Ok, I'll admit it -- I am partial to dogs from the herding group. I believe that many of these dogs end up in shelters because people get them as puppy and don't understand the commitment it takes to own a heading dog.  

 

Have you ever heard of an Australian Kelpie?  If not, please read the description below to make sure this dog is for you. 

 

Here is Molly's current 'owner's' story:

 

A friend notified me yesterday that a BEAUTIFUL Australian Kelpie (mix?!) was on its last few hours at a high kill shelter. Seeing that it looked just like my own dog, I had to go in and see if this girl was as sweet as she was beautiful. Sure enough, she was. I waited until the last minute to see if anyone would adopt her, and since no one did, I rushed in for the rescue. I am hoping to find a home for her, as I already have a dog and two cats and just don't have the time to train or the space for such an active dog.

 

Molly is a 3 year old female, microchipped, up to date on shots, fixed last year in June, tested neg for heartworm, on heartworm preventative, on flea preventative, SUPER sweet, no food aggression or any kind of aggression what so ever, shes using my crate well, very smart although needs some household training manners of what's ok and what's not, great with other dogs, gets excited at my cats (teaching her to leave them alone), and good around kids.

 

Molly gets car sick so lets not do long car rides!

 

According to www.dogbreedinfo.comthe Australian Kelpie, or Australian Sheepdog, is a compact, robust, enthusiastic, and tireless working dog. Excellent at herding, the Australian Kelpie is the most popular and successful working dog. Kelpies are devoted one-man dogs but far too work-oriented and energetic for a couch dog or apartment existence. Their easy trainability and keenness on the job make them a fundamental component of the Australian work force. They are ready to respond immediately to any signal given by its master, even from a great distance. They are good with children when they are raised with them from puppyhood. Kelpies will try to herd other dogs, pets and animals whether they want to be herded or not. This workaholic will work until it drops. They are independent and in business for themselves rather than for pleasing a handler. Boredom is the breed's doom and the owner's as well. In their native country of Australia, Kelpies work all day even in intense heat, covering 1,000 to 4,000-plus acres. The breed uses "eye" similar to the Border Collie's on the tractable stock, but utilizes its nipping ability to turn more stubborn cattle. Kelpies can muster thousands of sheep from pasture to pen to truck. When a flock of sheep is packed as tight as Times Square on New Year's Eve, they will look for the shortest way to the other side, which is usually in a straight line. This very clever Kelpie will jump on the back of the nearest sheep and run lightly across the flock to reach the other side. They make excellent watchdogs and can also be trained as seeing-eye dogs. The Australian Kelpie is not an aggressive dog, but he can be protective when needed, and will guard his family and their belongings when necessary, regardless of the risk to himself. With the deep intelligence in which this breed exhibits, comes a high dominance level. Meek owners will not do well with this breed. They need an owner who knows how to display natural calm, but firm authority over the dog at all times. With the right type of owner and the proper amount of daily metal and physical exercise this breed can excel. Problems can and WILL arise with meek owners, and or owners who do not provide the proper amount and type of exercise. This breed does best with a job to do. If you do not have time to extensively work with and exercise your dog, or do not fully understand canine instincts and their need to have leadership, this is not the breed for you.

 

 

Although many still believe the Kelpie is a Dingo crossed with the Border Collie, more accurate documentation reveals the breed's development from English North Country Collies of the Rutherford strain. These hardy British working herders, like many sheepdogs, were imported to Australia during the latter half of the 19th century. Today nearly 100,000 Kelpies are employed on that continent. Despite their relatively small size, Kelpies are without limitations, capable of working cattle, goats, poultry and reindeer. They will excel in competitive obedience. The name "Kelpie" comes from the water kelpie mentioned by Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer, in the novel Kidnapped. This breed has been known since 1870.  They have a life expectancy of about 10-14 years.