Australia can claim many original dog breeds. Here are, described in a few lines, their major characteristcis:
The Kelpie: This dog is the result of crosses between Scottish shepherd dogs and local breeds. It is strongly bound to the “wool business”. The Kelpie is generally black or liver, but it also comes in many other colours: red, fawn, black and tan, etc.) It’s of average size (from 46 to 51 cm at the withers for the males, and from 43 to 48 for the females), and it’s full of stamina. Its name would come from the gaelic “Watersprite”.
The Australian Cattle Dog: This dog, although quite rare in Europe, is very common in Australia. This strength of nature is versatile, rustic like no others, bite like a “hot alligator” and barks like “someone suffering from brnchitis”. Its a national glory in Australia.
The Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dog: this dog is morphologically very close from the Australian Cattle Dog. Its body mass is less accentuated and it’s et on higher legs. Unknown outisde of its native country, this dog belongs to the “all time” working dogs. With its short tail, its severe and confident eyes, the breed is now perfectly fixed. It is above all a utlity dog, and is very rare in shows.
The Australian Terrier: its look is very different from the other Terriers,, but this does not explain its rareness. In Australia, the Aussie is famous for its lievly spirit , its courage and its straight look. It would probably be descended from Cairn Terriers imported in the middle of the 19th century. The British recognised the breed in 1933, making of it the first Australian breed recognised abroad. The size should be around 25 cm at the withers, for a weight of 6,5 kilos.
The Silky Terrier: “It isn’t a Yorkshire Terrier!!!” cry loud the fans of this longhaired, miniature Terrier. It belongs to the Australian Toy Group – the equivalent of the FCI Group IX – and is still on eof the most sought after breeds in Australia. Almost 700 dogs are registered avery year by the Australian National Kennel Council. But it still represents a decrease compared to the 80’s, when more than 2,000 dogs were registered each year.
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