How big is an Australian Shepherd?
Australian Shepherds are a medium-sized breed of dogs. Males are generally taller and heavier than females. The adult male Aussie is usually between 20 to 23 inches tall at withers while the female Aussie stands a little bit shorter at 18 to 21 inches. In terms of weight, the average adult male Aussie weighs between 50 and 65 lbs while females are around 40 to 55 lbs. You might come across sellers of miniature Aussies but these are not recognized as true Australian Shepherd dogs since they don’t conform within breed standards. Aussies’ bodies are built for herding and if they come in smaller sizes, they won’t be able to perform this function.
Australian Shepherd dogs require a lot of physical exercise daily to be able to release all their energy. They are happy when they are active and their furparents spend quality time with them. They also thrive best with constant mental stimulation to keep them busy. If they don’t get proper physical and mental stimulation, they will become unhappy and destructive which would cause problems at your end. Aussies are best suited for country living or those with a large fenced yard so that they have a lot of room to move around and won’t feel confined. Aussies have a life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years.