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RETURN TO COLOURS INDEX

Spinifex Working Kelpie Stud ©

61 Sproule Road

ILLAWONG N.S.W. 2234

1. The tan colouring can vary from a light tan to a rich tan.
2. Kelpies should not be faulted because of two shades of tan colouring on the head and legs. This is normal and is not a fault.
3. The tan on the upper sides of the muzzle below the nasal bone is a brighter shade of tan becoming lighter shade on the lower part of the muzzle towards the inner corner of the mouth and cheeks. This is typical and is not a fault.
4. It is quite common as the Kelpie approaches the age of eighteen months, that the lighter shades of tan colouring on the head and leg changes to a brighter shade, blending into the brighter tan hair on the head and legs. This is normal.
5. The tan spots above the eyes and the tan markings on the muzzle may vary in shape and size and sometimes give the illusion to the inexperienced that the overall appearance or image of the head is incorrect.
6. Usually there is a combination of short tan hair with blue hair around the upper and lower eyelids. This is usual and is not a fault.
7. In some bloodlines the tan colouring is a rich tan without any lighter tan shadings on the head or legs.
8. Occasionally brindling does occur where the tan markings are.
9. Working Kelpies do not have dense undercoats. This is not a fault. They are bred this way to withstand the very hot conditions in which they have to work.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The coat colour of the body is blue with symmetrical tan points. There are distinct tan markings on the head, chest, forequarters and hindquarters. Variations occur in the pattern of the symmetrical markings.

HEAD

The head is blue, with a distinct tan spot above the inner corner of each eye. There is tan on the muzzle and cheeks. The hair is blue below the eyes, spreading down the top of the nasal bones to the nose. The nose is blue. Varying amounts of tan run along both sides of the muzzle and cheeks.

There may be a distinct tan spot on each cheek, or the tan outline may merge so that the tan spots are incorporated within the general tan patterning. The lip area just below the nose is blue. The edges of the upper and lower lips are blue. The whiskers on the muzzle are blue.

Tan on the lower jaw extends down to a V on the throat. Usually there is a blue streak under the chin, sometimes it broadens out to the edge of the chin. Inside the mouth, the lips and gums are splashed with blue pigmentation. The roof of the mouth is usually darker in colour.

THE EYES

Eye colour varies from yellow, through tawny - gold and light brown, to dark brown. Eyelashes are blue. The pigmentation in the eye rims conforms to the colouring of the nose and lips.

THE EARS

The backs of the ears are blue. Inside the ear the hair is tan framed around the inner outer edge with a narrow blue line.

THE CHEST

The front of the chest extending up into the neck area has blue hair, with a distinct tan patch on either side of the prosternum. The tan extends from the prosternum just across to the edge of the upper arm. There may be a small amount of white hair or a small white patch in between the tan markings. This is permissible.

FOREQUARTERS

The forelegs have tan markings on the outside and inside. blue hair extends from the shoulders down the outside of the upper arm and the forearm, tapering to a point just above the wrist joints. On the inside of the upper arms there is blue hair tapering to finish around the elbow.

The inside of the forearms is tan. There is a blue streak of hair behind the pastern joint between the stopper pad and the large pad on the feet.

HINDQUARTERS

The outside of the legs is predominantly blue hair with a small amount of tan. The inside of the legs is mostly tan, with some small amounts of blue hair.

OUTSIDE HIND LEGS

The tan on the upper, outside front edges of the stifle continues down to the front of the hock joint to the toes. There is also a mixture of blue and tan hair above the point of the hocks and this may broaden out across the lower part of the thigh to cover the area above the hock joint. On the outside of the upper thigh, blue hair extends down past the point of the hock, continuing behind the back of the pastern to the large pad of the foot.

INSIDE HIND LEGS

Tan hair on the inside of the upper thighs extends down the legs to the feet. It is quite common that there is a blueish or blue patch of hair blending into the tan hair on the inside of the upper thighs. Usually there is a small amount of blue hair above and below the point of the hocks that tapers down and finishes behind the hock joints. There is tan hair in the breeching on the hind legs extending up under the tail and around the vent.

THE FEET

The feet and toes are tan and usually there is blue pencilling. There may be blue marks above the front feet below the pastern joints. Toe nails are blue.

THE TAIL

The tail is blue with varying amounts of tan hair on the underside.

THE COAT

The blue and tan Kelpie has a double coat. The outer coat consists of strong straight hair lying very close together, of smooth appearance and weather resistant. The undercoat is sparse, usually a bit thicker around the neck and shoulders. Usually a shade lighter and sometimes a tan or blueish colour. The texture is soft and fine. In some bloodlines Agouti colouring is often seen around the shoulder blades and neck. This is not the undercoat showing through the coat. This is normal and not a fault.