"Is that a Minnie?"

Height is one factor, but weight and bone size is another.

I've seen some Shelties that are so light weight that you could blow them with a feather, even though their height is within range. And others, like my forever pup, who was below size, but had great muscular stature and weighed in at over 20 lbs.

My boys are both oversize at 17-18" and both are heavy boned as well. Even if they were at size, I don't think they would be mistaken for a minnie. These boys are solid.

I'm going out on a limb here to say that light-weight shelties are not what the breed intended. Shelties are bred to be hearding dogs, which means they must have the endurance to survive the rough. Fragile boned dogs would not surive a day.

So yes, if your pup is exceptionally light boned, then for sure, even if within size, then I can see why their might be questions.

 

actually shelties of the past were much lighter boned than todays shelties...if you notice the ones who are substantially boned can not turn as quick as a lighter boned sheltie...look at photos from even the early/mid 1900's...those dogs were extremely fine boned.

 

I got the mini Sheltie thing a lot with my Neechee. I don't get it so much with Bela, but I do get it. Neechee was a very petite 13 inches, and Bela is 14 inches. Neechee had such lightly boned body that he looked almost ethereal and even smaller than he should have been - he weighed a whopping 12 pounds. His little front feet were no bigger than a quarter.

Bela is medium-boned and only an inch in height taller, and weighs 20 pounds. But she has larger feet (about the size of half-dollar). Where Neechee looked dainty all over, Bela looks like a just-about-right dog - strong yet delicate.

But in obedience, size isn't an issue, so I never had any problems putting Neechee through the training and competing. He was a stubborn little cuss and had an outstanding work ethic. Enjoyed the heck out of training and showing.

I'm undecided on whether or not to start Bela on obedience training yet. She's learned a lot in her eight months with us, but mostly she had to just learn to be a house dog, with house manners and such, and how to connect and communicate with people. If she's not ready yet, she soon will be, as she seems to be getting ready to start making a move toward getting her ready for pre novice or Canine Good citizen. I just don't know how to start yet.

 

Yes they were. I think Ember's built resembles the look of early shelties, I think that is why the standard says light bone is a fault. However, the standard also doesn't tell us how much bone is ideal. I think the trend today to get these really heavy shelties with tons of bone.

Frankly I don't not think heavy bone is any more proper than light bone because the standard also says they should be sound, agile and sturdy. Agility is lost when the frame gets too heavy. The aim in my opinion is a moderate boned sheltie. The arguement will always be what is moderate.

I have seen people argue over the same dog who in my opinion is moderate. Some call him too heavy some call him too light. It depends on your point of view. Rachel and I have had this discussion many times.

Using my dogs as examples, I think Birch is quite moderate to heavy boned about as heavy as I would want my sheltie. His brother Leo is heavy bone, too heavy in my opinion. Rachel and alot of others think he is just right. Birch can out run and out manever Leo in every way possible. Leo turns like a tank and gets tired quicker. Diva and Ember are the opposite end of the spectum. While both are agile, Ember losses some of the sturdiness with her light frame.

Both ends of the extreme have disadvantages and moderation should be the goal.

 

Just to be clear here....what i'm seeing is Shelties that are so fine boned that their legs would snap. No way could these dogs herd!