If you are looking for a herding dog that does a great job protecting and being wonderful companions, then the Border Collie Kelpie mix should be on top of your list.
This mixed breed is a relatively new crossbreed, but it has already caught the hearts of many dog enthusiasts with an active lifestyle. They are perfect for those who want a highly intelligent companion with unmatched energy.
If you are interested in taking home this hybrid or just want to know more about it, you are in the right place.
In this guide, we will talk about everything you need to know about the Australian Kelpie Border Collie mix before you commit to taking home one — from its appearance, temperament, and where you can find this new breed.
What Is a Kelpie Border Collie Mix?
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The Kelpie Border Collie mix is a crossbreed between two popular herding dog breeds — the Australian Kelpie and the Border Collie. The combination of these two results in a gentle dog with a mild temper and an almost boundless amount of energy.
With a Border Collie parent known for being workaholic and highly intelligent dogs and the Australian Kelpie popular for being independent herders with intense stamina, you can expect no less from this Kelpie Border Collie mix.
Given the background of both its parents, expect this mix to have a strong prey drive. That is why this may not be the perfect breed for families and individuals with smaller animals around the house.
The downside, however, is that this mix is not recognized by most kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club. That said, they cannot compete in agility and conformation shows hosted by these organizations.
Kelpie Border Collie Mix Origin and History
As with any other mixed breeds, it can be quite hard to trace the history and origin of the Australian Kelpie Border Collie mix because of the lack of documentation.
However, it is believed that the history of the Australian Kelpie and Border Collie’s ancestors goes way back since both its parents are descendants of the Collie-type herding dogs brought to Australia.
During the 19th century, New Zealand and Australia needed herding dogs to handle sheep’s flock.
Border Collies that were originally developed on the England and Scotland border later came to Australia to herd sheep. However, due to Australia’s harsh climate, breeders had to develop new breeds that could withstand this.
Australian Kelpie was among those dog breeds developed. This dog breed was soon used to work in the livestock industry as they could herd large herds of sheep and cows and endure Australia’s climate.
Aside from being used to work, Kelpies also perform in obedience, agility, and herding competitions.
The Border Collie Kelpie mix undoubtedly comes from a strong line of herding dogs. That is why you should expect that this mix will have a good work disposition and can do a good job in herding and guarding cattle.
Kelpie Border Collie Mix Appearance
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As with any other mixed breed, it can be quite hard to determine what a Kelpie Border Collie mix will look like since their appearance highly depends on which fur parent has the stronger gene.
However, generally speaking, Kelpie Border Collie mixes will have a very foxy look with upright pointed ears. Its muzzle is pointier and more wild-looking than a Border Collie.
They usually resemble their Kelpie fur parent, flaunting a compact body with a broad chest and firm hindquarters highlighting their flexible and energetic appearance.
Kelpie Collies may feature a double coat that can either be short, smooth, or rough. These mixes can come in various colors and markings ranging from black to cream, depending on which parent it may take after.
If the Kelpie’s parent has a stronger gene, it may inherit a white blaze on the chest and some may even have white points.
Likewise, if it takes after its Border Collie parent, it may have white markings that may be clear white or ticked to any degree with some random white patches all over the body.
To have a visual idea of what a Kelpie Border Collie looks like, you can watch this video:
Charlie - 2yrs- Border Collie/Kelpie Mix|Dog Training in Monterey, CA<a href="https://youtu.be/h8XBHeIZUyU" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fh8XBHeIZUyU%2F0.jpg" alt="Charlie - 2yrs- Border Collie/Kelpie Mix|Dog Training in Monterey, CA" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Kelpie Border Collie Mix Size and Weight
The Kelpie Border Collie mix is a medium-sized dog with an athletic, muscular build. When fully grown, this mix grows about 25 to 40 pounds in terms of weight and 15 to 23 inches in height.
They usually reach their full adult height and weight at around 12 to 15 months. However, for larger-sized Kelpie Border mixes, expect to have its final size at 18 months old.
As with any other pets, male dogs tend to grow bigger and taller than females. So, if you have a female Kelpie Border, expect it to be on the slightly smaller side.
Genetics also plays a huge role in determining your dog’s final size. For instance, if they came from a miniature Border Collie parent, they would be relatively smaller and lightweight.
Kelpie Border Collie Mix Temperament and Personality
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Kelpie Border Collie mixes make great family companions, especially for families and individuals with an active lifestyle. They are highly intelligent dogs that are protective of their home and family, making them good watchdogs.
Needless to say, your Kelpie Border is a workaholic breed, given its parents’ history. That is why it is imperative that you keep them busy and moving through daily scheduled tasks.
That said, the Kelpie Border Collie mix may not be the right option for families and individuals with a busy lifestyle since they do not like being left without company and activity.
On a side note, despite this breed being workaholic and independent, they are also very affectionate dogs that love cuddling and pleasing their owners.
However, Australian Kelpie Border Collie mixes may be friendly and affectionate but do not necessarily enjoy large groups of people and noisy situations.
The reason being is due to their protective nature. Kelpie Border mixes tend to stay reserved when faced with unfamiliar situations until they have assessed what’s going on and deemed that it is safe.
The same is true with how they welcome strangers. Kelpie Borders may have aggressive tendencies when approached by strangers.
Additionally, this dog breed is not recommended for families with small children as they have tendencies to herd small children, which may lead to nipping and even biting.
Kelpie Border Collie Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
Like almost every hybrid dog, Kelpie Border Collie mixes are generally healthy. These mixes can live between 10 and 17 years, given tender love, care, and a healthy lifestyle.
However, that doesn’t mean they are immune to health problems as they can be inclined to diseases that are common to their parents. These diseases can be detrimental to their health.
Here are some of the most common health problems of Kelpie Border Collie mixes:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is as common in Australia Kelpie as it is in Border Collies. This health problem happens when the hips and elbow joints fail to develop or line up normally, resulting in a dislocation of the ball and socket. Unfortunately, for severe cases, surgery may be required.
Elbow Dysplasia: The cause of elbow dysplasia is similar to that of hip dysplasia, except the bones of the elbow joint fail to align correctly. This causes abnormal pressure at the joint, resulting in severe osteoarthritis, which results in your dog feeling discomfort.
Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV): GDV, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening condition in dogs in which the enlarged stomach twists, causing severe pain to the affected dog. This situation destroys the blood vessels and prevents blood flow to major organs, making this an emergency.
Despite being generally healthy dogs, it is important to always have your Kelpie Border Collie mix checked by a licensed veterinarian to ensure that your pup is in tip-top shape.
On the same note, getting pet insurance will always be very helpful as this will help you financially in case your Kelpie Border encounters any medical emergencies in its lifetime.
How to Take Care of Your Border Collie Australian Kelpie Mix
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Kelpie Border Collie mixes thrive in an environment where their needs are met. Thus, you must learn how to feed, groom, train, and exercise them according to their specific requirements.
Below are detailed tips on taking the best care of your Border Collie Australian Kelpie mix.
Food and Diet
Kelpie Border Collie mixes are very active canines. Regardless if you use them as working dogs or as house pets, they are so energetic that they require more calories and nutrition in a day compared to other breeds.
That said, the best option for the Kelpie Border Collie mix is a raw food diet consisting of animal protein and animal fat that will greatly help build muscle and retain optimal health.
Note, however, that a raw diet may not be for everyone. In that case, you can have them consume a kibble packed with protein, nutrient-rich vegetables, lots of omega fatty acids, and no artificial ingredients.
It is also equally important to ensure that you do not give an unhealthy amount of dog treats to your Kelpie Border Collie mixes, no matter how much of a good dog they are.
Cleaning and Grooming
Luckily, the grooming needs of your Kelpie Border Collie mix are low to moderate. Despite being double-coated dogs which makes them moderate shedders, cleaning and grooming them should be fairly easy.
To reduce shedding, brushing your dog’s fur daily is important as this will help remove dead hair. Likewise, it will also ensure that your dog’s fur maintenance is kept up.
It is also important to limit bathing your Kelpie Collie mixes once every three months or when required. This is to avoid stripping the natural oils from its weather-resistant coat, which may lead to drying out of the skin.
Aside from cleaning and bathing, you must also take care of your dog’s ears, teeth, and nails.
Your dog’s nails should be trimmed at least every two to three weeks, and their teeth should be brushed weekly to avoid tartar build-up and gum diseases.
Training and Exercise
Considering both parent breeds were raised to work and herd, expect that your Australian Kelpie Border Collie mix will require an active lifestyle with both mental and physical stimulation.
Therefore, an average of 90 minutes of exercise per day is very important for your Kelpie Border mixes to exhaust their energy. Remember that pent-up energy may cause unwanted behaviors.
Training-wise, expect that you will encounter a lot of training-related problems with your Kelpie Collie since they are intelligent dogs. Patience, positive reinforcement, along with lots of treats will help make training easier.
That said, Kelpie Border Collie mixes are unsuitable for families and individuals with sedentary lifestyles. They need owners who love the outdoors and have a lot of time to play.
How Much Does a Kelpie Border Collie Mix Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
On average, getting a Australian Kelpie Border Collie mix can cost you around $800 to $1,500, depending on many factors such as your dog’s overall quality, location, and the breeder’s reputation.
This dog’s price might be quite affordable. However, there are several other expenses that you need to take into account when you decide to take home one of these adorable mixes.
Here is the initial cost of expenses that you need to consider when you take home a Kelpie Border:
To give you an in-depth idea about the cost of owning a Kelpie Border Collie mix, you can read the expenses of owning a Border Collie. Since this is one of the mix’s parents, it should give you a more accurate estimate.
Places to Find Kelpie Border Collie Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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Truth be told, finding a Kelpie Border Collie mix can be quite hard because this pup is relatively new to the market. That doesn’t mean, however, that it is entirely impossible.
To start your search, here are places where you can find Kelpie Collies for sale:
Greenfield Puppies – This online pet advertising website has been connecting healthy, high-quality puppies with caring families since 2000. When buying a Kelpie Border Collie from this website, you are assured that you are buying from a responsible breeder since their partner breeders go through an intensive background check before they can advertise on Greenfield Puppies.
Rim Fire Stock Dogs – This breeder started raising cow dogs back in 1995 on a ranch of approximately 8,000 acres in Arizona. They started breeding and offering their pups later on after other ranchers began to see the value of the dogs they were raising. To date, they raise and bred both Border Collie and Australian Kelpie, so you might be in luck if you chance upon a Kelpie Border Collie pup from this breeder.
RanchWorldAds – This ranch classified ads website has ranch dogs available, including Border Collies, Australian Kelpies, and a mix of these breeds. While Kelpie Border mixes may not always be available, you might chance upon one, so it’s best to check now and then.
Aside from looking for Kelpie Border mixes from the places above, you can also opt to adopt them instead. Aside from saving a penny, you also get to give these animals a second chance in life.
Here are some places where you can find Kelpie Collies for adoption:
Adopt-a-Pet – This website helps homeless pets find their fur-ever homes by connecting with animal shelters, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies in the United States and allowing them to advertise for free. You can scroll through their website to see if they have Kelpie Borders up for adoption.
North Bay Canine Rescue and Placement – North Bay Canine Rescue and Placement is composed of dedicated volunteers that are committed to rescuing dogs. Although they do not choose which breeds to help, they focus on rescuing pure and mixed-breed Border Collies and Australian Kelpies.
Arizona Border Collies Rescue – If you are based in Arizona or near the area, you can contact Arizona Border Collie Rescue should you be interested in adopting Border Collie Kelpie mixes. This rescue organization rehabilitates neglected, abandoned, and unwanted dogs before rehoming them.
Even with the list above, finding responsible breeders that cater to Kelpie Border mixes can be quite time-consuming. If you still haven’t found one, you can check our article on how to find free puppies in your area.
You can also check our article on Border Collie breeders and rescues for more chances of finding the Kelpie Collie of your dreams. Likewise, you can refer to our puppy buying guide to help you with the nitty-gritty of buying a dog.
Pros and Cons of Owning an Australian Kelpie Border Collie Mix
Since you have already learned about the breed’s temperament, traits, and health issues, it is now time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of owning a Kelpie Border mix before you finally commit to owning one.
I listed here the pros and cons of owning an Australian Kelpie Border Collie mix to help make your decision-making a bit easier.
Here are the pros of owning a Kelpie Collie mix:
Low grooming needs: If you hate weekly trips to a professional groomer, this dog is the one for you. Kelpie Collies has minimal grooming needs, and they can be kept clean without needing professional tools. Aside from saving time, you also save a hefty amount of money.
Highly energetic: While this may not be an advantage to some people, this is a huge plus for people with an active lifestyle. This breed is a perfect match for families and individuals that are always on the road or planning for the next hike, swim, or outdoor play.
Loves to work: Since Kelpie Borders are working dogs, expect that they would gladly help you out in every task that you assign them. However, they may need training beforehand for specific tasks. This may also be an advantage for families with farms that may need the herding abilities of the Kelpie Border.
On the flip side, here are the cons of owning a Kelpie Collie mix:
Not apartment-friendly: Due to its energy level and exercise needs, Kelpie Borders may not be suitable for families and individuals living in an apartment since they will not have enough space for them to work around.
Hates large crowds: If you love inviting other people to your house for parties, chances are, your Kelpie Border may not appreciate your guests and the noisy environment. They may also be very cautious around strangers, which can be managed with training and socialization.
Cannot be left alone: Despite its very independent personality, Kelpie Collies cannot be left alone for too long, especially when they have no task to work on. Without physical or mental stimulation, they have tendencies to bark excessively or be destructive.
Through this list, you can evaluate whether or not the Kelpie Border Collie mix is the right breed for you. By doing so, you help lessen the chance of getting a dog that is not a match to your lifestyle and current home situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by @hondothekelpie (IG)
Are Kelpies as Smart as Border Collies?
While it is known that Australian Kelpies are generally intelligent dogs, they are not as smart as Border Collies, which are considered the smartest dog breed in the world.
Experts believe that while Border Collies are highly intelligent dogs, Kelpies, on the other hand, are among those with average intelligence.
Do Kelpie Border Collie Mixes Shed a Lot?
Kelpie Border Collie mixes are double-coated dogs. Expect that this hybrid will shed profusely throughout the year. Thus, you may need to prepare yourself and your house for fur everywhere.
The shedding, however, can be managed with daily brushing to remove dead hair before it falls out. Likewise, a good dog shampoo might also help keep the shedding under control.
Are Kelpie Border Collie Mixes Hypoallergenic?
No. Kelpie Border Collie mixes are, unfortunately, not hypoallergenic. Aside from the fact that this dog sheds a lot all year round, Kelpie Border also produces high amounts of dander, which means they can trigger allergies.
The good news is that, with consistent grooming and clean-up, allergy sufferers can still live comfortably with Kelpie Borders, all while preventing allergy flare-ups at home.
Final Thoughts: Is a Border Collie Kelpie Mix the Right Dog for You?
Kelpie Borders indeed make wonderful pet companions. With their intelligence and strong work ethics, you will surely have a watchdog willing to protect you and do things for you.
However, this dog isn’t for everyone. They need families and individuals with specific living environments that are willing to commit to training and playing with them.
That is why it is important to contemplate whether or not you can provide for this dog before you take one in. After all, taking care of a Kelpie Border is a lifetime commitment that should not be taken lightly.
Are you ready to take home this mix? Let us know what you think about the Border Collie Kelpie mix in the comments.
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