Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Australian Shepherd
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Australian Shepherd Will Have
- How Much Does the Australian Shepherd Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Australian Shepherd Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Australian Shepherd Puppy
- How Long is a Australian Shepherd Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Australian Shepherd
- Conclusion on Australian Shepherd Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Australian Shepherd
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 20 different Australian Shepherd birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Australian Shepherds can have is 8 puppies. Also, the Australian Shepherd can have as few as 2 puppies per litter and as many as 13 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Australian Shepherd compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Australian Shepherd Will Have
Australian Shepherd Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Australian Shepherd will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Australian Shepherd is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Australian Shepherd litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Australian Shepherd will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Australian Shepherd
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Australian Shepherd will have if your Australian Shepherd gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Australian Shepherd. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Australian Shepherd at different ages. This table applies to a Australian Shepherd that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6 puppies | 5 to 7 puppies |
| 3 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 4 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 5 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 6 | 6 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
| 7 | 5 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
| 8 | 5 puppies | 2 to 8 puppies |
| 9 | 5 puppies | 1 to 8 puppies |
How Much Does the Australian Shepherd Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Australian Shepherd puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 50 Australian Shepherd puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 50 Australian Shepherd puppies, the average weight of the Australian Shepherd at birth is 350 grams (12.3 ounces). The birth weight of the Australian Shepherd puppy typically ranges from 320 grams (11.3 ounces) to 390 grams (13.8 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Australian Shepherd puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
How Big Will a Australian Shepherd Puppy Get?
A Australian Shepherd puppy will grow up to weigh around 40 to 65 pounds. Furthermore, a Australian Shepherd puppy will grow up to be 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Australian Shepherd weight and how big Australian Shepherds grow here
How Much is a Australian Shepherd Puppy
The average price of a Australian Shepherd puppy is $1210. The price of a Australian Shepherd puppy ranges from $800 to $1500.
Since the Australian Shepherd has an average litter size of 8, therefore a Australian Shepherd litter birth is worth $9680.
To learn more about the price of Australian Shepherd puppy, check our review on how much Australian Shepherd puppy cost, and Australian Shepherd buying advice.
How Long is a Australian Shepherd Pregnant?
Australian Shepherds are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Australian Shepherds can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Australian Shepherd conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Australian Shepherd for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Australian Shepherd
To ensure that your Australian Shepherd successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Australian Shepherd well: A good diet will ensure that your Australian Shepherd has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Australian Shepherd is in good health: Ensure you take your Australian Shepherd to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Australian Shepherd gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Australian Shepherd is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Australian Shepherd Litter Size
Australian Shepherds can have 8 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Australian Shepherd will have depends on factors such as the age of the Australian Shepherd and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Australian Shepherds the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Australian Shepherd. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Australian Shepherd gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Australian Shepherds in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.