The History: Working Kelpie Council

from Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine - Issue 22, March 2023

by Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine

The Last Run

Prior to the formation of the Working Kelpie Council of Aust. Inc (WKC) in 1965, there was no active encouragement by the various Sheepdog Workers’ Associations towards the breeding of purebred Working Kelpies. With the passing of the men who had overseen the breeding of the Working Kelpie for many years, an official record of genuine working Kelpies was needed to ensure the continuity and recognition of the Breed which has now become an Australian Icon. The National Stud Register was implemented and the first National Stud Book of 676 individual dogs issued in November 1967.

A Breeders Directory was established by the accredited breeders of the day and newer breeders were given Provisional status until the ability of their stock was proven. This policy continues.

The WKC meets all the Statutory requirements for an Incorporated body, with Office holders, Board members and State representatives as well as financial auditing processes, General meetings and an AGM each year.

The current President is Mr. Carl Carlon, N.S.W. with Vice Presidents Mrs. B. Cooper, N.S.W. and Dr. Don Robertson, W.A. Dr. Robertson is also the consulting Geneticist. Mrs. B. Cooper is the Registrar assisted by two, part time staff and Mr. D. Lindsay is the website consultant.

There are eleven Board members, representing all States, plus an additional seven State Representatives and overseas representatives in twelve countries. All roles are voluntary and they include a commitment, from those in Australia to attend a monthly meeting, currently via teleconference, as well as being available to privately discuss issues with members and report any complaints. They also receive enquiries from prospective members and breeders and help with advice on the process.

Between them the Board Members and State Representatives are a source of knowledge and broad experience from their various perspectives which they are willing to share for the benefit of the WKC members and the breed.

The WKC is very supportive of research involving Kelpies and working dogs and has funded and participated in several projects over many years, including the search for a test for Canine Cerebellar Ataxia and the University of Sydney’s Farm Dog Project. Reports on ongoing research are required to be provided to the WKC and when received, are tabled at meetings and published in the monthly WKC Bulletin.

The WKC takes a keen interest in any proposed State and Federal legislation that might affect our members and often Board members have been the first from Livestock Working Dog (LWD) groups to contact appropriate departments. The fact that it is a national body and most legislation is State based has proved challenging at times. The WKC supported the formation of the Australian Federation for Livestock Working Dogs which brought LWD groups together for the first time to provide a combined approach to Government agencies in an effort to ensure that there is a fair and practical outcome for its members and all those who breed and use LWD.

The monthly Bulletin is emailed to all members except those who request hard copy. It contains a list of Office holders and their contact addresses and numbers, Membership fees, Breeders Directory and recently registered dogs.

Article by Nancy Withers | Photo provided by Carl Carlon

It lists trainers and training resources as well as Microchip Implanters in States where legislation permits. The WKC also supplies worm tablets on order. Each Bulletin contains an article of interest, stories of outstanding achievements by individual Kelpies, or Historical articles and discussions such as heritability of traits etc. Yard and Field Trial results are published when supplied.

Although it isn’t a trial organization the WKC has supported the National Kelpie Trial financially and with perpetual trophies, each year for over fifty years. The aim of the Trial is to provide a showcase for the versatility of the breed. Ideally the trial should be run on a property to accommodate a good challenging cast but practicality for convenors often means a compromise. The trial is held on a yearly roster basis between the States. An application from interested groups with the details of the proposed location, course and date is submitted to the WKC usually the year prior.

Applications for Registrations received are promptly processed within seven days and posted out fortnightly. Unfortunately, sometimes incomplete details or lack of Service Certificates to sires with different owners and lack of details on leasing of females cause a delay.

There is a requirement for dogs in the main Register to be tattooed with their individual stud symbols, number, and year letter symbol. These are applied either inside the right ear or in the flank. There is an Appendix Register for dogs with partly recorded pedigrees and this status is upgraded by each generation where a female is mated to a registered dog.

The ongoing success of the WKC is demonstrated by the membership now numbering 1,170 and current registrations in the Main Register of approx. 69,100 dogs; Appendix 45,834, Station Bred 6,500 and Historical 1,540.

Promoting the breed; providing information; maintaining a database of registered dogs.

The WKC Breeders Directory provides a service to those seeking a purebred Working Kelpie for use in the Pastoral Industry.

The website shares information on research, history, guidelines for selecting a dog and contacts in each State etc.

Forms for Application for Membership and Applications for a stud prefix and Tattoo symbols can be downloaded. Supporting breeders of genuine Working Kelpies Worldwide.

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