Meliteo Kinidio vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

Meliteo Kinidio is originated from Greece but Australian Kelpie is originated from Australia. Meliteo Kinidio may grow 19 cm / 7 inches shorter than Australian Kelpie. Meliteo Kinidio may weigh 12 kg / 26 pounds lesser than Australian Kelpie. Both Meliteo Kinidio and Australian Kelpie has same life span. Both Meliteo Kinidio and Australian Kelpie has same litter size. Meliteo Kinidio requires Low maintenance. But Australian Kelpie requires Moderate maintenance

History

Originating in Greece, the Melitea Kinidio is also known as the Small Greek Domestic Dog. It is an ancient dog breed. The dog has always been a skillful hunter of small game and birds.

It is believed that the dog breed originated from Malta, explaining its Greek name, Melitaion Kunidion.

There are efforts to recognize the Meliteo Kinidio as a separate and unique Greek dog breed but no formal breed clubs exist so far today. The dog also hasn’t been recognized by any reputable registry. Today these common dogs are found in high numbers throughout most of Greece.  

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
Origin:
Greece
Australia
Height Male:
23 - 32 cm
9 - 13 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
23 - 32 cm
9 - 13 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 7
4 - 7
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Small Greek Domestic Dog
Kelpie, Barb
Colors Available:
white or black, Beige, blonde
Many Colours, from solids to bi-colours - tan, fawn, blue, red, black, chocolate
Coat:
Long- and short-haired
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

The Meliteo Kinidio is a deep chested small sized dog which weighs about 3 to 8kg and stands at about 23 – 32cm in height.

The dog has a bright, fox shaped face, floppy ears and a tail which curls over the back and which is feathery or plumed. The body is longer than being tall.

He is available with two coat types – long- and short-haired, with the long haired one being the more common of the two. People often confuse this dog with the long-haired Dachshund. The coat is dense, weatherproof, silky and wavy.

The coat colors can be beige, blonde, white or black, with there being no standardization with color.

Temperament:

These Greek dogs are no pushover and in fact they are fairly fearless dogs, possessive of the human family, wanting to protect them and therefore being territorial as well. They make excellent pets, being very sensitive to their owners, sensing their different moods.

He has always been a hunting dog so he loves to be busy, making a good dog to have on the farm. They are even tempered and gentle, but have a loud, robust bark for their size.

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

These feisty Small Greek Domestic Dogs are loving, loyal dogs who enjoy being around their human family but who don’t mind spending some time on their own either.

They’re dogs which are in tune with their owners and they’re intelligent too so they learn easily. You can expect to a have a good friend when you allow this companion dog into your home.

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

This dog breed enjoys good longevity and can live to be about 12 to 15 years of age with good care.

One thing you have to be careful of with a dog like this is that because he is active he loves to running around and jumping. However, with his long back, jumping off a fairly high bed for instance, can lead to injury and should be discouraged rather. Apart from ear infections, other health issues can be dental.

Dental Issues:

Brushing your dog’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week can prevent dental problems. Small dogs are more prone to plaque formation and gum recession. Many small dogs loose their teeth with dental issues. Plaque that is left on the surface of the tooth is detrimental to the dog’s immune system, starting an inflammatory response. Without good oral hygiene, other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes can become a factor.

Ear Infections:

Ear infections in dogs, particularly those with floppy ears, are common and can be painful.

Scratching at the ear with head shaking is a common sign that your dog has an ear infection as well as the presence of redness and swelling. The inside of the ear needs to be gently cleaned with ear cleanser, but many people don’t like to do this, fearing they may damage the ear. Then it becomes important for your vet or professional groomer to do it for you.

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

The Small Greek Domestic Dog is easy to groom and the coat which sheds moderately will simply require brushing twice a week to keep it silky and vibrant.

Diet:

The Small Greek Domestic Dog is sleek lean and muscular and you want to keep him like that at all costs and avoid obesity. To keep him happy and fit feed him two smaller meals as opposed to one. If you buy commercially manufactured food, make sure its the best quality one as the lower quality foods have inferior ingredients devoid of minerals and vitamins. When you have bought the best quality kibble, treat your dog to some home-made food from time to time – nothing exotic – just plain boiled chicken, brown rice and pasta and cooked vegetables such as potato, carrots and spinach. Some raw meat added in occasionaly is also excellent. Feeding your dog a simple but nutritious meal like this will ensure your dog is healthy, content and free of stomach problems. Fresh, cool water must be availabe around the clock.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. PekePoo vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  2. Schipperke vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  3. Schweenie vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  4. Meliteo Kinidio vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  5. Meliteo Kinidio vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  6. Meliteo Kinidio vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  7. Meliteo Kinidio vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  8. Meliteo Kinidio vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  9. Meliteo Kinidio vs Malti-Pom - Breed Comparison
  10. Meliteo Kinidio vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  11. Meliteo Kinidio vs Lhasapoo - Breed Comparison
  12. Meliteo Kinidio vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Meliteo Kinidio vs Kyi-Leo - Breed Comparison
  14. Prazsky Krysarik vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  15. Pugalier vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  16. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  17. Muggin vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  18. Pomeranian vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  19. Pug vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  20. Miniature Schnauzer vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  21. Papillon vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  23. Miniature English Bulldog vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Dachshund vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  25. Miniature Poodle vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  26. American Bulldog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  27. Border Collie vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  28. Sakhalin Husky vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  29. Alaskan Husky vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  30. Catahoula Leopard vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  31. German Pinscher vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  32. Portuguese Water Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  33. Puli vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  34. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  35. Borador vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  36. German Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  37. Canadian Eskimo Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  38. McNab vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  39. Porcelaine vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  40. Finnish Lapphund vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  42. Griffon Nivernais vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  43. Hokkaido vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  44. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  45. Pumi vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  46. Australian Kelpie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  47. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  48. Basque Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  49. Istrian Sheepdog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  50. Jamthund vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds