So, you are thinking of getting a border collie puppy! Who doesn’t just love puppies, all cute, fluffy, and adorable? The border collie is an intelligent, easily trained, and super athletic dog.
Border collie puppies can make you laugh with their antics, but can also be a handful at times and adult dogs of any kind can be a nightmare, if not properly trained.
Regardless of how darn cute they are, border collies start out tiny but grow pretty quickly as is the nature of all puppies. With the messiness and frustration of raising a puppy, you’ll wonder where the time went when you look, and suddenly see your border collie, all grown up!
Contained in this post will be information on border collie puppies. I will also include border collie growth stages and a border collie puppy feeding chart.
For your dog’s vitamin supplement, dog food, dog toys, or other dogs product please visit the Health Extension website
Border Collies and Puppies
The border collie is a strong, agile, and athletic breed, but moves with grace and speed. They can change direction quickly and do not miss movement even if it’s brief.
These dogs are not for the faint of heart or for those who aren’t movers and shakers because it’s pretty hard to tire this collie out!
The border collie was developed over much of a century in Great Britain for herding sheep.
These dogs can herd with just a stare by their penetrating eyes and have sheep obeying with sheer intimidation. They may nip a bit of bark to herd but rely mostly on the “stare.”
When border collies came to the United States, shepherds were stunned by their quick herding ability, intelligence, trainability, and obedience.
Today, they still herd sheep, compete winningly in agility competitions, and obedience trials and make loving and loyal family dogs for the active pack.
Before considering a border collie, make sure you and your family have the stamina for this wonderful breed that does require much daily exercise and games to satisfy both their mental and physical needs.
To check your Border Collies’ health status or their DNA checks, please visit the Embark vet website for all the help you may need.
Border Collie Puppy Growth Chart
The average height of an adult border collie ranges from 18 inches to 23 inches and the average weight can be from 30lbs. – 45lbs however, a 12-month-old border collie, considered as a medium-sized dog, can weigh as little as 26lbs or as much as 52lbs.
Below is a growth chart with the ages and weights of the border collie which are averages. The females will be smaller than the males.
| Border Collie Puppy ages | weight in a pound (Ib) | weight in Kilogram(Kg) |
| 8 Weeks | 4lbs – 8lbs | 1.81kg – 3.63 kg |
| 9 Weeks | 4.5lbs – 9lbs | 2.04 kg – 4.08kg |
| 10 Weeks | 5lbs. – 10lbs | 2.27kg -4.54kg |
| 11 Weeks | 5.5lbs. – 11lbs. | 2.5kg – 5kg |
| 12 Weeks | 6lbs – 12lbs. | 2.72kg – 4.44kg |
| 13 Weeks | 6.5lbs. – 13lbs. | 2.95kg – 5.9kg |
| 14 Weeks | 7lbs. – 14lbs. | 3.18kg – 6.35kg |
| 15 Weeks | 7.5lbs. – 15lbs. | 3.4kg – 6.80 kg |
| 16 Weeks | 8lbs. – 16lbs. | 3.63kg – 7.26kg |
| 5 Months | 11lbs. – 22lbs. | 5kg – 10kg |
| 6 Months | 13lbs. – 26lbs. | 5.9kg – 11.79kg |
| 7 Months | 15lbs. 30lbs. | 6.8 kg – 13.60kg |
| 8 Months | 17.5lbs. – 35lbs. | 7.94kg – 18.88kg |
| 9 Months | 19.5lbs. – 39lbs. | 8.85kg – 17.69kg |
| 10 Months | 21.5lbs. – 43lbs. | 9.75kg – 19.50kg |
| 11 Months | 24lbs. – 48lbs. | 10.89kg – 21.77kg |
| 12 Months | 26lbs. – 52lbs. | 11.79kg – 23.59kg |
Border Collie Growth Stages
A female border collie can have four to eight puppies in a litter at birth. Your job will be to choose just one! Below are the various border collie growth stages.
- Newborn
A newborn border collie may weigh from 7ozs. – 140zs. On the first day, they may lose some weight in water, but from then on, begin to gradually gain weight. They are also blind, deaf, and have no teeth at birth.
- 0- 3 Weeks
This is known as the neonatal period with puppies having doubled their weight after the first week. The puppies will sleep most of the time and rely on their mother for milk and warmth as they continue to develop.
- 2 – 4 Weeks
Border collie puppies will open their eyes in week two, hear, stand and begin to walk. By four weeks, they will try solid food, but still, drink mother’s milk. They will begin to explore their world., playing with littermates. This is their transitional period.
- 4 – 12 Weeks
Your border collie will become less dependent on its mother’s milk, eating more solid foods.
This is your puppy’s socialization period and they should be getting introduced at the breeders to other people and dogs.
In this period, you will be taking your border collie to its new home, for about 8 weeks. Socialization should continue and training can start with the basics. In the fifth, sixth, and ninth weeks, certain vaccinations will be needed.
They will receive some when they are still at the breeder’s and you will need to continue with veterinary check-ups as well. By six weeks their weight will have multiplied by four!
- 3 – 6 Months
In this period, training should continue in a more upscale way. This period is called the “juvenile” period and your pup may begin to test you. Rules should be put in place and consistency is needed.
Border collie puppies will also slow down on the weight gain, which won’t be as rapid, but they will still have a voracious appetite because energy levels are so high.
Do not overfeed. They will eat as much as you give them and lead to an overweight dog. Their baby teeth will transition to adult teeth during this period as well.
- 6 – 16 Months
Male border collies will become sexually mature at seven months, while females may come into heat around six months.
They are still too young for breeding if you are considering this, but, if not, it’s a good time to speak with your veterinarian about spaying or neutering.
By this time, your border collie will have a powerful bond with you and your family, their “pack.”
- 16 – 36 Months
Your border collie may grow a little more during this time. They will be extremely active, but use care not to overfeed or offer too many snacks. An overweight pup is an unhealthy pup.
By 24 months, your female border collie is considered an adult, but if you have a male, they will not be a full-fledged adult until 36 months.
Border Collie Feeding Chart
Your border collie puppy will need good nutrition from puppyhood to adulthood and beyond. They need a high-quality diet with just the right vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to ensure they grow properly.
If your breeder has provided them with such food and they are thriving, there is no need to change foods.
If for some reason you do wish to switch foods, wait about a month and then do so gradually by mixing the new with the old and slowly increasing the new and diminishing the old.
When you bring your puppy to his/her new home, there will be far too many things to get used to, so switching foods at this time may “upset the apple cart.”
Choices for food can be kibble, canned food, a homemade diet, or a raw diet. The winner will ultimately be what is healthy and works best for both your puppy, you, and your wallet.
A big question is how much do I feed my border collie puppy? Below is a border collie puppy feeding chart to help.
| Border Collie Puppies Ages | Feeding by Cups |
| 1, 1/2 – 3 Months | 1,1/4 Cup- 3, 2/3 Cups |
| 3 – 5 Months | 2, 1/4 Cups- 4, 1/3 Cups |
| 5 – 7 Months | 3 Cups – 4, 1/2 Cups |
| 7 Months and up | 3 Cups – 4, 1/4 Cups |
If you are wondering how many times a day to feed your pup, it is found below.
| Border Collie Puppies Ages | Feeding times pay a day |
| 8 weeks | 4 times a day |
| 12 weeks | 3 times a day |
| 16 weeks | 2 times a day |
| 6 months and up to | 2 times a day |
The total amount of food for your border collie’s age that they should receive each day should be divided into the number of times they are to be fed.
Border collie pups and adults will not be so ravenous if they have a few meals a day, but again, keep in mind that puppies always seem hungry.
Do not overfeed or let them indulge in too many treats, This can cause excess weight gain, putting strain on puppies still developing bones and joints.
If your puppy or adult collie eats too fast, puzzle bowls are available to help them eat slower.
As you can see, “it takes a village” to raise a puppy! Good nutrition and exercise are essential for your border collie puppy to grow into a healthy adult dog.
Be sure your puppy has regular veterinary check-ups and if at any time you are worried that they are not developing as they should seek out the advice and help of your veterinarian.
