Australian Shepherds were originally bred for herding animals hence referred to as herding dogs.
This dog likes to be involved in activities such as sports. However, they can also be used as service dogs, therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs.
Even though they are energetic dogs, they should not do any strenuous activity in their first year as they can injure their bones.
For owners, knowing the Australian Shepherd growth chart is essential, and this article will give you all the information that you need to know.
When Do Australian Shepherds Stop Growing?
Have you been asking yourself when do Australian Shepherds stop growing? Well, they reach their full height at the age of 1 year and they will stop growing at the age of 16 months. At around 8 months, Australian Shepherds experience slow growth.
Typically, male dogs weigh more than their female counterparts, depending on their parents’ genetics. On average, male Australian Shepherds weigh 10 pounds more and stand an inch taller than female Australian Shepherds.
They behave like puppies until they are at least one year old. At this age, you will notice them mellowing out. They will start behaving like an adult when they reach 2 years.
Australian Shepherd Weight Chart
It is very essential to keep your Australian Shepherd at a healthy weight. Unless advised otherwise by your vet, you should try to keep your puppy within the weight range for his or her gender and breed.
Knowing the ideal weight for your Australian Shepherd will help you keep them healthy and know what to expect as they grow.
Typically, a female Australian Shepherd weighs between 18kg (40 pounds) and 23kg (50 pounds) and a male Australian Shepherd weighs between 20kg (44 pounds) and 27kg (60 pounds).
It is important to note that not every puppy is the same and their weight can fluctuate as they grow. It is recommended that you visit the vet if you are not sure whether your puppy’s weight is ideal.
Having an Australian Shepherd weight chart in your home will help you keep track of your puppy’s weight as they grow. This helps to maintain their weight and prevent them from being overweight or underweight.
Australian Shepherd Puppy Weight Chart
| Age (Months) | Male Weight (lbs) | Female Weight (lbs) |
| 3 months | 25 | 18 |
| 4 months | 32 | 23 |
| 5 months | 39 | 27 |
| 6 months | 45 | 33 |
| 7 months | 49 | 36 |
| 8 months | 53 | 38 |
| 9 months | 56 | 40 |
| 10 months | 58 | 42 |
| 12 months | 60 | 43 |
| 14 months | 63 | 45 |
| 16 months | 64 | 45 |
Australian Shepherd Growth Chart – What to Expect
This section gives you information on the Australian Shepherd growth chart and what to expect as they grow.
Birth to 2 Weeks
At this stage, the puppy has fully developed the senses of touch and taste, but their ears and eyes are still closed, therefore, they cannot hear or see. The puppy is not able to control their body temperature, so they are fully dependent on the mother’s body heat to stay warm.
At the end of the first week, the puppy has doubled their birth weight. During the second week, their eyes will start opening but they are not fully developed. They will continue gaining weight and their legs start growing stronger.
3 Weeks to 12 Weeks
The puppy’s eye is now open, and their smell and hearing develop more. Their teeth start to grow and can stand on their own. They will try to bark and wag their tail.
By the 4th or 5th week, the puppy can see clearly and start socializing with other puppies. At this stage, weaning happens and they get their nutrition from puppy food.
At week 8, they are at the peak of their puppy life and can leave their breeder for a new home. At the age of 3 months, the puppy is ready to socialize fully and you can start house training them.
4 Months to 6 Months
At 4 months, the puppy will look more like an adult. At 5 months they can go for short walks but also socializing with people and playing with toys is enough exercise at this point.
At 6 months, your puppy reaches the adolescent age. There will be increased independence and the adult coat will start growing. Socialization and proper training are essential at this stage.
7 Months to 9 Months
At this stage, your Australian Shepherd needs to exercise every day as they become mature and bigger. However, you should exercise them with care as their bones are still developing.
They should not run and jump on hard surfaces as this can damage their bones and joints.
10 Months to 12 Months
At around 10 and 11 months, your puppy will reach sexual maturity. If your Australian Shepherd is a female, note that she may experience her first heat.
If you want to breed your Australian Shepherd, this is the time to find them a mate. However, you can decide to spay or neuter them. But consult with your vet for any assistance with breeding, spaying or neutering.
Adult
An adult Australian Shepherd is an energetic dog and needs to be kept busy. They require a lot of exercise and short walks around the neighbourhood is not enough as they need at least 2 hours of exercise daily.
If you have the interest and time, your dog is now ready for competitive sports. Australian Shepherds can become unhappy if they are not kept stimulated and trained.
Length And Height Of An Australian Shepherd
If you want to know exactly how big your Australian Shepherd is going to be when they are fully grown, it is necessary to consider their height and length as a puppy.
Typically, Australian Shepherds are mid-sized breeds, therefore, do not expect to have a huge puppy running around your house.
Adult, male Australian Shepherds stand between 28 and 32 inches. Their withers height ranges from 20 to 23 inches. In length, they measure from 31 to 36 inches when they are fully grown.
Female Australian Shepherds are smaller than their male counterparts. When standing, their height ranges from 25 to 29 inches, with their withers varying between 18 and 21 inches. Their length can change from 28 to 31 inches.
Understanding the ideal height and length of an Australian Shepherd will enable you to monitor your puppy so that they remain a healthy size.
Australian Shepherd vs Mini Australian Shepherd Weight and Height
The standard size for this breed of dogs is mid-sized, but there are other varieties also available known as toy and miniature Australian Shepherds.
The standard Australian Shepherds are sporty and nimble dogs. The females are generally smaller than the males. Fully grown female Australian Shepherd weigh between 40 and 55 pounds with a height of between 18 and 21 inches.
On the other hand, a fully grown male Australian Shepherd weighs between 50 and 65 pounds with a height of between 20 and 23 inches.
Typically, miniature Australian Shepherds weigh between 25 and 40 pounds with a height of between 15 and 18 inches. Toy Australian Shepherds stands from 10 to 14 inches and weighs between 6 and 23 pounds. Keep your Australian Shephard weight chart accessible so you can keep monitoring.
Miniature Australian Shepherds excel in training, obedience, attention and make loyal friends. Toy Australian Shepherds can be shy with strangers, but they are intelligent, loyal and loving towards their family.
What To Do If Your Australian Shepherd Is Overweight?
Do you think your Australian Shepherd has added a few pounds? Before worrying or changing their diet, it is necessary to know the ideal weight range for your puppy.
A healthy female Australian Shepherd weighs between 35 pounds and 55 pounds from 2 to 7 years. On the other hand, a healthy male Australian Shepherd weighs between 45 pounds and 70 pounds from 2 to 7 years.
If your puppy’s weight is not in the ideal weight category, they might be overweight. Before, trying any ways to help them lose weight, it is recommended that you visit the vet to rule out any health conditions that may be causing an increase in weight.
The following ways will help your Australian Shepherd lose weight:
- Switch the treats you are feeding your puppy to the ones that are low in calories.
- Stop giving your puppy human food and table scraps. Stick to giving them puppy food as human food has considerably high amounts of calories.
- Increase their exercise and playtime. Australian Shepherds naturally require a great amount of exercise to stay healthy and fit. Increased exercise will burn more calories, hence reducing their weight.
- Adjust the portion size of the food that you feed them.
Dangers Of Stunted Or Accelerated Growth
Puppies that are too small for their age or not growing at a normal rate are stunted. Other puppies can grow too fast and appear bigger than they should be at a specific age, this is known as accelerated growth.
Stunted growth in puppies can be caused by different things ranging from genetics to intestinal worm infection. Accelerated growth can be seen in form of weight gain, where your puppy weighs more than the ideal weight at their age.
Stunted or accelerated growth can lead to problems such as joints growing out of line, poor development of bones and weakness in muscles and tendons.
Factors That Affect Australian Shepherd Puppy Growth
Genetics
Genetics plays a particularly important role in the health and growth of your puppy. A good way to know how big your puppy is going to be is to check the size of their parents.
If you have bought an Australian Puppy that is purebred, you will have a perfect idea of their size when they are fully grown. If your puppy is female, look at the mother’s size and if your puppy is male, have a look at the father’s size.
Nutrition
Healthy nutrition is necessary for the growth of any puppy. In the first few months, it is recommended that you feed your Australian Shepherd puppy a diet that is healthy and balanced to ensure that their muscles get stronger, their bones get bigger, and their immune system develops.
Growing and young adult puppies need more calories than older Australian Shepherd. Therefore, a diet that is nutrient-dense and high-quality will help with the growing rate of development.
Physical Activity And Health
Australian Shepherds are highly active dogs, therefore, they need more than 2 hours of exercise every day. This means that as an Australian Shepherd owner, you should be very committed to giving them lots of exercises.
Australian Shepherds like to be kept busy whether by competing, learning new tricks or going for longs walks. This will keep them healthy throughout their stages of life and growth. Being fit also keeps them away from diseases related to being overweight.
How Long Are Australian Shepherds Pregnant?
Could your Australian Shepherd be having puppies soon? The gestation period for an Australian Shepherd female is 63 days. Like humans, Australian Shepherds have three trimesters of 21 days each.
There are a few signs to look for if you think your puppy is pregnant. They include:
- They have gained some weight.
- They may experience morning sickness during the 3rd or 4th
- They may look tired and eat less than usual.
If you are not sure whether your Australian Shepherd is pregnant or not, take them to the vet. The vet can give recommendations on how to take care of your pregnant puppy, the food that you need to give them and any changes to expect.
How Many Puppies Do Australian Shepherds Have?
On average, Australian Shepherds have 7 puppies, but the number can vary from 6 to 9. This depends on whether the female Australian Shepherd has had several litters, or it is her first litter.
The first litter is normally low, followed by the number increasing then it goes down again. The number of puppies an Australian Shepherd can have depends on certain factors including age, size and health.
Throughout their lifetime, Australian Shepherds can have up to 3 litters per year. For most professional breeders, breeding happens when the dog is between the age of 3 and 8 years.
When Should You Spay or Neuter an Australian Shepherd?
Spaying is the removal of the female’s dog ovaries and uterus while neutering is when the male dog’s testicl*s are removed surgically. Typically, vets recommend that you have your Australian Shepherd neutered or spayed between the ages of 4 and 9 months.
It is suggested that you have your female puppy spayed before their first heat, that is when they are around 5 months old. For the male Australian Shepherd, it is suggested that they can be neutered when they reach puberty. It is thought that this helps prevent behavioural characteristics such as aggression and marking.
However, there is no definite answer to when you should spay or neuter your Australian Shepherd. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult with your vet for personalized assistance.
What Is The Life Expectancy of Australian Shepherds?
On average, Australian Shepherds live for 9 years. However, some owners have reported that their Australian Shepherds have lived up to 15 years.
There are health conditions that Australian Shepherds are genetically predisposed such as congenital heart disease, congenital deafness and hypothyroidism. These diseases can shorten your puppy’s life if left untreated.
There are things that you can do to help your Australian Shepherd live longer. They include:
- Feed them nutritionally balanced and healthy food.
- Exercise them regularly.
- Train your puppy well especially if they have hearing or vision difficulties. This prevents accidents from happening.
How Much Does It Cost to Own an Australian Shepherd?
Are you excited about owning an Australian Shepherd? First, you need to know the expenses and prices involved in owning one.
If you buy an Australian Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder, their price can range from $600 and $900. But the price can be anywhere from $400 to $1800 depending on variables such as bloodline, the colour of the coat, breeder reputation and location.
If you chose to adopt an Australian Shepherd, the price will range from $450 and $900, which includes the primary care and rescue costs. The cost of purchasing dog toys, crate, treats, bowls and bed can range from $900 to $1500. Besides, there is also a monthly expense of $220 on average.
Australian Shepherd Genetics and Common Health Problems
Since Australian Shepherds are active and energetic dogs, they are not at risk of the normal health conditions that affect other breeds. However, they can experience the following conditions:
- Elbow and Hip Dysplasia – this disease causes degenerative and debilitating joint issues. It happens when the joints of the hip do not fit well into the hip socket. This makes movement difficult and activities such as jumping, and running is affected.
- Eye Problems – there are a few eye problems that can affect an Australian Shepherd including Colobomas and Cataracts. Colobomas affect the regulation and perception of light while cataracts make the lens of the eye blurry over time.
- Other conditions include – Epilepsy, Multiple Drug Sensitivity, Autoimmune Disease and Cancer.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this article has given you information that you need to know about your Australian Shepherd as well as what to expect during their different growth stages.
