Yes, BandiTank, it looks like Aussies & Blue Heelers are very, very distant relatives. You've probably noticed that some of the breed behaviours are similar. This is what an Australian article about Aussies says:
"Despite its name, Australia can't lay claim to the development of this breed. It was the ranchers & farmers of the USA that set up a breeding program to create the dogs we know today. In fact, the Australian Shepherd is the only livestock working breed to be developed in America."
The numbers of Australian Shepherds in Australia is still small...only 220 are registered with our Canine Councils. But there are huge numbers of Australian Cattle Dogs (Blue & Red Heelers) which were developed here from those 'small blue dogs' which were also sent to the USA with sheep in the late 1800s. Blue Heelers are our national dog . Another Australian-developed working dog is the Kelpie...beautiful dogs! Also short-haired Border Collies are used extensvely as sheepdogs. The long-haired Border Collies are pets or showdogs.

[ July 18, 2001: Message edited by: Angels3 ]