Breed Profile

DESCRIPTION

Energetic, Loyal, Adaptable. Can work anything anywhere. They are very dedicated and very willing to please their owners. A very 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.

TEMPERAMENT

German Koolies are not generally dog-aggressive and are good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood and/or properly socialized, 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 the children need to be taught how to be pack leaders. This breed must have mental stimulation. It will not do well in a small back yard with nothing to do. Australian Koolies have been worked on stock in Australia since early 1800.

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.

HEALTH

Merle Gene may produce blind or deaf pups. It is recommended to only breed strong colors or Merle to solid to avoid this problem. They can occasionally suffer joint problems due to their extreme athleticism. If they do a lot of jumping on and off things or after Frisbees and balls they can damage cartridge and ligaments, particularly as they get older. These dogs are active and fun-loving for many years.

EXERCISE

This energetic working dog needs plenty of vigorous exercise to stay in shape, or better yet, some real work to do. They need to be taken on a daily, long walk or jog. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. It will not be happy laying around the house all day long. This is a breed you will have to schedule in some good exercise sessions daily, or have a job for it to do.

TRAINING

Koolies do very well in tracking, obedience and agility trials since their will to please is endless. This breed can be trained for many tasks but needs a solid training regiment from an early age.

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