As we mentioned earlier, male Australian Shepherds are slightly larger than females. Although, you may not notice this physical trait unless you are comparing the two Australian Shepherds in front of you.
Australian Shepherd Growth Patterns
Being a larger breed, Aussies need a bit of time to develop their good looks. However, you will be surprised how much of their growth occurs only in the first 6 months of their lives. Don’t worry though, this is perfectly normal, and honestly, it’s the same for most dogs. After this time, your friend’s growth rate will slow down significantly.
Also, this is why it’s particularly important for your Australian Shepherd puppy to get the right nutrition he needs to grow that adorable little body into a healthy adult. Check out these guides on the best dog food for puppies here.
Miniature American Shepherd Size Charts and Growth Patterns: Month by Month
If you’ve brought your new little pal home, you may be curious: how big will your pup be? ? For this reason, we have created an interactive Miniature American Shepherd Size Chart and Growth Calculator. With this tool, you can predict your pup’s adult size and track its growth from birth to adulthood. Just enter your dog’s breed, current weight in pounds, current age in weeks, and you’re good to go!
Like other small to medium sized breeds, Mini American Shepherds grow fastest in their first 6 months. After that, you can expect your pup’s growth to gradually slow down, until he finally stabilizes at his full adult weight between 12 and 14 months of age.
4 months to 6 months
At four months, your puppy will begin to resemble the adult dog he will become. His ears can be drooping or upright, and he is likely to weigh between 23 and 32 pounds, but only be 12 to 14 inches tall. He will have plenty of energy, but his bones will continue to grow, so it’s important to use only gentle forms of exercise to avoid potential joint problems later in life.
The six-month point marks the time when your Aussie will be about half his adult size, typically 33-45 pounds and 15-17 inches tall. This is also when the pups reach sexual maturity, so it is important to keep an eye on them to avoid unwanted pups in the future. Talk to your vet about spaying and neutering. Doing it too soon can affect bone and joint growth.
Adequate veterinary care
Dogs that receive adequate and frequent veterinary care during their first year are likely to be healthier than those that do not. These dogs will be monitored for common ailments such as hip dysplasia and developmental defects.
Also, dogs that are born with defects will need more supervision from their local vet to make sure they don’t have any further complications that could hamper their growth. Consider monitoring your pup’s growth chart and taking him to your local vet if you notice any symptoms that indicate a more prevalent problem.