Being a medium-sized dog, Australian Shepherds, on average, weigh between 40-65 pounds and stand 18-23 inches in height. Their expected lifespan is 12-15 years.
Vision problems, epilepsy, and cancers are the primary health concerns with this breed. Approximately 30% of all Australian Shepherds die due to cancer or cancer-related problems. The Australian Shepherd has a lifespan of around 11 - 13 years, which is not uncommon for a dog of its size.
Australian Shepherd Health Issues. Australian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. However, they are predisposed to a few health issues more common to the breed.
The Australian Shepherd reaches his senior stage when he is 10 years old or older. Now is the period when your Aussie may not be able to run as quickly or jump as high as they once could.
Their average life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. As with any dog, some can have a longer life span than others depending regardless of their sex. Male Australian Shepherds can be more prone to certain health conditions than females. As an example, male Aussies have a high rate of testicular cancer and prostate issues.
Most Australian Shepherds should begin calming down at two years of age. At this point, they're considered mature dogs who can better regulate their energy. That said, not all Aussies will tone it down at this age. It may take them reaching seniority for their energy to drop off.
All puppies and young dogs experience a period of extreme activity. In Aussies, it should stop at around 2-3 years of age. But don't worry! It winds down gradually and gets less “naughty” as they grow and learn, and Mini Aussies are quick learners.
Your Australian Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours exercise every day, but the more you can give them the better. This should be split into two fairly long walks, with plenty of time to stop and have a sniff, along with the chance to run around off-lead in a secure area.
Being left alone for too long may cause the intelligent, energetic Australian Shepherd to create her own fun—often through destructive behaviors or barking. While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
Adult Australian Shepherds need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily, depending on how much energy they burn during the day.
Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that even though Aussies have strong guarding and herding instincts, they are sweet and cuddly indoor dogs that can even be kept in apartments.
Aussies are generally healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will test breeding stock for health concerns such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts and certain forms of cancer. An Aussie's ears should be checked regularly to remove foreign matter and avoid a buildup of wax, and his teeth should be brushed regularly.
Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Australian Shepherds more than other breeds.
Australian shepherds can develop different forms of cancer. However, they are most likely to experience lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. Lymphoma may be successfully treatable depending on your dog's specific case, but unfortunately, hemangiosarcoma is very aggressive with a low survival rate.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, and unfortunately, the symptoms are frequently not recognized until it is too late.
Australian Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
Australian shepherds are prone to worry, but only under certain conditions. The majority of Australian shepherds who have a regular schedule and live in a serene environment do not exhibit signs of anxiousness. However, this breed does not do well without a schedule or frequent attention from their owners.
Some breeds that have a predisposition for anxiety are: Australian Shepherd. Bernese Mountain Dogs.
When in the outdoors, your Australian Shepherd will come across new things, hear sounds and smell things along the way. The length of the walk is limited to your energy as this dog can walk all day. Ideally, you should aim for about 45 to 60 minutes once or twice a day.
Like many doggies, Australian Shepherds love to sleep. In fact, sleep takes up a good portion of an Australian Shepherd's life. In adulthood, they sleep about twelve hours a day! This is an energetic dog who needs to recharge as often as possible to stay in top form.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), most purebred dogs live 8-15 years. So, the Australian shepherd's life expectancy of 12-15 years is near the upper limit. They are very long-lived dogs. But to truly compare apples to apples, we need to compare Australian shepherd dogs to other dogs of the same size.
BREED CHARACTERISTICS
The Aussie, though a silent worker, is very vocal when playing with other dogs. When greeting their owners or upon being praised they will often make a singing noise, speaking to you in various tones ranging from a deep howl to a shrill whine.
They are loyal to their family and great with kids but a little protective and wary of strangers. It's important to socialize Aussies while they are young! They are generally easy-going and adaptable, but they need a lot of exercise, as well as mental stimulation. A bored Aussie can become nervous or destructive.