Svenska Working Kelpie Klubben (SWKK)
- rasklubben för australian stock dog / working kelpie

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Information in English about 

Working Kelpie
 

About the breed

The Working Kelpie is the most widely used stock dog in Australia. He is the product of the environment in which the breed has developed. It would never have been possible for Australia´s sheep industry to grow to such importance without the help of this untiring worker. No other breed of sheep dog could cope with the job that involved working long days in the hot, dry country, travelling long distances over rough terrain which was very hard on the dog´s feet. That is what made the working Kelpie famous: his endurance and his strong feet.
 

Glenville Shawnee. Photo: Birgitta Östergren

It is the enormous energy and eagerness to work coupled with an ability to relax when there is no work at hand, his alertness and intelligence, his balance and anticipation together with his independence and ability to show patience and calm when necessary that has made the Working Kelpie appreciated in all parts of the world.  A harmonious dog provided he gets opportunity to use his mental energy on some sort of work. Being just a house pet is not enough for him.

The Working Kelpie is a medíum sized dog with short coat and prick ears. There is a description of the breed  which stresses the functional points in both conformation and mentality. His lively temperament and quick understanding makes it easy for him to learn but he has also a will of his own which makes him tend to solve problems in his own way. Most of the times he is right, for he notices situations and reacts far quicker than any human, which can be an asset at work, but it also makes demands on the owner, who mot times would like to be one step ahead and make the deciscions.

The Working Kelpie is bred for his working ability and is not eligible for conformation shows in Sweden but can take part in all other kinds of official trials, like for example obedience, tracking, rescue work and agility. In order to gain the title of Champion in any of these a Working Kelpie (in Sweden) must also have a prize at a sheep dog or cattle dog trial.

The breed is registered by the Swedish Kennel Club under the breed name of Australian Stock Dog / Working Kelpie. The breed club is the Swedish Working Kelpie Club – Breed Club for Australian Stock Dog / Working Kelpie (SWKK). The club can give addresses to  breeders and information about litters from tested stock.

Örjagårdens Dixie "Mandy", owner and photo: Leila Warén.

Historical

“Kelpie” is a gaelic word which means water sprite (an evil spirit that haunts the fords in shape of a horse) and it was a name that shepherds liked to give to their sheep dog bitches. The Working Kelpie is named after a bitch by that name that won the first prize at the first sheep dog trial in New South Wales in 1872. Reports of her performance spread and there was a great demand for her pups. To begin with they were called “Kelpie´s pups” and that’s how the breed got its name.

The origin of the breed was working collies that the Scottish immigrants brought with them or imported from their native country during the first part of the 19th century and later. The Working Kelpie of today is a direct descendant from the original working lines.

To begin with all Kelpies were regarded as one breed, but from 1967 and onwards Working Kelpies in Australia are registered with the Working Kelpie Council of Australia Inc. while the Australian Kelpies are registered by the Kennel Clubs. In 1967 the split became definitive when the Kennel Clubs decided not to recognize the Working Kelpie any more, and this decision has had an influence on the breed all over the world

Working Kelpies in Sweden

The first two Kelpies came to Sweden in 1973, but they were mainly show strain.

In 1974 the two first Working Kelpie bitches were imported and by and by they were followed by more imports, but it was not until the Scandinavian Working Kelpie Club  was founded in 1984  to promote the Working Kelpie that any number of new dogs were imported. It took until the year 2000 before the Working Kelpie was recognized as a separate breed and was granted registrations with the Swedish Kennel Club . The breed club became affiliated to the Kennel Club and its name was changed to the Swedish Working Kelpie Club (SWKK)

Stormkappans Kaldari

SWKK has arranged a Scandinavian Championship Sheep Dog Trial yearly since 1984 with competitors also from other countries. The Club also arranges weekend training seminars for beginners and more advanced handlers. The club keeps a breeders registry and will provide information on litters by qualified workers which is also published on our homepage.

For more information contact the secretary Elsa Grenholm or the president Larry Jones.

Written by Birgitta Östergren.

A young Örjagårdens Targa on her way to the sheep. Owner and photo: Lillemor Bylund.
 

Kogårdens Bert. Owner: Lillemor Bylund.