What makes the Koolie Unique?
The Koolie is first and foremost a working breed, bred for stamina, endurance and to be biddable. Like all working breeds the Koolies natural trait is to herd anything that moves, this includes sheep, cattle, goats, horses, buffalo and fowl. Koolies are known to naturally back sheep as well as cattle.
Breed Groups
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| Size: | Males – 34 to 60 cm (13 to 23 inches) Females – 34 to 60 cm (13 to 23 inches) |
| Weight: | Males – 15 to 24 kg (33 to 53 pounds) Females – 15 to 24 kg (33 to 53 pounds) |
| Origin: | Australia |
| Life Span: | 12 – 18 Years |
| Colour: | Tri Merle, Chocolate, Red Merle, Tri-color, Blue Merle, Merle, Black |
| Litter Size: |
Is the Koolie Right For You?
Koolies are very active dogs because of their herding heritage. Even those kept as companion animals are working dogs who need plenty of exercise and, ideally, a job to do.
The Australian Koolie is best suited to owners that are prepared to give their dog the stimulation that it needs, whether that is plenty of exercise and or obedience training. They are not a dog that you can leave in the backyard all day long. They are also not suited to the apartment environment.
In 5 Words
- Dominant
- Patient
- Diligent
- Dedicated
- Intelligent
Characteristics
Learn About the Koolie
Description
General Description
The German Coolie shares many of the characteristics of other herding breeds, including an alert stance and intense look. Like the Australian Shepherd, the German Coolie can have brown or blue eyes or one eye of each color. The ears fold over at the top, but are straight and rigid when the dog is alert.
The coat is mostly seen in red or blue merle with white markings, but can also be black or red with merle markings. There are smooth, short-haired, and wavy, long-haired varieties. Overall, this is a medium-sized, healthy breed who is always ready for action.
Size
A medium sized dog Koolies stand between 16 and 22 inches at the withers and generally weigh from 20 to 45 lbs.
Coat
Koolie coat ranges from short / smooth (like the original blue merle collies Scottish) short (as a working Kelpie) is not common in the medium and long term (as the Border Collie show). Koolies usually slightly longer than tall. Most owners prefer short coats / soft, and not collect grass seeds, strawberry and are easy to maintain, with the occasional swim to keep hair shiny and free of parasites.
Short History of the Koolie
The breed has also been called the German Koolie or Coolie although the breed does not originate from Germany. Early German settlers who came to Australia used the Koolies to work their stock, so their dogs were called the German’s Koolies. Others think, because of the similarity to the Collie, this was the name the breed was given but this information cannot be verified either. German language does not have a ‘C’ in it so the name German Coolie is a misnomer.
Around the mid 1800s, a Koolie had an accidental mating with a Dingo, Australia’s wild dog. This produced an exceptional work dog, which had a shorter coat and was more suited to the hotter conditions in some parts of Australia. This was when the breed started to take off and in later years the Koolie also influenced the development of the Australian Kelpie and also the Australian Cattle-dog or Blue Heeler.
Temperament
The Koolie is extremely active and intelligent with a naturally strong working instinct. They are suited to yard and paddock and work sheep, cattle and goats equally well. Their easy-going, fun-loving personality makes the breed a great choice as a companion for a lively family or active individual. Koolies are readily used in sports such as agility and obedience and are also making a name for themselves in television and “Pets -as -Therapy” positions. The Koolie possess an amazing sense of smell, often able to detect an ill sheep lying hidden in the grass a remarkable distance away. The sheep in need of attention would, if not for the Koolies keen sense of smell, easily be missed and evidently die.
Caring for Your Koolie
General Health
The median longevity of Koolies is about 18 years, which is a typical lifespan for this breed. Koolies have a diverse gene pool and so do not suffer from the many genetic problems found in recognised breeds, but the merle for which the Koolie is most recognised by can and does produce white blind and or deaf pups. It is highly recommended that when considering breeding, that matings of merle to solid are the safest option.
Grooming & Bathing
The short or medium size coat is easy to groom as it only needs to be brushed with firm bristle brush. The dog needs to be bathed when necessary.
Exercise & Training
To keep the dog happy and stop it from becoming destructive, it will need a lot of exercise, either in the form of long walks, or allowed to run around in safe off leash areas. The Australian Koolie will live for 15 years on average but they will often live longer with a good diet and plenty of tender loving care.
Koolie Picture Gallery
