How big will my Sheltie grow

[BarbV]

Somewhere I found a website that provides CKC/AKC/UKC growth chart predictions of a Shelties size based upon current growth/age charts. Some very complicated calculations, etc.

I can't seem to find them again.

Can anyone point me to the website?

Thanks alot!

[Janice]

Hi.....This might be the site your looking for. http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/size/size.html

[BarbV]

Thanks Janice

This is the site exactly!

Cheers!

[Chris]

Of course, there are always Shelties like Bits. Scruffy runt until, at about a year, she shot up and turned into Sheltie-zilla. Don't count those "runts" out too early!!

[dkolodecorating]

We are getting a second Sheltie puppy in a few weeks and I was wondering if there was any additional health risk associated with being an "undersized" Sheltie? According to the Growth Chart at http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/size/size.html our puppy who is only 5 weeks old and weighs only 1 lb is very "undersized." Is that a problem at all? This is our second puppy from the same breeder and we have been extremely pleased with our first puppy so I know that they are great breeders. This is the puppies mother's first litter so perhaphs that could be a contributing factor to the small size? However, the other 3 puppies are between 2-4 lbs.
We are happy that the puppy is small, easier for the kids to cuddle with. But, I was wondering how common this was and if I should be worried.
Thank you in advance to anyone who replies to this post.
:winkgrin:

[Starr]

Whoa! Ember is WAY above the oversized mark! At 18 weeks she's 18 pounds and 14 inches! People are REALLY going to think she is a collie! LOL

[Chris]

We are getting a second Sheltie puppy in a few weeks and I was wondering if there was any additional health risk associated with being an "undersized" Sheltie? According to the Growth Chart at http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/size/size.html our puppy who is only 5 weeks old and weighs only 1 lb is very "undersized." Is that a problem at all? This is our second puppy from the same breeder and we have been extremely pleased with our first puppy so I know that they are great breeders. This is the puppies mother's first litter so perhaphs that could be a contributing factor to the small size? However, the other 3 puppies are between 2-4 lbs.
We are happy that the puppy is small, easier for the kids to cuddle with. But, I was wondering how common this was and if I should be worried.
Thank you in advance to anyone who replies to this post.
:winkgrin:

Hello and Welcome to the Forum! You know, it's really hard to tell. Even the best struggle -- it's like looking at a one-month baby girl and trying to decide if she'll be a fashion model. :rolleyes2: My breeder -- who owns two of the top Shelties in the country -- thought our Bits wouldn't be big enough to show -- she ws such a tiny puppy! Now she's huge -- 19 inches!!! :eek2: As long as your puppy comes from a reputable breeder, it shouldn't be an issue. Of curse, any Sheltie can have health issues crop up. But generally speaking, small is OK unless someone has been trying to breed "miniature" or "Teacup" Shelties. :mad: Those puppies often have bodies that can't accommodate their internal organs, the result being serious heart, lung and digestive issues!

[BarbV]

But generally speaking, small is OK unless someone has been trying to breed "miniature" or "Teacup" Shelties. :mad: Those puppies often have bodies that can't accommodate their internal organs, the result being serious heart, lung and digestive issues!

I really worry about the designer trend to breeding the so-called minis or tea-cups.

If the breeder you are talking to speaks of anything like this, run and run fast. These breeders are breeding for small size only, without consideration to true Sheltie traits.

I encourage all Sheltie Forum members to go out to Dogster and Yahoo from time to time and help educate. I keep seeing this stupidity time and time again.

[Lightplum]

We are getting a second Sheltie puppy in a few weeks and I was wondering if there was any additional health risk associated with being an "undersized" Sheltie? According to the Growth Chart at http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/size/size.html our puppy who is only 5 weeks old and weighs only 1 lb is very "undersized." Is that a problem at all? This is our second puppy from the same breeder and we have been extremely pleased with our first puppy so I know that they are great breeders. This is the puppies mother's first litter so perhaphs that could be a contributing factor to the small size? However, the other 3 puppies are between 2-4 lbs.
We are happy that the puppy is small, easier for the kids to cuddle with. But, I was wondering how common this was and if I should be worried.
Thank you in advance to anyone who replies to this post.
:winkgrin:

5 weeks and 1 lb...I would be very concerned....what was her weight at birth? Has she gained that much in the 5 weeks or not too much...by 8 weeks they should be atleast 4lbs and that the smaller weight wise for me. Have they been vet checked? no issues with worms, digestive issues?

As with the children how old are they? If they are younger I would be concerned about the small size, the smaller they are more delicate, and have issues with being hypoglycemic and their bones are more delicate...

[*Caro]

Tully was the runt of the litter and the breeder was not sure she would survive because of her size. I left off getting her desexed to get some extra growth (couple of vets suggested this) and she did eventually reach 13inches at 14mths. However I have been told by a vet and animal physio that as a petite dog she can be more prone to ligament damage.

What I would be worried is having children around a very small dog.

Being so little it can be a risk to have young children around a small sheltie. Tully is petrified of young children. Under 8yrs they are too rough for such a petite dog but unfortunately small children are attracted to her because she is so little and cute. Tully has been squashed, choked and fallen upon by small children so now runs away as soon as a child is in the vicinity. Its very lucky she doesnt bite. I would never let a child near her that isn't very closely supervised.

How old are your children?

[dkolodecorating]

Tully was the runt of the litter and the breeder was not sure she would survive because of her size. I left off getting her desexed to get some extra growth (couple of vets suggested this) and she did eventually reach 13inches at 14mths. However I have been told by a vet and animal physio that as a petite dog she can be more prone to ligament damage.

What I would be worried is having children around a very small dog.

Being so little it can be a risk to have young children around a small sheltie. Tully is petrified of young children. Under 8yrs they are too rough for such a petite dog but unfortunately small children are attracted to her because she is so little and cute. Tully has been squashed, choked and fallen upon by small children so now runs away as soon as a child is in the vicinity. Its very lucky she doesnt bite. I would never let a child near her that isn't very closely supervised.

How old are your children?


My children are 6 & 11. Our first Sheltie is about 14 inches and is just so sweet. The kids are great with her since they truly consider her their little sister. Thankfully the kids have never been rough with our first Sheltie. However, thank you for the fair warning regarding the possibility of the puppy being afraid of little children. Hopefully the new puppy will grow up with my children treating her as their baby brother and not being rough with him.
Wow, on the "desexed" thing. I have never heard of that. How small was your sheltie? Do you think my new puppy is as small as yours was? Can you include a photo of Tully? She sounds so cute.
Thank you for your words of wisdom.

[dkolodecorating]

My children are 6 & 11. Our first Sheltie is about 14 inches and is just so sweet. The kids are great with her since they truly consider her their little sister. Thankfully the kids have never been rough with our first Sheltie. However, thank you for the fair warning regarding the possibility of the puppy being afraid of little children. Hopefully the new puppy will grow up with my children treating her as their baby brother and not being rough with him.
Wow, on the "desexed" thing. I have never heard of that. How small was your sheltie? Do you think my new puppy is as small as yours was? Can you include a photo of Tully? She sounds so cute.
Thank you for your words of wisdom.

I just looked at your website. How ADORABLE!!! I love the spooning photo!
How big is Deska? Are they from the same litter?

[dkolodecorating]

Hello and Welcome to the Forum! You know, it's really hard to tell. Even the best struggle -- it's like looking at a one-month baby girl and trying to decide if she'll be a fashion model. :rolleyes2: My breeder -- who owns two of the top Shelties in the country -- thought our Bits wouldn't be big enough to show -- she ws such a tiny puppy! Now she's huge -- 19 inches!!! :eek2: As long as your puppy comes from a reputable breeder, it shouldn't be an issue. Of curse, any Sheltie can have health issues crop up. But generally speaking, small is OK unless someone has been trying to breed "miniature" or "Teacup" Shelties. :mad: Those puppies often have bodies that can't accommodate their internal organs, the result being serious heart, lung and digestive issues!

Do you remember how small she was shen you got her? I feel very comfortable with the breeder and when the puppy was at the vet for her 5 wk old visit (worming, etc) the vet just said he would be small and had no other concerns.

[dkolodecorating]

5 weeks and 1 lb...I would be very concerned....what was her weight at birth? Has she gained that much in the 5 weeks or not too much...by 8 weeks they should be atleast 4lbs and that the smaller weight wise for me. Have they been vet checked? no issues with worms, digestive issues?

As with the children how old are they? If they are younger I would be concerned about the small size, the smaller they are more delicate, and have issues with being hypoglycemic and their bones are more delicate...

The litter had it's 5 wk checkup including worming and the vet did not have any concerns. The mother is only 13 inches and the next to smallest puppy is 3 lbs. Our puppy weighed 6 oz at birth so the vet is not worried at all about his growth.

What do you think?

[*Caro]

Sorry - something happened to my post yesterday.

Deska is over 16" (about41-42cm). He came from a different breeder and is an American line - Tully is an English line.

Not sure how big Tully was at that age. I have a picture of her with two sisters at 5weeks. She was also less advanced with her coat growth as you can see from the picture. In hindsight I think I should have left her with the breeder for a couple of more weeks because she was so small and immature.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo171/cp_2412/withlitter.jpg

Her mother was also just over 13" and all her siblings, and the previous litter, were between 13-14". Tully does agility with one of her sisters. The sister is about 2cm taller and the difference is quite noticeable. Frames too - I think being the runt gave Tully a much more delicate frame.

At least you may get some extra height out of the pup if he is male. I must say even though I love Tully and it is lovely having this pretty little dog, I do prefer something a bit bigger as I am always watching her to make sure she doesnt get squished (by other dogs, kids, people, me). 14" is a good height.

[Lightplum]

that seems to be an ok growth rate..she will just be small! :) I have to agree with Caro though about you do tend to look out for them more than the "bigger" ones! I know my just over 13" one is constantly picked up and loved where I cant remember the last time I picked up my other ones who are all over 14 (and weigh a hell of a lot more:lol:) except to put them on the table...its definatly a different handling of the smaller ones!:yes:

[BarbV]

Deska is over 16" (about41-42cm). He came from a different breeder and is an American line - Tully is an English line.

At least you may get some extra height out of the pup if he is male. I must say even though I love Tully and it is lovely having this pretty little dog, I do prefer something a bit bigger as I am always watching her to make sure she doesnt get squished (by other dogs, kids, people, me). 14" is a good height.

Quite true about the differences between the North American lines and the English lines! Bacca is definitely North American. What Indy has in sheer tenaciousness, Bacca makes up in size and muscle. He justs sits on Indy when Indy is being a pain!