Our Breeding Program
At Shimmy Downs Kelpies, our breeding program is centred around producing genuine working kelpies. Dogs with the instinct, ability and mindset to handle real work.
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We breed from strong, proven working lines, selecting dogs that consistently demonstrate natural stock sense, trainability, work ethic and the ability to think under pressure. Our focus is on producing practical, capable dogs that can perform in real-world conditions, not just look the part.
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Because we are actively training and working dogs every day, we understand what truly matters in a working dog. This hands-on experience allows us to make informed breeding decisions based on proven performance, not just pedigree.
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We are a small, family-run breeding program, and every litter is carefully planned and raised here on our farm. Our puppies are given a solid start, with early exposure to a variety of environments, people and experiences to help build confidence and adaptability.
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Our priority is, and always will be, placing our puppies into working homes where their natural ability can be utilised and developed. We are passionate about seeing our dogs go on to do the job they were bred for.
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Where availability allows, we will consider active pet homes that are committed to providing appropriate training, structure and outlets. However, these homes must understand the demands of a working-bred dog and be prepared to meet those needs.
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We take great care in matching each puppy to the right home and are committed to supporting our owners beyond the sale, from selecting the right pup through to training and ongoing development.
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Interested in a puppy or a started working dog from Shimmy Downs Kelpies?
We’d love to hear from you.
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Whether you’re looking for a future working dog, want to join our puppy waitlist, or are interested in a started or fully trained dog, get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
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Started & Trained Dogs
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Alongside our breeding program, we retain select puppies from our litters to develop and train here at Shimmy Downs Kelpies.
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These dogs are carefully chosen based on their natural ability, temperament and potential, and are given the time and guidance needed to grow into capable, confident working dogs. By starting them ourselves, we’re able to build a strong foundation and set them up for success in their future working homes.
Depending on the dog and individual needs, we may offer dogs at various stages, from well-started young dogs through to more advanced, fully trained working dogs.
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This pathway is a great option for those looking to skip the early stages and bring in a dog that already has experience on stock and a solid understanding of its job.
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Availability of started and trained dogs will vary, so we encourage you to get in touch to find out what we currently have available or what may be coming up.
