Is this right?

[Sarahandmybailey]

Hello! This is my first time posting on here so I apologize if I’m breif or to descriptive.. I brought home my pup at 4 months weighing 4.2 pounds. That was last year. She’s currently a 16 pound yapping bundle of joy! I’ve noticed when we’re in public people make comments about her fur and size. “Is she full grown? That’s it?” “I thought they were fluffy dogs” “why is she so small?”. This happens so often that I’ve began to question if she’s growing correctly. I keep her on a home made diet and she gets about 2 hours of intense play time at local parks. I’ll put up picture of her.. she’s about 1 1/2 years old. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2440517099298869&set=a.536946982989233&type=3

 

[Ann]

She looks pretty normal to me, Sarah, and welcome to the Forums! Some Shelties are on the smaller side, so 16 pounds is not unusual. Mine are all standard size and that ranges from 19 to 22 pounds so she's not far off.

Also, Shelties really don't get their full coat until they're 2 or even 3 years old, and a puppy coat blow always happens around a year. My 16 month-old is so naked at the moment she looks like a smooth collie. If you know your girl's lineage, ask her breeder about when her parents' coats came in. A great deal of coat growth, thickness etc. is genetic. They will also fill out more too as they mature.

All in all, I'd say don't worry and ignore the people asking questions who don't know the breed! We are always being asked if they're "miniature collies"!

 

[ghggp]

I totally agree with Ann. None of my shelties got a full and fluffy coat until they were around 2 or 3! Looks like you have a very petite little girl! She is very cute too!

Welcome, to Sheltie Nation!!

 

[corbinam]

Don't worry about it! Ann and Gloria are correct that all dogs are different, and most don't truly fill out until they are 2 or 3.

Also, I've found that the general public tends to think that my shelties are "too small" as well--but they are all in size (13-16"). In fact, two of mine are around 15.5" so they really couldn't be much taller and still fit the standard! I think people are used to seeing oversized shelties, or even thinking of collies when they say this.

Also, all dogs and pedigrees tend to carry different amounts of what we call "bone"-- it's what can make a 15" dog weigh 16lbs (like my girl) or 25lbs, and still be at the correct weight.

If your pup is healthy and happy don't worry about it!

 

[danisgoat]

Welcome to the Sheltie Forums! Shelties come in all sizes....your girl looks super healthy and happy. Her coat looks health, so I wouldn't worry to much. My Dandie is 9 and about 17 lbs.

 

[Sharon7]

Yep, we got Ally at 1.5 years and thought, "Wow, we'll have a shorter haired Sheltie", and then at age 3, she POOFED seemingly overnight and had the most amazingly full coat. Our other two didn't have such a dramatic change, theirs came in gradually so we didn't notice a big change. Your girl looks fine and pretty darn cute!!