do love to round up chooks, bunnies ect. I'm sure my bunny got just as much amusement running up and down his cage, in and out of his hutch playing with the dog. I found that you really only have to teach them someone once or they will watch you and learn themselves. They have amazing instinct with strangers too, always trust your dog! One of ours HATED Italians for some reason and another would scare the crap out of our local courier who would deliver parcels to the farm house. He would leave the parcel at a side door that was a passage way between 2 rooms of the house that came off a carport. He would never see him anywhere or hear him but once he left the parcel at the door, he turn and walk back out only to turn and find the dog standing there staring at him blocking his path. The courier would always tell us that he had NEVER come across a stealth dog like him ever. He would never bark and would let him out but he always said said it sent chills up his spine the way this dog would always just creep up on him. Another Kelpie we had loved nipping at the cows heels too much and the cows would always kick at him and he's always have bloody mouth ect. Dad tied a long rope to a 4 wheel motorbike to try and stop the biting by limiting his reach to the cows, he got to the stage where he would actually pull the motorbike along when Dad got off, that dog had muscles on muscles!! Unfortunately we found out later that many other dogs from the same litter (from farmer friends) had to be put down due to biting people yet both parents were great working dogs. This one had bitten my dad a few times too. He was the only Kelpie we knew that would bite and did have a slight aggressive nature to him but other than that, have never heard of aggressiveness in the breed. They're not a biting dog and NEVER had any issues like that from our other Kelpies, they're a very loyal, loving dog.
Have a box of tissues handy for some parts of the RED DOG story
We have kelpies on our farm and they are such a beautiful dog, they are always gentle and friendly with our young children
@04:30 Good boy Rob, good boy. LOL.
More Doberman than Rotty.
Yes. That makes more sense.
Unless you're talking about Rob. LOL.
They are a lot of work, My dad (when he was alive) used to run 3 Dog Obedience clubs, and anybody who had one of these had a lot of work ahead of them
Owned a kelpie/heeler cross for 16 years. Best and smartest dog I've ever had. Never put him on a leash or needed to as he was always attentive to whistled commands and hand signals. Even when another dog would try to challenge him or start a fight or was on heat. He was taught not to cross the road without a signal, and to 'heel' of his own accord. This took maybe 5 minutes for him to learn. I used to do a lot of horse riding on trails, and he was the perfect companion. Would range about 50 metres ahead of the horse I was on, and if we came to a fork in the trail would wait for my signal for which path to take. I lived in suburban Melbourne in a standard house with a quarter acre yard. Daily walks were essential, with a long horse trail on weekends to mop up any excess energy.
At home he did have two speeds though - flat out round the room half way up the walls, and flat out on his side on the couch. Was bathed maybe once a month, brushed whenever I brushed my horse (he insisted), and I don't think I ever trimmed his nails or needed to. Still miss him. I'm too old now to cope with that much of an exercise requirement, but I wish I wasn't. Kelpies are special. Not for everyone, but if your life has room for a kelpie in it you are blessed and probably a jogger.
There's a famous story about a tradie that owned a kelpie, who used to fetch his tools from his pickup and bring them to him when he needed them. The tradie was fined by the RSPCA because he yelled at the dog for bringing him the 5/8ths gripley not the 3/8ths gripley. Up a ladder to the roof the tradie was working on. I believe it. Shouldn't happen to a dog.
They are incredible dogs whippets and greyhounds. Very loving.
You need to see the Aussie movie Red Dog… 👍
I had a Black and Tan as a child great dogs . Every dog I’ve had has loved cats 😂as their pack mates
When I was a child playing cricket on a miniature oval, we had a kelpie herding us... if we left to fetch the ball or go home, a 'nip' on the ankle was guaranteed. He never hurt us, it was pure instinct to vainly keep us "in our place." He was not trained to do this behaviour, and never prevented us from doing what we wanted. We just got use to it. 😊
Great working dogs!!!!
1 working dog = 5 blokes on a farm. Old mate had a goat farm & theses dogs were great with any escaped goats. These dogs were brilliant in keeping the goats moving from paddock to paddock. "Paddy" the lead dog had a warning system of barking when things were not right - he warned us of a few snakes in the grass too.
I adore my kelpie.. they are not for everyone. you cant be lazy. It takes all 5 of us (me, hubby and 3 active teens) to provide the mental and physically stimulation she needs.. I walk and train her every morning.. hubby works at home and plays tug and fetch with her on his breaks and she lays by his side all day. kids walk her after school and then when i get home from work we take her to the dog park to play fetch or run with other dogs in the early evening.. and then i work her in the evening with her meals and she sits by me until bed time..then on weekends we go to the dog beaches and nature walks. its like having a full extra human family member who also has adhd but the snuggles we get all night are worth it.
Yes you should watch red dog. It’s a little bit cheesy but it is still pretty good especially since it’s based on a true story of very intelligent dog.
I had a kelpie cattledog cross named Kelly. Best dog I ever had, fast, smart, great guard dog and was wonderful with my kids
I have a 3 month kelpie puppy 🙂 Everything you said seems to be true so far. He can be a bit naughty when he tries to play tug-of-war with our feet, socks, shoes, pants and hands but he is a beautiful and intelligent pup who loves nothing more than running around the farm.
I live in regional Western Australia and have a Kelpie x Whippet (Lily) and Kelpie x Border Collie (Bindy). Bindy's favourite game is hide and seek where I hide treats around the house and outside for her to find, but after her cruciate ligament surgery has slowed down a lot but still does her perimeter checks of the property. Lily's favourite game is tag - simply running between Bindy and I from one end of the property to the other LOL. PS - I also grew up in Paraburdoo, perhaps where my love for kelpies comes from :)
a lot of people dont realise that Kelpies can be as fast as a Greyhound.
Even with other dogs having a good 30 meter head start, the Kelpie quickly reaches its stride and easily catches up and outpaces other breeds except for the Whippet and Greyhound which it can easily keep up with.
They have to chase and be competitive and be given tasks like working to survive.
RED DOG, not Red Dog True Blue. It's an ok movie but the original RED DOG movie is where it's at.
the sequel had an all star cast, great movie, just not as good as original, does reference the original though. When the guy walks out from theater crying 'that was my dog'
I had a Kelpie mixed with a Whippet when I was a kid. I got her from the local veterinarian that found her as a stray. She was an amazing dog. Very smart and loving. Also very hyperactive lol. I used to walk her 2 or 3 times a day for an hour or so, then let her run around the local football oval for a bit, not to mention playing fetch and just running around all day. Even when she was obviously tired she never wanted to stop playing lol. I used to spend a lot of time with her training her and teaching her little tricks. She loved learning things. When I first got her she had food aggression. She was so skinny I think she just wasn't used to getting food. It only took about 2 days to stop that. Once she realised she would be getting food every day and growling only meant the food being taken away for a minute. She wasn't aggressive any other time with people. Although she didn't like other dogs. Except my mum's dog. She also loved cats. They used to hang out and play together all the time. She was such a great dog, all my friends and family loved her. Unfortunately I had to put her to sleep when she was 19 or 20. She had a long happy life though. I love Kelpies. I would've liked to get another one but decided to get a less active dog after she passed. I don't have as much time and energy to invest now. Kelpies are a great breed but need a lot of attention.
Everyone knows Bluey. The Blue Healer. Had some years ago I would never have a Kelpie in town they just have too much energy. The Blue healer can climb very high fences. They are very hard to contain. The Blues just kill everything for fun. A possum ran across the ground from one tree to the other. One bite they just watched it flailing around bleeding out. They are good at killing. Top fishing dogs as they scare off seagulls from the bait and can drag the fish into shore. Never owned a kelpie. I would if I had a heap of land.
Love Kelpies, my absolute favourite dog breed. Owned a few over the years, have a kelpie/border collie/ koolie x atm, smartest dog I've ever known, she knows what's going on well before I do.
Love the kelpie. Beautiful dogs, very friendly, but very energetic.
I adopted a Kelpie pup from the shelter a few years ago and that dog is more batshit crazy than my previous dog which was a Malinois.
I have two Kelpie x Collie dogs, they are a brother and sister from the same litter and both were rejected as a working farm dog. Now they are a year old, they are amazing. My mother is disabled and they both have adapted to her walking frame. But my boy has a bit of a mental condition, what works for his sister ( bones and slow feeder bowls and toys) don't work for him. But i have an amazing vet who has suggested an agility course and that he just likes his own voice. They work with me to calm any issues that uprise. He's very well looked after and he is absolutely a softy. His sister is a bit overweight but she's only has an allergy, which she's getting a treatment for. My boy is black and white, my girl red and white. Her white underbelly is where she gets a rash/ allergy. My neighbours don't like how vocal they can be, but they are amazing pups, even the local police said they were amazing during an attempted burglary of a neighbour. Without them being vocal the suspect would have gotten away. I'm raising them as family/ companion pets. But i know both are intuitive of my mothers medical condition and adapt for her. Kelpies are extremely smart, and loyal.
When I was a kid there was a song "Bob The Kelpie" by Don Spencer. It was written for children but it was quite popular back then.
We have a Corgi here in Australia. They don't have the energy of a Kelpie but are a herding dogs and need some excitement. They nip your feet and heels a lot around the house and are quite bossy and stubborn. Similar but different in their own way. We want to move to a larger property in the Blue Mountains and may look at a Kelpie, Koolie or Cattle Dog - great dogs.
Rob, I had two Kelpies while I was farming, but you nailed it with the comment about Wippets and Greyhounds, they are the, other than Kelpies, the best!
My 9 and a half year old Kelpie cross has had very few health issues. Other than needing special food for a sensitive stomach, she only goes to the vet for her yearly check-up. My almost 8 year old border collie, on the other hand, already has arthritis, though it's not too bad and over the counter stuff is helping.
We say our Kelpie Cross (she is half Kelpie, 1/4 poodle, and 1/4 cocker spaniel) is too smart for our own good 😅 but we love her to bits! Our border collie is as thick as two short planks 🤣
My parents have a kelpie. She is a genius and understands gravity. Well at least to the extent that when playing ball, she will drop a ball at the top of a hill so it rolls to the thrower instead of returning it all the way. 😆
7:31 The Red Dog Story claims that he went to Asia and back and I would not doubt it. They can be smart.
I've been blessed to know, own and work with a lot of working dogs and while kelpies are loud workers, sneaky bastards and "stubborn" doesnt quite cover it (think more like a methed up rebellious teenager with lazer focus), theyre always loyal goofballs with big characters and theres a pretty good chance they'll be a cuddlebug when its not Go Time. They're particularly good climbers and will try to swim in anything as long as its wet, hence the name. If theres even the smallest hint of moisture where youre working, they''ll find it. There's definitely German shepherd in there. My current dog is GS kelpie mix and she can pass as either. People usually guess one or the other, only one person got it right so far and she had one herself.
Red Dog happened where I was born (Dampier). I've seen the statue there and everything. Also my Mum's, best friend's bro was the bus driver. When you watch it, take the tissues. 🥺🤧
Red Dog is a brilliant movie Rob.
I use to have an Australian kelpie. Her name was She-ra (named after cartoon character, when I was a little boy). A neighbor of our family gave us a kelpie pup. Had the pup/dog throughout her life. Passed away at our home to old age (15/16 years). RIP She-ra