I am interested in a puppy and may take possession as early as this weekend. The breeder thinks he may go oversize. He is 11 inches at the Withers and he is 12 weeks old. I had a sheltie years ago that looked like a small Collie that the breeder was growing out, but had to sell because he went over size. My others have all been in normal range, 13 to 16 inches. I'm just curious about the reliability of these charts. My preference would be to have a sheltie that is in size.... even 16" would be fine, but I worry that he might be much larger! Depending on the line and their genetic makeup, I guess that determines when they will mature and why some mature earlier, some later??
Growth charts and reliability
- Thread starter dream2012
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Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
depends on the line. 11" at 12 weeks is at the top of the chart(bottom of gray danger zone). If the puppy has a lot of bone ,big features-nose leather, head, feet then there is a good chance it will go over.
If this was the line I am used to working with I would be holding my breathe the entire time until the pup was done growing that it would not go over. Likely end up being about 16.5 to 17" The breeder likely knows their line and dogs and knows how they grow. If she thinks it will go over likely it will or she just doesn't want to take the chance growing it out. We all make mistakes and end up placing or keeping a puppy we wished we wouldn't have.
If this was the line I am used to working with I would be holding my breathe the entire time until the pup was done growing that it would not go over. Likely end up being about 16.5 to 17" The breeder likely knows their line and dogs and knows how they grow. If she thinks it will go over likely it will or she just doesn't want to take the chance growing it out. We all make mistakes and end up placing or keeping a puppy we wished we wouldn't have.
corbinam
Moderator
I'd ask the breeder what they think. Some dogs (and lines in general) follow one of the charts really closely and others do not.
My girl shot up around 16 weeks old and according to the chart was going to be well over 17". Her breeder insisted that she wouldn't go over 16" and I had such a hard time believing her! But, she was right. Lexi ended up at 15.5".
My girl shot up around 16 weeks old and according to the chart was going to be well over 17". Her breeder insisted that she wouldn't go over 16" and I had such a hard time believing her! But, she was right. Lexi ended up at 15.5".
Jess041
Forums Enthusiast
The growth charts were created for specific lines. Sea Isle, Nobel, and Pow. My dog's growth ended up following the line all the way until sure enough, she went oversize to 16.5". I was crossing my fingers she would stay in size (no other reason than, just because), but in the end I wasn't completely surprised she went oversize. You can kind of look at them and get a general idea of where your dog will end up, but it's not a guarantee. The breeder can give you a better idea based on the parents and what kind of offspring they've produced if this isn't their first litter.
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
See and Enzos line grows long. Ie Spruce and Legend.
I agree with the others. You'll have to trust your dog's breeder to know her lines. From 8 weeks I was told my boy would likely be between 15 3/4 to 16 1/4. He's 16 months and measures 16". The breeder called it for sure. And he's exactly what I asked for which was "top of the standard or a little over". LOL
Ann
Moderator
Shelties are a breed that can break your heart if you're counting on one to stay in size for the show ring. It's the bane of breeding...I know more breeders who say "s/he was the perfect dog if s/he'd stayed in size. The Nobel growth chart is the most widely used, but it's still a toss-up and, as others have said, your breeder will know best what her line will do. If you ask about the parents' sizes, that may help you estimate where the puppy will end up.
The companion pups most breeders offer for sale are those that they are fairly sure won't stay in size for the show ring, but that doesn't mean the dog will be a giant. Even 16 1/4 will disqualify a dog for conformation. It's likely yours will end up just over 16 inches.
The companion pups most breeders offer for sale are those that they are fairly sure won't stay in size for the show ring, but that doesn't mean the dog will be a giant. Even 16 1/4 will disqualify a dog for conformation. It's likely yours will end up just over 16 inches.
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
Celtic is the only dog I have had that followed the chart exactly. He was smack in the middle for both lines and stayed exactly there every week until he was done growing. He is currently 14 7/8" it was actually refreshing
