Australian Kelpie Feeding Chart
| Dog Age | Dog Weight | Food Type | Amount | Frequency |
| 2 Months | 7 lbs | Dry (Puppy formula) | 0.25 cups | 3x/day |
| 3 Months | 12 lbs | Dry | 0.4 cups | 3x/day |
| 6 Months | 25 lbs | Dry | 0.6 cups | 3x/day |
| 9 Months | 35 lbs | Dry* (Puppy/Adult) | 1 cup | 2x/day |
What kind of dog food should I Feed my Australian Kelpie?
Given that the Australian Kelpie is a naturally active breed, you should consider providing him with a dog food formulated for active dogs. Originally bred as a working dog, meant to herd livestock without direct supervision, the Australian Kelpie does well in training.
How do you take care of an Australian Kelpie?
Start your Australian Kelpie off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you're going to spay or neuter, don't do it too early. Jump down to this list of Australian Kelpie Health Problems Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Australian Kelpie puppy or adult dog:
How much should an Australian Kelpies weight?
These dogs do not take as many repetitions to get the hang of a task as other breeds, so avoid being overly repetitive during training or your dog may become frustrated. The average weight for this breed at maturity is between 31 and 44 pounds. The Australian Kelpie is an energetic and active breed that loves to have a job to do.
How much should I feed my Australian Kelpie?
Australian Kelpie Feeding ChartBreedFeed Amount Per DayAVG Price Per DayAustralian Kelpie 11KG - 21KG220g - 420g£0.92 - £1.76
How often should you feed a Kelpie?
Kelpies reach adulthood around their first birthday, from which time they can usually tolerate eating just one meal per day. However, you can continue to split the adult dog's food into two smaller daily meals if you prefer.
How do you take care of Australian Kelpies?
Routine Care, Diet, and ExerciseVery easy to groom, just run a brush through her coat once in a while. ... Australian Kelpies generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!She's a very smart dog with lots of energy, so keep her mind and body active, or she'll get bored.
Are Kelpies high maintenance?
The Kelpie is relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming with their 'wash and wear coat'. However, for such a short haired dog, Australian Kelpies shed much more than you might think. You'll need to brush them weekly to keep loose hair under control.
How long should you walk a Kelpie?
Kelpies are common working dogs. They are usually extremely alert, highly intelligent and have an almost inexhaustible energy. Plenty of exercise is a must for these energy machines. These medium sized working dogs needs at least 2 hours of exercise a day.
Can Kelpies be left alone?
This breed doesn't generally do well with apartment life nor do they do well being left alone for long periods of time. Without training, mental stimulation, and regular exercise, Kelpies can be rambunctious, difficult to manage, and destructive.
Do kelpies like to cuddle?
As Charlotte Schwartz notes in Australian Kelpie, “Most Kelpies are not 'lap dogs,' but the degree to which they enjoy petting and cuddling varies from dog to dog.”
Are kelpies smelly dogs?
The Australian Kelpie is not a hypoallergenic dog. He does not generally have a strong doggy smell and only requires a bath usually two times a year unless he is working livestock. His coat should be brushed at least once a week to remove dirt and loose hairs.
Do kelpies like water?
Genetically our Noonbarra Kelpies are usually very good dogs around water and love to swim but a little puppy should still be introduced gently and with patience.
Do Kelpies only bond with one person?
They tend to bond with one person in the family— this comes from their strong loyalty instinct, as opposed to shyness. However, they are cooperative and playful with everyone in the family. Kelpies have great personalities, especially when they have “tasks” to accomplish or animals to herd.
Are Kelpies a one person dog?
Kelpies are a very loyal breed, and are regarded as a 'one man dog'.
Can Kelpies be house dogs?
A Working Kelpie makes a fine family dog gets on well with 'his' children and because they are naturally gentle almost all Working Kelpies live peaceably with other family pets. All dogs need training and intelligent dogs such as the Kelpie love to learn and take great pleasure in working for their owner's approval.
Do kelpies ever calm down?
They go from having an inexhaustible amount of energy to passing out fast asleep. But there is no in-between. No chilled relaxing and gentle playing with a toy, or 'hanging out' when you have people over. It's either full blooded running around or sleep.
How do you stimulate a kelpie?
Try throwing a stick, a ball or Frisbee into the water to encourage your dog to retrieve as this will keep them active. You could use inflatables, like a beach ball and get your pooch to nudge it along with their nose.
Are kelpies aggressive?
The Australian Kelpie is not aggressive but won't hesitate to protect family members, animals or property, often without regard for their own safety. Kelpies usually like children, though you should interactions these interactions.
At what age is a kelpie fully grown?
A Kelpie will stop growing around 12 months old.
What should be the first ingredient in a recipe?
At a bare-minimum, the first ingredient should always be an animal based protein source (chicken, turkey, salmon, duck, beef, etc).
What are the ingredients that dogs can't eat?
The most common culprits are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. If you know the specific ingredients you need to avoid, use the advanced settings on our use our food finder to search for products without those ingredient. If you do not know the specific ingredients your dog must avoid, ...
What is the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for dog food?
Once you've located the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for a particular dog food, ensure that the life stage specified is appropriate for your dog. For example, foods that meet the AAFCO Adult Maintenance nutritional standard are not appropriate for australian kelpie puppies. It's also important to feed premium dog food ...
What diseases do kelpies have?
That's surprisingly high for a working dog, where sound structure should be of the highest importance. Eye diseases in Australian Kelpies include PRA (which always leads to blindness), cataracts (developing at 4-6 years old), collie eye anomaly, and coloboma.
Do Australian kelpies have hip dysplasia?
Most Kelpies are kept as working dogs on stock farms. As such, many of them are unregistered, and their owners don't belong to any official organizations where statistics are compiled. But hip dysplasia definitely occurs in the Kelpie.
What is the best food for an Australian kelpie?
Though opinions differ, a majority of veterinarians, breeders, and owners agree that the best dog food for an Australian Kelpie is premium dry kibble. This high-quality food, while more expensive and difficult to obtain, contains essential nutrients these energetic dogs need to maintain their health and activity levels.
What do kelpies eat?
While some prefer to feed their Kelpies a "raw" diet consisting of fresh meats, fruits and veggies, eggs, and other protein sources, premium dry food is the most popular and sensible choice. Kelpies do best with premium food that's formulated for active breeds.
How long does it take for a kelpie to grow?
As a medium-sized breed, Australian Kelpie puppy development typically spans 14-16 months from birth to full maturity. Physically, Kelpie pups grow swiftly in height and length for the first 6-7 months, then those growth rates slow somewhat while the adolescent gains muscle mass and fat; a Kelpie is normally at or near its full adult size (an average of 20 inches at the shoulder in height and 45 pounds in weight) at 11-12 months of age.
How much exercise do kelpies need?
The typical adult Kelpie, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need at least 90 minutes of proper exercise on a daily basis. You can begin exercising a Kelpie puppy at three months of age by taking it on short (10-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the pup grows.
How old should a kelpie be to run?
Some things to consider when exercising your Australian Kelpie: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones.
What is an Australian kelpie?
The Australian Kelpie: intelligent, hard-working, active, and independent. Though these dogs are a bit rare outside their native Australia, they make fantastic working dogs, and are athletic pets as well. They're also beloved by their owners--in part because aside from their high exercise requirements, Australian Kelpie care ...
When do kelpies reach maturity?
Socially, Kelpie puppies develop steadily: they reach adolescence at 5-6 months, sexual maturity at 9-10 months, and full mental maturity at about 15 months (though some Kelpies may retain their puppylike behavior for a few additional months). For specific milestones in Kelpie development, see the chart below.
What to feed a kelpie?
Feeding. Feed your Kelpie a balanced diet of fresh meat, bones, chicken and a quality dry food and even try fresh fruit and vegetables in the blender. Also a dessert spoon of fresh yoghurt each day on their food is very good for them. If your dog cannot eat bones then try giving them a whole carrot or an apple to chew.
What makes an Australian kelpie unique?
What makes the Australian Kelpie Unique? A compact, robust, enthusiastic and tireless working dog. Excellent at herding, the Australian Kelpie is the most popular and successful working dog. Kelpies are devoted one-man dogs but far too work-oriented and energetic for a couch dog or apartment existence.
What are the health problems of kelpies?
Kelpies are a hardy breed with few health problems, but they are susceptible to disorders common to all breeds, like cryptorchidism, hip dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy and luxating patella. Current research is underway to find the genetic marker for cerebellar abiotrophy in the breed. Deworming.
Why is the Kelpie called the Kelpie?
Many believe the Kelpie, because of its distinctive face and eyes, is the result of a Dingo crossed with a Border Collie. The Dingo is thought to be the ancestor of all dog breeds – the base stock. The name Kelpie actually comes from the water kelpie in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Kidnapped.
What is a double coat kelpie?
The double coat consists of a short and dense undercoat and a hard, straight and weather-repellent outer coat. Color possibilities include black and red, each with or without out tan; and fawn, chocolate and blue. Kelpie owners are more interested in the breed’s working ability then their appearance. Short History.
How many kelpies are there in Australia?
Working dogs, they were imported to Australia in the late 19th century. Currently there are roughly 100,000 Kelpies in service in Australia. They have no limitations and can work reindeer, poultry, goats and cattle. Outstanding in obedience competitions.
What is the temperament of a kelpie?
The Kelpie is extremely alert, eager and highly intelligent, with a mild, tractable disposition and an almost inexhaustible energy, with marked loyalty and devotion to duty. It has a natural instinct and aptitude in the working of sheep, both in open country and in the yard.
What is the History of the Australian Kelpie?
The energetic Kelpie came into being around 1870, with this working dog breed having a role to play with the herding of sheep in the harsh Australian outback. The sheep and wool industry in Australia has always been big business, and Australian ranchers were looking for a tough dog that could cope with sheep and cope with the harsh environment.
What are the Breed Traits and Characteristics of Australian Kelpies?
A herding dog hailing from the land Down Under, the athletic, muscular, and energetic Australian Kelpie is an extremely intense breed. Highly intelligent and driven, Kelpies enjoy working hard. In fact, they really need a job to do—hanging around the house simply won’t suffice.
What are the Physical Traits of the Australian Kelpie?
The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized sheepdog, with males and females weighing between 26 and 45 pounds, and they usually look and feel like they could do a day’s work without any effort. In appearance, they’re athletic, lithe, muscular, and slightly longer than tall. Kelpies’ height at the wither ranges between 16 and 21 inches.
What is the Average Maintenance Cost for Australian Kelpies?
Australian Kelpies are popular in the United States. The average price of an Australian Kelpie is $590, and Kelpies typically range from $500 to $600. However, the cost of an Australian Kelpie puppy can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000.
What is the best diet for Australian Kelpies?
Your dog’s adult size determines its dietary needs through all life stages. Thus, base your Australian Kelpie’s diet on a medium breed’s unique nutritional and digestive needs throughout its different life stages.
Where to Buy or Adopt an Australian Kelpie?
Though Australian Kelpies are mostly similar, different breeders specialize in various working abilities.
Michael Brady
Michael is an animal-lover who specializes in marketing. He started running Dog Food Care with his mother, Sarah, after leaving his office job. Michael gained enough flexibility in his schedule to be able to adopt a dog of his own and welcomed Emmie the dachshund into his home in 2020.
What is the Australian kelpie?
The Australian Kelpie is fully recognized by the United Kennel Club, where it is part of the Herding Dog Group. The breed is also recognized by the international kennel club Fédération Cynologique International (Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs).
Do kelpies work?
Highly intelligent and driven, Kelpies enjoy working hard. In fact, they really need a job to do—hanging around the house simply won’t suffice. Most Australian Kelpies are used as working dogs, mostly herding sheep, though some Kelpies can be used on cattle as well.
Do Australian kelpies like other pets?
Australian Kelpies are affectionate with children and typically get along well with other pets, though they might need to be discouraged from excessive herding of other members of their pack. They are highly trainable, eager to please, and loyal.
Is a kelpie a working dog?
The breed has impressive endurance; if you’re looking for a running partner, the Australian Kelpie is your dog. However, unless you are devoted to doing a lot with and for your dog, this breed is not generally an ideal pet. The Australian Kelpie is truly best-suited as a working dog. In fact, the breed is often referred to as ...
Is a kelpie smart?
Like most herding breeds, Australian Kelpies are extremely smart and biddable. In fact, the breed’s intelligence rivals that of the famed Border Collie. Kelpies can be trained to do just about anything, and they are eager to learn new skills.
Is an Australian kelpie a good dog?
Where to Adopt or Buy an Australian Kelpie. The Australian Kelpie is not a good choice for the average pet owner, but if you’re looking for a performance dog or working dog, the breed may be a great fit. Though Australian Kelpies are mostly similar, different breeders specialize in different types of working ability.
What is the best diet for a Kelpie?
Excellent examples include Royal Canin Energy or Hill's Science Diet Active.
What is a Kelpie dog?
This article is written by Pet Circle's qualified veterinarian, Dr Carla Paszkowski, BVSc (Hons) One of the only dogs bred specifically for the harsh Australian climate, the Kelpie is a loyal, hyper-intelligent and hardworking dog. This incredibly clever breed has a high requirement for exercise and a fast-working mind, ...
What is the best diet for a medium breed puppy?
Royal Canin Medium Breed Puppy. This very high quality diet tailored for the needs of medium breed puppies is high in fish oil which is a natural source of omega fatty acids to support healthy skin, a shiny coat and optimal brain development.
What is the origin of the Kelpie?
The true origins of the Kelpie are shrouded in uncertainty. For many years, the Kelpie is was believed to be the result of wild dingoes interbreeding with collies. In the early 20th century, this belief was generally squashed and proclaimed to be a myth.
Why is the Kelpie story so secretive?
Interestingly, one of the reasons why the real story behind the Kelpie's origins is so secretive and vague could be due to the nation's previous attitude towards dingoes. Sheep farmers in the 18th and 19th centuries reviled dingoes, and a bounty was offered for every dingo destroyed.
Do kelpies live long?
In general, Kelpies have a fairly hardy constitution for a pure breed dog; many will live long, healthy, uneventful lives, sometimes years in excess of their expected lifespan. Kelpies are known for being 'healthy right until the end' and may pass away from old age after very little illness. However, this statement may be in part due to the owner's interpretation - as we mentioned previously, the Kelpie is extremely stoic and may hide any illnesses present.
Do kelpies complain?
If rescuing a mistreated Kelpie, be prepared to dedicate time, kindness, and lots of patience to their rehabilitation. That said, Kelpies are notoriously stoic and 'not likely to complain' - in fact, they may not show they are in pain until an ailment has become quite serious.
What is an Australian kelpie?
The Australian Kelpie is a highly intelligent breed of herding dog that likes to work hard. The name for this breed is similar to a creature from Scottish and Irish mythology – a Kelpie is a magical water horse that has ill intentions toward humans, particularly children. In reality, the Australian Kelpie is nothing like this mythological creature – it is friendly and playful, always eager to please its human companions. If you are looking for a clever working breed, particularly for herding, the Australian Kelpie is definitely a breed to consider.
Where did the Australian kelpie originate?
The origins of the Australian Kelpie can be traced back to the early collies that were imported into Australia during the early 19 th century as working dogs. These working collies were bred with other breeds, possibly wild dingoes as well, to improve their abilities for working stock without direct supervision. Though dingoes were illegal to keep as pets, physical similarities between the dingo and the Australian Kelpie suggests that the two were crossed at some point in the past.
What are the different colors of kelpies?
Different colors of Kelpie carry different names. Black Kelpies are often referred to as Barb Kelpies, after Barb, the Kelpie who won the Melbourne cup in 1866. Red Cloud Kelpies are the descendants of John Quinn’s Red Cloud that became well known throughout Australia.
Do Australian kelpies have to be independent?
It is important to keep in mind that Australian Kelpies were bred to be independent, so you need to account for that with your training. These dogs do not take as many repetitions to get the hang of a task as other breeds, so avoid being overly repetitive during training or your dog may become frustrated.
Is Australian kelpie a working dog?
Given that the Australian Kelpie is a naturally active breed, you should consider providing him with a dog food formulated for active dogs. Originally bred as a working dog, meant to herd livestock without direct supervision, the Australian Kelpie does well in training.
Do Australian kelpies walk?
This being the case, this breed requires a significant amount of daily exercise – one daily walk will not suffice. This breed does best when given some type of job to do, so training for agility is recommended.
Can a kelpie be a family pet?
These dogs tend to bond strongly with one person, so they may not be the best option for a family pet. Australian Kelpies are good with children when raised from puppies, but they do not do well when kept primarily indoors – they need space to run and a job to perform.
What is a kelpie used for?
The Kelpie is used for working sheep far more often in Australia than in the US (we tend to use Border Collies). Kelpie breeders in the US tend to focus on showing their dogs in the conformation ring, which is all about appearance, essentially ignoring the breed's correct temperament and working skills.
What happens if you start an Australian kelpie puppy off on the wrong foot?
These pages are very important, because if you start your Australian Kelpie puppy off on the wrong foot, he will probably experience health problems later on. Starting off right is essential. Training Australian Kelpies, which includes my advice on respect training, housebreaking, and socialization.
Is an Australian kelpie a working dog?
Australian Kelpies with work to do are physically and mentally fulfilled. The rest are likely to be described as "hyper" or "neurotic." This is a working dog, not a casual backyard pet.
Does an Australian kelpie have any behavior problems?
An Australian Kelpie who is physically and psychologically content and who recognizes that he is the follower and his owner is the leader, does not have any behavior problems.
Do kelpies learn words?
Yes and no. Kelpies are very, very smart, but they do have a sizable independent streak (especially compared to say, a Border Collie). So the question is not whether they can learn words and commands and good behaviors – they can. Very, very quickly. it's whether they will DO those things for YOU.
