Tiny Sheltie?

Demi's Human · Oct 19, 2017

My new little sheltie, Shirina, is very small. I expected it, because I got her from a line of small agility shelties. Her back story is that she was their show prospect, until a tooth came in crooked.

Groomers and vets have commented they don't think she'll get to full size. I brushed it off. I thought, "She'll be on the small side of average."

Tonight, I took her to a training class at a local dog obedience club. I enrolled her in "pre-basic," which is a class for puppies at least five months old who have had some basic training. At the door, the checker-inners asked if this was the "shorkie" they were expecting. It took some discussion to explain that this is a Shetland Sheepdog (no Yorkie!), 5 1/2 months old. (A quick peek at the teeth confirms this.) A lot of people don't recognize Shirina's breed, because she's not sable.

So after some discussion, we were waved through to the pre-basic class, and the trainers there asked us the same questions. "How old is this dog?" She was the smallest dog there. Then someone asked me how old my "cat" was.

I don't mind that she's small. I just hope she'll be healthy and okay. She weighs about 11.5 lbs, and she was born 5/2. Her paws are proportionate to her current size.

Does anybody else here have a smaller sheltie?

ghggp · Oct 20, 2017

I have never had a small sheltie but LARGE ones...
Logan is the only one I ever owned that was 'normal' sheltie weight and height... but, he is a retired show dog!

Shelties come in all shapes, colors, and sizes... they may not all be SHOW quality... BUT, we love them just the same!

Gold stars to you for taking little sheltie, Shirina to obedience class. I have ALWAYS enrolled mine in at least basic obedience classes... Tiem well spent to make a great pet and a well-behaved dog!

Chris · Oct 20, 2017

I would love to see a picture of you cat!

Calliesmom · Oct 20, 2017

Most people see larger shelties out in the world as those are the puppies that breeders place first and they are surprised when they see a smaller sheltie.
I currently have four shelties and only two are actually in size for the breed standard. Destin is my youngest- he's 4 yrs old and I get will he get bigger when he grows up?- no, he won't. he's 13.75" at the shoulder and 14-15 lbs. Destin is also a biblue so I've been asked if he's an Aussie mix. and when I've had all 4 out, are they all the same kind of dog?- yes, they are all shelties....
There are definitely shelties out there who are smaller than Destin and I've seen a few at agility trials.

Daisy's Mom · Oct 20, 2017

My Daisy is the same age as your Shirina, and is also a small Sheltie. Her breeder sold her as "pet quality" because she was below standard size, which is fine with us because we wanted a Sheltie for agility training.

Daisy is sable and white and many people say she looks like a mini Lassie, so we do not have to face questions about her breed. We have heard many say she looks tiny for a Sheltie and ask if she was the runt of the litter.

I know there are breeders who purposely breed "mini Shelties", but that is frowned upon because those bitches often have to deliver via caesarean. There is a demand for them. The last vet Daisy saw estimated that she would be about 12 lbs when fully grown. I think she's about 7.5 now, but I'd have to check on that.

Enjoy your mini Sheltie! And the person who called Shirina a cat must have been on something.

Phoebe'smom · Oct 20, 2017

At 5 1/2 months Phoebe was 11 1/2 lbs. At two years old she is almost 15 inches and 18 pounds. So you never know, she might have a growth spurt and surprise you!

Cara Sandler · Oct 20, 2017

Both of my girls are itty bitty. Spirit is 3 years old, full grown at 12.5 inches and roughly 12 pounds. Skylar is 11 months old and has not been officially measured but is at most an inch taller than Spirit. They're perfectly healthy and a joy to have

Caro · Oct 20, 2017

My Tully is under 13" but we often see smaller Shelties here as breeders follow the UK standard - which is smaller than the US standard. I too got comments about her being a kitten when she was young (also comments about her being a fox kitten because of her colouring). When she was very young I used to carry her in a small handbag when I walked Deska because her little legs couldn't keep up.

I will say, little Tully is a little pocket rocket, although at 10yrs and with a false hip she has slowed down somewhat.

MissyGallant · Oct 23, 2017

My Clarabelle didn't hit 10 pounds until she was over a year old! Now she's about 14 and 14 inches at the shoulder. She might be a half an inch taller than Annabelle. They just hit on the smaller side of acceptable size. And to me, they are perfect. I would also love to see a picture of the cat you put into obedience.

roguskie · Nov 6, 2017

My Pippi is 3. Shes tiny. 288mm and 4.7kg. We love her to pieces and shes fab at agility. We just got a 10 week old pup, Obi, hes already about 228mm and weighs 2.65kg.

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