Australian Shepherd Weight, Growth & Feeding Guide
Photo: Trickdog-Fina · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Australian Shepherds are a high-drive herding breed, despite the name actually developed in the United States. They excel at agility and herding work and need substantial mental and physical stimulation.
| Size category | Large |
|---|---|
| Typical adult weight | 40-65 lb |
| Time to reach adult weight | Australian Shepherds typically reach adult weight by 12-18 months. |
How big will my Australian Shepherd puppy get?
As a medium-to-large breed, Australian Shepherds typically reach adult weight by 12-18 months.
Use the Puppy Weight Predictor below — it's pre-loaded with the Australian Shepherd's growth curve, so just enter your puppy's current weight and age.
Predict your Australian Shepherd's adult weight
Enter your puppy's current weight and age to get an estimate based on this breed's typical growth curve.
Open the Puppy Weight PredictorHow much does it cost to feed a Australian Shepherd?
Feeding cost scales with size and activity level. Use the calculator below — it's pre-loaded with this breed's typical adult weight so you can get a monthly estimate in a few seconds.
Estimate Australian Shepherd food costs
Pre-filled with this breed's typical adult weight — adjust activity level and food type to get your monthly estimate.
Open the Dog Food Cost CalculatorCommon health considerations
- Hip dysplasia and various inherited eye conditions are documented in the breed.
- The MDR1 gene mutation, common in herding breeds, can cause severe reactions to certain medications — worth knowing before any surgery or medication.
- Merle-to-merle breeding (a coat color gene) carries a well-known risk of deafness and vision problems in puppies.
This is general breed-level information, not a diagnosis or a prediction for any individual dog. Talk to your vet about health screening and preventive care specific to your dog.
Consider pet insurance while your puppy is young
Australian Shepherds are prone to some of the joint and health issues listed above. Insuring early, before any conditions appear on record, generally means broader coverage.
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