This probably sounds a bit of a daft question but here goes:

I have identified a litter from a breeder of sheltie pups.  They were born two weeks ago and I have seen photos, they are all sable and mum looks gorgeous in the pictures.

I have arranged to see them in a week's time but yesterday the breeder told me - when I asked - that mum is one inch shorter than the standard and therefore too small for showing.  Dad is a well known stud dog.

I do actually want to dabble in showing (I have always had rescue dogs as have been working but am retiring).  I would imagine that there is a strong chance that the puppies (all bitches) will be small too.  I don't know  how it works - sorry I am a bit dim as I know nothing about breeding lines.  I do know that the parents have long pedigrees.

I am thinking of looking around some more - or may the puppies not necessarily be small?

Thanks for any help you can give!

Snowflake

the whole thing is always a gamble. no one can predict how big they may grow. certainly in my breed- schnauzers they can grow much too tall if fed too long on puppy food! i would ask advise from well known breeders or from a breed club. you may have to ask yourself why they bred from a bitch that was too small? i would think the pups could only go as 'pets' and not show dogs but i would def seek advise from someone who shows first.

Unless very poorly reared, size and substance are genetic AFAIK.  If the dog and bitch are suited for size then ideally there should not have been a huge difference between them, i.e. if a smaller bitch were mated to a dog on the smaller scale then pups would be more likely to be mid range of parents.  Using a much larger animal of either gender doesn't produce mid-range sizes, but extremes of both.

If this is specifically a show puppy the best information will be available via the local breed club on what litters are available or planned in the near future and you'll be able to find out directly from those on any lists whether there is a waiting list for their litters, what your chances are of getting a pick of bitches that shows potential for the ring etc.

As this will be a member of your family for 10-15 years, it's well worth doing your homework and waiting for the ideal puppy :)

HTH, Teri

I mated my bitch who was just inside the lower height range, to a larger dog who was just inside the top height range.  We got some stunning puppies.  Five bitches who all were bigger than the Mum and 4 dogs, 3 were all as big as the Dad.
I suppose though it could quite easily have been the other way round and taken after the Mum.

Sara - that's interesting what you say about schnauzers growing too tall.  My 18 month male mini schnauzer is a good couple of inches too tall.  He was on puppy food until he was 1.  I also think I may have walked him too much when he was a puppy, having read some other threads on here.

Just a quick question related to the schnauzer that grew too tall, when should a stafford be taken off puppy food and put onto either adult or junior?
Our girl grew a little tall and she was kept on puppy till she was about 10 months, do you think it could be related?

not sure about other breeds so do ask the breeder, thats the best way but i was told to stop puppy food at 6 months as the puppy companies just want you to spend more money for longer- puppy food is obv more expensive! it also hypers them up due to high protein content so many dogs calm down once put on adult food.

just because mum is a tad small doesnt necessarily mean the pups  will be. Sheltie breeders that i know weigh the pups weekly and from the results  and their experience can tell at 8 weeks if the pup will be too small , too big ,for showing.