An agile and active dog, tireless at work thanks to its tight muscles and very supple limbs.
Character
The Kelpie is extremely attentive, enthusiastic and very intelligent. It has a gentle and obedient nature. Its energy is almost inexhaustible. He is very loyal and very devoted. He brings an instinctive talent for working sheep, whether in the open or inside a fence.
Head
The head is proportional to the dog’s size. The outline and overall shape of the head give a fox-like impression, which is softened by the almond-shaped eyes.
Skull
Slightly rounded and wide between the ears. Seen in profile, the forehead runs straight to the stop. The nose cap the colour is matched to that of the hair coat.
The teeth should be healthy, strong and evenly distributed. The kelpie has a scissors bite.
The eyes are almond-shaped, of medium size and with clearly drawn eye corners. Expression intelligent and full of eagerness. The eye colour is matched to the hair colour.
Ears
The ears are erect and end in a thin tip. The skin is thin but strong at the base. They are set far apart and the moderately large earshells curve outwards; the outer edge is slightly rounded. The inside is well furred.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, slightly curved and harmonious in the shoulders. It has a visible collar.
Body
The ribs are stretchy and the chest is deep rather than wide. It is also strong with firmly muscled loins. The length of the dog from the forechest directly to the hind is greater than the length at the height of the withers in the ratio of ten to nine.
The shoulders should be healthy and muscular, and should slope nicely to the shoulder blades at the level of the withers. The upper arm should make a 90-degree angle with the shoulder blade. The elbows should not protrude inwards or outwards. The thighs should be muscular with strong but delicate bones and they should be straight and parallel when looked at from the front. Viewed from the side, the legs should have a slight slope to ensure flexibility of movement and the ability to turn quickly.
The hind quarters should be broad and powerful. The hind knee joints well turned and the hock joints hanging downwards. Viewed from the rear, the hind legs, from the hock joints to the foot, are straight and parallel, not too close together but also not too far apart. The legs are round, strong and with well-shaped toes and strong short nails.
Tail
While resting, the tail hangs in a slight curve. During movement or excitement, the tail may rise. It should be covered with considerable hair. It reaches almost to the hock joints.
Coat
Pole hair with a short and thick undercoat. The top coat is close, each hair straight, hard and flat, so it protects against rain. Below the body and up to the back of the limbs, the hair is longer and forms something like light ‘trousers’ at the thighs. On the head (including the inside of the ears), on the front of the limbs and legs, the hair is short. At the neck, it is longer and thicker, forming a collar. The tail should carry a strong brush.
Main colours: black, black and brown, red, red and brown, fawn, chocolate brown or smoke blue.
Other colours are not considered faulty.
Size
Male dogs: 46 to 51 cm height at the withers
Females: 43 to 48 cm height at withers
Workingkelpies with FCI papers are generally bigger
