Too funny!
We have 2 Aussies, 1 has a very slim build and one is bulky. You can actually find information on 3 or 4 different "acceptable sizes" of Aussies.
Kate is a merle and we usually just get the question "what kind of dog is that"..
I had a similar experience about 20 yrs ago with a Chow that I shared with a room mate. I had taken him out for a walk and was stopped and asked what kind of dog he was. When I said Chow, he argued with me. First he said that he wasn't a chow, then he said that he had to be a mix as he tried to open his mouth to confirm that his tounge coulnd't possibly be purple. I just smiled and and said "ok, think what you want". No use arguing with someone that *knows* they are right.
