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For many years the "Coolie" has been known as the "German
Coolie". Many generations of people believed the Coolie was a
German bred dog. There is much controversy concerning the time
and origin of development of the Coolie breed. The Coolie breed
was selectively bred from various herding bred dogs for the purpose
of working livestock.

Excerpts from ancestral research

A few references to the "German Coolie," "German Koolie" or
"German Collie" appear in various letters and articles in working
dog magazines and in a few books. The Koolie and the Smithfield
exist in Australia to this day as working dogs, not recognized by
the bench show authorities (there is, however, a breed club for the
Koolie). With regard to the Koolie, the dog was "German" in that it
was popular in an area of Australia where there were many German
settlers who used this dog, much as the Australian Shepherd is
"Basque" due to Basque sheepherders using it in the American
West, rather than these breeds having their principal origin with
dogs brought from Germany or the Basque country. Photos of
Koolies and Smithfields show strong resemblance to the Australian
Shepherd in overall form and color, although Koolie's can also be
shorthaired and prick-eared (as were many early Aussie's) and
Smithfields can have Beardie-like coats. Linda Rorem

Captain James Cook’s First Fleet (1770) landed in Port Jackson
(now Sydney), Australia with convicts and their guards, together
with food and provisions for starting up their new lives in the
colonies. Among the livestock transported on these ships were
dogs (presumably herding dogs/‘collie’ types), 44 sheep, 4 mares,
2 stallions, 4 cows, 1 bull, 1 bull calf, and 19 goats.

The ‘collie’ dogs of these early pioneers were the ancestors of the
Australian Koolie, the Kelpie and Australian Cattle Dog. The early
pioneers required a big, strong dog for mustering and moving
huge herds of cattle and so the Koolie evolved from the crossing of
German and British ‘collies’ with British Smithfields. The resultant
offspring produced dogs with shorter legs capable of working on
the cattle and sheep trucks and were referred to as either
Australian Koolie's or German Koolie's (often spelt Coulie or Coolie
which could have arisen from the derogatory term ‘coolie’, used to
refer to immigrant workers in Australia, or to the accent that the
Germans placed on the word ‘Collie’). German immigrants
favoured the south of the continent and in that area these working
collies were referred to as German Koolie's.

Unfortunately the Koolie, like its Smithfield descendants, did not
adapt well to the intense heat of the Australian outback as they
were too large and cumbersome, and their vociferous nature was
not conducive to their work. Iris Combe and Pat Hutchinson

Physical Description and Size

Sizes range from 400mm (small Kelpie) to 550mm ( Border Collie)
Physical appearance depends on their eviroment and the stockmen's needs.
Koolies on cattle and used in rugged large open terrain tend to have longer legs and heavier bones with solid frames.
Koolies on sheep, used for trucks and yards tend to be smaller, lighter frames with leaner bodies.
Coat type is mostly smooth coat, short or medium, long coats are not common.
Ears can be dropped or pricked.
Colors are blue/red merle, merle tri, solid black/red, tri, black & tan (white Koolies are mostly deaf and or partialy blind)

Temperament

All Koolies around Australia and now in other countries share the same willingness, devotion and loyalty.
By nature they are adaptable and will deliver what is required to get the job done.
They will be steady and reliable around ewe and lamb and hard and driving with rangy bulls and unruly steers and buffalo.
Equally at home on the land working stock, in the sporting rings of Agility, jumps and all Obedience disciplines, or snuggled up on the couch with their favorite person.

Dog Care

Koolies love their water and if they have ready access to it, there will be no need for bathing.
Koolies do shed but their coat is self cleaning and regular swimming keeps it glossy.
Some Koolies do have long feathers(hair) around the leg and rump and these need a weekly brush with a slicker just to keep them knot free.
Feeding should be kept simple, a good quality dry kibble, no can food and the occasional meaty bone for strong teeth and gums. Chicken wings for pups and mothers to be are terrific, be sure to feed raw.
Koolies will not tolerate a lot of additives, preservatives and cereals and if given too much can produce skin allergies

Health Issues and Life Expectancy

All registered Koolies of the Koolie club of Australia are DNA tested for all Collie genetic diseases and several genetic dog problems, such as hip dysplasia, sensitivity to Ivermectin etc and all have been cleared.
To date the present Koolie showes a great diversity in its gene pool and this accounts for the low or no incidence of genetic disorders.
When a Koolie is kept in peak health and mental condition their life expectancy can be 16 years but many have reach 20 years

Additional Resources

Koolie Club of Australia
Koolie Forum
Koolie Gallery
Koolie Rescue
Wikipedia - Koolie info