Kars Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Kars Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed ComparisonKars Dog is originated from Turkey but Australian Kelpie is originated from Australia. Kars Dog may grow 39 cm / 16 inches higher than Australian Kelpie. Kars Dog may weigh 60 kg / 133 pounds more than Australian Kelpie. Kars Dog may live 3 years less than Australian Kelpie. Kars Dog may have more litter size than Australian Kelpie. Both Kars Dog and Australian Kelpie requires Moderate maintenance.

History

kars dog - historyThe Kars Dog is found in Turkey, hailing more specifically from the Kars province, after which it is named. He actually has a long history of at least 600 years.

Referred to as a Molosser, the dog is still used to this day for shepherding livestock. There are many varieties and sizes of the dog, with the most common Kars type being similar to the Nagazi variant of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

australian kelpie - historyThe energetic Kelpie came into being around 1870, with this working dog breed having a role to play with the herding of sheep in the harsh Australian outback.The sheep and wool industry in Australia has always been big business, and Australian ranchers were looking for a tough dog that could cope with sheep but also cope with the harsh environment.

These are adaptable dogs too and their ancestors include the Coley or Collie, a British herding-type dog, the English- and the Australian Shepherd and the Dingo. In fact it is believed that up to 4% of their genes comes from the Dingo. These adaptable dogs were also brought to North America where they quickly adapted to the different climate and different livestock.

The Australian Kelpie isn’t your regular pet as they are essentially an outdoor, working dog. They are recognized today by the United Kennel Club and registered by the North American Australian Kelpie Registry.

Description

kars dog puppy - descriptionLarge and heavy, the Kars Dog is strong, with a large head and broad chest. The height of the dog at the withers is 60 to 90cm and he weighs in at roughly 60 - 80kg.

At one time the ears were cropped but they are left these days and then they are of medium length and floppy. The coat varies too in terms of length and color - short to longer variety coats. The coat can be a solid color or it can have patterns. You’ll find reddish brown dogs, grey and black dogs as well as dogs with a mix of colors.

Temperament:

The Kars is an aggressive, territorial dog, but with the correct training, socialization and upbringing, it can be a loving, amicable family pet.

Known also as the Kars Turkish Shepherd or Kars shepherd, he makes an ideal guarding dog as he is brave and devoted to those he is protecting. He is cautious and even unfriendly towards people he doesn’t know, and it is thought that because of his robustness, it might not be a good idea to leave him unsupervised with small children.

Nonetheless with training and socialization, the Kars is capable of being a super pet for all members of the family. Training him won’t be that easy as he is large and strong-willed, but the training will provide him with some basic good manners.

He will require a firm, confident owner and will require living in a home with a big garden or in the countryside as he requires a good amount of exercise.

The Coat

australian kelpie puppy - descriptionThe Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a coat that comes in a number of colours – black, chocolate, fawn, red, blue, tan, white and gold. . The nose colour blends in with the dog’s coat colour and can be black, brownish and even pinkish.

A Sharp, Intelligent Look

The Kelpie has a medium-length tail which is low-set. The ears are pricked, giving the dog an intelligent, alert appearance. The dog’s head is also narrow and long, and his eyes are bright and inquisitive.

Lithe and Athletic

The Australian Kelpie has an athletic appearance, with a body which is longer than their height, similar to that of a German Shepherd. Because the Australian Kelpie is such an energetic, active breed, he’ll need plenty of ‘jobs to do’, lots of ball games and other exercise to keep him free from boredom and to ensure he maintains his lithe, lean, muscular limbs.

Characteristics

kars dog dog - characteristicsThe Kars is a large dog and because of his past where he used to guard livestock, he is a dog used to wide open spaces. He will require a home with a good sized garden and a family who exercises him frequently.

With the right kind of care, the Kars is able to strongly bond with his human family, taking his role as guardian and protector very well. He is alert and smart and that is why he will need training and socialization and a firm, fair human owner. He will then become a loving, devoted companion.

Friend of Children

australian kelpie dog - characteristicsThe Australian Kelpie is an active, busy, intelligent, loving breed who is highly protective of his human family. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home but you’ll want him trained if you want him to be gentle around children and smaller pets. He does tend to gravitate towards one particular family member as his ‘favourite’ though.

He Must be Busy

Your Kelpie won't do well in an apartment as he is a working dog who wants plenty of place to run and play. If he is bored, it manifests itself with constant barking. Make sure to provide a stimulating, active lifestyle for your Australian Kelpie, provide him with everything a dog needs and you’ll be rewarded with a devoted and loyal companion.

Health Problems

kars dog puppies - health problemsThe Kars is generally healthy and long-lived, being able to reach 12 years of age with ease if cared for properly. Every dog, even the most healthiest ones, will have some health issues, and with a large dog like this, it is hip dysplasia, obesity, cancer and heart problems.

Heart Problems:

Coughing is a symptom of different illnesses, with one of them being heart disease. If your dog is still coughing after several days, its time to see the vet.

When your dog hasn’t exercised, you’ll see him battling to breathe or the breathing will be rapid. He’ll be reluctant to walk and play too and may be disinterested in his food. Edema, the swelling of body tissues is also a sign of heart disease.

A Healthy Breed

australian kelpie puppies - health problemsYour Australian Kelpie is a hardy breed and you won’t find many health problems with him. Yes, every dog is susceptible to illnesses which are common with all dog breeds, and these are illnesses such as hip dysplasia and cryptorchidism.

You will need to check your Kelpie out for eye disease such as PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a group of genetic diseases which are found in some breeds of dogs. This can lead to cataracts and blindness.

Lifestyle and Environment Impact Health

Health problems in your Australian Kelpie can certainly be partially prevented by the way you feed your dog and by the environment you provide him with. Every dog has the potential to develop genetic health problems, but as we’ve said, the Kelpie is a generally healthy breed.

Always find a reputable breeder whose focus is on breeding healthy dogs and who can provide certification that the parents of the dog are clear of defects and are in tip-top condition for breeding.

Puppy Vaccinations

Along with quality food and fresh water, getting your puppy vaccinated is hugely important. Australian Kelpie puppy shots will protect your new 4-legged family member from the likes of distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis. Your puppy will also need additional booster vaccinations after his first shots which start at around 8 weeks of age.

Caring The Pet

kars dog dogs - caringYour Kars dog can be a wonderful addition to your home, but you need to know how to care for a big dog before you get carried away and add a large puppy breed to your family.

Too many people buy a cute bundle of fur and get rid of it when he is no longer a cute puppy. Before you bring a giant breed dog into your home, take note of some useful tips to keep him in tip top condition -

Diet:

If you bring a puppy home, he’ll need to be fed 4 times a day with special puppy food. There are excellent commercially manufactured puppy foods on the market and you will need to get the one that caters for ‘large- or giant puppy breeds’, as the Kars is a very big dog.

As your dog reaches adulthood you’ll feed him less. If in any doubt as to the kind of food to give your dog to maintain good health, speak to your vet.

Exercise:

Every dog will need exercise to keep him trim and fit but to also stimulate their minds. Providing your Kars dog with exercise such as walks and ball games will also ensure he doesn’t become bored.

General Care:

Your pet will need a nice quiet, warm, dry place to sleep and rest. If he is an outdoor dog during the day, make sure that he has a place to rest in the shade. Make sure he has a non-stop supply of fresh, cool water too that is placed in a cool, reachable spot.

Grooming:

Your large pet is an average shedder and to keep his thick coat in tip top condition, you want to be sure to brush him at least twice a week.

Grooming

australian kelpie dogs - caringAustralian Kelpies are low maintenance and their coat is easy to groom and maintain. You want to give him a good brush twice a week to get rid of loose hair. Australian Kelpies are moderate shedders.

Feeding your Kelpie

It is important to get your puppy off on the right foot to avoid health problems later on. Homemade dog food which includes chicken, rice and vegetables is always the best food for your dog. If you can't prepared your own meals for your Kelpie, top grade commercial dog food brands are recommended.

When looking at dog foods, remember that your Kelpie is a working dog – a naturally active breed and you’ll need to look at dog food which has been specially formulated for active dogs. Every dog will need raw meat in their diet if you want to avoid a dog with an itchy, flaky skin, a dog with poor energy levels and a dog that has no resistance to infection.

Training

Every owner who cares for their dog will provide him with socialization and training. The Australian Kelpie is an intelligent breed who responds well to training.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Turkey
Australia
Height Male:
60 - 90 cm
23 - 36 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
60 - 90 cm
23 - 36 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
60 - 80 kg
132 - 177 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
60 - 80 kg
132 - 177 pounds
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 7
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Kars Turkish Shepherd, Caucasian
Kelpie, Barb
Colors Available:
Reddish brown, grey, black - mixed colors
Many Colours, from solids to bi-colours - tan, fawn, blue, red, black, chocolate
Coat:
short or long-haired variety
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Newfoundland Dog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Leonberger vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Moscow Watchdog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Spanish Mastiff vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. St. Bernard vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Kars Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Kars Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Kars Dog vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  10. Kars Dog vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  11. Kars Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  12. Kars Dog vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  13. Moscow Water Dog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Mountain Burmese vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Nebolish Mastiff vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Scottish Deerhound vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Shiloh Shepherd vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Kars Dog vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  20. American Bulldog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  21. Border Collie vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  22. Sakhalin Husky vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Alaskan Husky vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  24. Catahoula Leopard vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  25. German Pinscher vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  26. Portuguese Water Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  27. Puli vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  28. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  29. Borador vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  30. German Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  31. Canadian Eskimo Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  32. McNab vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  33. Porcelaine vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  34. Finnish Lapphund vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  35. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  36. Griffon Nivernais vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  37. Hokkaido vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  38. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  39. Pumi vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Kelpie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  41. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  42. Basque Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  43. Istrian Sheepdog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  44. Jamthund vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds