Kelpie - Dog Breed Information

Information about Kelpies

Kelpie breed information
Should I get a Kelpie?
Kelpie personality
Taking care of a Kelpie
Commonly claimed health conditions for a Kelpie
The cost of insuring a Kelpie
Why pick Everyday Pet Insurance?
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Australian Kelpies are energetic and intelligent dogs bred for herding livestock in Australia. They descend from sheepdogs imported from Scotland and are known for their stamina, work ethic, and athleticism.

Kelpies tend to excel at herding and dog sports like agility and obedience. They are eager to please and quick learners, but their independent nature requires a firm and consistent owner.

Loyal and devoted to their families, Kelpies usually need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Potential owners should be prepared for their high energy levels and provide engaging activities to prevent boredom. If you're an active individual or family seeking a loyal and intelligent companion for adventures, the Australian Kelpie might be the perfect fit.

Want to learn more about this breed? Read our guide below to see if Kelpies are the pet for you.

Kelpie breed information

If you’d like to get to know the breed a little more closely, here are a few key traits and facts about the Kelpie:

How long do Kelpies live?

The average lifespan of a Kelpie is 10-14 years.

How big do Kelpies get?

Kelpies are medium-sized dogs. They typically stand between 46-51cm at the shoulder. They usually weigh between 11-20kg.

Do Kelpies shed?

Yes, Kelpies have a double coat and shed moderately year-round. They will "blow" their coat (shed heavily) twice a year, usually in spring and autumn.

Should I get a Kelpie?

Kelpies are renowned for their intelligence, energy, and loyalty, making them a popular choice for active individuals or families. However, they tend to require a lot of exercise, mental stimulation, and training to thrive. When threatened, Kelpies can be strong and protective, which can make them good watchdogs.

Whilst Kelpies, as adults and puppies, are usually child-friendly and playful, they should not be left alone with young children due to their large size and energetic nature.

Kelpie personality

Kelpies are known for their alert, intelligent, and eager personalities. They can be very loyal and dedicated to their owners. It's important to put in the time and effort to get to know your Kelpie. They also tend to need mental stimulation as they usually are extremely intelligent dogs. Kelpies are generally enthusiastic about learning and respond very well to training, especially voice commands with varied intonations.

Taking care of a Kelpie

Grooming

Kelpies have a smooth, double coat that is generally easy to care for. They are moderate shedders and require only occasional brushing to remove loose hair.

Exercise

Kelpies are high-energy dogs that require a significant amount of exercise. They usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, which can include activities like running, swimming, playing fetch, or participating in dog sports.

Diet

When choosing food for your Kelpie, select food appropriate to your dog's age (puppy, adult, senior) and life stage. To help avoid them becoming overweight, ensure that you follow the recommended feeding guides on the food appropriate to your pet's size.

Commonly claimed health conditions for a Kelpie

Just like us, our pets can be affected by different illnesses, health conditions and unexpected accidental injuries. Here are some of the more commonly claimed conditions^{^} that a Kelpie can experience.

Conditions	Symptoms can include^~	Highest cost for a single treatment^>>
Arthritis	Lameness or limping on affected limb(s) Stiffness on rising Reluctance to jump, use stairs Swelling on legs	$5,122
Skin conditions (including infections and allergies)	Scratching, biting, or rubbing the skin Signs of irritation including red skin, scabs, bleeding, pustules, or weeping Hair loss, flaky skin, texture changes, lumps or an unusual or unpleasant smell	$5,110
Traumatic accidents (including bite injuries, wounds, and broken bones)	Wounds, scratches, pus, bleeding, swelling, heat, pain Limping, changes to movement Behaviour changes Broken claws Pain/tenderness	$9,958
Gastrointestinal tract condition	Diarrhoea, vomiting or constipation Blood or mucus in stool/vomit Increased frequency/urgency passing stool Weight loss Loss of appetite and interest in food May seem more tired than usual	$5,736
Tumours	Lumps and bumps on or underneath skin Abdominal swelling Sudden weight loss Change in appetite Lethargy or depression Changes in bathroom habits Evidence of pain	$12,381

The cost of insuring a Kelpie

If you’re thinking about getting pet insurance for your Kelpie, factors like age and location could affect the cost of your premium. Everyday Pet Insurance offers Basic, Standard, Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus cover that helps protect you and your furry friend. Check what each insurance cover includes.

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Why pick Everyday Pet Insurance?

Comprehensive Plus annual limit.#

Claim up to $30,000 a year.

Claim up to 80% back.*

Get up to 80% back on eligible vet bills.

Lifetime cover.‡

Your pet is covered from 8 weeks old for life.

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Claim your benefit on the spot and only pay the gap on eligible claims.⁼

Important Information

text

^{^} Pre-existing conditions and certain illnesses may be excluded. Policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, benefit limits, sub-limits, annual condition limits and excess may apply. For details, please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

^~ Symptoms listed are indicative only, others can apply.

^>> As at 31/12/2023 based on the previous 12 months of PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd claims data.

text: ^#Policy Terms and Conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Benefit limit amounts vary by level of cover.

text: * Limits, waiting periods, exclusions and excesses may apply.

text: ^‡ Cover is available for the life of your pet provided you renew your policy each year without any break, lapse or change in the level of Cover. This means once your pet is insured with us and as long as we continue to offer the product, you will be able to renew your policy for that pet for life and your cover level will not be reduced as your pet ages provided you continuously maintain the cover. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions of your renewing policy. See details in your PDS.

text: = The gap is defined as the difference between the vet's invoice and the claim benefit under your policy. Policy terms and conditions apply. GapOnly^® is only available at participating Vets. Please visit GapOnly^® to search for GapOnly^® enabled vets. GapOnly^® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (PetSure) (ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183).

text: Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.

Kelpie dog breed information