Temperament is a strong selling point in Aussies. "Great temperaments", say the ads. "We breed for temperament" say the subheads on their website banners. If you happen ask what that actually means, most often you will hear things like "loves everybody!" "just a love bug!" "confidence galore!" "gets along with everybody and everything".

In fact the words "great temperament" is common shorthand for, 'not reactive either in an aggressive or frightened way to any common stimuli' and "behaves in a puppylike manner to everyone they meet." These two traits are basic requirements for dogs who live in an environment filled with people, the vast majority unknown to them. This kind of tolerant, affection-seeking personality is the one that adapts best to modern suburban life.

However, it isn't the personality that Aussies started out with, and which many still possess. It isn't even the one written into the Standard:

The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts . . . He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness . . .

Seeing as the great majority of Aussie breeders have no particular interest in producing working dogs of strong herding instincts, it isn't a big surprise that strong guardian instincts, high intelligence, or disinterest in strangers aren't high on their list of desirable attributes either. Because the Standard (and the above, tellingly, is only in the ASCA, not the AKC Standard) describes a dog not designed to stand happily staring a cookie while a stranger feels up their private parts, to cheerily greet all comers and snuffle in their pockets for treats, who "loves everyone".

Aussies are a popular breed, but they didn't get that way by being suspicious ranch dogs who won't let anybody out of their truck without an okay from the Boss, or having the guts and loyalty to put themselves between their master and a charging bull. No. They changed with the times. The modern Aussie personality tends to be more what an acquaintance of mine with a lot of experience with both working and show line Aussies describes as "Aussie Lite". Less protective, less intense, less responsible, less serious. Still a smart, easily trained dog, and far better adapted to the circumstances it must now live in, but not the same.

There is loss involved. It's hard to describe, unless you experience it for yourself. Say I'm driving alone down a lonely road and come upon a young man next to a parked car, holding a gas can, with his thumb out. I feel sorry for him and stop. My old ranch lines Aussie stares intently through the window as the man approaches with a grateful grin. I say to my dog, 'it's okay, buddy, I got this'. My Aussie stays quiet in the back as the hitcher gets in and keeps a steady eye on him as long as he's in the car. The man asks me, "is your dog friendly?" I reply honestly, "if you're a friend of mine, he is. Otherwise, not so much." I know that if the man made the slightest trouble, he would be dealing with my dog.

There are recurrent discussions on Aussie forums about the old kind of temperament. In a recent one, a Bouvier person weighed in; she felt that there are now three distinct kinds of Bouvier, the blocky heavy-coated easy-going show type, the sharp aggressive protection-sports type, and the old type, the type she preferred, which she said was very like the old Aussie personality. Since Bouviers were originally general-purpose farm and droving dogs very much like Aussies were, it isn't surprising that they originally also had similar personalities. But it is sad to hear that the old type is dwindling away.

There is still a need and desire for the Aussie personality of yore, despite the obvious drawbacks of a dog who won't let anyone in your yard when you aren't there. Those who have had such dogs deeply value them, and are often disappointed with the new style Aussie. Sharing your life with a dog who truly has your back, who would do anything for you, although not for the casual dog owner, is the stuff of legend. Rin Tin Tin and Owd Bob and Lad and so many other stories I believed in wholeheartedly as a child, only to realize as an adult that dogs weren't really like that, live on in the Aussies who put themselves between those they love and danger, who observe, discern, and take responsibility. Serious dogs. Not for everybody, but surely, for some.