100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Fast overnight NZ delivery πŸš€ Don't forget Father's Day is next weekend πŸ“…

The Kelpie

The Definitive Guide to the Australian Working Dog
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Kelpie by Tony Parsons, the plot revolves around the mysterious world of a kelpie, a mythical water spirit from Scottish folklore. The story explores the intersection of nature and the supernatural, delving into themes of environmental change and the enduring power of myth. As the narrative unfolds, readers are taken on an enchanting journey that intertwines human interaction with the mystical elements of the natural world.
Read More
Format: Hardback
$9000
Elsewhere:
$10000
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intriguing intersection of folklore and marine science, where mythological creatures meet real-life ecosystems. The story explores the mysterious and enchanting world of water creatures, offering both a scientific perspective and a captivating narrative that delves into the wonders of nature.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The definitive guide to the Australian working dog.

Set to become the classic work on the breed for many years to come, Tony Parsons' The Kelpie is the culmination of sixty-five years of experience in breeding and training Kelpies, while also researching their origins and promoting the breed worldwide.

This fully illustrated and authoritative work contains everything you might want to know about this renowned dog. Some of the many areas of Kelpie lore and practice covered include:

  • The Kelpie's origins and evolution - theories and furphies
  • The role of genetics and selection in breeding stock
  • Practical advice on loyalty, temperament, obedience, commands and developing control
  • Preparing the Kelpie for trialling
  • The Karrawarra stud and the increasing popularity of the working Kelpie in the US
  • Famous Kelpies of today and yesterday, as well as breeder profiles
  • A section on health and nutrition by Dr Alistair Webb - from general care to emergency treatment
  • Over 250 colour and black-and-white photographs, many of them rare and historic

On virtually every page of this book, Tony Parsons reveals his deep respect and affection for this great Australian dog. This major work will be an invaluable reference for Kelpie breeders, owners and enthusiasts throughout the world.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781761045677

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 November 2021

Country: Australia

Imprint: Viking Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 720

About the Author

A. D. (Tony) Parsons, OAM, has worked as a professional sheep and wool classer, an agricultural journalist, a news editor and rural commentator on radio, a consultant to major agricultural companies, and an award-winning stud breeder of animals and poultry. He owned his first Kelpie dog in 1944, and in 1950 he established 'Karrawarra', one of the top Kelpie studs in Australia. In 1992 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to the propagation of the Australian Kelpie Sheepdog. Since 1947 he has written hundreds of articles, many for international publications. His previous books include The Australian Kelpie, The Working Kelpie and Training the Working Kelpie, now regarded as classic works on the breed. He has also written four novels, including The Call of the High Country, Valley of the White Gold and Silver in the Sun. Tony passed away on 20 July 2022 at the age of 91.

Also by Tony Parsons

View all
  • Who She Was
    The mysterious stranger is perfect. But nobody knows who she is. And nobody can imagine the terrible things she has done to survive. A bonfire burns on a Cornish beach in the middle of the night. Nearby, a young woman waits for morning, and for the estate agent to arrive with the keys to her new life in the peaceful...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Murder for Busy People
    Murder for Busy People is here! This is the long-awaited seventh instalment in the popular crime series from the number-one bestselling author of Man and Boy. 'This is Parsons at his scintillating best - do not miss it.' - Geoffrey Wansell 'A spectacular novel that takes the reader to dark places... I absolutely loved it.' - Natasha Harding Emma Moon...
    Paperback
    $2800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Man & Dog
    Pre-order
    Man & Dog
    A heart-warming and moving memoir from one of Britain's best-loved writers and journalists that will resonate with dog lovers and dog owners everywhere. Nobody will ever love you like a dog. Nobody will ever be as consistently happy to see you. Nobody will ever make you so glad to be alive. It all started when Tony's daughter Yasmin wanted a...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    (1)
    Pre-order
    Out 8 Sep 2026
  • Die Last
    From the UK no.1 bestselling author, a brilliant page-turning new thriller that will keep you gripped and guessing until the very last page. ___________________________ A terrifying secret. A missing girl. As dawn breaks on a snowy February morning, a refrigerated lorry is found parked in the heart of London's Chinatown. Inside twelve women are discovered - all dead from hypothermia....
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • #taken
    From the Sunday Times no.1 bestselling author, a brilliant page-turning new Max Wolfe thriller that will keep you gripped and guessing until the very last page. Tense and human - LEE CHILD Brilliant stuff - PETER JAMES A cracking read - PIERS MORGAN _____________ #taken in the night They thought they were kidnapping the mistress of one of London's most...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Science & Nature

View all
  • John and Paul
    THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 'A triumph.' Deborah Levy, New Statesman 'Tremendous.' Alwyn Turner, The Times 'Revelatory.' Simon Schama, Financial Times 'The gold standard of Beatles books.' Anthony Quinn, Observer 'As enthralling and astonishing as their music.' Jon Dennis, Sunday Telegraph 'A masterpiece.' Dylan Jones, Evening Standard '[Ian Leslie]...
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    19% off
    What If? 10th Anniversary Edition
    CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF THE MILLION-SELLING POP SCIENCE CLASSIC WITH A SPECIAL EDITION. THIS IS WHAT IF? . . . x10. THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Nerd royalty' β€” BEN GOLDACRE 'Totally brilliant' β€” TIM HARFORD 'Required reading across the world' β€” NEW YORK TIMES From the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com, experience hilarious and informative answers to important questions...
    Hardback
    $3400
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Anxious Generation
    A powerful argument for reclaiming childhoodβ€”and all human relationshipsβ€”from the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spacesβ€”communities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Prisoners of Geography
    Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present, and future to offer crucial insights into one of the major factors that determine world history – because if you don’t know geography, you’ll never have the full picture. Originally published in 2015, this completely revised and updated edition brings it up to date with the events and trends of the past...
    Paperback
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Ultra-Processed People
    Launching the runaway bestseller with ambitions to be the biggest non-fiction paperback of the year IT'S NOT YOU. IT'S THE FOOD. "If you only read one diet or nutrition book in your life, make it this one" - Bee Wilson "You've got to get this book in your life . . . Completely compelling . . . Read a page...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Kitchen Confidential
    The classic bestseller from the star of Parts Unknown and No Reservations: 25th Anniversary edition, with a new introduction by Irvine Welsh. BEFORE THERE WAS THE BEAR, THERE WAS BOURDAIN. β€˜Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino’ β€” A.A. Gill β€˜Fantastic: as lip-smackingly seductive as a bowl of fat chips and pungent aioli’ β€” Daily Telegraph After twenty-five years of sex,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Buy to Win
    Sapiens
    Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is an extraordinary exploration of humanity's history from the dawn of our species to the present day. Harari delves into our evolution, offering insights into the cognitive revolutions that allowed Homo sapiens to rise above other animal species. Traversing through various stages of human development, he examines the Agricultural Revolution, the unification of humankind through...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Invisible Women
    Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez is a groundbreaking and meticulously researched exploration into the pervasive gender bias that infiltrates every aspect of our society. Through compelling case studies and thorough analysis, this book unveils the hidden ways women are systematically disadvantaged in a world predominantly designed by and for men. Perez's revelations stretch across various sectors including government policy,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Clean & Green
    Simple swaps and innovative ideas for cleaning and maintaining your home that won't cost the Earth. Learn how easy it is to make simple swaps in your cleaning and tidying methods for a more eco-friendly home. This beautifully illustrated black and white guide with 101 hints and sustainable, natural cleaning tips and hacks will help you take small steps that...
    Paperback
    $2999
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Genetic Book of the Dead
    From one of the world’s great science writers, a book that explores the deepest principles of evolutionary history. In this groundbreaking new approach to the evolution of all life, Richard Dawkins shows how the body, behaviour, and genes of every living creature can be read as a book – an archive of the worlds of its ancestors. A perfectly camouflaged...
    Hardback
    $4900
    Elsewhere:
    $5499
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    16% off
    The Coming Wave
    The instant Sunday Times bestseller from the ultimate AI insider - the only book you need to read on this subject. An Economist, Financial Times, Guardian, Prospect and Sunday Times Book of the Year Shortlisted for the FT and Schroders Business Book of the Year This is the only book you need to understand our new world - from the...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Buy to Win
    Breath
    Discover the transformative power of breathing in Breath by esteemed journalist James Nestor. This revolutionary book delves into the science and history of one of the most fundamental human activities - breathing. From the bustling streets of SΓ£o Paulo to the serene temples of India, Nestor embarks on a global journey to uncover the secrets of ancient breathing techniques such...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.