We knew the UD Kelpie Stud quite well. Geoff and Sandy ran the Stud for a number of years in the 1980's and early 1990's, on four different properties around the Orange district in NSW. Mullion Creek, Cudal, Forest Reefs and Manildra. We often worked our dogs together, went to sheepdog trials and had helped each other out. We had a lot of fun running dog training days and talking Kelpies.

Their Stud was originally called Underdog and then they decided to call it UD for Utility Dog which of course was also an abbreviation for Underdog. The Mellers were very involved in every aspect of breeding, trialling and working Kelpies. They built up a good line of dogs very quickly. Sandy even tried to set up a computerised pedigree system, which was very inovative in the early to mid 1980's.

The UD Kelpie Stud trialled around the country and their dogs often went on to make a name for themselves even though they only bred for a few years. Sandy was also a good horsewomen and I believe she later set up a horse Stud in the New England area of NSW. We bought a very nice horse from her when we were working dogs together.

As far as we are aware, they are no longer breeding but the influence of the UD dogs still appears in many pedigrees. As breeders they had a clear goal in mind and tried to buy up as many top workers on the old Liscannor and Barambogie lines as they could. Many of these dogs were getting on a bit but the UD Stud still managed to get a few litters and consolidate these wonderful old bloodlines. We can't remember all their Kelpies but Capree Zap, Rockybar Peter II, Glenlogie Pattie, Barambogie Katie, Rockybar Mick, Wabba Rip, Barambogie Tracey, all spring to mind. I think at one stage they also leased Liscannor Stamp but I may be mistaken. They did use the very good sire, Barambogie Clem at one stage. In the 1990's they used other sires from well known Studs such as Chobi, Capree, Karrawarra, Karana etc. While most breeders were only looking at what was winning trials at that present time they were busy putting the best of the older lines together.

Wabba Rip

National Kelpie Champion

We can remember many of their dogs as we sometimes fed them and looked after the property while they were away. I remember well old Rockybar Peter II from the Wyreema Stud. Peter was the sire of Rockybar Smart that we bought from Les Tarrant in the early 1980's. Peter was a lovely working dog and proved to be a top sire.

They also had Wabba Rip, the winner of the 1992 Australian National Working Kelpie Trial. Rip was a good strong worker who could handle almost any situation. They later also used Liscannor Stamp from the Clovaville Stud. Stamp was very well known in that district and had performed well in sheepdogs trials as well as cattle trials. They bought in some of the best Barambogie bloodlines as well and soon had close bloodlines going back to nearly all the great dogs of the 1960's and 1970's.

Whites Tracey

One of their best dogs in our opinion was the lovely cream bitch, Capree Zap. She had beautiful movement and lots of eye and style. She performed well on mobs of sheep as well as in Arena, Utility and Yard sheepdog trials. She was a dog we would have liked to own.

Clovaville Pete was another outstanding Kelpie they bought in from Bruce Brownings Stud. He was a terrific dog and we would love to be able to own him today. There are just not that many dogs around today of that quality. The U.D. Stud also worked in with Les Tarrant's Rockybar Stud and bought a few dogs from that Stud.

Capree Zap

Sandy and Geoff Meller had plenty of enthusiasm for Kelpies and helped to promote the breed. It is a pity that they are no longer breeding or trialling their Kelpies.

Clovaville Pete

Clovaville Pete and Rockybar Peter II

Glenlogie Pattie

Sandy Meller with Dusty in 1985

Capree Zap

Sandy working cattle