Comparison: Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Kelpie

Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Kelpie are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Australian Cattle Dog
Photo: Eva holderegger walser, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Australian Kelpie
Photo: Pertti Kärppä, Public domain, source
Australian Cattle DogAustralian Kelpie
FCI group1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Country of originAustraliaAustralia
CategoryMediumMedium
Height at withers43–51 cm43–51 cm
Weight15–22 kg–
Life span12–15 years–
Recognition features
  • Blue or red speckled coat with tan points
  • Compact, muscular body
  • Short dense double coat and erect ears
  • Lithe, supple, muscular dog of medium frame with erect ears
  • Short, hard, close-lying weather-resistant coat
  • Almost inexhaustible energy and work drive
CoatShort dense double coat, blue or red speckled.Double coat with a short dense undercoat; straight, hard, flat-lying outer coat, longer on neck and breeching; black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate, smoke blue.
PurposeBred in Australia (partly with dingo blood) to drive cattle over long distances in the heat.An Australian sheepdog bred to work sheep on vast stations in heat and dust.

Breed page: Australian Cattle Dog · Breed page: Australian Kelpie

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.