Chilean Fox Terrier vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

The 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.

The Chilean Fox Terrier, developed in Chile, is a dog breed which comes from crossing the British Fox Terrier with some of the local Chilean dogs.

The dog is thought to have been developed in the 19th century already, some time between 1790 and 1850.

The dog is known for its skills in catching rats and mice. Known also as the Chilean Rat Terrier, Terrier Chileno or Ratonero, the Chilean Fox Terrier hasn’t achieved formal recognition with any of the leading canine organizations.

The Coat

The 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.

The Chilean Fox Terrier looks almost identical to his ancestors. He stands between 30 – 40cm and weighs between 5 to 9kg.

He is squarely proportioned, he is athletic looking and well muscled with long, slender legs. Many of these dogs are born with naturally short tails, but if not, then the tail is usually docked after the first or second vertebrae. Now that docking is falling out of favor, the breed is losing that distinctive look.

The head of the Chilean Fox Terrier is triangular with the muzzle being somewhat shorter than the Smooth Fox Terrier. The ears of the Chilean Fox Terrier are smallish and high set, being partially erect. The coat of the dog is short and thick and essentially white while the face is usually tan and black.

Temperament:

The Chilean Fox Terrier is loyal with his human family and can fit in well with a family where there are children and other pets.

Training and socialization become necessary for the dog so that he becomes obedient and amicable around his family and with strangers. He isn’t an aggressive dog but he is alert and can make an excellent watch dog.

He is dominant and confident and also intelligent and easily trainable. He is an active dog so he will require exercise every day, whether he lives in the city or in the country.

Friend of Children

The 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.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a lively dog with an alert expression. He has become a popular companion dog, being less aggressive than other Terriers.

When you treat him well he becomes a loyal friend and forms a strong bond with his human owners. He gets on well with children who have been taught to respect animals, but he tends to become a bit aggressive around other dogs of the same sex.

Socialization and training however can make him much more relaxed around other dogs.

He is an attractive little dog with his short coat, giving the appearance of being well groomed. He can adapt to country- or city life too. He is such an easy dog to keep too so why not choose him as your 4-legged family member? He promises to make the perfect family companion.

A Healthy Breed

Your 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.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a healthy breed who doesn’t appear to have any particular health issues. It doesn’t mean that your dog will be free from disease, but it is worth knowing that a quality diet, fresh water and lots of love and attention does enhance longevity in a pet.

It is to your benefit to know about one or two common diseases that your dog could get.

Bloat:

You’ll notice your pet’s stomach being swollen. Bloat is a disease which can become dangerous because the stomach can twist. Once this happens, gas can’t escape from the stomach and your pet will want to vomit, he’ll salivate and you’ll notice unusual restless kind of behavior. You need to get him to the vet as soon as possible.

Kidney Disease:

This is also a disease that any dog can develop and can be a complication of another pet disease such as Lyme disease. One of the first signs of kidney disease in dogs is drinking more often than usual and also urinating more often.

He’ll lose his appetite and be lethargic and likely lose weight. Kidney disease is a serious disease and you will need to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Grooming

Australian 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.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a low maintenance breed and this means you won’t be having to part with any money on grooming sessions for him. He’ll basically require a brushing twice a week.

The Chilean Fox Terrier, as a smaller dog breed, will also require regular dental brushing, as neglecting this can result in dental problems as well as a host of diseases that are associated with gum disease and tooth decay.

Make sure to feed him a quality diet full of vitamins and minerals and ensure he always has fresh, cool water available.