Yes, Australian Shepherds are lovely dogs. They originally had the Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler, bred into them. That's where they get that distinctive coat colour and pattern from. Some of the Australian Shepherds also show the distinct cattle-driving nip of the blue heeler. Those dogs were bred to drive cattle & they did so by nipping at the heels of the cattle. Some aussies still show that 'working dog' behaviour when they are trying to organize someone...like out walking with a person, greeting a new person etc. It can be mistaken for aggressive biting...but it's actually a working dog's behaviour. Training & lots of activities are therefore very important for this intelligent breed.