The Herding Characteristics Project

A restraining rope is used initially to control the young dog's reaction to the sheep

SWKK has several aims with this project.

 One aim is to more systematically document how the Working Kelpie "looks" work wise in Sweden today, by describing the individual dogs in a herding situation. What different types of Working Kelpie can be identified? Does the breed meet the requirements of a working dog here and how should we continue developing the Working Kelpie 


Another aim is to use the description of a young dog's herding characteristics to help owners with their trainining. 
The description can be used to show the owner how the different herding characteristics affect the dog's work, what consequences they can have in future work and also which characteristics are required, or desirable,
 in an individual dog for different types of work.


It is also a great opportunity for breedes to see the results of their work, a good way for the club to welcome new Working Kelpie owners and a chance to meet many other Working Kelpie owners and make new friends. 


Eventually we hope to be able to use the description as a breeding tool. 
Working ability has a genetic basis but, before using the results from the documentation to help breeders, the herding characteristics have to be thoroughly clarified, tested and evaluated until we can be sure they fulfill this purpose. The description must be able to clarify the genetic components of the different herding characteristics and the results must be compiled and used to help breeding in the desired direction. 

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