The Kelpie breed has a much bigger diversity of coat colours than you might think. Choosing dog breeds can be challenging, and you will have to consider their size, grooming needs, diet, and potential health problems. Another important decision? What colour Kelpie do you want?
Thankfully, our comprehensive guides will help you make an educated decision, and this guide will answer all the questions you might have about the Kelpie breed.
Kelpies come in a variety of striking coat colours, with black, red, and blue being the most common. Black is particularly popular, giving the breed a sleek look.
In addition to these main colours, Kelpies can also be tan, chocolate, or sable, usually featuring distinctive markings that add to their charm.
How many different Kelpie colours could there possibly be? Kelpies come in an array of different coat colours. Here are the different colours Australian Kelpies are commonly found in to help you get a better idea of the choices you will have.
The black and tan colours of a Kelpie are often regarded as the truest colour for the breed. These dogs are typically black with tan markings below the tail and on the underbelly, legs, and face.
Kelpies are also available in solid colours, and one popular option is the all-black coat.
Chocolate or red, depending on the colour’s intensity, is possible if both the parent dogs had the recessive colour red gene.
Smoke blue Kelpies have a silver/grey look to them and are one colour all over.
While fawn Kelpies are relatively rare in comparison to black and tan dogs, they have a long history dating back hundreds of years.
The blue and tan Australian Kelpie is another variation of the two-tone colouring of the breed.
The red and tan Australian Kelpie is another standard colour alongside black and tan.
Tan is typically the colour that goes alongside the primary colour in two-tone Australian Kelpie dogs. Another combination of this is the fawn and tan version.
A cream Australian Kelpie is extremely rare and can command high prices because of this. This is the same colour as the yellow Labrador Retriever.
The genetic term for a Shaded Australian Kelpie is ‘Ghost Tan’, which is when solid-coloured dogs have faint tan-coloured markings.
It is possible that you will find other colourings or markings in Kelpie dogs. However, the Australian National Kennel Council only recognises black and tan, black, smoke blue, chocolate, red, fawn, and red and tan.
Choosing a Kelpie colour will be entirely up to you. If you intend to show your dog, choosing the acceptable colours recognised by the ANKC is advisable.
The coat colour in the Australian Kelpie, like in other breeds, can have an impact on the price of the pup. Australian Kelpie puppy prices will differ depending on a number of factors, and coat colour is one of them.
The colour of your Kelpie’s coat will be determined by the parents. It is not always easy to predict puppy colour before they are born because it will depend on the genes the parents carry rather than their coat colour.
The Australian Kelpie’s coat can be either smooth, rough, or short. The thick double coat is highly weather-resistant and will shed heavily around springtime as the coat thins out for the summer.
Brushing the coat regularly will help to remove dirt, tangles and dead hair, helping to keep it healthy. The dog’s diet will also have an impact on how healthy its coat is.
Unlike some other breeds, the puppy will have relatively short hair like the adult Kelpie. While it may be softer, the colouring should remain relatively similar as the dog grows.
Good nutrition for a growing puppy and getting them used to the grooming tools that you will be regularly using are great ways to ensure excellent coat health and minimal fuss when it comes to brushing, washing, and other grooming.
It is never easy to choose a new family pet, and like other dogs, the Australian Kelpie has its pros and cons.
Because they are traditionally used as Australian cattle dogs, obedience training is essential. Their natural instinct as herding dogs and their intelligence means they require a lot of mental stimulation.
They make great, untiring work dogs that can easily run long distances. Alternatively, they make great pets. Grooming is relatively straightforward, and regular bathing won’t be necessary.
If you are thinking of getting a Kelpie, taking the time to look at the different coat types and colours will help when it comes time to make a decision. Australian Kelpie coat colour is not only important when considering the appearance of your new dog. It will also affect the price, so it is worth budgeting accordingly.
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