Healthy Weight For Aussies

Aussies are a popular breed although last year, after several years in the top 10, they dropped off the Canadian Kennel Club's top 10 most registered breeds list. 

Everywhere I go I see Australian Shepherds out and about with their owners and invariably I am surprised to see them looking chunky or overweight! Is it just a thick coat? Or is it really their weight?  So many of them look like sausages with long coats and spindly legs.  Aussies are not supposed to look like a labrador retriever with coat!

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for the well-being and longevity of our beloved dogs—especially active, working breeds like the Australian Shepherd.

Too often, I see overweight Aussies who have lost their trademark lean, agile build. Our breed should have a visible waistline and a ribcage you can easily feel under a thin layer of fat.

Carrying extra weight puts unnecessary strain on their joints increasing the risk of arthritis and raises the likelihood of serious health issues such as cancer, diabetes and other weight related issues.

A healthy diet, portioned appropriately and adjusted over time based on your dog’s activity level and age, is key to keeping them fit, happy, and thriving.

Unfortunately a common thread I see on online Aussie chat groups is people asking about their dogs’ weight…it seems 75 pounds is a commonly acceptable weight these days for a pet Aussie!!  We can’t just look at weight though --  the dog’s build and height have to be factored in. 

Aussie Breed Standard: All the breed standards for Australian Shepherds indicate that males should be approx. 20 to 23 inches tall at the withers, and females 18 to 21 inches.  Aussies can be any height, but these are the most commonly accepted. 

With most Aussies falling around these height ranges, their weights should be proportional. Based on my experience, a moderately-boned Aussie around 20 to 21 inches tall can be expected to weigh between 45 to 55 pounds.   

With heavier or lighter bone and muscling, the weight would be a bit more or less.  The American Kennel Club suggests that males should be around 50-65 pounds and females 40 to 55 pounds depending on their height.

Australian Shepherds are an active breed that needs plenty of exercise. Exercise can go a long way towards weight maintenance, but we now know from research that, for humans at least, weight loss ‘happens in the kitchen’ and fitness ‘happens at the gym’.  

Studies have shown that 80% of weight loss is due to diet and exercise only contributes 20%.   

So… what and how much are we feeding our Aussies?

Whether feeding raw or kibble it’s important to monitor your dog’s weight on an ongoing basis. I feed raw to half my crew and kibble to the other half.  I find with my raw food rotation it’s sometimes harder to maintain a healthy weight than kibble but it’s easier to adjust. 

I weigh the raw portions at every meal and will reduce the portion sizes by small amounts for each meal if I notice that my dogs are gaining a bit of winter weight. 

They won’t notice a small reduction in their portion sizes.

Same with kibble...I use a measuring cup and adjust portions by 1/8 to 1/4 cup at each meal as needed to control weight. 

With treats, check the calorie content and switch to lower calorie healthier treats with simple and few ingredients and limit the human food table scraps or stick to things like berries, banana, baby carrots, or lean, unprocessed meats not cooked with oil.  Adjust your main meal size to account for the treat allotment in a given day.

Australian Shepherds are expert manipulators—anyone who lives with one (or a whole crew of them) knows exactly what I mean! They have a special talent for turning on the charm, giving those soulful eyes and dramatic stares that make it seem like they haven’t eaten in days.

Trust me, I’ve fallen for it more times than I care to admit. But while it’s hard to resist those pleading looks, giving in too often—especially with snacks or extras—can quickly lead to weight gain. Staying strong in the face of their mealtime theatrics is key to keeping them lean, healthy, and thriving for years to come.

Some dogs will experience some weight gain after a spay or neuter…if this happens, just adjust their portion to keep them at their healthy weight. 

Ask your vet if your dog is at a healthy weight, most vets will be open about if your dog needs to lose a few pounds. 

And if you think your dog needs to lose weight, start with their diet and portion sizes first for a few weeks to get the weight down a pound or two before embarking on a wild exercise program or switching to a ‘diet’ dog food. 

Reducing some weight first will help lower chances of joint issues or injury due to over exercising at a too heavy weight...and remember that 80/20 rule.  Reducing portion sizes may be all you need to do rather than switching to a ‘diet’ dog food which can often be full of fillers and unhealthy ingredients.

Australian Shepherds are a high-energy working breed, originally bred to spend long days herding livestock across rough terrain. To match this active lifestyle, they’re meant to be lean, strong, and agile—not carrying around extra weight. Keeping your Aussie at the healthy weight they are meant to be isn’t just about appearance—it’s one of the best ways to support their overall health. Maintaining a lean body condition helps prevent joint pain, arthritis, and other serious health issues, while also reducing the risk of costly vet bills down the road. A fit Aussie is a happy Aussie, ready to keep up with whatever adventure comes next.

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