Koolie

The Koolie is an Australian working sheepdog descended from British herding stock, and it is bred to the job rather than to a standard.

History

It came from smooth-coated British collies imported to Australia in the nineteenth century — the name is thought to be a corruption of "collie" through German-speaking settlers — and was worked on sheep and cattle across very different Australian terrain. Regional types differ markedly in size because the work does, and Australian breeders register it on ability.

Temperament

The breed is known for being intelligent, tireless and biddable, closely attached to its handler and happiest with stock to move.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and genuine work; it is a poor fit for a household with neither. Coats are short or medium and easy. It trains very readily.

Health

Generally robust, though merle-to-merle breeding produces deafness and blindness, which is the breed's main documented risk and a matter for a breeder. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.