If you are looking for a fun-loving and loyal pet, the Australian Shepherd is a great choice.
This dog breed is smart and has a great personality.
And, if you want a family pet, the Australian Shepherd will fit right in with your home and your family.
But, which Australian Shepherd is right for you?
You might not have considered it, but male and female Australian Shepherds do have some differences.
When you are getting your pet you should consider these differences. Luckily, the variance between males and females is not huge.
Still, you might want to read through the rest of this post to see what is different between male and female Australian Shepherds.
I’ll talk about this topic of Australian Shepherd gender differences in detail throughout the rest of the post.
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Differences Between Australian Shepherd Female vs Male
The main difference between the Australian Shepherd female vs male is size.
Male and female dogs will have a different body type, weight, and look.
However, in most cases, the personality of your Shepherd will be pretty similar with males and females. The health of your dog may differ too.
But generally speaking Australian Shepherd males and females live for around the same amount of time.
There are other differences between the genders, as well. Which I will discuss later on in the post. For now, let’s focus on size, weight, and looks.
Size Australian Shepherd Female vs Male
Australian Shepherds males and females are built differently.
You will notice that your male dog is a lot bigger than its female counterpart. It isn’t a massive difference, but it is quite noticeable.
On average, most males will have a height of around twenty-eight to thirty-two inches tall.
Females, Shepherd, in contrast, will be around twenty-five to twenty-nine inches tall.
The length of your dog will also differ too. Female Shepherds will be twenty-eight to thirty-one inches long.
Males are a lot lengthier and have measurements of thirty-one to thirty-six inches.
Of course, these numbers can depend on the specific dog you have. Some females could be larger while some males could be smaller.
But, on average, a male Australian Shepherd will be larger than a female one.
So consider this as you get your pet. You might want a smaller or larger dog depending on your living situation.
Weight Australian Shepherd Female vs Male
The weight of the Australian Shepherd also differs between males and females.
You probably guessed this already, but males have more body mass than females. So, they will weigh a lot more.
For female Shepherds, you can expect your dog to weigh anywhere from thirty-five pounds to around fifty-five pounds.
In comparison, a male Shepherd can weigh anywhere from fifty-five pounds to a whopping seventy pounds.
The weight difference is pretty pronounced with this breed. This is because your dog has a bigger frame with more muscles and heavier bones.
Again, this is definitely something to think about if size and weight matter to you.
Appearance Australian Shepherd Female vs Male
Finally, your dog’s appearance could differ depending on their gender.
Of course, males will look bulkier and heavier than females.
But, in addition to this, male Australian Shepherds will also have a lot more hair. Your male dog will be shaggier and fluffier than a female dog.
Their hair will be a lot longer. And when you look at your Shepherds face you will notice more masculine traits. This includes a wider face.
Females, on the other hand, will have more delicate and smaller faces in comparison.
Are There Any Differences In Health With This Breed?
What about your pet’s health though? Will you notice any major differences in lifespan and the health of your dog?
In general male and female Australian Shepherds live the same number of years.
Your dog should have a lifespan of thirteen to fifteen years in total if you take good care of them.
But male and female dogs do have different health conditions that can affect them throughout their life.
In particular, males can have more hip and bones issues. And females and males can both suffer from deafness, allergies, epilepsy, and heart issues.
When To Spay/Neuter Your Dog
Some diseases are not entirely preventable. However, if you spay or neuter your pet this could help keep them healthier in the long run.
In fact, the earlier you get this procedure done the better. If you are fine with your dog not having any puppies this is a great procedure.
Still, some debate continues about when this procedure should be done.
There are many benefits to having your dog spayed or neutered before they hit their full maturity. This includes improved behavior.
Still, some experts think that you can have even more health benefits when you get your dog spayed or neutered after puberty.
This can help your dog deal with fewer bone issues. And dogs that are given this procedure, later on, could also be less prone to certain cancers.
Of course, when you get your dog spayed or neutered is up to you. But talk with your doctor first.
And make sure to get regular appointments for your pet regardless of their gender.
This way they can live a long and healthy life!
Which Gender Is Easier to Train?
People also wonder whether one gender is easier to train over the other.
In terms of training Australian Shepherds, you will find some slight differences in this area, as well.
On the whole female Shepherds will be a little easier to train.
Though male Shepherds love to train and will have a lot of energy and excitement surrounding training.
Males will have a harder time focusing on this task. They get distracted a lot more easily so this can make it somewhat challenging to train.
Females, on the other hand, are great listeners. And, once you have your dog focused on training, she will learn very quickly.
Girls just tend to grow up and mature faster than male Australian Shepherds. Training will go faster and more smoothly with females.
But, as I mentioned before, this is not a hard dog breed to train.
You shouldn’t have much of a problem training males or females. This dog breed is not difficult and they enjoy making their owners happy.
But if you want to have a slightly easier time with training get a female Australian Shepherd.
Is There Any Personality or Behavioral Differences?
Finally, you might be wondering whether there is any personality or behavioral differences between male and female Australian Shepherds.
In terms of personality, both genders are pretty similar. These dogs have a lot of energy and they are extremely loyal.
However, males do tend to be a little more affectionate than females.
It’s not that female shepherds don’t love their masters. They are just a little more reserved than males.
So, you will notice that males dogs from this breed will follow you around more. They will also want to cuddle more and spend more time with you.
Female dogs are not cold, but they do like to have their own space and time to themselves.
Energy Levels
Another thing to consider is energy levels.
Both genders are highly energetic. But, you will notice that male dogs are a lot more hyper.
They will want to play more and move more. They might also beg you for attention more than female Australian Shepherds will.
Just know that dogs of this gender will be more playful overall. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily.
Still, some owners might prefer a dog that is a little more quiet and mature. If that is the case a female dog might be better.
Male Australian Shepherds might also end up fighting more. Especially with other male Shepherds or if other dogs are in your house.
So this is definitely something you need to think about. Male Shepherds will listen to you if you train them right though.
You shouldn’t worry too much about your dog being unruly. But, having a male and female dog together in the house instead of two males might be more ideal.
Female Shepherds can get along with any gender of dog though.
Conclusion
Male and female Australian Shepherds both have their pros and cons. On the whole, both dogs are great to have in your home.
And both dogs are fairly easy to train and get along with. There are some subtle differences between the genders.
So, make sure to read through the post carefully. This way you can decide whether you want to get a female Australian Shepherd or a male one.
But, again you can’t go wrong with a female or male dog. As both genders are pretty similar. It mostly up to preference and the type of home you have.
Male dogs can be a little more energetic and unruly. They also tend to be a lot bigger.
While females are peppy but can be more reserved and mindful of their family. They are also smaller in stature.
But think of the characteristics of both genders and pick an Australian Shepherd that is right for you!
