Shetland Sheepdogs got their start in canine history in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. As their name would suggest, they were originally used as herding and guard dogs for flocks of sheep and fields of agriculture. Nowadays, however, most Shetland Sheepdogs serve as family and companion dogs. And great companions do they make. However, when considering what breed of dog to buy, size can play a big factor in the decision-making process. After all, you don’t want to forces a large dog into a cramped apartment for most of the day, right?
The Shetland Sheep dog is typically an average-sized dog, though there are bound to be some outliers. The average Shetland Sheepdog measures between thirteen and sixteen inches (33 to 40 cm) in height and weighs around 22 pounds (about 10 kg). This makes them have a not-too-overbearing presence if your living space is limited and larger than a smaller breed of dog if you want to avoid having a tiny lap dog. However, there are bound to be Shelties that are larger or smaller than this. For example, a large Sheltie can grow as big as 35 to 40 pounds (16 to 18 kg).
To find out more details about the growth of a Sheltie, read on. We have so much more to tell you when it comes to this beautiful breed.
Growth of Shetland Sheepdog
The growth of a Sheltie does not vary too widely. During the puppy phase the biggest a Sheltie will get will be around thirteen pounds (6 kg). Comparing this to their typical full-grown weight of around twenty pounds (10 kg) and that isn’t too big of a growth spurt.
Height-wise, a Sheltie is usually around 6.5 to 7 inches (16.5 to 17.5 cm) as a puppy (around 6 weeks old).
Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate and predicting the size of a Sheltie can be a tricky task at best, impossible at worst. But if your Sheltie grows at a normal rate and is at an average size and height when full-grown, you can expect them to grow at a rate similar to the one described above.
To get a better idea of the typical growth rate of a Shetland Sheepdog, let’s break it down:
| Age | Weight | Height |
|---|---|---|
| One Week | 0.3 to 1 pound (0.13 to 0.4 kg) | 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) |
| Two Weeks | 0.3 to 1 pound (0.13 to 0.4 kg) | 2 to 3.5 inches (5 to 8.9 cm) |
| Three Weeks | 0.5 to 1 pounds (0.2 to 0.4 kg) | 2.5 to 4.5 inches (6.4 to 11.4 cm) |
| Four Weeks | 0.5 to 2 pounds (0.2 to 0.9 kg) | 3 to 5.5 inches (7.6 to 13.9 cm) |
| Five Weeks | 1 to 3 pounds (0.4 to 1.4 kg) | 4.5 to 6.5 inches (11.4 to 16.5 cm) |
| Six Weeks | 3 to 4.5 pounds (1.4 to 2 kg) | 6.5 to 8 inches (16.5 to 20.3 cm) |
| Seven Weeks | 3 to 5 pounds (1.4 to 2.3 kg) | 7.5 to 8.5 inches (19 to 21.6 cm) |
| Eight Weeks | 3.5 to 5.5 pounds (1.6 to 2.5 kg) | 8 to 9.5 inches (20.3 to 24.1 cm) |
| Three Months | 6 to 9 pounds (2.7 to 4.1 kg) | 9.75 to 11.75 inches (24.8 to 29.8 cm) |
| Four Months | 9.5 to 13 pounds (4.3 to 5.9 kg) | 11 to 13.25 inches (27.9 to 33.7 cm) |
| Five Months | 8 to 16.5 pounds (3.6 to 7.5 kg) | 12 to 14.25 inches (30.4 to 36.2 cm) |
| Six Months | 8.5 to 19 pounds (3.9 to 8.6 kg) | 12.5 to 14.75 inches (31.8 to 37.5 cm) |
| Seven Months | 9 to 21.5 pounds (4.1 to 9.8 kg) | 12.75 to 15.25 inches (32.4 to 38.7 cm) |
| Eight Months | 9.25 to 21.5 pounds (4.2 to 9.8 kg) | 13 to 15.5 inches (33 to 39.4 cm) |
| Nine Months | 10 to 23.5 pounds (4.5 to 10.7 kg) | 13 to 15.75 inches (33 to 40 cm) |
| Ten Months | 11 to 25 pounds (4.9 to 11.3 kg) | 13 to 15.8 inches (33 to 40.1 cm) |
| Eleven Months | 12 to 26.5 pounds (5.4 to 12 kg) | 13 to 16 inches (33 to 40.6 cm) |
| Twelve Months | 13 to 27 pounds (5.9 to 12.2 kg) | 13 to 16 inches (33 to 40.6 cm) |
| Eighteen Months | 14 to 28 pounds (6.4 to 12.7 kg) | 13 to 16 inches (33 to 40.6 cm) |
At What Age is a Shetland Sheepdog Fully Grown?
Now that we have a pretty good idea of the growth rate of a Sheltie, it’s good to also know that age at which they typically stop growing. A Sheltie usually stops their growth spurt starting around 18 months.
However, some growth can still happen as late as 24 months. It really depends on the individual dog. After 2 years, though, it is a generally accepted thought that Shelties are done growing and are at their full adult height and weight.
Is a Shetland Sheepdog’s Size Right For You?
A Sheltie is classified as a small to medium-sized dog. Whether this is right for you depends on a couple things: your living space and, of course, your preference.
If you have a limited living space, a smaller dog will be a better fit for you. It’s never good to coop up a medium-sized or above dog in a small space for too long. A smaller dog will have an easier time dealing with smaller spaces.
If you are a person who loves giant dogs, perhaps the Sheltie is a bit on the small side for your liking. However, if you want a dog that isn’t a tiny, yippy lap dog and is also not a big, cumbersome bear of a dog, the Shetland Sheepdog’s size might be perfect for you.
Shetland Sheepdog Mixes – With Sizes
Shetland Sheepdog x American Eskimo = Eskland
The Eskland is typically 13 to 19 inches in height and weighs between 15 to 25 pounds, making it slightly smaller than its American Eskimo parents.
Shetland Sheepdog x Australian Shepherd = Shel-Aussie
The Shel-Aussie is usually between 16 to 23 inches in height, weighing in at 30 to 65 pounds. Their Australian Shepherd parents are only slightly bigger, most of the time sharing the same size.
Shetland Sheepdog x Beagle mix = Beagle Sheltie
The Beagle Sheltie rings in at 13 to 15 inches height-wise and 18 to 30 pounds in weight, making them very similar in size to their Beagle parents.
Shetland Sheepdog x Border Collie = Border Sheepdog
The Border Sheepdog comes in at a height of 16 to 22 inches and weighs about 25 to 42 pounds. This makes them the smaller counterparts of their Border Collie parents.
Shetland Sheepdog x Dachshund = Shethund
The Shethund boasts a modest 8 to 16 inches in height and weighs about 10 to 18 pounds. This is comparable to the small size of their Dachshund parents.
Shetland Sheepdog x German Shepherd = Sheltie Shepherd
The Sheltie Shepherd, measuring about 25 inches in height and weighing around 55 to 65 pounds, has a height advantage over its German Shepherd ancestors, but weighs significantly less.
Shetland Sheepdog x Golden Retriever = Golden Sheltie
The Golden Sheltie, measuring 16 to 20 inches in height and weighing about 30 to 55 pounds, comes in slightly below their Golden Retriever parents in size.
Shetland Sheepdog x Pembroke Welsh Corgi = Pembroke Sheltie
The Pembroke Sheltie measures 12 to 15 inches in height and about 14 to 30 pounds in weight. This makes them slightly taller than their Corgi parents but just about the same weight.
Shetland Sheepdog x Pomeranian = Poshies
Poshies, staying true to their tiny Pomeranian heritage, are about 9 to 15 inches tall and weigh about 5 to 25 pounds. Typically they are the same size as their Pomeranian parents, however, some can range a bit larger in size.
Shetland Sheepdog x Poodle = Sheltidoodle
The Shetidoodle is 14 to 19 inches tall and weighs about 30 to 50 pounds. Compared to their Standard Poodle parents, they are slightly shorter but significantly lighter.
Shetland Sheepdog x Pug = Sheltie Pug
The Sheltie Pug measures at between 12 to 18 inches in height and weighs about 15 to 25 pounds, making them larger, both in height and weight, than their Pug parents.
Shetland Sheepdog x ShibaInu = Sheltie Inu
The Sheltie Inu comes in at between 13 to 16 inches height-wise and 15 to 22 pounds weight-wise. This makes them roughly the same height and weight as their ShibaInu parents.
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Mike is the Founder of Familylifeshare. Mike is well-knowledged in marriage, parenting, dogs, blogging and committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with his readers. Know more about Mike from here.
