DogsLifeBreed profile
Australian Shepherd: size, sleep, exercise and care
A quick, clever herding dog bred to work all day. An Aussie needs a real job for its brain as well as long daily exercise.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Adult weight
- 18–29 kg
- Height at the shoulder
- 46–58 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise needs
- Very high · 120+ min per day
Sleep needs
Typical total sleep per 24 hours, including naps.
| Puppy | Adult | Senior |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 h | 12–14 h | 12–15 h |
These are general life-stage ranges for dogs from the AKC and Hill's; no study gives a separate figure for the Australian Shepherd. Individual dogs vary, and a sudden change in how much your dog sleeps is worth mentioning to your vet. Busy herding puppies often fight sleep, so planned naps in a quiet crate or pen help them settle.
Exercise needs
PDSA recommends at least two hours of exercise a day and The Royal Kennel Club lists more than two hours, so treat 120 minutes as the floor, not the goal. Mix walks with off-lead running in safe areas, fetch, herding-style games and short training sessions. Build up gradually while the joints are growing.
Potty training
Aussies learn routines fast, which works in your favour. Take the puppy out after every sleep, meal and play session, and praise calmly the moment it finishes.
The catch is excitement: a young Aussie that is wound up from play may forget to go, then have an accident ten minutes later indoors. End play outside, give it a minute to calm down, and wait for the wee before heading back in.
Puppy potty schedule calculator →
Feeding
Feed a complete food suited to a medium-sized, active breed, and split the daily amount into three or four meals for young puppies, dropping to two meals for adults.
Working-line and very active dogs may need more energy than the packet suggests, while pet Aussies on shorter walks can gain weight easily. Weigh your dog every few weeks and adjust portions to body shape rather than to the label alone. Using part of the daily ration for training and puzzle feeders is an easy way to give this breed mental work.
Frequently asked questions
How much exercise does an Australian Shepherd need?
At least two hours a day according to PDSA, with The Royal Kennel Club also listing more than two hours. Mental work such as training and scent or herding games counts too.
How much does an Australian Shepherd puppy sleep?
Like most puppies, around 18–20 hours a day including naps. Active Aussie puppies often need enforced rest; try our puppy sleep calculator.
Sources
- Australian Shepherd dog breed information — American Kennel Club
- Australian Shepherd: breed information and exercise — The Royal Kennel Club
- Australian Shepherd breed guide — PDSA
- How much do puppies sleep? — American Kennel Club
- How much should my dog sleep per day? — Hill's Pet Nutrition
- Can senior dogs sleep too much? — American Kennel Club