Researchers at the University of Sydney have found no genetic evidence that the iconic Australian kelpie shares canine ancestry with a dingo, despite Australian bush myth.
It was believed the original kelpie breed was developed by crossing the Scottish collie with the dingo when it first came to Australia, to make it more resilient to the harsh climate.
The only dog with Dingo in his pedigree, this breed is an ace at herding cattle on rugged land. This dog from Down Under is the only dog with Dingo in his background. Maybe that's why the Australian Cattle Dog is a little on the wild side.
The Kelpie Heeler is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Australian Kelpie and the Australian Cattle Dog. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed.
The Australian Cattle Dog is the outcome of a deliberate breeding programme. Various dogs with specific abilities were crossbred over a period of 60 years. During the 1830's a collie type dog was crossed with the native wild Dingo.
The typical Carolina dog has pointed ears, a fox-like snout and a tail that curves like a fishhook when it is raised. They look similar to Australian Dingoes but, taxonomically, they fall under canis familiaris.
Dingoes have consistently broader heads, and longer muzzles than dogs or wolves. Their pelage (coat) has a wider range than any species of wolf – gold, yellow, ginger, white, black, black-and-tan and sable are all natural dingo colours.
Smart, loyal and always by your side
They are versatile working dogs, highly intelligent, alert and capable of learning a great deal, but they're also independent thinkers. The Kelpie is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.
While still relatively rare outside of their native Australia, Kelpies have been imported all across the world as working dogs, show dogs, and pets. Their ability to make good house pets depends largely on what stock they come from.
Australian Kelpie Temperament
Australian Kelpies make excellent herding dogs, but they are popular as one-man dogs due to their independent nature. They are very energetic and work-oriented. Kelpies are very loyal to their owners; they will respond to their owner's orders even from a great distance.
Common name: Wild dog, dingo-dog hybrids (feral or wild populations) Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris, Canis lupus dingo x Canis lupus familiaris. Other common name/s: Wild dog.
Most authorities regard dingoes as a subspecies of the wolf (Canis lupus dingo); however, some authorities consider dingoes to be their own species (C. dingo). The name dingo is also used to describe wild dogs of Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and New Guinea.
No, it is difficult to detect domestic dog ancestry in dingoes based on photographs or physical appearance because dingoes, including those with dog ancestry, have a strongly dingo-like appearance.
But there is some good news: a kelpie has a weak spot – its bridle. Anyone who can get hold of a kelpie's bridle will have command over it and any other kelpie. A captive kelpie is said to have the strength of at least 10 horses and the stamina of many more, and is highly prized.
The absence of white is indicative of the Kelpie breed, however some white on chest and toes is permissible. White paws, legs, broad white chest, white collar and tip of tail generally define kelpies cross-bred with Border Collies.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Australian Kelpies can live up to 16 years of age.
Kelpies are known to be friendly and once properly socialised, they're known to be gentle and not aggressive for their lifespan.
The Australian Kelpie is not a hypoallergenic dog. He does not generally have a strong doggy smell and only requires a bath usually two times a year unless he is working livestock. His coat should be brushed at least once a week to remove dirt and loose hairs.
Kelpies are loyal dogs to the point of being jealous. Occasionally fights or squabbles break out at my home due to jealousy of another dog being near me. Awareness of this problem will help manage it.
The Australian Kelpie is not aggressive but won't hesitate to protect family members, animals or property, often without regard for their own safety. Kelpies usually like children, though you should interactions these interactions.
For most kelpies it is really hard to relax and shut down without a den: they feel they have to be alert all the time and any movement will trigger their instinct. When a kelpie (pup) is in a crate, covered with a towel or sheet so it cannot see out, it feels safe and secure and will go to sleep.
1. Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man.
Dingo genome suggests Australian icon not descended from domestic dogs. The Australian dingo's genome is substantially different from modern dog breeds, suggesting the canines have never been domesticated in the past, a detailed analysis reveals.
The Dingo, Canis familiaris (breed Dingo), is a placental mammal which means it gives birth to live young, feeds its young via mammary glands that produce milk and has fur or hair of some form. The colour of a Dingo's coat is largely determined by where it lives.
Dingoes, the researchers found, have anatomical features that set them apart from dogs and wolves, including a wider head and longer snout, The Scientist writes. The team also found that dingoes don't necessarily have to be tan-colored; they can be black, white or dark brown, too.