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.
Birth – 2 weeks
During this stage, a puppy will have fully developed senses of taste and touch, but his eyes and ears will be closed so he cannot see or hear . The cub is totally dependent on the mother and cannot control her body temperature, so it needs its mother’s body heat to survive. By the end of the first week, the pup will have doubled its birth weight.
During the second week, the puppy’s eyes will begin to open, but his eyesight will not be fully developed. His legs will get stronger and he will continue to gain weight.
When do Australian Shepherds reach full size?
Although it may seem like your Aussie keeps growing forever, its full size isn’t far off. Time goes fast!
Height: Australian Shepherds, both male and female, typically reach their full height between 10 and 12 months. In rare cases, some Aussies may reach their height sooner or later, but 10-12 months is usually the sweet spot.
When do Australian Shepherds stop growing?
Australian Shepherds, like most dogs, don’t stop growing until they are one year old.
Until they reach this age, they are likely to gain pounds and inches rapidly. Most dogs will gain most of their weight during the first few months of life, only gaining a few extra pounds and inches later.
However, some Australian Shepherds may continue to grow after a year if they have access to top-notch nutrition or have a medical condition that causes them to continue growing.
6 months to 8 months
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.
Between eight and 12 months, your Aussie should reach her full adult size. Her bones will become heavier and her muscles will develop, while her growth rate will slow down. It is likely that she will continue to fill up until she is around 16 months of age.