Mara may be small, but she fills the room with her presence. This striking young mama is about a year old and has the look of a compact Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. She weighs in at roughly 30 pounds and has a gorgeous black, white, and harlequin long coat, with fluffy ears and expressive, bright eyes. Mara is every bit as sweet as she is beautiful. Her intelligence stands out right away—she's sharp, motivated, and tuned in to her people. Mara connects deeply and quickly catches on to new things, showing that classic herding breed loyalty: she just wants to be at your side, part of whatever you've got going on. She’ll trot alongside you, lean in for love, or flash a joyful, goofy smile that’s hard to resist. She needs a home that will appreciate both her brainpower and her loving nature—a person or family who wants a loyal sidekick, an adventurer, and a close companion all rolled into one compact package. If you’re after a smart, affectionate, once-in-a-lifetime kind of dog, Mara could be it. They are waiting with paws crossed! Apply now!