The Koolie is an Australian dog breed and is a "breed" currently unrecognised by the Australian National Kennel Council and it's controlling bodies; specifically, it is a herding dog or working dog. Koolies have existed in Australia since the early 18th century.
| Koolie | |
|---|---|
 A short-coat tri-merle Koolie | |
| Other names | Australian Koolie - Coolie - German Coolie - Coulie - German Collie |
| Origin | Australia |
| Breed status | Not recognized as a breed by any major kennel club. |
| Notes | Koolies registered with the Koolie club of Australia are accepted to the Canine Control Sporting registers in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. |
| Dog (domestic dog) | |
Appearance
The Koolie is a medium-sized dog of varying coat type and colour, although they are generally recognised by their merled coat pattern. Koolies are typically slightly longer than tall and resemble a cross between a Border Collie, a Kelpie and an Australian Cattle Dog - dogs with whom they share Collie bloodline ancestry.
Like the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, the Koolie Club of Australia defines the breed based on its ability to work rather than on its conformation. Unlike the JRT Club of America, most Koolie breeders refer to this dog as a breed rather than as a type, and assert that it "breeds true".
History
The Koolie is believed to be descended from the same Collie types that were brought to Australia for the kennels of Thomas S. Hall (an originator of the Australian Cattle Dog breed); some believe that they could be direct descendents of Hall's dogs. This, if true, would make the Koolie the oldest of Australia's breeds.
The Koolie "breed" is currently not recognized by any kennel club, although judges from the ANKC may judge Koolies in the various sporting trials. In the states of [[Victoria (Australia), New South Wales, and Queensland, Koolies may compete in Australian national kennel council-sponsored working, obedience, tracking, jumping and dog agility events by registration on their State's Sporting Register as members of the Koolie Club of Australia. Koolies appear on the sporting register under their "breed" name Koolie and do not need to be desexed, Koolies that are registered on the Sporting Register must also be a member of their State controlling body of ANKC. Handlers may also compete in these events through registering upon the Associate Register of their state controlling body of the ANKC, dogs must be desexed and will be recorded as an associate. Handlers who access the associate register need only be members of t heir state controlling body of the ANKC.
In 2000, the Koolie Club of Australia was formed to preserve, protect and ethically promote the Koolie breed. Opinion is divided as to whether official recognition would be good for the breed. As of (2006), no bench standard exists and none is expected in the near future.
In April 2005 The Coolie Registry of America (TCR) was created to preserve and maintain their pedigrees and their historical records of the German Coolie breed, sometimes called the German Colley/Collie, German Koolie, and/or Kuli. The Coolie Registry of America decided not to change the name of this historical breed to the Australian Koolie. The German Coolie was (and still is) a herding dog and many Shepherds depend on their dog. Time is money in the agriculture world. A good herding dog can take the place of 4 to 6 cowboys.
In May 2005 The German Coolie Club of America voted and adopted a breed standard for the German Coolies on their registrar that are being selectively bred by them in the United States. The ultimate goal is to have the Coolie recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The German Coolies in America are eligible to compete in working sheep dog and cattle dog trials that are sanctioned by the Australian Shepherd Club of America, United States Border Collie Handler's Association, and The American Herding Breed Association. This wonderful breed is also eligible to compete in the sports/performance events that are sanctioned by the North American Dog Agility Council and the United States Dog Agility Association.It is to be noted handlers wishing to compete for titles in any events will need to check with each club regarding the necessity for membership and or either registration to gain titles.
Temperament
Graziers, stockmen and dairy farmers across Australia since the days of the earliest settlers to their present day counterparts have typically selected breeds which display the abilities required to meet their working needs. The temperament found in a Koolie is an example of this much sought after ability. The optimal worker possesses a combination of working skills and bonding temperament. There are times when an uninitiated dog owner or a new enthusiast mistaken the Koolie as a shy, reserved or even a timid animal. The Koolies temperament needs to be understood in proper context when one seeks an optimal match of skills and demeanor. The Koolies are intelligent animals and most experienced handlers know well that they need guidance instead of merely being pushed and given praise instead of assigning blame. A steady and supportive approach will be productive, proving the Koolies adaptability in diverse situations when given time. Such is the hallmark it bears and owners will be rewarded through the Koolies diligence in varied roles such as in work situations, sporting activities, loyal service or the time honored role of companionship. Known to be patient, temperate, dedicated, with a strong drive for willingness and devotion, the Koolie is not naturally aggressive but can demonstrate dominance, an untiring enthusiasm to work, and an admirable hardiness when the job or circumstance requires.
Health
DNA testing[1] carried out on 56 Koolies from Australia by Dr.Mark Neff of the University of California at Davis in the USA cleared those bloodlines tested for the presence of the mutant gene mdr1-1, which causes malfunction in the canine multidrug resistance gene; Collie bloodlines were chosen to be tested because they showed a reaction, even death, to chemicals, such as Ivermectin, used in the treatment of intestinal parasites.
Since 2004, the Koolie club of Australia in conjunction with Genetic Science Service of Australia has been undertaking the collection and processing of Koolie DNA, which is being tested for all current Collie diseases and family relationships. To date, the Koolie Club of Australia’s database records that the Koolie breed is relatively free of common genetic disorders that are found in recognized pure breeds. It is general accepted that this is due to the natural breeding selection, which has continued unhindered for over 160 years, (apart from at least one Koolie Club of Aust breeder introducing rescue dogs with no know history or parentage to their breeding stock. While this practice is supposedly justified as introducing "new blood" it can also be a dangerous practice using an unknown quantity that could create problems for the "breed" for years to come).
To date, the Koolie Club of Australia’s database records that the Koolie breed is relatively free of common genetic disorders that are found in recognized pure breeds. However, such a limited and restricted survey from KCA members can in no way prove that the "breed" is completely free or indeed "relatively free" of genetic diseases. A more extensive survey (outside of the KCA) would need to be done to support this fact. It would be unethical to NOT have breeding stock and their offspring tested for any genetic diseases that they may have inherited from their ancestors, and a certificate made available to all prospective puppy purchasers. If, as the KCA have stated, their members dogs appear to be "relatively" free of genetic disease but cannot produce scientific evidence that NO Coolie has ever suffered from any of these diseases, then they cannot rule anything out and should be taking more of a responsible survey of this outside their own club members. No matter the recorded incidences of genetically acquired diseases, there would obviously be many people who would cull affected Coolies and not record it. One can understand their reluctance to record it and thus reduce their puppy sales. This does not only happen with German Coolie breeders, it happens with purebred dogs. The affected dogs are culled so as not to destroy the reputation of the breeder.
The German Coolie Club of America in concurrence with the Canine Genetic Heritage Project, being conducted at the Center for Veterinary Genetics at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, are participating in this research and will be a part of the distinct populations of dogs that will be assembling a comprehensive genetic repository. The Coolies that are tested will be a part of the current DNA bank that adequately reflects the genetic legacy of more than 400 international canine populations that remain unrepresented as a recognized breed. From the information that is assembled from the analyses of the DNA samples, the owners will have a profile of the genetic makeup of the dog. With this profile, futuristically, a person can actively pursue proactive testing for specific genetic defects and diseases.
Miscellaneous
=== Herding technique ===
Koolies are much sought-after in rural Australia, and interest is now being shown in America and Germany. According to Geoff Broughton, the current president of the Koolie Club of Australia, the Koolie will head (move to the front or head of the stock to push them back towards you), heel, drive (push the stock from behind), cast (move out and around the stock), and back (literally jump onto the backs of their charges to herd them if necessary). Koolies have a reputation for being upright workers with a good eye, who can easily shift their focus from holding the group to casting around a flock or gathering breakaways. They are not known for having "sticky eyes" (focusing on the sheep in front only). Unlike other working breeds, which are noted for their crouched form or style and preference for either yard or field work, Koolies are just as much at ease working in closed surroundings such as yards or trucks as being out in paddocks and droving. As well as working anything from ducks to bulls, like all dogs of their kind they will herd family members and children in the absence of other charges.
References
External links
- The Koolie Club of Australia
- The Koolie Forum
- Australian Coolie Forum
- Australian Coolie Council
- Working Koolie Association Inc
- German Coolie Club of America
- The Coolie Registry of America
- Coolie Forum in America
- More information about the DNA testing project
- Canine Genetics Unit, for DNA Testing in America