The Australian Shepherd dog is a popular breed and comes in three main sizes: standard, miniature, and toy, and if you’re curious about the differences between these three sizes, you’ve come to the right place.
Of the different sizes, the miniature Australian Shepherd dog sits right in the middle between the standard and the toy varieties.
When you’re shopping for an Australian Shepherd dog to add to your family, its size is naturally important to you, so let’s take a look at how the miniature variety differs from the other two.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd Size Chart: How Big Do These Dogs Get?
Before you explore just one of the Australian Shepherd breeds, it’s best to take a look at some of the traits of all three of them.
This way, it’s a little easier to see how each of them compares to the others, making it easier to decide which one is right for you. Below is a brief description of each of the Australian Shepherd sizes:
1. Standard Australian Shepherd Dog
The standard Australian Shepherd dog is the largest type of Australian Shepherd, and the sizes differ between males and females. Males weigh from 50 to 65 pounds and get to 20 to 23 inches in size. Females can weigh 40 to 55 pounds and are usually 18 to 21 inches tall.
The standard dogs have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years and come in colors such as blue or red merle, red, white, black, or brown.
2. Miniature Australian Shepherd Dog
The mini Australian Shepherd dog is the medium-sized Australian Shepherd, with both males and females weighing 25 to 40 pounds and growing up to roughly 15 to 18 inches in size.
They live from 12 to 13 years on average and have the same coat colors as the standard-sized dog: blue merle, red merle, red, black, white, or brown. Their size makes them one of the most popular Australian Shepherds.
3. Toy Australian Shepherd Dog
The toy Australian Shepherd dog is the smallest of the three Australian Shepherds. They live 13 to 15 years on average and have a size that’s easy to remember: both males and females grow up to 10 to 14 inches tall and usually weigh 10 to 14 pounds. Their coat colors include red merle, blue merle, black, brown, red, or white.
And if you’re wondering what “merle” is, it is a name that refers to uneven blotches of color set against a background that is usually a little lighter, but sometimes darker.
One of the most common combinations are black coats with irregular patches of gray. Normally, the two colors are similar and in the same family of colors, and no two dogs with a merle color are exactly alike.
How Much Should a Mini Aussie Weigh?
Miniature Aussie Shepherds should weigh between 25 and 40 pounds, making them small or medium-sized dogs. Occasionally, the dogs can get up to 50 pounds if they’re males or be as low as 20 pounds if they’re females, but normally they are in the 25- to 40-pound range.
If your miniature Aussie doesn’t stay in that weight range, you can always contact your veterinarian for assistance.
Another bit of information usually included on these size charts is the possible health problems that some of these dogs experience.
It doesn’t mean that every mini Aussie is going to experience all of these conditions, but they are yet another reason for you to schedule regular wellness checkups with your veterinarian.
Catching these conditions early increases your odds of easing or eliminating them.Some common medical conditions that can affect all three sizes of Australian Shepherd dogs include:
- Hip dysplasia. This condition involves the ball and socket of the dog’s hip joint not fitting together the way they should. It can be painful for your dog and even cause arthritis and lameness.
- Elbow dysplasia. When the bones in the elbow joint do not grow the way they should, it can be painful for the dog, even resulting in lameness if the condition gets too bad.
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). This congenital condition can affect the eye’s development and if it gets too bad, it can cause blindness.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). When the retina of the eye deteriorates, this is usually a sign of PRA. In addition to this condition, Australian Shepherds of all sizes can also get cataracts, and both of these conditions can lead to blindness.
- This is a heart condition that is characterized by a thickened or enlarged heart muscle that could eventually lead to heart failure.
There are also a few differences between the three sizes of Australian Shepherds besides size, one of them being that the mini and toy Aussies don’t bark as much as the standard ones do.
Other than that, all three share certain traits that make them great family dogs. These include an eagerness to please, intelligence, and the fact that they are all easy to train. These are great dogs to own!
Conclusion
There are three sizes of Australian Shepherd dogs: standard, miniature, and toy.
All three grow to be different sizes, with the mini Aussie growing 15-18 inches in size and weighing anywhere from 25 to 40 pounds, although males may get to 50 pounds and females may be as little as 20 pounds. These are friendly, outgoing, easy-to-train dogs that make great family dogs.
In addition, mini Aussies are loyal and very gentle, which means that they are a great option for households with small children or elderly individuals. It is easy to welcome these dogs into your family.
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