The Australian Shepherd is a breed of sheepdog from the United States. Despite its name, the Australian sheepdog breed originated in the western United States, not Australia, around the time of the gold rush in the 1840s. The name of the breed is technically an inappropriate name, since it was developed in California in the 19th century, although it has its origins in Asturias, in northwestern Spain. A little longer than tall, the Australian Shepherd is 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder for males, 18 to 21 inches for females.
On average, males weigh between 50 and 65 pounds, females between 40 and 55 pounds. If your Australian dog is larger than the size range, it may have weight problems or may not even be a purebred Australian Shepherd. With their compact size and overall weight of less than 60 pounds, Australian shepherds can be apartment dogs. A six-month-old female Australian shepherd should weigh between 30 and 35 pounds, while a male Australian shepherd of the same age will weigh between 40 and 46 pounds.
Alternatively, if you bought your Australian Shepherd from a breeder, you can contact them to inform them about the estimated adult size of your Australian Shepherd puppy. According to the official rules of the American Kennel Club, an adult male Australian Shepherd must weigh between 50 and 65 pounds. Originally used solely as a herding dog, the Australian Shepherd has become one of the most popular companion dog breeds in North America. There are dogs of all sizes, from the smallest dog in the world, the Chihuahua, to the imposing Great Dane.
The amount of space a dog takes up is a key factor in deciding if they are compatible with you and your living space.
Australian shepherds
are herding dogs and many consider children to be part of their flock, so you'll have to teach your Australian that it's not allowed to chase and bite children to herd them. According to the Australian Shepherd Club of America, Australian shepherds are more likely to suffer from hereditary diseases such as cataracts, elbow dysplasia, cancer and epilepsy.Australian shepherds
(also known as “Australians”) are a fairly new breed that began as a common type of dog for herding livestock, which is why their work mentality is so strong.The average life expectancy of breeds similar in size to Australian shepherds usually ranges from 11 to 13 years, so assuming that the results of the UK study are not representative of that country's population, Australian shepherds seem to have a typical life expectancy for a breed of their size. Today, the Australian Shepherd is still the same flashy, energetic and intelligent dog that proved to be so useful to ranchers and farmers in the Old West.
