Expert: Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT - 7/11/2010

Question
I have a female australian shephard that weighs 19 pounds. I took her to the vet and she wants to do blood tests on her to see if everything is ok because she thinks she is tiny for her age. she just turned 5 months old on the 5th. Do you think i should follow threw on the tests or weight?

Answer
Yes, I do think you should follow up with that.  Aussies do have a wide range of sizes and weights, but your dog should probably weigh, at adulthood, at least what her dam weighed.  If you take a pup's weight at 14 weeks, it should double by adulthood.  Thus, at 14 weeks, even a small Aussie would weigh in at about 19 pounds, so if she is not a "mini" then she is quite small.  Always err on the side of caution with puppies and see if the tests tell you anything.