German Coolie
The Coolie is a hard working, intelligent herding dog that originated in Australia.
Coolie Appearance
Coolies are eye catching, well balanced, medium sized dogs, with unusual markings in form of patches and flecks of colour. The two main colours are red and blue merle and some people believe solid and black and white varieties are acceptable. Eyes can be blue, brown, green or black or a combination of blue and brown. Ears are moderately sized, triangular shaped and are usually pricked or semi-pricked.
Colours are Predominantly red and blue merle. Solids are permissible. Dark merle is encouraged. Careful thought must be put into breeding certain coloured dogs together due to possibility of deafness and other birth defects. The coat can be short medium or long with short being far more common and usually the preferred coat type.
Short coated coolies require very little grooming. A bath when needed and a brush to remove grass seeds if necessary. A stiff brushing removes dead hair from the coat, stimulates the skin and evenly distributes the natural oils over the coat. (Coolies do shed). The longer coated varieties need more care. Working coolies need a good quality high protein dry dog biscuit. A supplement of meaty bones ensures healthy teeth and gums and adds variety to the diet.
Coolie Temperament
The Coolie is extremely active and intelligent with a naturally strong herding instinct. The Coolie is renowned for its biddable and friendly nature and it's easy-going, fun-loving personality makes the breed a great choice for a lively family or active individual. Coolies are responsive to commands, easy to train, loyal to their owner and accepting of other pets and children.
In addition to herding, Coolies excel in sports such as agility and obedience and are also making a name for themselves in activities such as television acting, Search and Rescue and as Pets as Therapy dogs. Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is now a reality and is extremely important to the breeds future, that any matings that could produce dogs with questionable temperament be actively discouraged.
Coolies are confident all around dogs with natural ability to head, herd and heel. They have the ability to block with force when necessary, move stock together, quietly and confidently. Coolies are hardy, displaying endurance and enough speed to outrun and head stock when required. They remain alert on the job. As Coolies are extremely intelligent, it takes very few lessons for them to learn. They are generally receptive to commands and bark and back when instructed. They can adjust to difficult situations. Coolies can display a small to moderate amount of eye though they don't often show eye in a very noticeable way, but display great concentration and intuition making them capable of anticipating the stocks next move.
Coolie History
Not much is known about the history of the breed although there are theories. One of these theories is that one of the ancestors of the Coolie was imported from Germany to Australia by early European immigrant farmers. Other research indicates that the breed is a derivative from early herding breeds from the United Kingdom such as the Scotch Collie (rough collie). Whatever the Coolie's origins, it is clear that over the years, stockmen and others have introduced other breeds in order to keep a line going or to improve aspects of their dog’s ability or other attributes. It should be remembered that there is no concrete evidence of the breed’s origin and until any claims are proven without a doubt; any information is conjecture and should be understood as theory not fact. What is important is that those entrusted with the future of the breed be diligent and breed only to protect and improve the traits for which the breed is renowned.
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