Established and operated by Adam and Kellie Thomas. Situated in the Shire of Three Springs 330km north of Perth CBD, located within the sheep and grain belt of the central west of Western Australia.
The Delamak Kelpie Stud is run on Hill Padua, a 10,000-hectare property consisting of broad acre cropping and sheep. 4,000 hectares are cropped annually with rotations of wheat, barley, canola, lupins, field peas and the odd oat crop, leaving the remainder of the property to run 3,200 Multi-Purpose Merino ewes. These ewes are mated annually, with 800 of these artificially inseminated.
The Hill Padua MPM sheep enterprise consists of an intense selection and assessment process, providing the dogs with ample opportunity to work. Many different situations are encountered through everyday duties including mustering and moving mobs, to yard work with classing and drenching etc. As the ewes are shorn twice a year, this gives the dogs plenty of opportunity to gain experience in the shed to complement their paddock work.
Although relatively a new stud, registered in 2008 with the Working Kelpie Council of Australia, Delamak Kelpies has a small nucleus of dogs consisting of prominent bloodlines from across Australia. Some of our dogs have National Champions in their bloodlines. Our aim for our breeding with these various bloodlines is to produce a bold but calm utility type kelpie. Attributes include cover, break and natural distance, as well as strong walk up strength and force when it is needed for sheep work. In saying this, our dogs must also hold a quiet and happy nature to fit in with our young family.
After trying a few different “run of the mill” cheap dogs to no avail, we purchased a bitch from the Yarralonga Stud, naming her Ruby to reflect her, and what a little gem she was to be, showing how much of a difference a well-bred dog can achieve as opposed to a “flash in the pan” dog. A sire was sought after, and Delamak Kelpies was born.
Adam completed his high school years at Ag College, furthering his education by attending university, resulting in a Bachelor of Agriculture. During the semester breaks Adam would seek work on various farms and stations located around WA, giving him extensive exposure and solid knowledge of a wide range of animal husbandry, encouraging him to breed his own working dogs, making the prospect of sheep work easier and more enjoyable.
Over the years Adam has attended many training days, and researched bloodlines to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of these kelpies. Bearing in mind the attributes needed by selecting the right mating to carry on, the main goal is to produce a dog that has the natural ability to work.
Send us a message and we’ll walk you through what’s available and what’s coming up, and help match you with a dog that suits your farm.
