FORMATION OF WORKING KELPIE COUNCIL  

The Working Kelpie Council was formed in 1965, although the need for such an organisation had been discussed continuously during the previous decade. With the natural loss of the men who have successfully brought the breed through to modern times, the lack of active encouragement by the various Sheep Dog Workers' Associations towards pure breeding, and more importantly the damage being done by the supply to the Pastoral Industry of the Show Kelpies which through sheer lack of selection for working ability, had been deteriorating rapidly over the last twenty years or more, it was felt that unless something was done the reputation of the pure-bred working Kelpie would be affected. The Working Kelpie Council was formed to counteract the buyer resistance to the pure-bred Kelpie and to ensure the future of the breed as a working sheepdog for all time.

Formed along the lines of other breed associations, the Council operates as a service to the man on the land as well as the Breed. From the very beginning emphasis and encouragement was given to the need to register and record breeding activities and individuals were encouraged to think in terms of developing small studs rather than just to breed for their own needs.

A Breeders' Directory was established by the accredited breeders of the day and encouragement was given to prospective breeders by the inclusion of a provisional list. All new breeders are restricted to this section until the ability of the stock being produced has been established. The Breeders' Directory was an immediate success and within months proved that it was a service well overdue; the overwhelming support from the Pastoral and Agricultural Industries both in Australia and overseas has done a great deal to establish the Council as Australia's national authority for the Breed.

Being a national organisation the need to have centrally situated records became essential and for a considerable time the W.K.C. negotiated with the various State official canine bodies in an effort to gain their co-operation. However, lack of unity between the States hampered progress. With some regret, after two and a half years of negotiating, failing to achieve a solution, the Council was forced to implement its own National Stud Register in October 1967. The first volume of the National StudBook was issued in November 1967, listing 676 individual dogs. Further volumes have been issued at regular intervals with entries now being received for Volume 34, making a total of well over 40,000 working strain Kelpies recorded in the main Stud Book as well as over 7500 recorded in the Appendix Stud books which are issued separately. The Working Kelpie Council National Stud Books are copyrighted as they are issued and, for the convenience of the general public, copies are issued to all Australian Capital City Public Libraries and to local and overseas Agricultural Departments etc., as well as being available for purchase by the general public.

ORIGIN OF THE KELPIE

The foundation of the Kelpie breed is now well documented. The breed originated from the intermixing of the progeny of three pairs of 'Working Collies' imported into Australia by three early landholders. The foundation female, born of black and tan working collies on Mr George Robertson's 'Worrock' Station on the Glenelg River, Victoria, eventually came into the possession of Mr J.D. Gleeson, who named her Kelpie.

"Jack" Gleeson was employed on the Murray's 'Dunrobbin' station, which adjoined 'Worrock' Station, at the time of Kelpie's birth. Leaving 'Dunrobbin' shortly afterwards he worked on 'Ballarook' Station where he broke in Kelpie to sheep work. He then accepted the position of overseer on 'North Bolero' Station in the Merool [now Ardlethan] district of New South Wales.

Whilst crossing the Murrumbidgee River on his way to take up the position he met an old friend, Mr Mark Tully. Mr Tully gave him an all black dog named Moss, who had been bred by the Rutherfords on their 'Yarrawong' property from stock imported from their family in Scotland. Kelpie was mated to Moss and whelped a litter shortly after arriving at 'North Bolero'; this mating was highly successful and a great line of dogs evolved.

Messrs Elliot and Allen of 'Geraldra' Station near Stockingbingal, not far from 'North Bolero', had imported from Scotland a pair of black and tans, Brutus and Jenny. Mated on the voyage out, Jenny whelped a litter shortly after their arrival. In the litter of black and tans were two red pups. Caesar, one of the black and tan male pups, was given to Mr John Rich of 'Narriah', a property which adjoined 'North Bolero'. Gleeson's Kelpie was subsequently mated to Caesar and a black and tan bitch pup, named Kelpie after her dam, was given to Mr C.T.W. King. The outstanding performance of King's Kelpie at the first Sheep Dog Trial conducted at the Forbes Show, New South Wales, resulted in the Eventual naming of the Breed. At first, dogs of the strain were known as 'Kelpie's pups', but by the turn of the century the majority of dogs of "Kelpie-like" appearance where described as Kelpies regardless of origin.

Gleeson's Kelpie' was mated on numerous occasions to both Caesar and to Moss with outstanding results and the progeny came into the hands of the landholders in the Merool district and were greatly interbred. A female (a Caesar x Gleeson' kelpie) was mated to Caesar's litter brother Laddie to produced Sally; Sally when mated to Moss, produced The Barb, an all-black dog like his sire, which gained his name from the racehorse, which won the Melbourne Cup. For many years his descendants were known as 'Barbs' and even today many people persist in describing black members of the family in this way. The original Barb was a blend of the same strains that established the breed now known as Kelpies.

King's Kelpie', when mated to Moss, produced a number of outstanding dogs. From this line came Clyde who, when mated to Gay, a bitch bred by Mr Willis and acquired by Mr John Quinn from the Beveridges of 'Dollar Vale' Station, Junee, N.S.W., produced one of the most famous of all Kelpies - a blue dog called Coil. Mr Quinn won the first Sydney Trial with Gay in 1896 and in 1898 won the event with Coil, scoring the ultimate 200 points. Coil's performance is even more remarkable when one learns that he made the second run with a broken foreleg.

Mr Quinn's achievements, first with Gay and then with Coil, established the popularity of the strain for both trial and station work, a popularity which has remained ever since. A little later Messrs King and McLeod established their famous Stud on the bloodline of King's Kelpie, mixed with dogs purchased from Mr Quinn. After the turn of the century Messrs King and McLeod introduced new imported blood into the established strain, something for which they are often criticised. Mr Quinn continued to breed strictly within the strain until his death in 1930's.

Of the original pairs imported only the Rutherford strain dogs made a name for themselves in their own right. These dogs had been bred by the family in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, for a great number of generations, and they appear to have been immediately suitable to the hard Australian conditions.

Since the turn of the century the majority of 'Kelpie-like' dogs have been described as Kelpies whether they were directly traceable to the foundation or not. There is little question that the Kelpie is an Australian version of the short and/or smooth coated 'Working Collie', the foundation being mainly black and tan or black dogs carrying very little white. At the same time the Border Collie was usually referred to as the black and white rough-coated Working Collie.

The very restricted intermixing of the strain in the early days established the strain to a large extent; being closely bred they would have tended to dominate when outcrosses occurred. Down through the history of the Breed, when outcrosses have been made the progeny have been returned to the foundation strains, and this has no doubt minimised the loss of breed characteristics. Selection from the beginning was for a sheepdog that could cope with the conditions. This having been obtained with the early crossings the features has been rigorously retained.

The modern, top quality Working Kelpie is traceable to the early foundation stock in the 1870's. He is a short-coated, prick-eared dog who revels in hard going. Established specially for local conditions he is able to muster huge areas under extreme conditions, often having to do without water for hours on end. Derived from a long line of dogs and capable of handling thousands of sheep at a time, the Kelpie has a highly developed ability to solve problems for himself, and actually prefers to do so. Like the modern Border Collie, the majority shows a fair degree of eye and style. However, the Kelpie rarely 'Claps' or goes flat to the ground, preferring to manage his sheep in a standing or crouching position.

Research is still in progress. Fuller details are contained in a separate booklet available at a moderate cost. Historical records in StudBook form are currently being prepared and will become available in due course.

COAT COLOURS IN THE KELPIE

(click to enlarge)
From left Red,2 Red & Tans,Cream & 2 Black & Tans

Some difficulty and/or delay may be experienced where an intending buyer stipulates a particular colour. The Kelpie was evolved from a mixture of imported Working Collies introduced into Australia in the 1800's. Of those, which form the actual foundation strain, five were black and tan, and one was black. The latter, a dog called Moss, carried a blue grey colour factor and was the first to produce blue or slate coloured pups. Brutus and Jenny, themselves black and tan, were the first to produce red coloured pups; these appeared in a litter born shortly after the parents' arrival in Australia and were the result of a mating of the two dogs on the way out from England. The red colour is well known in the Working Collie family and was not the result of a Dingo mating here. Black is the dominant or strongest colour. The tan markings associated with all colours are believed to be controlled by another inherited factor. Blue is a mutation of the black or a lightening of black due to a dilution factor. Red is the Recessive Colour.

The showing of Kelpies at Bench or Breed Shows has encouraged a section of breeders to concentrate on the production of either all red or all black pups. Selection over a number of years for colour alone, in preference to selection for sheer natural ability, appears to have caused a loss of working ability in some strains. To meet the overall requirements of the Pastoral Industry, the Working Kelpie Breeder has had to maintain a very high standard of natural working ability in his stock. To achieve this, ability has taken precedence over colour. Today, most of the best working strains carry a variety of recognised colour factors, including those responsible for tan markings. Because a range of colours is often produced in a litter, the Breeder may not be able to supply a pup of a specified colour at short notice.

Because natural and efficient working ability is the prime concern of us all, may we respectfully suggest that you indicate only a preferred colour, rather than a definite one, when negotiating for a Kelpie pup or dog.

Detailed Information on Colors in Kelpies.  (J & I Groesbeck,Texas,USA)
http://www.hnrworkingkelpies.com/Coat_Colors.html

SELECTING A PUP TO SUIT YOUR CONDITIONS

All breeders naturally select brood stock to suit their own particular needs. The majority of dogs in any Stud are naturally used for duties on their owner's property. Conditions vary greatly from one district to another, the dogs being selected for use on plain, undulating, or hilly country, etc. where owners run different breeds and types of sheep. For this reason it is suggested that you contact Breeders who are situated in districts similar to your own, and when doing so you should describe your conditions as fully as possible. This assists the Breeder to offer and select a pup most likely to suit your requirements. You should also enquire whether the Breeder guarantees his dogs and if so under what terms.

  BREEDERS' DIRECTORY

The Directory was established by the accredited Breeders of the day who co-operate to advertise and provide many of this Council's services. A list of current Breeders is enclosed and we particularly draw your attention to the preamble. The aim of the Breeders listed is to produce a continuity of dogs which possess a high degree of natural ability and which are easily trained and versatile. To enable them to do so they need the co-operation of the buyer generally to supply a report on the dogs' progress from time to time. Please remember that unless you report one way or another the breeder has no way of knowing what the overall result of his breeding program has been.

BREEDERS' DIRECTORY LISTINGS

Any W.K.C. breeder of genuine and accredited working strain Kelpies may apply for a listing. The Breeder must make special application to the Board, be proposed and seconded by two Governing Members, hold a registered prefix, submit a detailed list of the dogs and their pedigrees, register his dogs with W.K.C. and be prepared to have his stock inspected at work in the paddock at least. reeders, on acceptance, are listed in a Provisional section of the list until they are fully established and in a position to accept the added responsibilities expected of fully listed breeders. The Council is anxious to encourage new breeders and every effort is made to assist intending breeders. Fuller information is available on request to the Secretary, P.O. Box 306, Castle Hill, N.S.W Australia 1765. Phone ( in Aust) 02 9899 9224 fax02 98942140

PRICES OF PUPS AND DOGS

The Council leaves the actual price being asked to the individual Breeder, however the following can be taken as a guide to the minimum price buyers can expect to pay: -

Registered pups from Aust $400 plus freight

Registered ready to start pups from $600 plus freight

Registered started pups from $700 plus freight

Well started from $800 plus freight

Broken in dogs from $1000 upwards, plus freight

BROKEN IN OR FULLY TRAINED KELPIES

We would like to mention that some difficulty may be experienced in obtaining exactly what you require in this regard. The demand for broken in dogs is always high and very few are available. When the odd ones are offered they command a premium price. To rear and train a dog to this stage involves a very considerable amount of time and expense. Unfortunately few buyers are prepared to offer a price which would encourage a handler to take dogs through to this stage. At the present time young or started pups represent a far better return to the Breeder. We respectfully suggest that you consider the purchase of a 'ready to start', 'started', or 'well started' pup. In many ways they represent a better buy because they adapt to a change of ownership more completely and far more quickly than the older dog. Being started, their natural ability is known, and the potential can be assessed. Furthermore, most of the basic training has already been done.

GUARANTEES OFFERED

Buyers are advised to enquire whether the breeders of their choice guarantees his or her stock to work and, if so, seek written details before proceeding with the purchase. This advice is offered regardless of whether the breeder holds a W K C Breeders' Directory listing; is a member of the W K C; a member of another canine association or just a freelance breeder. Claims under verbal guarantees or undefined terms are difficult to handle in cases of dispute. Whilst the majority of Breeders listing stock for sale in the W K C News Bulletin guarantee their stock to work, it must be born in mind that Breeders have the right to refuse to guarantee their stock; however notice to this effect should be included within the text of any advertisement appearing in the "Breeders Notes" pages. The terms of the guarantees when offered by W K C Breeders are either those drawn up by the breeder himself or those set out in the W K C guarantee drawn up for use by W K C members which is set out below

W.K.C. BREEDERS' GUARANTEE:

Unless stated in writing to the contrary, Breeders listed on the W.K.C. Breeders' Directory can be expected guarantee to replace, or refund the purchase price of, a pup which fails to develop a desire to work by the age of 12 months or which exhibits an inherited physical condition which affects its ability to work, subject to the following conditions:-

The dog or pup is returned in good order and condition at the buyer's expense OR other mutually agreed to conditions is fulfilled. In the case of demise, or necessary euthanasia by a qualified person, that the cause of the loss can be associated with exposure to or the existence of a condition prior to the time of dispatch. In this circumstance the breeder reserves the right to request the claim be accompanied by a certificate signed by a registered Veterinarian or other suitably qualified person. It can be established that whilst under 'guarantee' the pup/dog had been properly housed, handled, fed and routinely treated for internal and external parasites and protected by routine vaccination against commonly associated diseases such as Canine Distemper. It can be established that the pup/dog was given adequate exercise, training and opportunity to develop its inherited working instinct or in the case of started or broken in dogs they were given adequate time and opportunity to adjust to the new environment.

SPECIAL FREE SERVICE

If you are interested in obtaining a particular type of pup or dog, you are sincerely invited to send in full details of what is required. The details will be condensed and forwarded to the Breeders with their next monthly News Bulletin and those with suitable stock will write to you direct. If you have already stipulated what you wish to obtain, the details will be automatically included in the next issue. If you do not obtain your requirements please contact the W.K.C. again.

TATTOO IDENTIFICATION

When introducing Stud Registering facilities the Council was conscious of the need of a positive way of identifying individual dogs not only with their entry in the Stud Register but also in the event of disputed ownership or in cases of loss, theft and so on. The permanent tattooing of the ear or flank, whereby the dog carries his breeder's symbol and individual number and year code letter, has proved to be a most satisfactory solution. After the 31st July, 1970 tattooing became a part of the dog's eligibility for registration in the Main Section of the Stud Register and Stud Book. Appendix facilities continue to provide for dogs bred by Breeders who do not wish to co-operate and for dogs which fail to qualify because of shortness of traceable pedigree etc. Before taking delivery of your Kelpie please check the tattoo against the details supplied by the breeder.

PEDIGREE AND REGISTRATION

It is recommended that prospective buyers enquire about pedigree and registration. There are two Stud Registers. The National Stud Book register for dogs with four or more generations of proven recorded breeding and an Appendix register which caters for dogs of shorter recorded working background. The registration numbering system is different in each Register. Dogs registered to the National Stud book carry only numerals, Dogs registered to the Appendix start with the letter "A" The dog's registration in the Stud Register is a worthwhile indication that it possesses a genuine working background or ancestry. Dogs bred by non-members carry "Ref:" before a previously WKC registered prefix and are not deemed fully registered for competition in the WKC National Field Trial Championship, etc.; nor are they eligible for issue with WKC Export Certificates. "S/Bred" before the dog's name indicates that the breeder does not hold membership or a prefix recorded with the WKC. "Show" indicates that the background is registered with one or other of the State canine bodies catering for the exhibition of dogs. A list of well-known working strain stud prefixes is obtainable and can be used as a guide to the working credential of the dogs appearing in a pedigree.

MEMBERSHIP

A warm invitation to become a member of The Working Kelpie Council of Australia Inc. is extended to all interested in sheepdogs. All you need to do to enjoy receiving the monthly News Bulletins, etc. is to fill in the enclosed 'Application for Membership' form and send it with your remittance. Rural Youth and Junior Membership is available for younger people. Subscriptions fall due on the 1st January each year, members joining later receive News Bulletin back issues for the previous months so that they get a complete set for the year. Members joining in November or December are added to the mailing list and their fees credited to the forthcoming year. Governing Membership can become available following 3 years of unbroken financial Associate membership and the compliance with the other requirements set down under clause 3.3 of the W K C Objects.

NEWS BULLETINS

All members receive the monthly News Bulletins which keeps them up to date on their Council's activities, in addition to supplying articles about care, breeding, training, etc., and reports on sheepdog trials, forthcoming trial dates, historical research, and so on. The regular inclusion of the Breeders' Notes keeps members informed about the stock which is currently available.

STARTING A KELPIE STUD

Listing as a W K C Stud breeder automatically follows registration as a member and the recording of a Stud prefix. Listing of the Stud on the Breeders Directory requires the breeder to make special application and agree to comply with the rules set down in the by-laws. See under heading "Breeder's Directory"

REGISTERING FACILITIES

Stud registering facilities are available to all financial members with special concessions available to those registering whole litters. Additionally the recorded details are listed in Stud Books, to which they have been registered, when published, free of further cost. The listing in the Stud Book appears alphabetically under Stud Prefix together with the name and address of the owner. Refer also "WKC National Stud Register/Appendix".

KELPIES FOR CATTLE WORK.

We would like to point out that whilst the Breeders select for sheep working ability, most of the stronger forcing strains will successfully handle beef or dairy cattle. Many of the listed Breeders expect their dogs to be able to efficiently handle both sheep and cattle. However, before making your final selection you should ask the Breeder if his dogs have been tried for cattle work, either by himself or by a number of his clients. Carefully describe the type of cattle and conditions under which you run them. By giving the fullest details possible you will enable the Breeder to decide whether he can assist you or not