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Austrailian shepherds are CRAZY FULL OF ENERGY. Unless you have the time committment to keep one worn out, don't even think about it. They are amazing and intelligent dogs, but if you don't keep them mentally and physically stimulated, they can go overboard. I second what the PP said about training. They are scary smart and eager to please. But seriously, only get one if you have a yard, and are willing to walk them/play games with them a LOT.

We have an Aussie! She is 35 lbs, technically full-sized but definitely on the small side for the breed. 

She definitely has lots of energy! She is 1 1/2, and we adopted her from a rescue. She was abused before they got her, and is still quite sensitive with strangers when not on her leash, or if they are big or loud. As others have noted, Aussies really need to be exercised more than just walks around the block. Sunday is the only Aussie we've ever had, but I will say that I think she would have been miserable in a house with a yard where she was just let out to run off her energy. She really needs the mental stimulation at the same time as the physical - so runs, dog parks, dog beaches, new routes on walks, etc are all important. 

A lot of people warned me that an apartment wouldn't be ideal for her but the rescue said she'd be happy here and she actually loves it. She's a total velcro dog, so she's happiest just being wherever we are. You do have to watch them around cats; Sunday is timid around ours but when she gets playful or has been inside too long she will herd/chase them. With male Aussies this is a bigger problem, but it varies from dog to dog. 

The other thing I will say is that little training things make a big difference. We always make her sit and wait for her food. She is great at it, and we can walk into another room and she'll wait for us. She is SUPER food motivated, so this is huge. If we let her, she could potentially be so misbehaved, but she is such a sweetheart and so eager to please. I wouldn't trade her for the world!

@Nado: Our girl is an Aussie. 

Our pup Lucia is a full sized Aussie! They are insanely intelligent, but like others are saying: once they are trained they can be awesome! Just make sure to start RIGHT away! Lucia learns new tricks so quickly, and is one of the most polite dogs I've ever had. We taught her not to bark, which I really love (I hate it when dogs bark at everything), AND she doesn't go into bedrooms...she knows she can't pass through doorways except into the kitchen where her dog dish is. Talk about smart. She definitely does need exercise, but we have a 1200 sq foot apartment and she seems to be very content with it.

My brother and sister in law have 2 full sized Aussies and one mini Aussie. They absolutely love them...if you can't tell by that statement alone. The one thing I have noticed with their mini is that she jumps up on their couches (I know, it is common for dog owners to let their pets up there). Our Lucia hasn't ever attempted to get on the sofa because of her size I think...so if you don't want a mini up on your couch, I'd make sure to try and curb that behavior from the start...because once they start getting up there it is freakin impossible to stop them (my parents have this problem with their two small dogs).

Annnnyway - just to show you how smart she is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYwisVK-6M8

I taught her "play dead" in one afternoon. I've never been able to teach my past 4 dogs to do it...and she mastered it in less than an hour. Smart dogs, those Aussies...