The Kelpie is a medium-sized, athletic, and muscular dog with a lean but powerful build. It has a well-proportioned body, long, muscular legs, and a deep chest, contributing to its excellent stamina. The head is wedge-shaped with medium-sized, upright ears and expressive, almond-shaped eyes that give it an alert and intelligent appearance. Its coat is short to medium in length, dense, and weather-resistant, offering protection against various weather conditions. Kelpies come in a range of colours, including black, red, chocolate brown, blue, fawn, and combinations with tan markings. Its tail is moderately long and is often carried in a slight curve when in motion.

The Kelpie requires a lot of daily exercise to stay physically and mentally fit. On average, this breed needs about 2 hours of activity per day, including long walks, active play sessions, and ideally challenging tasks that stimulate its mind such as obedience training, scent work, or agility sports. With its strong work drive and impressive endurance, the Kelpie enjoys running, retrieving, and herding, which align with its natural instincts. Having space to move freely is ideal, and a dynamic lifestyle with lots of stimulation keeps the Kelpie happiest.

The Kelpie requires relatively low maintenance, but regular care helps to keep it in top condition. Its short, dense coat is self-cleaning and only needs brushing once a week to remove loose hairs and dirt. During shedding seasons, more frequent brushing may be necessary to manage the hair loss. Due to its active lifestyle, it is important to check and clean its ears regularly, especially after outdoor play or swimming. Its nails should also be trimmed when needed, as they don’t always wear down naturally. Additionally, dental care is essential. Brushing its teeth or providing chew toys can help prevent plaque and tartar build-up, keeping the teeth healthy. Overall, the Kelpie is a low-maintenance breed, but a consistent grooming routine supports its health and wellbeing.

The Kelpie is generally a healthy breed, but like many other dogs, it can be prone to certain hereditary conditions. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia may occur, potentially causing pain and reduced mobility. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is another concern—an eye condition that can lead to blindness. Some Kelpies may also develop Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), an inherited defect affecting vision. Although typically robust and active, Kelpies can occasionally suffer from autoimmune disorders. Cryptorchidism, where one or both testicles fail to descend, can also occur in males. With regular health checks, responsible breeding, and proper care, many of these conditions can be detected early and managed, allowing the Kelpie to remain healthy and energetic.

Breeds similar to the Kelpie in terms of appearance, energy, and work drive include:

• Border Collie: Like the Kelpie, a highly intelligent and energetic breed originally developed for herding livestock. Requires plenty of mental and physical stimulation.
• Australian Cattle Dog: A strong and determined drover breed with high independence and work drive. Best suited to active owners.
• Belgian Shepherd: A vigilant and highly driven dog with high energy needs and intelligence, often used in work and sport environments.
• Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie): A smaller, intelligent herding breed with plenty of energy and learning capacity, but less intense than the Kelpie.