Border Collie Size Chart – Growth & Weight Chart

It is perfectly normal for any dog parent who cares about their dog’s well-being to wonder about the development as they grow.

For this reason, we have developed a Border Collie size chart to help you track your Border Collie’s progress and understand if he is growing at a normal rate.

Border Collies are known to be dogs of superior intelligence, and they are also purebred dogs.  They hail from the Scottish borders and are sheepdogs.

They were initially bred for the purpose of herding livestock, so they take training quite well, and they can be obedient once properly trained.

By tracking your Border Collie’s height and weight, you can discover early signs and symptoms of possible issues with his health.

In this article we will cover the growth and development of your Border Collie as well as other pertinent information that you should know about this special breed.

When Do Border Collies Stop Growing?

For the most part, Border Collies will complete their growth when they are approximately 15 months old. Border Collies are a medium breed but some of them are a bit larger.

Larger Border Collies need at least 18 months before they completely fill out their chest. That said, most Border Collies will attain their full height when they are around 12 months old.

Even though they have attained their full height some dogs still have filling out to do. So they may increase their weight and muscle mass.

As a medium breed, most Border Collies will be finished growing at 15-18 months, and you can be sure that before a year is up they will not be fully grown.

The chart below will give you a reasonable estimate so that you can track your dog’s progress.

Border Collie Weight Chart

You will find that the following Border Collie size chart shows the size estimations for your Border Collie. You can place these estimations in comparison to your  Border Collie’s actual weight for his age.

The approximation listed can prove quite useful, but you need to understand that your dog growth is hinged upon a number of factors.

It may simply be because of your dog’s current nutrition, activity schedule, genetics, and natural metabolism.

Therefore you should use this chart as a frame of reference because you, more than anyone else, would be able to tell whether your dog is healthy based on observation.

The Border Collie growth chart columns will show your dog’s age as he grows.  It will also have the corresponding weight in pounds that you can expect.

Therefore, to use this chart you must have an accurate account of your dog’s age so that you can follow along with the chart.

It is not unheard of for some dogs to be outliers when they do not match up with the figures listed on a growth chart. If this is the case with your dog, you should not make a big deal of it.

It is more important to check with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog is healthy.

Border Collie Size Chart

Border Collie Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks 

Your Border Collie is now considered a newborn and is still undeveloped. There will be rapid weight gain for the first six weeks of his life.

His eyes will most likely be still closed, and he will depend on his mother to keep him warm and suckle him.

There will be a lot of sleeping taking place because the birthing process is not easy for most puppies. Border Collies usually give birth to between 4 and 8 puppies.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

At this time your Border Collie will continue to gain weight rapidly, but you can also expect swift changes. Your puppy will start to move around and to get to know his siblings and mother.

He will also be weaned during this time as he explores his surroundings. To make the weaning process easier you should be careful about how you introduce solid foods.

Spending time with their mother is perfectly normal as she would teach them vital skills. They will become more active as they get stronger.

4 Months – 9 Months 

You can expect that your Border Collie’s rapid weight gain in the previous weeks will now peter off somewhat. They usually gain a pound each week until they are 6 months old.

This is quite a lot slower than their younger stages. They should have a large appetite to supplement their energetic personality.

During this time you can expect the puppy teeth to turn into adult teeth as well as more pronounced motor skills. Signs of sexual maturity will also occur during the stage for a Border Collie.

10 Months – 18 Months 

During this time you can expect your Border Collie to reach their full physical size.  This does not mean that they won’t gain weight.

That depends on their nutrition and level of exercise. They should have all of their adult teeth at this point they would have upright ears with dropping tips.

Adult 

In adulthood, your Border Collie will have filled out quite nicely with no problem maintaining a healthy weight because they are energetic.

It is important that’you do not overfeed them because they could gain weight leading them to a host of unwanted conditions.

How Big Do Border Collies Get?

If you own a Border Collie you may be wondering about their ultimate weight in adulthood. It is no secret that dogs tend to grow differently even within the same dog breed. This is because development depends on a number of factors.

The most reliable way to find out their ultimate size would be to look at the parents since genetics affects size.

Simply speak to your  breeder who can give you information about your dog’s parents.

If you have adopted your dog from a shelter then this information may not be forthcoming, but there are other options.

You can do a DNA test which would help you find out if your Border Collie is indeed pure blooded.

If he is mixed then you would have to factor in the size of the other breed in your calculation. For example if he is mixed with a breed that is larger you know he may be a bit larger as well.

When your dog is a puppy, the head and paws tend to be a bit larger than the rest of the body.

If you look at your dog and realize that this is the case, then you know he has more growing to complete. The charts in this article are also helpful.

Male vs Female Border Collie Size Chart 

As with most other dog breeds, Border Collie males are slightly larger than females. In terms of height you can expect a male Border Collie to grow up to 22 inches.

However, fully grown  male Border Collies  can be expected to stand between 18 and 22 inches.

Even though males tend to be larger than females, remember this it’s not always the case since development depends  on a variety of conditions. The males will weigh between 45 and 52 lbs.

On the other hand, for females you can expect a total height of 16 to 20 inches. You may also notice that female Border Collies are thinner overall with athletic legs. The females usually weigh between 30 and 45 lb.

The withers is a  word that refers to the tallest point of a dog’s shoulder blades. This is the point that is used to measure your dog’s height.

The distance between the withers and the floor is what you need to measure. Place your dog in a position where he is standing straight and then use a measuring tape to get the distance between the floor and his withers in a perpendicular line.

Will Neutering/Spaying My Border Collie Affect His Growth?

Border Collies enter sexual maturity when they are six or seven months old. This is why you should wait at least 12 months before you make the decision to spay or neuter them.

This is especially important in the case of male Border Collies because testosterone is associated with his development.  So neutering before that time can cause major problems.

For female Border Collies it would be best to wait 12 months as well but keep her isolated from other dogs who may impregnate her.

This is because the first pregnancy is always rather tricky. For some dogs it is even quite dangerous.

That said, there are many advantages of spaying or neutering your dog. Preventing unwanted pregnancy is only one of them.

Some dogs tend to be more aggressive when they are not spayed or neutered. Other dogs may run away with the hope of finding a mate.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is in the best interest of your dog and also check with your veterinarian.

Australian Shepherd Vs Border Collie Size

Australian shepherds weigh a bit more than Border Collies. With Border Collie females you can expect a total height of 16 to 20 inches.

The females usually weigh between 30 and 45 lb. Fully grown male Border Collies  can be expected to stand between 18 and 22 inches. The males will weigh between 45 and 52 lbs.

Australian shepherds are more compact in their physique. Even though some of them may be a bit shorter they make up for it in length.

The females are approximately 18 to 21 inches tall why the males are around 20 to 23 inches. Females usually weigh between 40 and 55 lb while males are 50-65 lb.

Factors That Affect Border Collie Growth 

Genetics & Gender

Genetics and agenda definitely affect the growth of dogs. For a male dog it is actually quite a complicated process because testosterone affects their growth.

If this process is tampered with in any way it can lead to other problems. Females are also a bit smaller than the males.

The size of the parents determines the size of the children, so genetics plays a role in your dog’s ultimate size. Other traits are also passed down like temperament and propensity to certain diseases.

Nutrition 

The importance of good nutrition for your dog cannot be overstated. As the owner you should decide the best course of action when it comes to feeding your dog.

You can source a good kibble that lists a high quality protein as the first ingredient, or you can make your own dog food. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option.

Just make sure your dog gets enough protein and healthy fat to be able to develop properly. Your dog will need more protein and fat in their developmental stages than adulthood.

Physical Activity & Health 

Border Collies are energetic dogs and if they are not engaged in physical and mental exercise they could prove to be a handful.

When they are very young you can engage them in light exercise and play. This would be good for the muscles and bones. Exercise is also important for older puppies because Border Collies can get overweight rather quickly.

Being overweight can affect the joints and also lead to other conditions. One hour of walking every day should be fine for a Border Collie.

How Much To Feed A Growing Border Collie Puppy?

Border Collies were bred to help their owners herd cattle. This makes them the perfect  energetic companion.

However, they have been known to overeat and gain weight in their older years so play close attention to their diet all throughout their development.

As a puppy, you need to start with a smaller amount of food but make sure it is spread over four meals throughout the day.

As your dog gets older, you can increase the amount of food you give him so that as an adult he can receive around 3 cups of food per day.

However, you can gradually reduce the amount of times you feed him to once or twice per day.

How To Tell If Your Border Collie Is Underweight Or Overweight? 

You should look at your Border Collie from an aerial view as well as a profile view to gain an understanding about his weight.

If you look at him from above, and you see that his waist area ( right under his belly) there is a noticeable sink when he may be underweight. However, if there is a bulge then he may be overweight.

You can also run your hands along his rib cage and if you are able to easily feel his ribs than he may be too thin. On the other hand, if you are an able to feel his ribs then he may be overweight.

It is a good practice to take your dog for regular checkups in order to find out if he is in good health.

What Are The Most Common Conditions To Be Aware Of In Growing Border Collie Puppies?

Because Border Collies are purebred dogs they tend to suffer from a few genetic health problems. These may include epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and osteochondritis dissecans.

Osteochondritis dissecans – this is a condition caused by rapid growth during your dog’s development so that the joint cartilage is unable to connect properly to the bone.

This is why diet is important so that your dog can grow at the appropriate speed.

Hip dysplasia also occurs when your puppy grows too quickly and surgery may be needed to correct the problem. Epilepsy may require medication from your veterinarian.

Do Border Collies Experience Growing Pain?

Growing pain or the medical term Panosteitis, is a painful condition where your dog’s legs become lame or painful to the touch.

It usually happens with more than one limb at a time and without warning or history of the condition.

It usually affects large breed dogs but Border Collies are not excluded even though they are medium-sized dogs. This may be because some Border Collies have growth spurts throughout their development.

Scientists do not know the cause of this condition, but they speculate that genetics and autoimmune components may have something to do with it.

If you notice that your developing Border Collie is experiencing unexplained limping then visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.

What To Do If My Border Collie Is Not The Right Weight?

You should know by now that your puppy’s growth should be understood in terms of his specific situation.

Dogs grow at different rates so understanding if your Border Collie is not the right weight should be confirmed with your veterinarian.

You should also see visible signs of being underweight or overweight by using the methods we have outlined in this article.

When using the charts and methods of calculation you should always leave a bit of room for error. While it is difficult to say definitively the right and exact weight your dog should be.

It should not be absurdly far off. Always check with your veterinarian if you are unsure about anything related to the health of your Border Collie.

How To Help Your Border Collie Lose Weight If He Is Overweight?

Border Collie seniors and adults tend to gain weight a lot faster than developing puppies. You should avoid an overweight Border Collie at all cost.

An overweight dog is almost always due to diet. It happens when you overfeed your dog and do not engage him in regular exercise. Your Border Collie will adapt to this abundance of diet and gain weight as a result.

To help your Border Collie gain weight you should reduce the amount you give him at meal times.

This is the most obvious answer, but you should also stop feeding him table scraps and reduce the amount of treats he gets. You can also gradually increase his exercise and playtime.

You can begin with short walks and gradually increase this as he begins to get more energy.

How To Properly Weight My Border Collie?

In order to track your dog’s progress throughout his development, it is a good practice to measure his weight throughout the lifespan.

You need to know if your dog is hitting the developmental milestones in comparison to other dogs of the same breed.

It is not difficult to measure your dog. When your dog is young enough you can simply place him on the scale and record his weight.

However, things gets a bit tricky when he is older and unable to fit on the scale.

To remedy this, you simply need to take your weight measurement while standing on the scale alone. Then you need to take a weight measurement while you are holding your dog on the scale.

The difference between these two measurements will be your dog’s weight. This method is less accurate than simply placing him on the scale alone.

Border Collie Genetics And Common Health Problems

Generally Border Collies are healthy, but they are known to suffer from a few health problems.  The most common health issues are collie eye anomaly, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, lens luxation, and progressive retinal atrophy.

There are also a few hereditary disorders like neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and intestinal cobalamin malabsorption.

They may also suffer from deafness as well. Breeders should not mate the Border Collies with genetic issues.

Border Collies can also suffer from less common conditions like diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, osteochondritis, juvenile cataracts, and hypothyroidism.

Final Words

Border Collies on medium-sized dogs, but they tend to be very energetic, so you need  adequate space to accommodate them.

Their superior intelligence only makes this more important as they may get up to mischief if not properly trained.

The best time to begin training your Border Collie is as soon as he gets home.  You will notice him looking at you for instruction about how to behave and how to please you.

These dogs are highly intelligent and quick on their feet .  In fact Border Collies are documented to be the smartest dog breed.

Remember that they have a brilliant work ethic from their working days on the sheep farm.  So allow them to make your life easier by implementing  proper training.