as a pet. These adult dogs can make fine companions, providing they have friendly, willing temperaments and are taken in by owners who understand the breed and can provide them with sufficient space and exercise.
With an adult dog, all of the developmental stages of growing up are over. The dog is usually housebroken and chewing stages are long gone. However, many Kelpies that are given up by pet owners are in their adolescent stage, during which the “go, go, go” mindset was too much for their previous owners to handle. And though bonding will take longer than with a puppy, the older dog can develop a strong relationship with new owners, providing he’s treated with gentle kindness and patience.
THE FAMILY TREE
Your puppy’s pedigree is his family tree. Just as a child may resemble his parents and grandparents, so too will a puppy reflect the qualities, good and bad, of his ancestors, especially those in the first two generations. Therefore it’s important to know as much as possible about a puppy’s immediate relatives. Reputable and experienced breeders should be able to explain the pedigree and why they chose to breed from the particular dogs they used.
Now, let’s talk about the sex of your new dog. Females are usually more gentle and tend to stay closer to home than males. They can be very patient with young children and gentle with older adults. Males are usually more curious and tend to wander away from home more frequently. They also can be stronger-willed than females and frequently require a firmer leader. However, a stubborn, dominant female can be a real challenge, too.
As far as size, females are generally smaller than males. Size can vary quite a bit within the breed. While this is not a large breed, it is a very athletic and strong breed, with the strength of a much larger dog packed into a compact body.
In both cases, neutering the male and spaying the female is a must in order to get the most out of the relationship. Unless your pup has been deemed as having excellent potential for future breeding, spaying/neutering should be considered mandatory and may even be required in the breeder’s sales contract. Left unaltered, dogs are controlled by their hormones. Their natural urges can be so strong and overwhelming that they never really develop strong bonds with their human pack members.
Males are governed by hormones full-time, 12 months a year. On the other hand, females are governed by hormones usually twice a year for periods of 21 days at a time. This is the period known as estrus. A female in estrus will willingly accept any male dog that finds his way to her door during these heat cycles. As a result, the unaltered male frequently wanders the neighborhood in search of females in heat, and the female has unwanted puppies. Altering is the perfect solution to these situations. Altered dogs are generally nicer, more loving and more dedicated to home and family than sexually intact dogs.
FINDING A QUALIFIED BREEDER
Before you begin your puppy search, ask for references from your vet, other owners and other breeders to refer you to someone they believe is reputable. Responsible breeders usually raise only one or two breeds of dog. Avoid any breeder who has several different breeds or has several litters at the same time. Dedicated breeders are usually involved with a breed or other dog club. Many participate in some sport or activity related to their breed. Just as you want to be assured of the breeder’s qualifications, the breeder wants to be assured that you will make a worthy owner. Expect the breeder to interview you, asking questions about your goals for the pup, your experience with dogs and what kind of home you will provide.
A litter of Kelpies means more than a little mischief!
Once you are sure that the Australian Kelpie is the breed for you, check with the Kelpie breed clubs and registries to get the names, addresses and phone numbers of Kelpie owners and breeders in your area. If you have a computer, the Internet can provide many references for Australian Kelpies; the breed club, Working Kelpies, Inc., is a good place to start. Talk to local veterinarians to find out if they count Kelpies among their clients. Through these sources, you can meet Kelpie owners to see how they feel about the breed and if they have any recommendations for you as a prospective owner. Remember that the show-type Kelpies and working Kelpies differ considerably, so this will play a large role in your choice of a breeder. Talking to people within the breed can further acquaint you with the differences and can point you toward breeders of the type you prefer.
Most breeders of working Kelpies are insistent about their dogs’ being used for work and will not sell to pet owners. If you are bringing a Kelpie into a pet home, your search for a breeder will be difficult. Finding a breeder in your area will be even more difficult. Be wary of a Kelpie breeder who agrees to sell you a puppy without much thought to your living environment and your preparedness for the breed; this is not the type of breeder from whom you should purchase any breed.
NEW RELEASES
Most breeders release their puppies between seven to ten weeks of age. A breeder who allows puppies to leave the litter at five or six weeks of age may be more concerned with profit than with the puppies’ welfare. However, some breeders of show or working breeds may hold one or more top-quality puppies longer, occasionally until three or four months of age, in order to evaluate the puppies’ career or show potential and decide which one(s) they will keep for themselves.
Your efforts will be worth it when you find a reputable Kelpie breeder. Only the pup’s breeder will know about the origin of the puppy, the background of the parents, any risk of hereditary health problems, how the puppy was raised, the pup’s personality, etc. A good breeder will also offer help and support after the puppy comes home with you. Therefore, the best place to look for a Kelpie puppy is from a Kelpie breeder.
Your Kelpie puppy will not be an instant purchase. If you find a good breeder who agrees to sell you a puppy, you will likely be put on a waiting list for a suitable pup. If the breeder is far away, you will not get to meet your puppy, and he will have to be shipped to you. Prior to that, you will contact the breeder by phone, email and/or mail; he should be able to share the important information with you in those ways, including pedigrees, photos of the litter and parents, puppy diet sheet, health records and documentation, etc.
SIGNS OF A HEALTHY PUPPY
Healthy puppies are robust little fellows who are alert and active, sporting shiny coats and supple skin. They should not appear lethargic, bloated or pot-bellied, nor should they have flaky skin or runny or crusted eyes or noses. Their stools should be firm and well formed, with no evidence of blood or mucus.
Until properly trained, puppies must remain on lead when out and about
A reputable Kelpie breeder devotes his energy and time to producing the best Kelpie puppies possible. He has studied the breed history, knows the health problems of the breed and has probably participated with his own breeding stock in events where knowledgeable judges have evaluated the quality of his dogs for future breeding purposes.
Most importantly, the breeder is anxious to share his knowledge of the breed with you. The breeder will probably ask you many questions about how you intend to raise his puppy and the facilities you have to provide a good, safe home for the puppy. In short, the Kelpie breeder is the best source of quality puppies and the best guide to help you find the puppy best suited to you, your family and your lifestyle. Be aware in your search for a pet puppy that you may be met with many “Nos” before you find a breeder who agrees
