Border Collies are medium-sized dogs known for being smart, agile, and athletic, and if you are interested in owning one, it is good to be familiar with their growth and weight chart to see if you can handle them.
With the aid of a Border Collie growth chart, potential and current owners of this shepherd dog will be guided accordingly in terms of what to expect from their Border Collie puppies as they steadily grow into adult dogs.
This article aims to provide a complete understanding of the Border Collie’s weight and height standards through its different life stages. Being aware of this should also give you an idea of how to support this breed effectively.
Border Collie Growth and Weight Chart by Age
The Border Collie is classified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a medium-sized breed. However, there are larger Border Collies that almost weigh the same as other large dogs.
The Border Collie’s athleticism and endurance also give it a hard and muscular body, which adds to its current weight. As you go through the Border Collie growth chart, keep in mind that each dog is different.
Further, a lot of factors come into play when monitoring Border Collie’s weight, such as genetics, bloodlines, health status, gender, and how much food it consumes.
Hence, even though the Border Collie weight chart shows you the average weight range based on the Border Collie’s age, slight variations in your dog’s weight should not make you worry too much.
Additionally, certain developmental stages or events in your puppies’ bodies may also create some fluctuations in their weight that should not cause too much concern.
As an experienced breeder of multiple breeds, including the Border Collie, I have experienced this huge loss of weight within the first 24 hours of the puppies’s lives, which is normal for the entire litter.
The first time I encountered this, I was a bit concerned and had to consult with my veterinarian. However, she mentioned that these are merely water weight, and they should be able to gain weight again as they nurse from their mothers immediately.
Here is the growth chart for Border Collies in their various life stages:
| Age | Male Weight | Female Weight |
| 2 months old | 5–10 lbs (2.5–4.5 kg) | 4–8 lbs (2–3.5 kg) |
| 3 months old | 10–15 lbs (4.5–7 kg) | 8–12 lbs (3.5–5.5 kg) |
| 4 months old | 13–18 lbs (6–8 kg) | 11–16 lbs (5–7.5 kg) |
| 5 months old | 17–22 lbs (7.5–10 kg) | 15–20 lbs (7–9 kg) |
| 6 months old | 20–25 lbs (9–11.5 kg) | 18–22 lbs (8–10 kg) |
| 7 months old | 23–28 lbs (10.5–12.5 kg) | 20–25 lbs (9–11.5 kg) |
| 8 months old | 28–33 lbs (12.5–15 kg) | 23–28 lbs (10.5–12.5 kg) |
| 9 months old | 30–35 lbs (13.5–16 kg) | 25–30 lbs (11.5–13.5 kg) |
| 10 months old | 30–40 lbs (13.5–18 kg) | 28–32 lbs (12.5–14.5 kg) |
| 11 months old | 35–40 lbs (16–18 kg) | 30–40 lbs (13.5–18 kg) |
| 12 months old | 35–45 lbs (16–20.5 kg) | 30–45 lbs (13.5–20.5 kg) |
| Fully grown | 40–55 lbs (18–25 kg) | 30–45 lbs (13.5–20.5 kg) |
Based on the Border Collie puppy growth chart, male Border Collies are heavier than female Border Collies. Meanwhile, female Border Collies physically mature earlier than male Border Collies.
This Border Collie weight chart measures the healthy weight range in Border Collie puppies and adults based on the dog’s age.
However, if your Border Collie’s current weight is too far from the dog’s ideal weight, it is best to seek veterinary advice to determine what is slowing down your Border Collie puppy’s growth.
An exception may be if your Border Collies are categorized as miniature. These small Border Collies may have their own miniature Border Collie puppy growth chart and should be regularly checked by your vet.
At What Age Are Border Collies Fully Grown?
Border Collies stop growing when they reach 15 months of age. However, larger adult Border Collies sometimes take up to 18 months for their bone density, muscle mass, and chest size to fully develop.
On the other hand, a Border Collie may reach its adult size or height by the time it is 12 months old, as indicated in the Border Collie size charts.
Border Collies have a relatively long lifespan, which is around 12 to 17 years. Females Collies reach adulthood at around 24 months, while it takes 36 months for adult male Border Collies to be considered as such.
Further, a Border Collie size chart will also show you how fast Border Collie puppies grow in their first year. Hence, it is essential to keep monitoring their development from their average birth weight until they become adults.
How Big Do Full-Grown Border Collies Get?
A full-grown male Border Collie’s weight ranges between 40 and 55 pounds, while a female Border Collie weighs around 30 to 45 pounds.
On the other hand, a female Border Collie stands at 19 to 22 inches, while a male adult Border Collie grows to about 18 to 21 inches tall. The length of both full-grown Border Collie genders is between 28 and 34 inches.
Being aware of the ideal full-grown Border Collie’s size should now give you an idea of whether your Border Collie is in the healthy weight and size range.
Further, being very active dogs, it is important to monitor the weight of Border Collies closely to ensure that the calories they burn are replaced to adequately support their body’s need for growth and development.
On the other hand, if Border Collie puppies grow too quickly, they may also be at risk for certain conditions, such as hip dysplasia.
If the current weights of your Border Collies fall way below or drastically above the given ranges, it would be wise to bring your dog to the vet to assess what is wrong with your dog’s weight.
Additionally, securing pet insurance for your Border Collie will keep you worry-free from any medical emergencies that may hamper your dog from achieving a healthy weight gain and reaching its optimum size.
How Do I Know How Big My Border Collie Will Get?
Most Border Collies should have reached their adult size or height by their first year and their weight at around 15 to 18 months.
However, many pet owners continue to ask, “How big will my Border Collie weigh?” before reaching their Border Collie’s adult dog stage.
Hence, aside from relying on a Border Collie size chart and growth and weight chart, some owners use a puppy weight calculator to predict how big their Border Collie will grow.
However, using a Border Collie weight calculator will just provide estimates, and the actual outcome would still depend on a lot of factors that would possibly affect the potential weight gain of the Border Collie puppy.
Another technique that dog owners use to determine the full-grown Border Collie size is by looking at the paw size. If the puppy’s feet seem too big for its body, there is more room for the Border Collie puppy’s growth.
Further, some would apply the 16-week rule, wherein if a puppy has turned 16 weeks, it would have reached half its weight. In this case, doubling the current weight would yield a close estimate of the dog’s adult weight.
For breeds without folds like Border Collies, the loose skin method may also be applied where you pinch the skin of your Border Collie puppy. The more loose skin it has, the more room it has for growth.
Lastly, it is a good practice to always ask the breeder of your Border Collie puppy for you to view its parents.
Since genetics play a major role in the size of dogs, knowing how big the parents are and their past litter will give you an accurate estimate of how big your Border Collie puppy will grow further.
Border Collie Growth and Development by Age (With Pictures)
A newborn Border Collie will undergo a lot of different growth stages, especially during its first year of life. This medium-sized dog will also need all the support it needs to develop and grow properly month after month.
As we go through these Border Collie life stages, keep in mind that this is also a good chance to spot any behaviors that need to be improved in our pets so they don’t carry them into adulthood.
8-Week-Old Border Collie
At this stage, Border Collie puppies start to explore and be curious about their environment.
Early socialization training may be done as they try to wander away from their mother and start to interact with their siblings and other pets.
In terms of food, they are also starting to be weaned off their mother’s milk and be given semi-solid dog food. Expect their weight to increase rapidly during this period. They should also be four times their birth weight already.
12-Week-Old Border Collie
As your Border Collie puppy explores more, it now tries to learn and familiarize itself with the different sounds and smells in its environment. They also try to check their boundaries at this stage.
Socialization skills are developing more at this stage, and they should be guided properly to get the best results.
Since they are also starting to develop their habits during this time, it will be good to introduce regular brushing, tooth brushing, and nail trimming so they will be comfortable with these practices sooner.
16-Week-Old Border Collie
At 16 weeks, Border Collie pups enter the juvenile period. They gain around a pound per week until they reach six months of age.
They also begin to lose their baby teeth and be replaced with adult teeth. Further, their motor skills develop more during this period. Their energy levels increase, which makes them more active.
During this high-energy phase, it becomes critical to support their fast metabolism and insatiable hunger with the right amount of high-quality dog food to prevent them from being underweight.
6-Month-Old Border Collie
During this period, the Border Collie is almost near its full adult height, and its appearance starts transitioning from being a puppy into an adult dog.
At this stage, all their puppy teeth have already been replaced with a full set of adult teeth. Their ears should already be upright, with the tips dropping forward.
As they enter the adolescent stage, their energy levels and metabolism rates are also at their peak. The female Border Collie starts with its first estrous cycle as well.
Another noticeable trait of the Border Collie breed at this age is that they start to blend more with other animals in the pack, indicative of their shepherding characteristic.
9-Month-Old Border Collie
The Border Collie is now much closer to adulthood and will look much leaner as its weight gain starts to decrease significantly.
Signs of sexual maturity also manifest during this stage for both male and female Border Collies. Further, given the traits of this breed, they continue to be very active and hypermetabolic.
Hence, a high-caloric food intake should be ideal for supporting their energy requirements.
12-Month-Old Border Collie (Fully Grown)
As your Border Collie reaches a year old, it has already reached its full adult height but will continue to gain weight up to about 18 months old. Their coat colors and shiny fur become more distinct as well.
Although they are still very energetic dogs due to their nature, they already behave more like adults instead of puppies.
Their adult weight should also be quite easy to maintain with a proper feeding regimen. They will just continue to put on weight slowly until they reach their fullest size.
As you go through these different development stages, it is critical that you also partner with your vet closely, especially for the vaccination and deworming needs that are needed for it to continue being a healthy dog.
Meanwhile, here is a video of a day in the life of seven-week-old Border Collie puppies:
Frequently Asked Questions
How Big Should a 6-Month-Old Border Collie Be?
Many border Collies would weigh above 20 pounds at six months of age. Male Border Collies should weigh around 20 to 25 pounds, while females should be at about 18 to 22 pounds.
Given that Border Collies are expected to reach their full height of 18 to 22 inches as they reach one year, you should expect that they would still grow a few more inches during this time.
How Does Neutering/Spaying Affect My Border Collie’s Growth?
Sexual maturity starts in Border Collies when they reach about seven months old, so it is recommended to wait until they become 12 months old before spaying or neutering them.
If these surgeries are done before the Border Collie reaches sexual maturity, growth will be affected since the growth plates have not yet fully developed, leading to joint issues or excessive height in the future.
What Weight Is Overweight for a Border Collie?
Following the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention standards, a Border Collie above 10% to 20% of its ideal weight for its age is considered overweight, with those exceeding 20% categorized as obese.
Hence, considering the full-grown adult weight of Border Collies, males would be overweight if they fall between 44 and 60.5 pounds. Similarly, females would be considered overweight if they weigh approximately 33 to 49.5 pounds.
The Border Collie body condition score or BCS is another way to determine overweightedness in dogs. Based on their appearance, a score of four on a 5-point scale and a six on a 9-point scale is considered overweight.
If your Border Collies are tagged as overweight or obese, gradually reduce their food intake and give them enough exercise to refrain them from putting on too much weight.
What Size Crate Does a Border Collie Need?
A crate size of 42 inches is recommended for a Border Collie, which should give them more room, given how active this breed is. However, if you find this a little large, you may switch to a 36-inch dog crate instead.
These crates may cost you around $50 to $370, depending on the quality and the size of the crate you buy. This is just one of the costs you must consider when owning a Border Collie.
Final Thoughts
Border Collies are smart, friendly, and hard-working dogs with definite needs to sustain their energetic lifestyles and developmental growth.
Hence, it is necessary to closely watch your Border Collies’ growth curves and ensure that it is provided proper nutrition and veterinary support to reach its optimal full-grown weight and height.
Further, as Border Collies reach their developmental stage milestones, it is also essential to mold their behaviors so that unwanted traits can be curbed before they become harder to correct during adulthood.
If you have experience monitoring your Border Collie’s development using the growth and weight chart, we would love to hear your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
