The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats.

[6] In 2019, it was widely reported[7][8][9] that a genomic study conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney indicated that the kelpie had no dingo ancestry[10] although this is still uncertain.

Claire Wade, co-author of the study's paper, said that she has never suggested there was "no dingo blood in the Kelpie breed" as the media reported.

[11]The first dog known as a Kelpie was a black and tan female pup with floppy ears bought by Jack Gleeson about 1872[12] from a litter born on Warrock Station near Casterton, owned by George Robertson, a Scot.

The standard was accepted by leading breeders of the time and adopted by the Kennel Club of New South Wales.

[21] The WKC encourages breeding for working ability, and allows a wide variety of coat colours.

Show Kelpies are registered with the Australian National Kennel Council, which encourages breeding for a certain appearance and limits acceptable colours.

A Working Kelpie can be a cheap and efficient worker that can save farmers and graziers the cost of several hands when mustering livestock.

[16] ANKC "Show" Kelpies are now becoming very popular both nationally and internationally as family pets, companion dogs, running mates and sport dogs due to their trainability, good nature and low maintenance of care and can be found all over the world.

[citation needed] Show Kelpies generally excel in agility trials and may be shown in conformation in Australia.

[citation needed] Kelpies are intelligent and easy to train dogs making them good-tempered and good pets, especially with children.

However they require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation, otherwise they can become bored and hence be disruptive by constantly barking or digging, or by chewing on objects.

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12 years based on a sample of 49 deaths for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

[31] A Kelpie owned by a Victorian dairy farmer, Maggie, was thought to be the world's oldest dog at her time of death.