I'm very sad

Well, you can look at this different ways. Depending on his age. Young males have a tendency to creep up in size. If he is done with this, then he may settle back. You already own him, so he might as well stick around with a wait and see. Or.....he is now creeping up, and isn't finished growing, and will pass 16" with no return. Look at the amount of bone and size of head in relation to Justice, or one of your males that are in size. This is always a glaring reality.
I have certainly kept gorgeous males that were stunning puppies, only to watch them creep up and continue on. Now I laugh as I think of each one.
They went on to be wonderful companions.
 
Oh, I am so sorry. He is such a beautiful, beautiful dog. What a shame if you couldn't show him in comformation.
 
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this, Dr. Shelli. If he does grow out, will you keep him as a performance dog, or will you place him in a pet home?

I do know that sometimes as the Sheltie get older they do settle. I have heard this "talk" around the agility ring. People do not like to get their final measurements until they are sure that the dogs are settled.

I would not want to be you :no: I am so sorry that this is happening for you. I agree, I probably could not handle being a Sheltie breeder, as I would get too attached to the dogs that grow out of the standard (or have other things show up that make them not-showable).

Good luck with your decision and please know that I stand behind whatever decisions you make, and I know you have Porter's best interest in mind.

You are a great Sheltie mommy.
 
Dr. Shelli, I'll take him off your hands ANYDAY!!! (just trying to kid around to make you feel better) He's a beautiful dog!!!:winkgrin:
 
Are US shelties measured before they go into the ring? Ours here are not and there are some big guys (and girls) and they do their share of winning. Some would say more than their fair share even...

How much of an issue will it be if he goes 16 1/4? I.e will it be disqualification or just a case of some judges will not favour him? I was having a discussion about this with a breeder friend of mine the other day and we agreed that non specialist judges in particular tend to place bigger shelties because they are more eye catching and stand out from the crowd.

Size and shelties - shelties and size. :rolleyes2:I know it's a real heartbreaker though and you never can tell. When I bought Revel everyone said he would grow huge as he had massive feet, strong bone a big head and long tail. All the indicatiors. A 6 months he looked huge but that was the growing done. He never did grow into his feet, they are still big. Yogi was a creeper and it was agonising wondering if he would make size. I've found that both mine did settle around 2-2 1/2 years and lost about 1/4" and this seems fairly common, especially with males.

Personally I would rather have a sheltie that is a shade too big rather than a twee, bitchy looking dog, providing coarseness dosn't creep in. Porter has done quite a bit of winning already hasn't he, so obviously there's a lot to like so far.

Just no more growing OK Porter!
 
Porter, Porter, Porter. Why are you still growing? Don't you know Shelties are supposed to stay under 16"? I think you really need to read the Sheltie Standard.

Aw Dr. Shelli, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm hoping to hear that he's settled down and is under 16". I'm assuming you'll be keeping him to wait and see?
 
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