As you know, Border Collies are workaholics by heart, and they are basically bred to herd livestock. They love doing this job and doing this till the current day. Similarly, the Australian Kelpie is highly intelligent, independent, and is bred to herd livestock in the Australian climate. People still use them to herd cattle in Australia.
Both breeds have all amazing qualities, but their cross is an ideal breed of dog. The crossbred will be lively, active, and full of energy. Here we will discuss all the characteristics of Border collie x Kelpie.
Backstory / History of the Border collie x kelpie
The Border collie x kelpie cross is a relatively new crossbreed, but its ancestors have a long history. Both Border Collies and Kelpies are sheepdogs and are descended from Collie-type herding dogs that came to Australia in the 19th century.
That was the time when New Zealand and Australia opened their lands to farmers. They open hundreds of acres of land for the sheep and wool industry and need passionate herding dogs that can easily handle sheep’s flock.
Border Collies were originally developed on England and Scotland’s border and later come to Australia to herd sheep. At that time, different other breeds of dogs were developed that can withstand Australia’s harsh climate.
Australian Kelpie was among those dog breeds that have the ability to herd large herds of sheep and cows. So the farmer began to use this breed as a working dog in the livestock industry.
Taking into account the qualities of both, a Border Collie Kelpie cross was developed that has all the characteristics of a herding dog. That is the reason why this cross has good qualities of guarding and herding cattle and sheep.
What is the difference between a Kelpie and a border collie?
There are many differences between both breeds; some of the common differences are detailed below.
Height and weight
- The Australian Kelpie weighs around 25 to 45 pounds (11 to 20 kg), and its height is around 25 to 45 inches (63.5 cm to 1.14 m).
- Border collie weighs 30 to 45 pounds (14 to 20 kg) and has an average height of 19 to 22 inches (48 to 56 cm).
Temperament
- Australian Kelpie is energetic, alert, intelligent, eager, robust, friendly, and loyal.
- The border collie is alert, intelligent, tenacious, energetic, protective, loyal, and responsive.
Intelligence
- Australian Kelpie is an average intelligent dog.
- Border collie is a highly intelligent dog breed.
Social needs
- Australian kelpies don’t need a lot of social interaction; this is because of their gentle nature.
- Border collie, however, needs a lot of social interaction.
Prey drive
- Australian Kelpie has a higher prey drive.
- Border collie has an average prey drive.
Are Border collie mixes good family dogs?
Border collie cross is an extremely friendly dog. They love being around families, they have a lot of energy, and they are always willing to play with their owners. But they have a strong herding instinct, and you have to work at that.
The reason behind this is that a Border Collie will herd anything that gets in its way, including children, cats, and other pets. If you want your Border Collie to be an amazing dog, it is important that you learn to control his herding instincts.
Herding instinct starts with moving targets. When something moves around your dog, you just have to redirect his attention to any other visual stimulus. Border Collies have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years so that they can be your companions for life.
Kelpie collie cross rescue
There are many rescue organisations in Australia from where you can adopt the Kelpie collie cross. Here are some rescue organisations you can visit for the adoption of this breed.
- RSPCA Australia
- Farmdogz Rescue Inc.
- Border Collie Rescue Australia
- South Australian Humane Society
- Working Dog Rescue
Border Collie x Kelpie Temperament & Personality
The Border collie x kelpie mix is a gentle breed of dog with a mild temperament and gentle nature. Both ancestors of these dogs have a friendly nature and love to live with their families, but these breeds do not like to go around a large group of people and noisy situations.
The same goes for the Border collie kelp mix, as they try to stay reserved in unfamiliar situations but still enjoy the difficulties that come their way. Border collie x kelpie are wonderful herding dogs, but they can also work as rescue dogs and scent dogs with the police.
Border Collie x Kelpie intelligence and Trainability.”
As you know, Border Collies are one of the intelligent and gentle dog breeds. Similarly, Kelpie also has all of these qualities. So you can expect the Border collie x Kelpie cross to be smart and easy to train.
As the two parent breeds of this cross dog are working dogs, it is important to know that the Kelpie was selected for its independent nature and because they can work without shepherds. This feature can help a large number of herds, but it will make house training more difficult.
To train this breed, you have to bribe them with treats and at some point let them do things on their terms. This crossbreed dog is very intelligent and understands what you want from them, and they will do it with an efficient method. You just have to focus on their obedience and command training which is what is very important.
This breed of dog is very sensitive to the mode of training and does not take violence or abuse well. As an owner, you must establish a relationship of full respect with your dog so that he feels safe.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a loyal and active crossbreed dog, then a Border collie x kelpie is the best breed for you. They will love running with you and will always be ready to learn new tricks. They have a good character and are a great companion for older people and children. Living with a kelpie cross collie can be a wonderful and exciting adventure.
