Clever Aussie helps to build snowman:

[tblue37]

Link to tweet

[tblue37]

1. BTW, you might remember this dog decorating a Christmas tree:

[hlthe2b]

2. If you get an Aussie or Border Collie, just be sure you are up to both the physical & INTELLECTUAL

challenge. They are an absolute delight, but yeah, they can outsmart us!

[wnylib]

4. Yes they can. Most amazing dogs.

Wish I had space now for another border collie.

Aren't the Aussie and border collie related genetically?

[hlthe2b]

6. Yes. When owners have DNA genotyping of their dogs, it usually comes back as "herding breed"

to reflect that.

[wnylib]

7. Thanks. I thought they must be

related due to similarities in appearance and behavior.

I've read that Aussies are less aggressive in their herding behavior. Some people say that border collie pets are too aggressive in trying to herd children at play. Never had that problem with mine. He only did his herding thing when it was definitely called for, like the time he saw a toddler stray away from her parents toward a high cliff above Lake Erie. None of the people present had noticed, but the dog barked an alarm and raced to grab and hold the kid until her father got there. No command given. He just saw the danger and acted. The family were strangers to us.

He also herded our beagle-basset mix who was an escape artist, always trying to get through our fence.

Wonder if Aussies are descendants of border collies brought from Scotland and Britain, mixed with ...? Who knows?

[StClone]

3. Precious, special dogs those Aussies

My Rava lived to be 15 and was my kindred canine spirit as close to me as any animal (and most people) could get. She was smart in her own ways and was oh so special. Seeing this pup's amazing snowman building skills made me miss my girl all over again. I have a red merle Aussie now and she's just a big dumb kid so attached to my wife it's ridiculous. I can't even take her for a walk for want of my spouse. She goes berserk when my wife leaves the house-separation anxiety! Thanks!

[Laelth]

5. Super-smart dog. Wow! n/t

-Laelth