Comparison: Australian Kelpie and Australian Shepherd

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

Australian Kelpie
Photo: Pertti Kärppä, Public domain, source
Australian Shepherd
Photo: localpups, CC BY 2.0, source
Australian KelpieAustralian Shepherd
FCI group1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Country of originAustraliaUnited States
CategoryMediumMedium
Height at withers43–51 cm46–58 cm
Weight–16–32 kg
Life span–12–15 years
Recognition features
  • Lithe, supple, muscular dog of medium frame with erect ears
  • Short, hard, close-lying weather-resistant coat
  • Almost inexhaustible energy and work drive
  • Frequent merle coat and odd-coloured eyes
  • Naturally bobbed or short tail
  • Medium-length coat and athletic build
CoatDouble 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.Medium-length coat with undercoat; blue/red merle, black or red, often with tan.
PurposeAn Australian sheepdog bred to work sheep on vast stations in heat and dust.Developed in the USA (not Australia) from herding dogs brought by Basque shepherds; a working dog of American ranches and rodeos.

Breed page: Australian Kelpie · Breed page: Australian Shepherd

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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.