Is a Kelpie dog a good pet?

The Australian Kelpie is an energetic and intelligent breed of dog originally bred to work with livestock. They aren’t as common in the UK as other pastoral type breeds such as Border Collies, but their numbers are steadily increasing.  

If you’re considering a Kelpie as a pet, you may be wondering how well the traits of this working breed adapt to a domestic setting and/or family life? Kelpies can make wonderful pets in the right environment and perhaps it’s more appropriate to consider why you might want a Kelpie and if your home and lifestyle can meet their needs. Continue reading to find out if a Kelpie is right match for you!

An introduction to the Kelpie 

The Australian Kelpie is a high-energy, intelligent, hardworking dog. This herding breed was originally bred for work in the outback meaning they’re tough and have lots of stamina. Their ancestry can be traced back to Scottish and British working collies imported to Australia in around 1870. In 1902 the Kelpie was registered as a distinct breed in Australia. Their trainability, desire to work and loyalty is sought after by farmers, and the first Kelpies were imported into the UK in the 1980’s. Although they aren’t currently recognised by the Kennel Club (KC), they are recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). They are good looking dogs having an alert expression usually displaying erect, pricked ears. They are medium sized with a lean, athletic, muscular build, they have a rain-resistant double coat with a dense short undercoat. 

Kelpies are predominately owned by farmers, but they have started to find their way into pet homes, they are extremely active and thrive when their sharp minds and immense energy is channelled in the right way.

Exercise and mental stimulation: meeting their needs.

Kelpies are bred to work, and they need a job to do! They need to use their brains and have an outlet for their energy. If you don’t have acres of land and a flock of sheep or other livestock to keep them occupied, then you’ll need to think carefully about how you can keep your Kelpie mentally and physically fulfilled. 

Although Kelpies have certain breed traits, every dog is different. Some will have strong working genetics, and it will be harder to fulfil their needs in a domestic setting. Some are failed working dogs and may not be as high-drive as other Kelpies but make no mistake they’ll still want a job! Kelpies have also been purposely or accidentally mixed with other breeds (most commonly collies or spaniels), so think carefully about the likely personalities and temperaments of both breeds before taking on a Kelpie cross! 

High need for physical and mental stimulation

Although Kelpies are loyal companions and often like to be involved in what’s going on, meeting their physical and mental needs is key to prevent unwanted behaviour in the home environment. They have been known to round up children; this is due to their instinct to gather and herd livestock and other things that move such as; other pets, lawnmowers or vacuum cleaners. This innate rounding up behaviour can include nipping and barking. Kelpies have also been known to chase moving cars and bicycles or lurching towards these whilst on a lead.

If you tend to head out for mighty hikes on a weekend but have a busy work schedule in the week, only allowing for short walks then a Kelpie might not be the best fit. Even an hour’s walk a day is unlikely to be enough for this breed especially whilst they are young, they were bred to work all day!

Mental stimulation and training can be just as tiring and is just as important as physical exercise. Although intelligent and highly trainable they are known for their ability to work independently which can also lead to “stubbornness”; this stubborn streak may prove challenging for inexperienced owners. 

The importance of training

Kelpies need consistent training; if you can commit to regular training and/or classes, this will help keep them contented. Their physical prowess and unique skillset mean that they are well suited to popular canine sports such as agility and flyball. In March 2025 a 7 year old Australian Kelpie cross springer spaniel won the Young Kennel Club agility dog of the year with their 17 year old handler. Dogs should be physically mature before intensive training or competition in these high-impact sports but the foundations can be started before this; the growing sport of hoopers is thought to have less impact on developing joints. 

Kelpies also make very good search and rescue dogs, at home scent work is good for mental stimulation. Obedience and trick training can also be started during puppyhood. All of these activities are not only good exercise for their brains and bodies but will also help build a stronger bond between a dog and owner.

Other considerations: health and grooming

Kelpies are generally a healthy and hardy breed with a life expectancy of around 12-16 years but they are slightly more prone to some genetic conditions; Hip Dysplasia, Cerebellar Abiotrophy and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). If you’re going to welcome a Kelpie to your home its important to be aware of these, although they more susceptible to these conditions than other breeds may be, these health problems are still relatively rare within the breed as a whole. 

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a genetic condition whereby the hip joint doesn’t develop normally, this leads to excessive wear and tear on the joint causing pain, stiffness and gait abnormalities. Hip dysplasia develops from an early age as a puppy grows but depending on the severity of joint deformity symptoms may not appear until later in life. Hip dysplasia can affect many breeds of dog including crossbreeds. To reduce the risk, it’s recommended that dogs undergo screening x-rays to detect any abnormalities before breeding. 

Cerebellar Abiotrophy:

This is a genetic neurological condition involving a progressive degeneration of the cerebellar tissue in the brain. The cerebellum controls voluntary movement, balance and muscle tone so affected dogs will show symptoms such as exaggerated, un co-ordinated movements, tremors and ataxia.  Kelpies are more likely to have juvenile onset of the disease (between 6 weeks and 6 months of age). There is no cure but genetic testing is available for dogs before breeding to help prevent passing on the condition.

PRA:

This is an inherited disease, causing degeneration of the retina at the back of the eye leading to blindness. Typically, night blindness is noticed initially, followed by a progressive loss of daytime vision. There is no treatment although affected dogs often adapt and learn to cope remarkably well with the gradual vision loss, especially if their home environment doesn’t change. Genetic testing is available to identify carriers and affected dogs. It is also reported that Kelpies may be more prone to Collie Eye Anomaly

Health testing

If you’re planning on getting a puppy, ideally try to find a responsible breeder who has health tested their breeding dogs. This will help to ensure the health of your future puppy, and also helps to prevent conditions becoming more prevalent within the breed. However, genetic testing on Kelpies in the UK is not carried out as routinely as in some other breeds of dog so finding a puppy from health tested parents may prove difficult. If you are rehoming or rescuing an adult dog, then keep an eye out for symptoms of these conditions; any health concerns can be discussed with your vet.

Living with a Kelpie

In terms of grooming the Kelpie is relatively low maintenance but having a double coat they have the potential to shed a lot of hair. Regular grooming approximately once a week should suffice. As with any breed of dog make sure to keep an eye on nail length and paws, ears and eyes for any signs of injury or ailment. Grooming is also a good time to check for any lumps and bumps.

On a final note…

Welcoming any dog into your home is a big decision, they may be with you for the next 10-15 years so it’s worth careful consideration. These highly active, smart dogs were bred for purpose, they deserve and need a home where they receive plenty of physical and mental stimulation so be honest with yourself about the time and energy you have. Kelpies are loyal dogs, they can and do make fantastic pets in the right environment but you need to think carefully if this breed is the best fit for your home and lifestyle. 