Each Australian Shepherd is an individual. Generally they love to play. Some can be more serious, some are silly, most are generally protective over their family and they are always smart. This breed makes the best pet for children in my opinion. Most Australian Shepherds are amazingly sensitive to emotions going on in their family as well. Each individual dog will have varying degrees of each trait. One of our most important jobs is to match the puppies personality to their new family. By telling us a little about yourselves and your family's wants and needs, we will be able to help you pick out your new best friend. Don’t let the color or markings of a puppy be your only guiding factor. Our goal is to have dogs loving their family and the family loving their dog. Australian Shepherds generally are protective of their families. Proper socialization is important for Aussies. Plan to take your puppy every where you can in the first 6 months. Make sure they are properly vaccinated before you embark on the socialization process. Until your puppy has had a series of vaccinations, they are very susceptible to diseases carried by other dogs and wild critters (parvo and distemper, for examples). For your puppies safety, start leash training at home before you venture out. Introduce them to as many new people as possible. They need to have close and frequent interaction with their family. Car rides, visits to friends, formal training, traveling, tossing the ball or frisbee, these are all things your dog will consider fun. You need to have a fenced yard, or be committed to taking your Aussie on runs, to parks, or some form of outdoor activity that involves human interaction. Most Aussies also are very content just hanging out with you. They like to lay at your feet or cuddle on the couch. Australian Shepherds are sensitive dogs, they respond better to positive reinforcement. A heavy hand can make them timid and scared. It takes very little to correct these dogs. They will try to please their owners once they understand what is expected of them.