Are Australian Kelpies Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

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Introduction to the Temperament of the Australian Kelpie

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Australian Kelpie out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Australian Kelpie based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Australian Kelpie breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Australian Kelpie by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Australian Kelpie.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Australian Kelpie for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Australian Kelpie.

The summary table below shows the score of the Australian Kelpie for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Stubbornness 9.0 percent
Energy Level 76.2 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 69.2 percent
Excitability 57.4 percent
Attachment Attention Seeking 55.9 percent
Dog Directed Fear 54.3 percent
Dog Rivalry 47.8 percent
Touch Sensitivity 46.1 percent
Separation Related Behavior 43.2 percent
Nonsocial Fear 41.2 percent
Prey Drive 35.7 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 32.0 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 28.3 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 11.0 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Australian Kelpie`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Australian Kelpie, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Australian Kelpie.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Australian Kelpies Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Australian Kelpies are somewhat aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks average for aggression towards strangers.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 61 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 32.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat aggressive towards strangers just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
58 Italian Greyhound 32.4 %
59 Treeing Walker Coonhound 32.3 %
60 American Staffordshire Terrier 32.3 %
61 Australian Kelpie 32.0 %
62 Havanese 31.5 %
63 Alaskan Husky 31.3 %
64 Bullmastiff 30.7 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Australian Kelpie

Are Australian Kelpies Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Australian Kelpies are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks low for aggression towards its owner.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 81 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has an owner-directed-aggression score of 11.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
78 Vizsla 11.5 %
79 Havanese 11.4 %
80 Golden Retriever 11.2 %
81 Australian Kelpie 11.0 %
82 Keeshond 10.9 %
83 Labrador Retriever 10.7 %
84 German Shepherd 10.4 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Australian Kelpies Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Australian Kelpies are very much aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks very high for aggression towards other dogs.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 18 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a dog-directed aggression score of 69.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much dog-aggressive just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
15 Pit Bull 69.7 %
16 Miniature Pinscher 69.3 %
17 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 69.3 %
18 Australian Kelpie 69.2 %
19 Old English Sheepdog 68.9 %
20 Bullmastiff 68.7 %
21 Boxer 68.6 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Australian Kelpie

Are Australian Kelpies Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Australian Kelpies are somewhat fearful of strangers.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks average for fear of strangers.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 61 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a stranger-directed-fear score of 28.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
58 Beagle 29.9 %
59 Chinook 29.5 %
60 Weimaraner 28.8 %
61 Australian Kelpie 28.3 %
62 Shih Tzu 27.9 %
63 Standard Schnauzer 27.6 %
64 Belgian Sheepdog 27.6 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Australian Kelpies Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Australian Kelpies are quite a bit fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks high for fear of other dogs.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 27 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a dog-directed-fear score of 54.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit other-dog-fearful just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
24 Yorkshire Terrier 56.6 %
25 English Springer Spaniel 55.0 %
26 Pekingese 55.0 %
27 Australian Kelpie 54.3 %
28 Australian Silky Terrier 53.6 %
29 Bichon Frise 53.0 %
30 Rat Terrier 51.2 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Australian Kelpie a good pet

Do Australian Kelpies Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Australian Kelpies are quite a bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks high for non-social fear.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 38 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a nonsocial-fear score of 41.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
35 Bichon Frise 44.4 %
36 Standard Schnauzer 42.8 %
37 Poodle (Toy) 41.5 %
38 Australian Kelpie 41.2 %
39 Treeing Walker Coonhound 40.9 %
40 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 40.0 %
41 Mastiff (English) 39.7 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Australian Kelpies Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Australian Kelpies are quite a bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks high on dog rivalry.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 42 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a dog-rivalry score of 47.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit competition-driven just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
39 Dachshund 51.7 %
40 Pomeranian 51.0 %
41 Yorkshire Terrier 50.9 %
42 Australian Kelpie 47.8 %
43 English Bulldog 47.4 %
44 Giant Schnauzer 47.2 %
45 Poodle (Miniature) 46.9 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Saint Bernard
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Australian Kelpie. Is it aggressive?

Are Australian Kelpies Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Australian Kelpies are very much easy to train.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks very high for trainability.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 10 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the trainability of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a trainability score of 91.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much easy to train just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
7 Australian Cattle Dog 91.8 %
8 Rottweiler 91.1 %
9 Australian Shepherd 91.0 %
10 Australian Kelpie 91.0 %
11 Belgian Sheepdog 90.8 %
12 Poodle (Standard) 88.6 %
13 English Springer Spaniel 88.2 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Do Australian Kelpies Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Australian Kelpies are a little bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks low for small-pet-chasing.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 91 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a chasing score of 35.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
88 Havanese 38.9 %
89 American Bulldog 38.8 %
90 Fox Terrier (Toy) 38.4 %
91 Australian Kelpie 35.7 %
92 Poodle (Toy) 34.4 %
93 Maltese 34.1 %
94 Lhasa Apso 33.8 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Australian Kelpie

Do Australian Kelpies Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Australian Kelpies are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks average for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 51 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 55.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
48 Weimaraner 60.1 %
49 Pit Bull 57.0 %
50 Boston Terrier 56.3 %
51 Australian Kelpie 55.9 %
52 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 55.5 %
53 Boxer 55.2 %
54 Border Collie 55.0 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Australian Kelpies have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Australian Kelpies are somewhat prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks average for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 52 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a separation anxiety score of 43.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
49 Bearded Collie 43.4 %
50 American Staffordshire Terrier 43.3 %
51 Ibizan Hound 43.2 %
52 Australian Kelpie 43.2 %
53 Greyhound 42.7 %
54 English Springer Spaniel 42.5 %
55 Dalmatian 42.3 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Australian Kelpie

Are Australian Kelpies Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Australian Kelpies are very much touch-sensitive.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks very high for touch sensitivity.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 20 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has a touch-sensitivity score of 46.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much touch-sensitive just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
17 American Eskimo Dog 47.5 %
18 English Bulldog 46.5 %
19 Dachshund (Miniature) 46.4 %
20 Australian Kelpie 46.1 %
21 Poodle (Toy) 45.7 %
22 Yorkshire Terrier 45.7 %
23 Basset Hound 43.9 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Australian Kelpies Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Australian Kelpies are quite a bit hyper (excitable).

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks high for excitability.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 25 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has an excitability score of 57.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit excitable just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
22 Bichon Frise 58.3 %
23 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 58.0 %
24 Redbone Coonhound 57.9 %
25 Australian Kelpie 57.4 %
26 Australian Cattle Dog 56.5 %
27 Pomeranian 56.2 %
28 Pug 55.2 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Australian Kelpie

Are Australian Kelpies Playful? What is the Energy Level of Australian Kelpies

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Australian Kelpies are very much energetic.

This is because the Australian Kelpie ranks very high for energy level.

The Australian Kelpie ranks number 18 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 29 Australian Kelpie owners reported on the temperament of their Australian Kelpie in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Australian Kelpie has an energy-level score of 76.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much energetic just like the Australian Kelpie are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
15 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 77.0 %
16 Lagotto Romagnolo 76.7 %
17 Australian Silky Terrier 76.5 %
18 Australian Kelpie 76.2 %
19 Gordon Setter 76.0 %
20 Parson Russell Terrier 75.5 %
21 Boxer 75.4 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Australian Kelpie Temperament

The temperament of your Australian Kelpie comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Australian Kelpie is exposed to.

You cannot change your Australian Kelpie`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Australian Kelpie to.

Exposing your Australian Kelpie to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Australian Kelpie to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Australian Kelpie`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Australian Kelpie.

If you think the Australian Kelpie is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Australian Kelpies cost and Australian Kelpie puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable Australian Kelpie breeders in the United States and the prices of their Australian Kelpie puppies.