About UsFormation of Working Kelpie Council
The Working Kelpie Council was formed in 1965, although the need for such an organisation had been discussed continuously during the previous decade. With the natural loss of the men who have successfully brought the breed through to modern times, the lack of active encouragement by the various Sheep Dog Workers' Associations towards pure breeding, and more importantly the damage being done by the supply to the Pastoral Industry of the Show Kelpies which through sheer lack of selection for working ability, had been deteriorating rapidly over the last twenty years or more, it was felt that unless something was done the reputation of the pure-bred Working Kelpie would be affected. The Working Kelpie Council was formed to counteract the buyer resistance to the pure-bred Kelpie and to ensure the future of the breed as a working sheepdog for all time.
Formed along the lines of other breed associations, the Council operates as a service to the man on the land as well as the Breed. From the very beginning emphasis and encouragement was given to the need to register and record breeding activities and individuals were encouraged to think in terms of developing small studs rather than just to breed for their own needs.
A Breeders' Directory was established by the accredited breeders of the day and encouragement was given to prospective breeders by the inclusion of a provisional list. All new breeders are restricted to this section until the ability of the stock being produced has been established. The Breeders' Directory was an immediate success and within months proved that it was a service well overdue; the overwhelming support from the Pastoral and Agricultural Industries both in Australia and overseas has done a great deal to establish the Council as Australia's national authority for the Breed.
Being a national organization the need to have centrally situated records became essential and for a considerable time the WKC negotiated with the various State official canine bodies in an effort to gain their co-operation. However, lack of unity between the States hampered progress. With some regret, after two and a half years of negotiating, failing to achieve a solution, the Council was forced to implement its own National Stud Register in October 1967. The first volume of the National Stud Book was issued in November 1967, listing 676 individual dogs. At the end of 2025, there are over 71,000 fully registered purebred Kelpies recorded in the WKC Main Register as well as over 53,000 recorded in the Appendix Register which is primarily for non-purebred dogs. The Working Kelpie Council National records are copyrighted as they are issued and, for the convenience of the general public, copies are issued to all Australian Capital City Public Libraries and to local and overseas Agricultural Departments etc., as well as being available for purchase by the general public.
WKC Membership
A warm invitation to become a member of The Working Kelpie Council of Australia Inc. is extended to everyone interested in sheepdogs. All you need to do to enjoy receiving the monthly News Bulletins, etc. is to fill in the Membership form and send it with your remittance. Discounted Rural Youth and Junior Membership is available for younger Australian people (under 18 years old).
Subscriptions fall due on the 1st January each year, members joining later receive News Bulletin back issues for the previous months so that they get a complete set for the year. Half Year Membership from June is available without receiving Back issues. Members joining in November or December are added to the mailing list and their fees credited to the forthcoming year.
Governing Membership is automatically conferred after 25 years membership, or may be considered after 3 years of continuous membership upon special application to the WKC Board.
News Bulletins
All members receive the monthly News Bulletins which keeps them up to date on their Council's activities, in addition to supplying articles about care, breeding, training, etc., and reports on sheepdog trials, forthcoming trial dates, historical research, and so on. The regular inclusion of the Breeders' Notes keeps members informed about the stock which is currently available.
Becoming a WKC Registered Breeder
WKC Members must separately apply to become a registered breeder, which follows the recording of a WKC Stud Prefix. There are screening criteria and breeders must agree to comply with the applicable rules stipulated in the respective WKC By-Laws. Note that Breeders are not allowed to use their WKC Prefix on dogs that are not registered with the WKC. More information is available under the FORMS menu of the website.
Breeders' Directory Listing
The aim of the Breeders listed is to produce a continuity of dogs which possess a high degree of natural ability and which are easily trained and versatile. WKC breeders with over 5 years continuous membership who breed genuine and accredited working strain Kelpies may apply for a listing.
Each Breeder must make special application to the Board, hold a registered prefix, submit a detailed list of the dogs and their pedigrees. They must also agree to register ALL their pups with WKC and be prepared to have their stock inspected at work. The Council encourages new breeders and every effort is made to assist intending breeders. For more information please E-mail us. admin@wkc.org.au
Special Free Service
If you are interested in obtaining a particular type of pup or dog, you are sincerely invited to send in full details of what is required. The details will be condensed and forwarded to the Breeders with their next monthly News Bulletin and those with suitable stock will write to you direct. If you have already stipulated what you wish to obtain, the details will be automatically included in the next issue. If you do not obtain your requirements please contact the WKC.
Registering Facilities
Stud registering facilities are available to all WKC Registered Breeders members with special concessions available to those registering whole litters. Additionally the recorded details are listed in Stud Books, to which they have been registered, when published, free of further cost. The listing in the Stud Book appears alphabetically under Stud Prefix together with the name and address of the owner. Refer also WKC National Stud Register/Appendix.
Pedigree and Registration
It is recommended that prospective buyers enquire about pedigree and registration. The dog's registration in the Stud Register is a worthwhile indication that it possesses a genuine working background and verified ancestry. There are two Stud Registers. The National Stud Book register for purebred dogs and an Appendix register which caters for dogs of shorter verified working background. The registration numbering system is different in each Register.
Dogs fully registered to the National Stud book carry only numerals. Dogs registered to the Appendix start with the letter A and two characters indicating the grading and sex (eg: A2M) followed by their Appendix register number.
Prefixes
Each dog's registered name consists of a Prefix and a given name. Only registered dogs have a Breeder's Prefix, otherwise a "WKC System Prefix is applied:
"S/BRED" before the dog's name indicates that the breeder does not hold membership or a prefix recorded with the WKC, and/or cannot be verified. These dogs are not officially registered, but are recorded by the WKC for special breeding purposes.
"REF:" denotes dogs bred by non-members that are not deemed fully registered nor are they eligible for issue with WKC Export Certificates.
"SHOW" indicates that the ancestry is registered with one or other of the State canine bodies catering for the exhibition of dogs. The WKC does not consider these dogs as eligible for registration, and unlikely to be suitable for breeding purposes.
Tattoo Identification
When introducing Stud Registering facilities the Council was conscious of the need of a positive way of identifying individual dogs not only with their entry in the Stud Register but also in the event of disputed ownership or in cases of loss, theft and so on. The permanent tattooing of the ear or flank, whereby the dog carries his breeder's symbol and individual number and year code letter, has proved to be a most satisfactory solution.
After the 31st July, 1970 tattooing became a part of the dog's eligibility for registration in the Main Section of the Stud Register and Stud Book. Appendix facilities continue to provide for dogs bred by Breeders who do not wish to co-operate and for dogs which fail to qualify because of shortness of verified pedigree, etc. Before taking delivery of your Kelpie please check the tattoo against the details supplied by the breeder.