>>Gypsy's kinda both. I thought she was purebred aussie, until she grew up and never looked like anything but a border collie, so I thought of her as an aussie. Now I see the border, she's neurotic, and serious like a BC (not saying all BC's are neurotic, just can be more so than other breeds). The seriousness is her most border-like trait. But she's not as intense, and she has an off switch. She's extremely smart also, and you can practically have a conversation with her, with both parties understanding eachother completely.
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>>Smart dogs are the best, until you learn that they can spell L-E-A-S-H
I adore SMART dogs! My Amber is a Dobie-Shepherd and is one of the most perfect balances between the two breeds. She has all of the good traits of both breeds and none of the bad - except one, a horrible case of hip displasia due to very lax hip joints.
Amber is alert, inquisitive, friendly, protective when she thinks it is necessary, gentle, loving, and talkative (this last is very much a dobie trait). She reasons - she really does. Works things out and makes an appropriate response. She can spell as well, several words, including walk, out, go, now and no. Granted, when I spell "N-O" it is usually with great emphasis, but the others are said completely conversationally. She learned that perambulation meant walk after we stopped using or spelling walk 
See what I mean?
Does your girl have the intense BC stare? I have watched (on tv only, alas!) borders work sheep and seen the "stare" used with great effect. Supposedly, Aussies have a much less severe "eye" and a more relaxed drive, though even some Aussies have an almost Border drive to them. Does Gypsy have a thinner, more refined Border muzzle, rather than the more rounded, blunter Aussie muzzle? I don't know how I missed seeing your answer....but at last here I am with mine!
Understand what you mean by neurotic, at least I think I do. To my way of thinking, this is a focus thing. Borders are all about work - they are happiest when working (at something). Aussies seem to be more relaxed though they need a job just as much as a Border does. They like to be busy but they want their "work" to be fun. Does that sound like what you were trying to convey with neurotic ?
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Tasha
Natasha, now waiting for Mom at the Bridge
Amber, not doing well with her hip displasia
Harlequin - sweet black & white kitten gone before
Roscoe the stray who came to be guided Home
All my beloved pack who have gone on ahead
