'(King's) Kelpie' tied the prestigious Forbes Trial in 1879, and the strain was soon popularly referred to as 'Kelpie's pups', or just Kelpies. The King brothers joined another breeder, McLeod, to form a dog breeding partnership whose dogs dominated trials during 1900 to 1920. Kelpies are a hardy breed with few health problems, but they are susceptible to disorders common to all breeds, like cryptorchidism, hip dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy and luxating patella. Current research is under way to find the genetic marker for cerebellar abiotrophy in the breed. Current research is under way to find the genetic marker for cerebellar abiotrophy in the breed. They tend to live to around 10–12 years although many injure themselves as they get to the age of 10 or 11 and start to become weaker.
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