Full Grown Mini Aussie: Size, Lifespan, Price & More

The Miniature Australian Shepherd, often referred to as a Mini Aussie, is a smaller breed variant of the Australian Shepherd. As a Mini Aussie reaches adulthood, its size, appearance, personality and care needs will fully develop. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about what to expect from a fully grown Mini Aussie.

About the Mini Aussie Breed

The Mini Aussie is a member of the Herding Group. While similar in temperament and intelligence to the standard Australian Shepherd, Mini Aussies have been selectively bred over the years to remain much smaller.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes Miniature American Shepherds as a separate breed with a height limit of 17 inches for males and 15 inches for females.

Mini Aussies make wonderful family pets and excel in canine sports like agility, flyball, and frisbee. They are highly energetic, intelligent, and enjoy having a job to do. With proper early socialization and training, Mini Aussies generally get along great with children and other pets.

Size at Full Growth

A Mini Aussie will reach its full adult size between 12-18 months of age. Here are the typical size measurements you can expect from a fully mature Mini Aussie:

• Height: Males are usually between 13-16 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are slightly smaller at 12-15 inches.
• Length: Mini Aussies tend to be 14-18 inches long when measured from the chest to the base of the tail.
• Weight: Most fully grown males weigh 15-25 pounds. Females are slightly lighter at 13-23 pounds.

Keep in mind that Mini Aussies from larger Kennel Club litters may end up closer to the upper limits of these size ranges, while those from smaller, "toy" breedings tend toward the lower end of heights and weights.

Appearance at Full Growth

The coat and physical structure of a Mini Aussie will be fully mature by 18 months. Here's what they'll typically look like:

Coat: Mini Aussies have a medium-length, thick double coat that can be straight or wavy. Common coat colors include red, blue merle, black and tan, red merle, sable and white.

Body: Compact and muscular build with strong shoulder blades and hindquarters. Chest is moderately broad with a deep keel bone.

Face: Expressive eyes that are medium in size and almond shaped. Ears are erect, small to medium in size, and triangular.

Tail: Medium length tail that is carried upright in a saber fashion. Tail may be straight or have a slight curve.

Feet: Small, oval shaped feet with thick pads and well-arched toes.

Personality at Full Growth

Mini Aussies develop a distinct spunky, outgoing personality by the time they reach maturity:

Highly intelligent and eager to please. They display an aptitude for learning commands and new tricks.

Energetic, playful and bounce around with joy. Daily exercise is an absolute must for mental and physical health.

Loyal companions that truly enjoy bonding with their owners. Mini Aussies can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone too long.

Generally friendly towards children, but may nip or bite if not properly socialized or trained. Supervision is recommended with young kids.

May not always get along with other pets due to their herding drive. Early positive exposure helps curb prey drive and instincts.

Price of a Mini Aussie Puppy

Expect to pay between $800-$2000 for a well-bred Mini Aussie puppy from a reputable breeder. Prices will vary depending on the puppy's pedigree, any championship lines in its history, and demand for its bloodlines.

Puppy mills and irresponsible "hobby" breeders often sell Mini Aussies for significantly less - $400-$700. We highly advise against supporting these operations due to health and behavioral concerns.

Adopting a Mini Aussie from a shelter typically costs $50-$150 as they waive adoption fees from time to time. Be aware that shelter dogs may have unknown histories or special needs.

Food and Feeding a Full Grown Mini Aussie

High-quality dry kibble formulated for small or miniature breed dogs is an excellent diet for Mini Aussies. Feed 2-3 cups per day divided into two meals. Adjust amount as needed to maintain a healthy weight.

Some Mini Aussies do well with a combination of dry kibble and fresh homemade food like chopped meat, eggs and bone meal added for variety. Avoid feeding people foods or scraps as they can upset the digestive system.

Provide clean, fresh water around the clock in multiple locations like bowls in each room. Especially important on hot days or after exercise.

Lifespan of Mini Aussies

With proper care, training, veterinary attention and a loving home environment, Mini Aussies have an average lifespan of 13-15 years. Some may even reach 16-18 years of age. Factors like diet, genetics, exercise and preventative healthcare can impact longevity.

Common age-related conditions seen in Mini Aussies include cognitive dysfunction, arthritis, cataracts and kidney disease. Caught early, these can often be successfully managed with medication and lifestyle modifications to preserve quality of remaining years.

Health Concerns at Full Growth

Overall the Mini Aussie breed is fairly hearty, but there are some genetic diseases owners should be aware of:

• Patellar Luxation (slippery knees) - Kneecaps that partially or completely dislocate.
• Hip Dysplasia - Abnormal formation of the hip socket that can lead to arthritis.
• Eye Problems - Cataracts, juvenile cataracts, and retinal dysplasia.
• Von Willebrand's Disease - Deficiency in clotting ability that causes prolonged bleeding.
• degenerative myelopathy - A late-onset paralyzing neurologic disease.

Reputable breeders screen for these and have OFA certifications. Annual exams by your vet help monitor ongoing health and detect anything early.

Caring for a Full Grown Mini Aussie

Mini Aussies mature into dogs that still require considerable care and attention from their humans:

Daily Exercise

At least an hour per day of exercise split into two sessions like walks, playtime in fenced yards, hikes, jogging or parks. Mental stimulation aids too like sniffing games and trick training.

Grooming

Brush the double coat 2-3 times weekly to distribute oils and remove loose hairs. Bathing only as needed, every 4-6 weeks. Regular tooth brushing prevents dental disease. Trim nails every 1-2 weeks if not worn down naturally.

Training

Keep practicing obedience lessons and reinforcing good manners. Socialization helps control herding behaviors towards other pets, kids and strangers.

Environment

Mini Aussies often live indoors as beloved companions. If outdoors unsupervised, a minimum 6-foot fence is needed. Provide plenty of toys, chewies and mental puzzles to prevent boredom.

Cost of Owning a Mini Aussie

Here's a breakdown of average annual costs to properly care for a fully grown Mini Aussie:

• Food: $300-600 per year for high-quality kibble.
• Healthcare: $500-800 per year for vet visits, exams, vaccinations, flea/tick prevention
• Grooming: $100-300 per year depending on coat type and desired services.
• Training: $50-150 per session for ongoing classes.
• Supplies: $100-200 per year replacing toys, beds, leashes, etc.
• Boarding/Daycare: $20-40 per day if using while traveling.
• Emergencies: $500+ savings for any unexpected veterinary care.

Overall, plan to invest $1000-2000 per year to properly provide for a fully grown Mini Aussie's needs depending on your location's local costs of living.

Behavior Changes as a Fully Mature Mini Aussie

While largely maintaining the energetic and intelligent traits of their youth, mature Mini Aussies may develop some slight changes in behavior:

• May become a bit more sedate and calm at home compared to their rambunctious puppy days.
• More dignified and polite with other pets/people as proper boundaries have been set.
• Still loves playtime but shorter duration, more willing to relax alongside owner.
• May become slightly aloof if receiving less attention due to their owner's schedule.
• Attachment to owner deepens with age through long-term bonding and trust.

With exercise adjusted to senior abilities and mental stimulation unchanged, Mini Aussies generally remain happy and engaging companions into their golden years.

Noteworthy Characteristics as a Mature Adult

Some hallmarks of the fully developed Mini Aussie personality and intellect include:

• Almost human-level of clever problem-solving and reasoning skills.
• Loyalty and affection for their people above all else.
• Courage and feisty spirit despite their small stature.
• Graceful athleticism and coordination for complex agility courses.
• Wicked sense of humor shining through in play or mischievous antics.
• Intuitive empathy attuned to human emotions without training.

These underlying traits make Mini Aussies highly treasured companion animals for interactive owners who can regularly challenge and stimulate them.

How do you Know when a Mini Aussie is Truly Fully Grown?

Most Mini Aussies reach full skeletal maturity between 14-18 months old based on breed standards.

However, reliable signs a Mini Aussie puppy has become a fully fledged canine adult include:

• Permanent teeth have come in and baby teeth fallen out
• Growth plates in long bones have fused as seen on veterinary x-rays
• Coat colors are fully developed with no lingering uneven patches
• Muscle definition and overall proportions have stabilized
• Reaches consistent adult weight and no longer appears gangly
• First annual heat cycle for females occurred 6+ months ago

By 18 months, Mini Aussies exhibit full maturity physically and are transitioning mentally into a stoic "adult" mindset as well.

Are Mini Aussies Suitable as Pets?

When properly trained, socialized and provided sufficient activity and stimulation, Mini Aussies absolutely make wonderful family pets:

• Medium energy level is manageable for most lifestyles compared to higher drive herding breeds.
• Very intelligent and bond closely to create a devoted, lasting companionship.
• Adaptable to various living situations like apartments if given daily walks/play.
• Get along well with children 5+ years old who understand gentleness with dogs.
• Responsive to positive reinforcement training for desirable behaviors.

Mini Aussies need consistent handling from a young age to curb any potential herding or nipping tendencies toward small children or livestock. An owner committed to training and exercise is key for the breed to remain fit, challenged and happily domesticated.

Conclusion

By understanding what to expect from a fully grown Mini Aussie, potential owners can feel prepared to provide the lifetime care, attention to health needs and understanding of the breed's personality that Mini Aussies deserve. Their diminutive physical size belies amazing hearts and talents to shine as the most outstanding four-legged family members.

With lots of patience, positive guidance and exercise of their keen minds, Miniature Australian Shepherds thrive being our most devoted little companions as they mature into respected elders. If you're ready to fully commit to a Mini Aussie's lifespan needs, their joy, humor and loyalty are sure to enrich your days for years to come.