A little info about us. My husband and I have been raising Regular Australian Shepherds since 1999 (no longer raising the regualr variety). Miniature Australian Shepherds since 2004 and now are our main focus. Our first Toy Australian Shepherd was born in 2006; not our focus but can crop up in genetics. We do not raise or breed for Toy Australian Shepherds. Our love for the breed has led us to them all. Our first female is a Blue Merle Regular Australian Shepherd. She was and still is my personal learning experience. As a joke I always say that your first Aussie is your worst Aussie. There are an excellent breed. The reason for me saying this is because they are so smart and highly intelligent. If you don't train them guaranteed they will train you. Even if you think you are not being trained, YOU ARE!