The Koolie was bred from several collie breeds. It is an excellent companion dog. The modern Koolie comes from the Australian Dingo and the German Koolie. The German Koolie was an early working dog brought by German settlers.
The Koolie has short fur. It is a medium-sized dog. The average adult height is 13-24 inches. The average adult Koolie weighs 30-55 pounds.
The Koolie is very smart. It responds well to training. The Koolie loves having jobs like herding, agility and obedience. An adult Koolie lives 16-18 years.
The Koolie has a white coat with black markings. It often has a merle coat pattern. But Koolies can have other color combinations too.
Some think the Koolie is an ancestor of the Australian Shepherd. But they are different breeds.
The Koolie comes from diverse lines in Australia. In the north they are taller and bred for cattle work.
The Koolie is not the same as a Kelpie or Border Collie. But it may be crossed with those breeds. There are breeders of purebred Koolies in Australia now.
Is a Koolie a good family dog?
The Koolie is a very intelligent and hard-working breed. These dogs love having a job to do and they excel in a variety of dog sports including herding, agility, obedience, and more. The Koolie is a medium-sized dog, standing 13 to 23 inches tall and weighing anywhere from 33 to 53 pounds at maturity.
Males and females are not drastically different in size. The Koolie can be challenging, but not because it has a poor temperament – it is just a high-energy breed that requires attention and exercise. The Koolie is renowned for its exceptional herding skills and loyal nature. With a history of working alongside shepherds, the Koolie breed has been crucial for Australian farming for centuries.
It is believed to have been developed from Collies, Border Collies, and other herding breeds. This ancestry contributes to its exceptional abilities. The Koolie also makes a great family pet, but needs mental and physical stimulation. Energy levels should be considered. The Koolie thrives on companionship, and being part of the family is essential.
Koolies do well with children. They are playful, energetic, and affectionate around them. However, jealous behavior towards babies is rather unhealthy and unsafe. Aggression is an obvious sign of jealousy that all Koolie owners need to watch for. With proper socialization and training, the loyal Koolie makes for an excellent family dog.
What is the difference between a Kelpie and a Koolie?
Kelpies and Koolies are used for very similar purposes but vary in appearance. Kelpies follow breed standards whereas Koolies vary more in appearance.
Koolies are medium-sized, around 23 inches tall and 55lbs. Kelpies are smaller, 35-50lbs and 17-20 inches tall.
Koolies come in more colors like black and white, brown, black, or merle. Kelpie colors are black, chocolate, red, blue, fawn, or black and tan.
Both need exercise but Koolies need jobs to avoid boredom behavioral problems. Kelpies can be pets if exercised.
Kelpies are easy to groom and train. Koolies require more effort to train.
Kelpies cost $500-700, Koolies $400-600.
Is a Koolie the same as an Australian shepherd?
The Koolie is an Australian herding dog breed. It existed in Australia since the early 19th century when bred from British dogs. It is a product of the Australian Dingo crossed with the German Koolie brought by German settlers.
Koolies are commonly available. The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get. The Aussie Collie is easier than average to obtain.
In 2003, Koolie bloodlines were DNA tested. They cleared for the mutant mdr1-1 gene. Collies were tested as they showed a reaction.
The Australian Shepherd has a medium length, straight to wavy coat with weather resistant undercoat. Coat colours include blue, blue merle, black and red merle with or without tan points. Aussies have drop ears or sometimes prick ears. Some have naturally bobbed tails.
The Koolie enjoyed a boom in popularity after World War I. Their intelligence and trainability made them perfect for rodeos. The Jay Sisler show featured them.
The origin of “Koolie” likely derives from “koo” and “m” meaning “black dog”. They were used as working and herding dogs. Koolies need frequent exercise.
The Koolie Club of Australia defines it as a breed based on working ability. There are several types based on color patterns and coat types.
Like the Australian Cattle Dog, the Koolie is an excellent herding dog used for livestock. Their intelligence, agility and instincts make them a good choice for farmers.