What is a healthy Sheltie weight?

[BarbV]

Brighid is just a shade under 16 inches and weighs 27 pounds. She has an extra pound or so on her but her Vet says that she would have no problem if she stayed at that weight for the rest of her life. He also advises that "weight creep" is a common battle with Shelties. She is described as being of a large frame as compared to some others. I see that as well. Many other Shelties that cross our paths appear to be of a more delicate frame than our girl. In her Agility classes, she is among the most energetic of our group.

Yes, that was pretty much what the vet said about Indy, even at 26 lbs. It's ok for now but should not inch up further. And she did caution about weight creep as well.

In both cases, I can feel their ribs. And with Indy falling off the dock two weeks ago, I got the opportunity to see him weight. He's alot slimmer than he looks! He's just got really fluffy fur!

I'm happy with Bacca's weight. He is a bigger boned Sheltie, long and lean. But I think I'm going to cut back a little on Indy. He's the hard one, because he is my piglet!

 

[corbinam]

It's definitely interesting as not only are all shelties different heights, weights and builds, but they also have different dietary needs.

For instance, at one point Bentley weighed 24 lbs (he's 15") which was definitely on the chubby side for him. Since we began agility we have gotten him down to 18lbs which is ideal. However, we now only feed 1/4 cup of food twice a day. Of course we add treats in there, too, but I know other shelties that eat a cup a day--it totally depends on the dog, their metabolism, etc...

Just like people, I guess

 

[ruckusluvr]

Lynn 1 1/2 cups a day
Ruckus 2 cups a day

 

[Phebe*DD]

Lynn 1 1/2 cups a day
Ruckus 2 cups a day

Thanks for sharing that. I was starting to think that Phebe was some kind of pig. She gets 1-1/2 cups of TOTW, plus a few treats.

She's 7 months now, 17 inches at the shoulder and weighed 20.2 lbs last week at the vet. She's by no means heavy. In fact, I was a bit concerned that she might be slightly underweight, but our vet assured me that she's just right for her height and build.

Now that she's been spayed, I'll continue to watch her because I want to keep her weight just right for agility.

 

[ruckusluvr]

yeah, i honestly just do what the dog food bag says to. it has how much to feed by weight. but if i see any trouble being too fat or too skinny i will add more or take away some.

lynn gets more than the bag says. she is very energetic and burns it off. Ruckus gets a little less. he is pretty lazy

 

[Caro]

Tully is 13" and 6.2kg (13.7lb) while Deska is 16 3/4" and is double Tully's weight 12.4kg (27lb). But Tully is a very petite build whereas Deska is stocky with a very long body. Tully is also a pocket rocket so eats the same as Deska. I weigh both mine each month at the local vet and he said they are both good weights. Because I put Deska on a diet last year the vet was good at estimating weights for the dogs - he suggested 25lb was as low as Deska should go and when Tully was 13lb thought she was a tad underweight.

Deska has such a thick undercoat that in winter it is next to impossible to feel through it or to see his shape - he looks like a big cotton fluff ball. In winter my vet checks the fat around his shoulders and tuck and around the kidneys rather than ribs.

 

[bonnie brea]

Brea is 4 years old about 17 inches heavy boned (according to the vet) and is very food driven loves everything. He weighs 28 lbs and that is too much. He is also herding and the instructor says take some weight off. He is on less than a cup a day with carrots for treats my husband thinks I am cruel for only giving him that much food, but then he is overweight too sooo go figure that one. I am considering trying new dog food I swear this dog gains weight just thinking about food (which is all of the time) My mission is to have a happy healthy dog that is my responsibility. I would like to hear of a dog food that is healthy perhaps with no grains as additive. He is currentley on nature's choice. He loves herding and is very good at it. I love it too fascinating to watch the herding instink come out having fun with it and sooo is Brea

 

[Aztec]

Aztec is 18inches tall, and 28lbs. We just took him down from 30lbs...which was kind of chunky for him.

Laika is 18 inches tall, and 27 pounds - yet she seems very thin. I think it is how her weight is distributed.

Both dogs get one cup of dog food. Aztec gets frozen green beans with his, Laika gets broth or wet dog food with hers.

 

[k9kreationz]

BarbV, I think Sadie is pretty close in size and height to Bacca, she's 17.5" tall, weighs 23 lbs and is on the long side. My vet told me that her body weight was ideal when she was 21 lbs, and now that she's gone up to 23 lbs that she shouldn't gain any more weight. I can just barely feel her ribs. Sadie's breeder feels that Sadie is at her ideal body weight now, although I think I'd prefer if she was a pound or two less. She does not look fat and has lots of energy, either way.

I'd say Koji falls into this category with Sadie and Bacca. He's 17" (or so) and right now is at 23lbs. Vet said he'd be better at 20-21lbs. He's tall, lean, and long.

Which got me thinking. We should measure the LENGTH of the dog and maybe the circumference of their ribcage too.

I have to find some pics and post them.

Miko is 15.5". Last weigh-in, he was 21lbs. You can't really feel his ribs, but you can feel his spine. You can a definite waistline. But when you pick up Koji, he FEELS lighter. Less "dense" (maybe more in the head though) I guess. Miko reminds me of our neighbors bulldogs. Small, but solid. Miko feels solid, even though he's not large-boned or anything. His brother was bigger boned than him and he weighed 34lbs. And nope, he wasn't overweight either. He was in fact, trim.

Koji reminds me of a coyote pup. Long-legged, thin, long bodied.

I'll have to get photos of Miko and his brother. I always crack up at the photo because they look nothing like each other (but in fact, Miko looks like his mom and brother Boogie looks like Dad).

Lastly, I realized when it comes to food, for my guys, wow. They don't need a lot. and they can gain if I give them a bit over. We feed EVO chicken. Miko gets 2/3c a day. Koji gets 1c, but I need to cut that back, maybe to 3/4, that or I need to run him more. I think running him may be a good bet.

Glad to hear that my babies aren't massively overweight. From reading the threads here, I'm thinking they're normal.

 

[ruckusluvr]

I am not understanding how mine seem so much heavier than everyone elses! the vet thinks that they are at a healthy weight, i just think its funny.

Lynn 17 inches and 32lbs
Ruckus 20 inches and 45lbs

go figure!
I know no one has a sheltie as tall as Ruckus though (yes he is full blooded, i know his parents) but I know you guys have 17 inchers.