The original Australian Kelpies were derived from the dogs known as Collies that were brought to Australia from Scotland in the late 1800s. These Collies often struggled to handle Australian sheep and the conditions in the country. The Australian Kelpie, or simply Kelpie, is an Australian sheepdog capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance.
The Kelpie is a medium-sized dog coming in a variety of colours. The breed has been exported throughout the world and is used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats.
Their coat is a double coat with a short dense undercoat. The outercoat is close, each hair straight, hard, and lying flat, so that it is rain-resisting. Under the body, to behind the legs, the coat is longer and forms near the thigh a mild form of breeching. On the head (including the inside of the ears), to the front of the legs and feet, the hair is short. Along the neck it is longer and thicker forming a ruff. The tail should be furnished with a good brush. A coat either too long or too short is a fault. As an average, the hairs on the body should be from 2 to 3 cms (approx. 0.75 – 1.25 ins) in length. They come in a variety of colours black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate, and smoke blue.
When preparing an Australian Kelpie you need to consider this is a shortish double coat that is to be close, each hair straight, hard, and lying flat plus with a short dense undercoat to provide a rain resistant coat with slightly longer coat on the chest, rear of front and back legs, ruff and tail.
Starting with the head and face always use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a fragrant-free hypoallergenic, Sulfate-free low foaming shampoo perfect for all breeds of dog. Our gentle no tear, no fragrance formula will not sting or irritate the eyes. Formulated with natural ingredients; Blue Cypress extracts with anti-inflammatory benefits are particularly effective on this head type. Plus Panthenol, Pro-Vitamin B5 to add moisture, aid healing and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Particularly effective on around the eyes, stop and lip folds which can get sore. Can also be used as a gentle ear cleaner. Use before a complete body shampoo. Pump a golf ball-sized amount into hands, apply to dogs face. Gently massage until it lathers, and leave in to protect the eyes. Wash the rest of the dog and then rinse out.
Now this is a true working dog. They play hard and are not opposed to getting dirty and dusty. For those that need that deep clean to get the grime out of that double coat use Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo. This is a clarifying shampoo designed to remove grease, grime, and any product build-up in a dogs coat. By clarifying we mean cutting through ANY impurities to leave the coat in an ultra-clean natural state. This shampoo has extra surfactants that open the cuticle deeper to allow the deep cleaning and clarifying process. It will provide the deepest coat clean available leaving the coat reset and refreshed.
Not only will it spruce up dull whites, but it can also be used on any colour coat for a thorough and intensive clean. Deep Cleansing Shampoo will assist in reducing unwanted coat stains. Deep Cleansing Shampoo is a rich formulation infused with Green Tea and Seaweed extracts. Green Tea is full of nutrients, antioxidants, and Panthenol (Vitamin B). It helps strengthen the coat and retain moisture. Seaweed extract provides detoxification, which leaves the coat in a healthier state. Use at dilution rate of 1:5 (1 part shampoo to 5 parts water). Lather well where needed (legs, around the neck and ears generally) and rinse.
For a dog in good coat, the ideal shampoo is Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo which will address both the base colour and will intensify colours also. This shampoo will help achieve that straight, hard, and lying flat coat. It’s primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and a violet tone combined in a rich formula that works brilliantly to whiten whites and intensify darker colours. It DOES NOT lighten or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners.
It reduces yellowing or warm tones in coats and will negate unwanted tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat. Similarly for rich colours, it will reduce any warm tones to intensify the depth of colour by revitalising any lost cool tones. Herbal Whitening Shampoo makes coats gleam. All coat colours are made of the full spectrum of the colours of the rainbow and first tones to fade are always the blues and purples leaving a reddish, orange overtone to the coat. This is a quick and effective way to give depth back to your blacks and reds without damaging the coat or using any artificial coat colourings. Use at a dilution of 1:5-10 parts water.
For dogs out of coat use Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo. This shampoo does have enormous lift and bodifying effect to the coat without an artificial feel plus it is wonderfully good for the coat containing naturally sourced plant extracts. Use in areas that simply don’t have that true double coat appearance at a dilution rate of 1:3 for the specific areas. This shampoo is excellent for those out of coat times. Can be used overall or just in specific areas needed.
Conditioning the coat is not recommended for Australian Kelpie coat type. A traditional conditioner softens and fluffs the coat, hardly the desired result you want on a Kelpie. But hydration is extremely important for this coat type.
Use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil as a final rinse after shampooing. This will not soften but retains the correct coat texture. Seabreeze Oil is excellent for maintaining the healthy vigour to the skin and coat and is all plant sourced from Evening Primrose and Calendula Oils. It is non greasy and totally water soluble making it easy to apply and remove each time without build-up. Dilute 1 tablespoon in 4 Litres (1 Gal) of water and work well through the coat with a large sponge. LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE. It gives incredible sheen and finish to the hair. It will help create the perfect double coat finish so desire. We cannot stress enough the wonderful attributes of this product.
For Show days make sure you have your products on hand and don’t forget to pack the Plush Puppy Wonder Wash for the feet and legs if they got dirty or dusty. This which is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for last-minute emergencies that will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray and foam in with the fingers and towel off.
All senses come into play when judging and a good smelling dog is nice to touch. Plush Puppy Odour Muncher is sensational in that it kills any odour causing bacteria then leaves a pleasant scent behind.
For the final flourish, you spray with Plush Puppy Shine and Comb, a magical shine spray that is non greasy and water soluble. This is the piece de resistance! A light burst onto the coat or onto your hands and smoothed over the top and flanks just works like a charm. Try spraying just one side first and see the difference. It’s amazing. Your dog especially will just glisten with glowing good health.
Now your Australian Kelpie will fill the judges eye with their perfect coat, rich colour, and workmanlike double coat. This breed is the backbone of the Australian drover working dog in a country with a vast array of weather conditions.
Now that they are presented their very best, you’re sure to catch the judges eye in the ring.
