So, when do miniature Australian Shepherds stop growing?
When it comes to this breed, physical maturity is the most prevalent reason why they cease developing.
This typically occurs at 16 months of age for typical Australian Shepherds and could be a result of malnutrition and other health issues.
Continue reading to find out more!
Why Do Australian Shepherds Stop Growing?
Contents
Australian shepherds are a medium-sized breed of herding dog.
They are often mistaken for being miniature because of their small size, but they actually grow to be about 18 to 22 inches in height and weigh anywhere from 30 to 50 pounds.
There are several reasons your miniature Australian shepherd may stop growing prematurely.
Their growth can be stunted by a preexisting condition, malnutrition, or even genetics.
Some miniature Australian shepherds simply mature at an early age and don’t grow any taller.
If you’re concerned that your dog has stopped developing, take him to the veterinarian for a check-up.
Your vet will be able to tell you if there is a medical reason for your miniature Australian shepherd’s stunted growth.
If everything looks okay, don’t worry – he’s just a small dog!
When Do Miniature Australian Shepherds Stop Growing?
The miniature version of the Australian Shepherd, also known as “mini Aussies,” does not grow quite so big.
Miniature miniature dogs typically weigh between 15 and 23 pounds or grow to about 18 inches in height at the shoulder, which is the equivalent size of a standard-sized dog.
This can be compared to their larger counterparts that are around 50 pounds and 22 inches at the shoulder.
Because of this, miniature Australian Shepherds reach adulthood a little sooner than their full-sized counterparts–in about one year as opposed to 16 months.
The miniature Australian Shepherds stop growing differently than other breeds because they are bred down in size from the standard Australian Shepherd.
Breeders select for smaller and smaller miniature miniature miniature miniature miniature Australian Shepherds, which means they stop growing sooner.
The only way to tell if your dog has stopped growing is by X-raying his long bones.
The plates of the bone close when a puppy stops growing, and that can be detected on an X-ray image.
Only once these are closed will it be known that miniature miniature miniature miniature Australian Shepherds have stopped growing.
What Is the Size of a Miniature Australian Shepherd?
The size of miniature Australian Shepherds varies depending on their gender and the standard of adulthood.
Male miniature Australian Shepherds can weigh up to 15 pounds more than females of the same age and are at least two inches taller.
According to American Kennel Club (AKC), male miniature Australian shepherds typically weight between 20-40 lbs and are 13-18 inches tall.
Female miniature Australian Shepherds weigh between 15 and 35 pounds and are usually 11-17 inches in height.
The miniature Australian Shepherd is typically considered a small to medium sized breed of dog.
The Growth Stages of an Australian Shepherd
The growth stages of a miniature Australian shepherd can be broken down into six general periods.
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Birth to Two Weeks
During the first two weeks of life, puppies are mostly sleeping and nursing. They will start to explore their surroundings at this time.
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Three to Twelve Weeks
This is when puppies are most active and begin growing rapidly. They will learn how to walk and play during this time.
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Four to Six Months
Puppies will reach their adult size by four months old, but they won’t stop growing until six months old. This is when they start to develop their personalities.
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Seven to Nine Months
The final growth stage is from seven to nine months old. Puppies will have a few more growing pains during this time, but shouldn’t have any problems by the end of it.
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Ten to Twelve Months
Some miniature Australian shepherds will continue to grow until they are twelve months old. However, others stop at ten months old and won’t grow much more after that point.
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Twelve Months and Up
Some miniature Australian shepherds will grow a little bit after twelve months old. However, the majority of miniature Aussies are considered adults around this time.
Also Read: German Shepherd Growth Chart: Guides About Height And Weight Of A GSD Dog
At What Age is a Standard Aussie Full Grown?
The full grown age for miniature Australian shepherds is around sixteen months. By this time, they should be fully developed and won’t grow much more.
There’s no way to tell if a standard miniature Australian shepherd has stopped growing at any age other than having their long leg bones x-rayed since some children progress quicker or slower than others do.
If you don’t want to have x-rays done, you may expect your miniature Australian shepherd to be fully grown by the time it’s sixteen months old.
Conclusion
As you may know, Aussies are renowned for their intelligence and loyalty.
They’re often used as working dogs because of these traits, and they make excellent pets since they’re lively and loyal to the family.
However, if your young Australian shepherd appears to be developing too slowly or not at all, you may want to study the distinct growth phases of Aussies and see if any additional signs are present.
They should cease developing totally about 16 months of age.
If this is happening with your dog then it’s important that a veterinarian examine him/her right away so that something can be done about it before its effects become irreversible.
