Aussies are like five-year olds. The big difference other than the hair is that they will eternally love you, which is why you should do all you can to make them happy, too. Aussies are not content to sit on the other side of the room on a bed, while you watch t.v. They would rather sit on you or on the couch and watch t.v. with you. They want to do what you are doing. If you are gardening, digging out weeds, they will help.

Aussies are protective of their owners and their property. They will bark, and will tug gently at an intruder, but should never bite or growl. Aussies are reserved when meeting someone for the first time, but once they see them again, the Aussie will be overjoyed to see your guests. If you leave your Aussie in the yard for a minute and come back, do not be surprised to be greeted as if you were back from a sabbatical for six months.

Aussies are like furry shadows. It is the great personality that made the Aussie a favorite working dog. If you have food, they are mindful, but even the best obedience trainer can tell you of their Aussies' stunts in the ring that got them disqualified.

They do everything with a flair, and are unafraid to try new things. They are canine comedians, so if you don't have a sense of humor, they aren't for you. One Aussie I had stayed at home when we went out for Christmas Eve Mass. We left our dirty plates on the table since we were in such a hurry. The glasses all had a little wine left in them and the plates had a little food. The open leftovers were on the table. When we came back, the wine had been polished off, as well as the plates, but the leftovers untouched, and nothing in disarray. He was sitting at the head of the table beaming happily, obviously laughing at his little joke. You've got to know when to laugh along.

Aussies can smile (it looks somewhat like snarling [see photo]), and sometimes they "purr"(it sounds somewhat like growling) which can lead people to think they are quite aggressive, which is only one of the funny ways they express themselves. When they greet you, they might pick up a random object and wag this way and that, twisting in to a "u" in joy. They might lay down, and stick their back legs out under them, like a fur rug. It is commonly called the "flying-frog-dog" or "puppy-rugging." There is no end to what makes an Aussie a fun and unusual dog.