Damchi vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Australian Kelpie is originated from Australia but Damchi is originated from Bhutan. Australian Kelpie may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than Damchi. Australian Kelpie may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Damchi. Both Australian Kelpie and Damchi has almost same life span. Both Australian Kelpie and Damchi has almost same litter size. Both Australian Kelpie and Damchi requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
undefined
Australia
Bhutan
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
39 - 43 cm
15 - 17 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
39 - 43 cm
15 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
9 - 13 kg
19 - 29 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
9 - 13 kg
19 - 29 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
3 - 8
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Kelpie, Barb
Bhutan Damchi or Bhutanese Damchi
Colors Available:
Many Colours, from solids to bi-colours - tan, fawn, blue, red, black, chocolate
Tan, Black, Brown, Red, Fawn
Coat:
short and dense
Long, silky and soft
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

australian kelpieThe 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 exact origin of the Damchi isn’t particularly well documented but those who are interested say that the Damchi actually dates back as far as the 17th century, descending from different ancient Terrier- and Spaniel breeds.

It appears the dog comes from the Himalayan village of Damchi. The former King of Bhutan owned a Damchi and this dog has been featured on one of the country’s postage stamps. Today it is a loved dog in Bhutan, Asia while a few are found in Germany.

Description

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.

The Damchi is a small to medium breed dog and is part of the toy group. The dog stands up to 43cm tall and can weight 13kg.

His silky coat comes in different colors such as black and white or tan, brown and fawn. He has a lot of long soft fur but its a dog that doesn’t shed much. He has ears which are high set and which flop down and the tail is long and feathery, curling over the back of the dog.

People who know the dog say that they are similar looking to the Tibetan Spaniel, although the Damchi is a bit longer and more sturdy.

Temerament:

Known also as the Bhutan Damchi or Bhutanese Damchi, the Damchi is an active dog that is intelligent and devoted to its human family, although he is known to be aloof with strangers.

Known for his playful, jaunty nature, he is a small dog that is full of character, wanting to be with- and to please his human family. Sweet and gentle, he gets on well with children and pets in the home and will turn out to be a good watchdog too.

They are intelligent dogs and easy to train and will easily respond to tasks given to him. He will benefit from being trained and socialized. He becomes obedient and will easily adapt to life in the city or the country, so long as he is close to his human family, providing them with ongoing entertainment.

He is a social, friendly breed that can suffer with separation anxiety and he will simply pine away if he is left in the backyard and ignored.

Characteristics

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.

The Damchi dog is such a robust, amicable little canine friend for anyone who appreciates his characteristics. Loving, loyal, social and friendly, the Damchi is one hang of a little dog.

He is fairly low maintenance, he won’t eat you out of the house and he isn’t a sickly dog. When you think of all the wonderful years of friendship he offers, anyone who chooses him won’t have one single regret.

Health Problems

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.

The Damchi is known to be a robust dog who doesn’t suffer from many health problems, but there are some common health issues that are good to know about so that you can get your pet some help.

Some of the common health problems are hip dysplasia, hypoglycemia, brachycephalic airway syndrome, epilepsy and dental disease.

Hypoglycemia:

A drop in blood sugar can be brought on by stress and this condition is more prevalent in toy breeds. If you find your Damchi lethargic, battling to walk properly or shivering, be aware of this drop in blood sugar as it can send your little dog into a fatal coma.Get him to the vet immediately.

Caring The Pet

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.

The Damchi is an active breed, who loves to be involved with everything his family is involved in. He will need to be provided with games and exercise as he is full of beans and will just love to go with you on your walks. Indoors or outdoors, he is always looking out for a game.

Grooming:

The Damchi has a long coat and to keep it silky and shiny it will require brushing twice a week to ensure no tangles and matting.

Dental disease is more prevalent in small dogs so prevent plaque build-up by ensuring you brush your pets teeth 2 or 3x a week.

Diet:

Your Damchi might have entertained you so much you may want to just give him one treat after the next. Be careful of feeding a small dog too much as a leaner dog lives a healthier, longer life free of many diseases.

Make sure you have your pet with you for 12, 13 or 14 years by ensuring he gets a bowl of nutritious food according to his size and age. With a well planned diet which consists of kibble, some home-made food such as brown rice, vegetables and chicken you’ll be doing your pet a tremendous favor by promoting good health. Never leave your pet without a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Australian Kelpie vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Australian Kelpie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Australian Kelpie vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Australian Kelpie vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Australian Kelpie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Australian Kelpie vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Australian Kelpie vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Australian Kelpie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Australian Kelpie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Australian Kelpie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Australian Kelpie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Australian Kelpie vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Australian Kelpie vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Australian Kelpie vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Australian Kelpie vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Australian Kelpie vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Australian Kelpie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Australian Kelpie vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Australian Kelpie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Australian Kelpie vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Australian Kelpie vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Australian Kelpie vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Australian Kelpie vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Australian Kelpie vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Australian Kelpie vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Damchi vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Damchi vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Damchi vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Damchi vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Damchi vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Damchi vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Damchi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Damchi vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Damchi vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Damchi vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Damchi vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Damchi vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Damchi vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Damchi vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Damchi vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Damchi vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Damchi vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Damchi vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Damchi vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Damchi vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Damchi vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Damchi vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Damchi vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Damchi vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Damchi vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison