Australian Koolie, German Koolie or German Coolie.
Description:
It is common for dogs to have one or both eyes blue in color. This breed is noted for its usual merle coloring, red and black "blue" as well as tricolor. Some have white bibs, collars, and face markings.
Temperament:
The best trait of this breed is its personality. They are dedicated and very willing to please their owners. They are a dedicated worker that will keep going until they drop. In fact it is not uncommon for one to chase a hare using its great speed and agility until it drops of exhaustion. They work at herding anything that moves including sheep, cattle, goats, horses, and fowl. Koolies are known to back (jump on the back of) sheep as well as cattle. They also do very well in obedience and agility trials since their will to please is endless. They are not generally dog aggressive and are good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood, as they are a working breed and will work anything that moves. They are usually good with children, but are recommended for children over 6 years because they are said to be boisterous.
Height: 15-22 inches
Weight: 21-44 pounds
Health Problems:
There have been instances of blindness and deafness, which is usually associated with a lot of white on the head, over the eyes or ears, it's not extremely common and appears to be in lines. They can occasionally suffer joint problems due to their extreme athleticism. If they do a lot of jumping on and off of things or after Frisbees and balls they can damage cartilage and ligaments, particularly as they get older. These dogs are active and fun loving for many years.
Living Conditions:
This breed is not recommended for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a large yard.
Exercise:
This energetic working dog needs plenty of vigorous exercise to stay in shape, or better yet, some real work to do.
Life Expectancy:
About 12-14 years
Grooming:
The coat is easy to groom and needs little attention. Brush occasionally with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.
Origin:
It is believed that the Koolie are similarly bred or behind the breeding of the Australian Shepard. Some people feel that they are behind the breeding from the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Kelpie. As of right now, there isn't a lot of concrete information about their history, but as more breeder's get together this will change. The name comes form the fact that they were good workers (koolies) for German settlers living in Australia, particularly the Southern portion of the continent of Australia. The Australian Koolie Club dropped the German part of the name and refers to the breed as the Koolie or Australian Koolie. A German dog breed book author who visited Australia has said that the Koolie is the most common of the native Australian herding breeds, out numbering even the Australian Cattle Dog and Kelpie.
Group:
Herding
Recognition:
KCA (Koolie Club of Australia)
In Australia, in order to participate in the Sporting Registry one must be a member of the state body as well as having their Koolie registered with the Koolie Club of Australia or have the dog registered with another working dog group that is accpeted by the sporting registers.
Sporting Registers that recognize the Australian Koolie in Australia:
VCA (Victorian Canine Association Inc.)
RNSWCC (Royal New South Wales Canine Council Ltd.)
ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council)
CCCQ (Canine Control Council of Queensland)
Herding Clubs / Associations that recognize the Australian Koolie in USA:
AHBA (American Herding Breed Association) Accepted in April 2005
with our Membership
ASCA (Australian Sherpherd Club of America) Accepted in May 2005
with our Membership
