Measuring a Sheltie for growth

BarbV said:
I had the same question a few weeks back!

Bacca is 5 months old and measures about 13 inches....I added an additional inch because I wasn't sure where the top of the shoulder was) :confused2:
If I read the chart right, this would put him in standard range but it does not really tell me how big he will grow. Compared to Timber, Bacca is a big bruiser! I can imagine him turning into a hulking 35 pounder (please, no! :-)

Can someone help interpret the charts? Thanks much!
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To find his withers: Go up from his front legs. Feel his shoulder blades? There will be a dip between them (just like with a person). That's his withers.

If you measure him every week, on the same day of the week, for a couple of weeks (or longer), you'll be able to tell about how big he'll be.
 
If it helps any, my guy was similar in size to yours. At 10 weeks, he was 10 inches. At 13.5 weeks he was 10.75 inches. At 20 weeks he was about 13 inches. Now at 7 months he is at 14.5 inches. I'm assuming he wont grow much taller than this full grown....maybe 15 inches. So at least according to my experience, the charts are pretty accurate.
 
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I've measured him again now that I have a better idea as to where the whithers actually are. I was wrong on my first assessment. While his weight is within range (even though he eats like a horse), he's on the tall size.

So, I expect Bacca will definitely be over-size. I expected that but was hoping it would not turn out. Timber was so delicate. He never got beyond 14 inches and never weighed more than 20 lbs at his fattest!

Bacca is big-boned boy and a tough-guy, whereas Timber was totally effiminate :winkgrin: Bacca likes to push around, while Timber loved to just look cute and be a lap dog!

Oh, well! I love them both anyway for themselves.
 
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