Australian Shepherd Growth Chart (Weight Chart & Size Chart) (2024)

Australian Shepherds are the ideal ranch dog and a favorite of many cowboys. Because of their intelligence, boundless energy, and dedication to work, this dog breed is not recommended for inactive dog owners. Contrary to their moniker, these “Aussies” have no connection to Australia. The Australian Shepherd breed originated in Europe and was refined in California as a top herding dog and frequent rodeo circuit assistance dog.

Following an Australian Shepherd development chart is an excellent way to ensure that your dog is growing normally while also providing you with a sign of how large your dog will be as an adult. Unlike other breeds, Australian Shepherds do not exist in a wide range of sizes. They are medium-sized breed that grows at a very constant rate.

Read this Australian Shepherd Growth Chart for more information!

The eventual size of your Australian Shepherd will have a significant impact on how long they continue to grow. By and large, smaller dog breeds mature faster than larger dog breeds. Australian Shepherds are no exception.

A small Australian Shepherd puppy will mature in one year, whereas a typical Australian Shepherd puppy may take up to 16 months to mature.

Australian Shepherd Size Chart

You can use the Australian Shepherd weight chart below to determine the weight and size of your Australian Shepherd.

As you can see, a female dog at three months weighs approximately 18 pounds. Following that, the dog continues to gain weight consistently, with the maximum gain (5 pounds) occurring between 3 and 4 months.

The puppy gains 4 pounds each month until 6 months, at which point the increase decreases to 2 – 3 pounds per month. According to the chart, a female dog can attain adult weight at 14 months.

At three months of age, a male dog weighs approximately 25 pounds. At four months, this increases to 32 pounds, 39 pounds at five months, and 45 pounds at six months. Following that, the dog continues to gain 3 or 4 pounds each month, slowing to 1 pound per month by the time the pup reaches 10 months.

Remember the Australian shepherd weight chart is an approximation. Your puppy’s weight does not have to be exactly what the chart suggests; it is acceptable for it to vary slightly.

Australian Shepherd Growth Pictures

What is the Standard Australian Shepherd Size

When fully grown, the average Australian Shepherd dog will weigh between 40 and 65 pounds and reach 18 to 23 inches tall (paw pads to shoulders), according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

In addition, adult male standard Australian Shepherd dogs can weigh up to 15 pounds more than adult female Australian Shepherds and stand at least two inches taller.

This equates to a weight difference of 20 to 45 pounds and a height difference of 5 to 10 inches.

In comparison, the miniature Australian Shepherd weighs between 20 and 40 pounds and is 13 to 18 inches tall when fully grown, according to the AKC.

Adult male miniature Australian Shepherd dogs outweigh female adult dogs by up to 10 pounds and stand at least one inch taller in this area.

Australian Shepherd Weight Chart

Here is the weight chart of an Australian Shepherd:

Australian Shepherd Growth Chart – What To Expect
Australian Shepherd Weight Chart by Age

Australian Shepherd Weight 1-2 weeks

A puppy will have fully developed senses of taste and touch but his eyes and ears will remain closed, preventing him from seeing or hearing. The puppy is completely reliant on his mother and cannot regulate his body temperature, thus he relies on his mother’s body heat to survive. The puppy will have doubled his birth weight by the end of the first week.

The puppy’s eyes will open during the second week, but his vision will not be fully developed. His legs will become stronger, and he will continue to gain weight.

The mother is particularly attentive to her children and only leaves them to eat or go to the bathroom. She cleans her puppies’ buttocks after they have a bowel movement.

Australian Shepherd Weight 3-12 weeks

The puppy’s hearing and smell improve, and his eyes open. Teeth develop as well. The puppy can stand on its own and exhibits the characteristics of being a dog by wiggling its tail and attempting to bark.

He can see adequately by the fourth or fifth week. The puppies in the litter associate with one another at this stage, snarling and wagging their tails.

Puppies cut their back teeth by the fourth week when they begin to wean. They now gain most of their nutrition from puppy food.

Puppies are typically weaned by the end of the sixth week when they should eat 5-6 tiny pieces of puppy chow throughout the day. Puppies are at the zenith of their puppy life at 8 weeks and are ready to leave the breeder and join their new family.

Australian Shepherd Weight 4-6 months

A six-month-old female Australian Shepherd must weigh around 30 and 35 pounds, while a six-month-old male Australian Shepherd must weigh around 40 and 46 pounds.

Australian Shepherd Weight 7-9 months

Your dog is steadily maturing and growing in size. While your dog requires exercise daily, keep in mind that Australian Shepherds under the age of nine months should exercise with caution: they should avoid excessive running and jumping, particularly on hard surfaces.

Do not let your seven-month-old puppy go up and down stairs. His bones are still growing, and excessive exercise and stair climbing can cause joint and bone injury.

Australian Shepherd Weight 10-12 months

Around the age of 10 – 11 months, Australian Shepherds reach sexual maturity. If you have a female dog, keep in mind that she may go into heat around this time.

There is no unanimity on the age for spaying or neutering an Aussie. Certain veterinarians recommend owners spay or neuter their Australian Shepherd between the ages of four and nine months.

Spaying a female dog is believed to calm her, whereas spaying too early can result in health concerns later in life.

What is the Full Grown Australian Shepherd Weight?

Adult male Australian Shepherds should weigh between 50 and 65 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club’s Official Australian Shepherd Standards. At 40 to 55 pounds, an adult female Australian Shepherd will weigh substantially less.

An adult female Australian Shepherd stands between 18 and 21 inches tall, while her male counterpart stands between 20 and 23 inches tall. Male and female “Aussies” should appear balanced and somewhat taller than they are.

Australian Shepherd Height Chart

The Australian Shepherd is a breed of medium size. At the withers, they stand between 18 and 23 inches (46 and 58 cm). Females are shorter, standing between 18 and 22 inches (46 and 56 cm), whereas males stand between 19 and 23 inches (46 to 56 cm) (48 to 58 cm).

The usual body length is between 28 and 36 inches (71 and 91 centimeters).

How To Weigh Your Australian Shepherd Puppy?

We can study the Australian Shepherd size chart endlessly, but unless we know how much our dog weighs, the chart is useless. It is critical to have a scale in order to properly weigh your Aussie.

Because they are not very huge, you should be able to weigh them easily at home. This is accomplished by first weighing yourself and recording the result. Then, while holding your dog, take him up and step back on the scale.

Subtract your weight from the weight of the dog while holding it to determine his own weight.

Use a tape measure to determine your dog’s height. Measure from the top of his shoulder to the ground when he is standing to get the correct height.

How Big Do Australian Shepherds Get?

Australian Shepherds take approximately 16 months to attain adult weight and approximately a year to reach adult height. If your Australian Shepherd puppy is less than a year old, he or she most likely still has a lot of growing to go. After a year, you can expect them to fill out slightly more till they reach adulthood.

Another indicator of whether they’ve stopped developing is to examine your puppy’s paws. If their paws appear big compared to their body and legs, they are still growing and will require further time to mature, as oversized paws are a traditional puppy feature.

Alternatively, if you got your Australian Shepherd from a breeder, you can inquire about the expected mature size of your Australian Shepherd puppy. They will have the mature sizes of your puppy’s parents, as well as prior litter numbers, and should be able to provide you with a more specific estimate of your puppy’s adult size.

Australian Shepherd Body Condition Score (BCS)

When you visit the doctor for the first time, you may notice your doctor lowering your BMI, or Body Mass Index, in order to establish whether your weight is healthy for your height. Instead of a BMI, dogs use a BCS, or Body Condition Score.

The BCS is calculated on a scale of 1 to 9. The number 1 shows that your dog is terribly underweight and malnourished, whereas the number 9 shows that your dog is enormously obese. Both extremes are hazardous to one’s health.

A 5 is the optimal BCS. A 5 BCS rating shows that you can feel your dog’s ribs beneath his fur but cannot see them protruding. You should not need to press to feel them.

Your dog’s waist should be defined enough to be visible from above. Consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about your dog’s BCS.

Factors That Affect Australian Shepherd Puppy Growth

Genetics

The size of an Australian Shepherd is determined by genetics. The size of the parents is a good predictor of the size of the kids.

If you get a purebred puppy, you will have a decent estimate of the size your pup will grow to based on the mother’s size. Female pups will often be the same size as their mothers, while male pups will be slightly larger.

Diet & Nutrition

The secret is in the quality of dog food you provide for your dog – the higher the quality, the more your dog thrives. If the dog food has a high nutritional value, you will also require less.

On average, an Australian Shepherd puppy will require approximately 134 cups of high-quality food every day, divided into three meals until it reaches the age of six months.

Adult Australian Shepherds require around 212 cups of food each day, divided into two meals, depending on their age, size, and activity level.

Many breeders advocate providing premium dry food for Australian Shepherd puppies and older dogs. Keep an eye out for options that are created specifically for active breeds.

Physical Activity & Health

These dogs are a breed of intelligent herders. They require more than a stroll through the park. They require activities that excite them both cognitively and physically.

Remember pups under the age of nine months should avoid excessive running, jumping, or climbing, as this can be detrimental to their developing bones and joints.

Because of these dogs’ strong herding instincts, keep your dog on a leash when out in public; otherwise, he may attempt to herd the neighborhood dogs or children.

Walking (at least 20-30 minutes) jogging (behind your bike), playing with and retrieving a ball, stick, or Frisbee, tug-of-war, and canine sports such as agility trials and flyball are also popular among Australians.

Common Questions about Australian Shepherd

At What Age Is An Australian Shepherd Fully Grown?

Australian Shepherds, as a medium to a large-sized dog breed, may take a little longer to achieve their maximum size than smaller dogs. Most Australian Shepherds will take 16 months to achieve full adult size, while many will be at full adult size by the age of a year.

How Long Are Australian Shepherds Pregnant?

The average dog is pregnant for approximately 63 days. This time period begins on the day the dog ovulates and ends on the day her puppies are born. Pregnancies in dogs are separated into three trimesters lasting around 21 days each.

It’s not always easy to determine whether a dog is pregnant, particularly in the early stages when no visible changes occur.

The first sign that your dog is pregnant is if she gains weight. Your dog may appear listless and lose its appetite for a period of time.

When her nipples grow in size and appear somewhat swollen, you will know she is pregnant. Your dog may eat more than usual as the pregnancy continues.

How Many Puppies Do Australian Shepherds Have?

The average Australian litter size is approximately 6-7 pups. If an Aussie occasionally produces normal-sized litters and occasionally produces small ones, and the mates with whom it produced the smaller litters are not the parents of the normal-sized litters, you may choose to test both parents for Pelger-Huet Anomaly (PHA.)

What Is The Life Expectancy Of Australian Shepherds?

Aussies are best suited to active households with a wide fenced yard. They require a high level of physical activity and mental stimulation to avoid boredom. They typically weigh between 35 and 70 pounds and live for 12-13 years on average.

How Much Does It Cost To Own A Australian Shepherd?

The Australian Shepherd‘s average price is between $650 and $850. However, the price of an Aussie can range from $300 to $1,800+ USD, depending on the breeder’s reputation, coat color, lineage, and location.

Australian Shepherds are not the cheapest dog breed, but they are also not prohibitively expensive.

How To Help Your Australian Shepherd Lose Weight If He Is Overweight

Replace High-Calorie Treats With Low-Calorie Alternatives

Treats are a necessary component of any dog’s daily routine. And, while it would be simple for me to state “abolish all treats,” that would be poor lazy advice.

Treats aid in training and the ability to learn new behaviors and commands, and they’re also quite useful to have on walks or whenever you need your Aussie to concentrate. In a nutshell, snacks are critical.

If you consume pig ear chews, fatty chews, or jerk treats, you are likely to consume an additional 100-200 calories on top of your Aussie’s daily calorie requirement. This alone suffices to promote steady weight gain.

Fortunately, you can switch to goodies like Zukes Mini Naturals, which are manufactured with all-natural ingredients and contain fewer than three calories each treat! That is a SIGNIFICANT distinction from other popular dog treats.

Make the transition immediately and you will immediately see a reduction in the calories consumed by your Australian Shepherd daily.

Put an end to Table Scraps and Unhealthy Treats

While it is acceptable to continue feeding dog treats, snacks and table scraps are not acceptable!

Even in little amounts, the food we consume contains a significant quantity of calories. Whether it’s half a pork sausage, a small bit of burger patty, or even some of the gravy from your plate… It’s all about the calories (and a lot of them).

If your Aussie receives table scraps on a near-daily basis besides his regular meal, a weight increase is most likely.

Eliminate any tidbits and limit your Aussie’s diet to his meals and the occasional low-calorie dog treat for health reasons.

Increase your Physical Activity and Playtime

Australian Shepherds require extensive activity, which is critical to their overall health and well-being. Australian Shepherds require approximately 1.5–2 hours of moderate to vigorous exercise per day.

Evaluate your Australian Shepherd’s existing exercise program and, if possible, increase it. Increased exercise will cause an increase in daily calorie burn AND will keep his metabolism firing for a longer period of time.

Apart from boosting his exercise, increasing his play sessions is another excellent approach to increase his calorie burn.

Tug of war, fetch, hide-and-seek, and chasing each other are all excellent games to do even if you just have five or ten minutes.

Enhancing both his daily activity and play activities will significantly increase the number of calories he burns each day. And the basic principle underlying weight gain or decrease is calories in vs. calories out.

General Information about the Health of Your Australian Shepherd

Dental Illness

Dental illness is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in pets that do not brush their teeth regularly. Unfortunately, most dogs, including your Aussie, do not take proper care of their own teeth. Someone is going to have to assist her, or she will almost certainly have significant dental problems. Dental illness begins with food residue, advances to tartar accumulation on the visible surfaces of the teeth, and ultimately results in infection of the gums and roots.

If you do not prevent dental disease early on by frequently removing food residue, we will have to treat her for more advanced stages of the disease, which will be more expensive for you and more distressing for your buddy. In severe circ*mstances, she may lose teeth and run the risk of causing damage to her internal organs as a result of chronic dental infection. If nothing more, she’ll be a more pleasant companion if her nasty dog breath isn’t knocking everyone down! We’ll arrange routine dental exams and demonstrate how to properly care for your beautiful teeth at home.

Infections

Australian Shepherds are susceptible to the same bacterial and viral illnesses that other dogs are prone to, including parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many infections are avoidable with vaccinations, which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases prevalent in our location, and other considerations.

Obesity

Obesity in Australian Shepherds can be a serious health hazard. It is a dangerous disease that can cause or exacerbate joint pain, metabolic and digestive difficulties, back discomfort, and heart disease. While it may tempt to feed your pet when she looks at you with those adoring eyes, you can “love her to death” with leftover human food and doggie treats. Rather than that, give her a cuddle, wash her fur or teeth, engage her in a game, or take her for a stroll. She’ll feel better, and you’ll feel better, too!

Parasites

Many worms and insects can infest your Aussie’s body, both inside and out. Fleas and ticks, as well as ear mites, can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can enter her system in a variety of ways, including through the consumption of polluted water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Certain parasites can be spread from person to person and are a severe issue for everyone. These parasites can cause pain, discomfort, and even death in your canine companion, which is why it is critical that we test for them regularly. We will recommend preventive medication as needed to maintain her health.

Frequently Asked Questions: