Fabapocalypse 35 Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I spent some time today with a dog which looks to me from his conformation to have some Kelpie in him, although there's no way to be sure. He's probably about 15 months old but again there's no way to be certain of that. He has a really good temperament, is great with kids and other dogs (but not cats or bikes!), is a bit manic in a sort of "more than collie" way, if that makes sense, but is very smart and learns quickly if you can get his attention. Which is the difficult bit! He doesn't have much of an attention span at the moment and is into everything. He's very "busy", always looking for something to do, and picked up a new command in about ten minutes flat today. Does that sound familiar to anyone who has or knows any Kelpies or Kelpie crosses? And if so, any hints and tips? I don't mean so much working ability, but in general. This is just out of pure interest since the dog seems to have a different mindset to the "typical" lurcher (if there is such a thing!) I'm used to coming across, and I'm intrigued. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-HuntingLass- 0 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Active, intelligent and very much a farmer's dream dog by the sounds of it. My brother in-law works on a farm and they work collies and every so often a few Aussie's but he has said if the oppertunity presented itself he would have one. Dont lack in confidence and live for their work. It could be a Kelpie cross but without a picture couldn't even hazzard a guess. Usually its those ears that give it away (look like they pick up their own radio frequency) nice sounding dogs though Iv never had the pleasure of meeting one myself. Pretty much like any collie or working breed, keep him busy doing what makes him happy. Keep him mentally and physically maintained. Just out of interest is he a rescue or a chums dog? ATB Leanne Quote Link to post Share on other sites
willum 89 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 a couple of mates of mine have kelpie lurchers and they are pretty smart quite a hard dog aswell good head to them and work a dream on all legal quarry the dog especially well defined but not to sure with strangers or other dogs the 2 bitches bit more slight in the body but just as keen and intelligent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fabapocalypse 35 Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Leanne you have PM... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 1,873 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 (edited) I have three pure kelpies which I use for ferreting, bushing etc. As kelpies are primarily bred for work they're not always consistent in terms of appearance and character eg most are prick-eared but some aren't. When I bought my first kelpie, nearly ten years ago, several of the dogs on the farm had floppy ears and were fairly tall. If I didn't know better I'd have assumed they were huntaways. As to temperement, some are friendly and outgoing whereas some are definitely one-man-dogs. One of mine refuses to let anybody touch her whereas another is a complete tart. My male was a one-man-dog until about three years old but is now very gregarious and outgoing though if we meet any other dogs while I'm walking my son in his buggy he'll stand in front of the buggy and back up his growls if they're ignored. I think they're great dogs but I can certainly see why some people wouldn't like them as some can be a little collie-like: as in bad-nervous-collie as opossed to good-calm-collie if you know what I mean. Edited September 29, 2009 by Neal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shell 42 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Sounds just like a keplie cross! Always on the go, very bright. Sounds about right for its age, as they can take a bit longer to steady up! Love your decription as being "busy" and "manic"! Sounds right!!! Hints and tips... I'd be grateful of any too! Stimulation and perserverance. 15 months is still only 'young' for a kelpie cross. Channel all that positive energy in a positive way! Shell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-HuntingLass- 0 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Leanne you have PM... Very nice dog. You should maybe put that picture up to get some votes from the dog men and women, someone like Neal would probably be able to say right away. In my opinion I think it is, just looks like a slightly racey looking Kelpie. Be a dog certainly worth having. ATB Leanne Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fabapocalypse 35 Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Because he's not my own dog, I'm not sure I can put up a photo (plus you wouldn't believe the politics there are in the rescue game!), but I've PMd Neal and am about to send one to Shell too once the forum lets me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shell 42 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Whatever he is... he's a bonny looking lad! shell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 1,873 Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) Can't be certain, for the reasons stated above, but I'd hazard a guess that there's some kelpie in there. It's difficult to say how much though; as an example my male is quite stocky and more heeler-like whereas I often get people pointing out the taller of my two bitches and asking me how my lurcher's bred! If I had to guess I'd say maybe half kelpie (with or without some collie) and half sighthound. Thanks for PMing me the photo Edited to add: Shell; don't worry, mine were still pups and didn't develop their full "character" until about three...which means I'm still waiting for the youngest to calm down! My oldest was nearly six before he caught his first rabbit, though he'd already caught rat, squirrel and pigeon. Ironically, the middle bitch, who was two at the time, caught one at the same time in the opposite corner of the same field. Edited October 1, 2009 by Neal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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