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Australian Kelpies
(Click on the thumbnails to see large versions of the photos)
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| Find that itch! |
I saw my first kelpies in Queensland, Australia, where I was living. They were 'Show' Kelpies, but Working Kelpies were kept on a sheep
station a few miles away and when I saw those working, I just fell in love with them.
There is a big division and quite considerable opposition between 'Show' Kelpie people and 'Working Kelpie' people in Australia, and the
Working Kelpies have their own registration system which has been the governing body of the W.K. since the 1930's. The W.K. Council is dead
against showing, and won't entertain the idea of a reciprocal agreement with the Australian Kennel Club. They don't want to see W.Ks in the
show ring.
This means that A.W.Ks will never be recognised by the British Kennel Club. I personally don't mind either way, but I do believe that we in
Britain should continue to register kelpies with the W.K.C. from this country, keeping the traditional tattooing of puppies, until such time
as someone manages to achieve recognition.
I personally fought the battle of proving to the K.C. that the A.W.K. is a true breed, because they were only willing to register them as
crossbreeds on the obedience register.
Kelpies first came to this country in 1984, imported with a flock of Marino sheep by a lady called Kate Bottoms. They were
exhibited at the Royal Show. I first saw the original two at the International sheepdog trial and in 1991 obtained my first Kelpie, Tylwch
Rosie, a daughter of the imported Avenpart Peppin.
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| Rosie at 14 years old |
Rosie became my best ever sheepdog, and worked without commands to keep the sheep together when I was teaching novice dogs and handlers. She
is nearly fifteen now and has hung up her crook in favour of a comfortable armchair! Rosie produced just one puppy, Cories Joe, the first
kelpie seen in agility and the first to reach the 'Seniors' status.
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| Cories Joe doing Agility |
Next came Owens Chance, a red and tan bitch by the imported Scoriochre Cracker. Chance has produced some wonderful puppies, who have gone to
a variety of working homes - some of them to ex-pat Australians! Her puppies were the first Kelpies in Ireland.
I also sent two Kelpie puppies to the Falklands and did a memorable follow-up 'homecheck' in 2000. The islands are well populated with Kelpies
now and suit the windy conditions and variable climate ideally.
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| Ann in the Falkland Islands |
Taboo, my next Kelpie, was rehomed to me. Called Woolstone Bondi Beach, he is English Bred.
Previously used as an agility dog he has adapted well to my lifestyle and to sheepwork. Together with Chance he has produced quite a few Kelpies
to agility people, and that has been a real success story. Cories Ruby Tuesday holds an Agility Warrant, and can now compete in the advanced classes. Eighteen Kelpies were born
to Chance, Taboo, and Ruby last year, so watch out you Border Collies!
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| Cories Ruby Tuesday |
Zico & Cougar |
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| Chance and Taboo |
Milo, a Chance x Taboo son |
Taboo working the Hebridean flock |
Two Kelpies arrived in the U.K.on 9th August 2006. Gogetta Captain Midnight, black (Gogetta Dude/Gogetta Belle) and Gogetta Cocoa, red and tan ( Gogetta Agro/ Gogetta Choice) have settled well at 'Cories' and are already showing useful working ability. Their temperaments are wonderful and they will bring valuable new bloodines to our small gene pool. Their breeding goes back to - Capree, Elfinvale,Wyreema,Scoriochre, Scanlons Glenville,Glenlogie and Avenpart, so will go well with existing U.K.lines. Joe Spicer, who bred them, is a regular and successful competitor at Kelpie trials and obtained the higest price for a young dog at the Casterton Kelpie Sale this June.Captain will be available at stud to registered suitable bitches.
What does the future hold for Working Kelpies? The sky's the limit for those who can live with a switched-on-manic dog!
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| Captain |
Cocoa |
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| Dinnertime! |
Cories Roodi |
Playtime |
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| Britain's first Kelpie workshop |
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