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Popular Dog Breeds
- 1. Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs
- 2. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Australian Kelpies
- 3. Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs
- 4. Retrievers
- 5. German Shepherds
Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Australian Kelpies
Jacque Lynn Schultz, CPDT, Director, ASPCA Special Projects
This is the second part of a three-part series on sheep-herding dogs: Part I covered Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs; Part II covers Australian Shepherds, Border Collies and Australian Kelpies; and Part III will cover Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs.
Whether you visit a small Midwest farm, tour the Irish countryside or travel to a vast Australian sheep station, you are bound to see hard-working sheepdogs. These days the breeds most likely to still be found working flocks are Australian Shepherds, Border Collies and Australian Kelpies. The work ethic is so strong in these breeds that placement in a laid back pet home is tantamount to torture for them. See if you have what it takes to meet the needs of these super smart, high drive dogs!
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD
The Australian Shepherd (Aussie) isn't really Australian at all. Like many breeds, its early beginnings are debatable, but all lead to the breed becoming established in the American West where raising sheep became popular around the time of the Civil War. English Shepherds, working collies and other regional farm dogs were most likely interbred to produce the medium-sized bobtail of today. The breed's moderately long body and broad solid feet allow for the physical versatility needed to herd a flock of sheep or excel in the agility ring. The Aussie coat consists of a coarse outercoat and a thick soft undercoat that comes in the following colors: red merle, blue merle, red and black - all with or without white markings and tan points.
The Australian Shepherd is less stock-intense than the Border Collie or Kelpie and can be the easiest of the three to incorporate into an urban household. However, the Aussie still requires a serious dedication to exercise. Involvement in some type of dog sports such as agility, flyball or even search and rescue work is strongly recommended. If this intelligent dog is not physically and mentally stimulated, he may become destructive or temperamental.
The Aussie is considered a one-person or one-family dog and displays caution around strangers. Early puppy socialization will help an Aussie become as friendly as his genes allow. This innate sense of caution results in a sheepdog that is more territorial and watchful than many other herding breeds.
While generally a healthy breed, the Australian Shepherd is prone to eye and hip problems. Collie eye anomaly (CEA) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) are the most common eye disorders seen. Blindness, deafness, organ failure and autoimmune disease can occur when two merle-patterned dogs are mated.
BORDER COLLIE
This most stylish stock dog is in all likelihood the oldest. The Border Collie (BC) has been noted in literature since the 16th century, although the breed was not named "Border Collie" until 1915. Developed along the border country between England and Scotland, over the years the breed has been referred to as the working collie, farm collie and old-fashioned collie. The BC's natural instinct is to run wide around a flock, gather up the animals and deliver them to the shepherd. The intense crouch and "eye" (stare) employed by the Border Collie is extremely effective in moving wayward animals, making it the most popular working dog in Great Britain and Ireland. Most BCs are medium-sized dogs weighing 30-49 lbs. The coat can either be rough (longish) or smooth (moderately short). While black and white is the most common coat color combination, BCs can also be red merle, blue merle, tri-color, solid black or brown. The breed standard allow for more variety than most because the dog's working ability is what is of optimal importance.
The intensity and herding drive in these intelligent dogs makes them very difficult to live with in the average pet home. Herding Border Collie style demands that they notice every moment and counter it with one of their own. In a pet home, the dog attempts to herd spouse, kids, cats, and cars. They are always underfoot and ready to respond. Without a commitment to approximately 2 hours a day of exercise and another ½ hour devoted to some kind of training, a flockless Border Collie is prone to hyperactivity, destructiveness and becoming a general nuisance.
Border Collies share the same health concerns as Aussies: PRA, CEA and hip dysplasia. Epilepsy is a problem for some dogs as well.
AUSTRALIAN KELPIE
The Australian Cattle Dog moves stock by biting, the Australian Shepherd by barking and the Border Collie by eye. The versatile Kelpie uses all three methods on many kinds of stock. This breed is the Number One sheep-herding dog in Australia, yet in America they are most often found on cattle ranches. In the 1870s Down Under, a working collie was bred to a local black and tan bitch named Kelpie. From the resulting pups, a line of exceptional, robust herding dogs emerged that were tailor made to handle Australia's extreme heat and dust. Like other working collies, the Kelpie is a well-muscled medium-sized dog. The breed sports a weather-resistant coat that comes in red, blue, fawn, cream or black with or without tan points. The black Kelpie became known as the Barb and for years was considered to be a separate breed. Erect pricked ears and a sharp muzzle finish off the dog's intense appearance.
The Kelpie has a tougher temperament than most other collie types and is more quarrelsome with other dogs of its own sex. While friendly enough to other people, this breed is a devoted one-person dog. They are independent dogs that have the stamina and drive to work large flocks on huge stations/ranches. But without a job, the Kelpie gets restless and trouble ensues. Apartment dwellers beware! Unless you are a tri-athlete looking for a canine training buddy, this breed is not for you.
The Kelpie is a very healthy breed. The most common physical ailments are the result of a hard working life - heat exhaustion and geriatric arthritis.
WORKING COLLIE MIXES
Luckily, most working collie mixes do not have the same drive and energy level as the purebreds - unless they are from generations of working dogs. The mixed breed sheepdog is a medium-sized dog of 30-50 lbs. and is generally a little longer than it is tall. Its skull is moderately square with a tapering muzzle and ears that are generally either pricked or semi-pricked. The coat is medium length and water-resistant and can be any color or combination seen in the working collies. Loyal, smart and a quick study, the sheepdog mixes can be a great match for those that can get them mentally and physically exhausted by day's end.
Next in
Before You Adopt: Popular Dog Breeds:
Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs
