About Us

We ranch in the middle of the Missouri River Breaks National Monument
area on the Missouri River in North Central Montana. This is tough
country with hard, rocky soils, cactus and burr-type plants, hot-hot
summer and cold-cold winter. If you want to work dogs in these
conditions, you'll need a tough and adaptable breed. We feel like we
found that type in the Australian Kelpie. We travel long distances just to
move a few cattle around and needed a dog that could handle the
terrain and conditions, work a few cows, and then be done with it.
Kelpies are packed with such enthusiasm for work and each is an
individual with their Kelpie characteristics express in their own
personality. This makes living and working with them a true joy.

Nip has been the foundation and inspiration for our breeding
program. He has shown such ability and desire to work cattle that
he has become a true working partner on the XY Ranch- he's the
kind you never leave at the house. After we had many inquiries as
to where a dog like him could be found that we decided to try to
reproduce his ability while crossing him on females that would
bring other strengths to the puppies. We have made an honest
attempt at researching bloodlines available in the states (with the
help of countless knowledgable folks) and are selecting for Kelpie
lines known and proven to work cattle. While our main purpose in
breeding has been to produce capable cattle dogs that train
easily, we have found that most Kelpies have a lot to offer from
sport dog training, to search and rescue, or even just as
companions and we will consider sending pups into those
situations so long as the purpose is not reproduction.









				Kemp's Flo Companion dog and frequent visitor to the XY Ranch.