The Border Collie average weight can vary depending on the Border Collie’s height and age. Generally, the taller the dog the heavier they will be.
The Border Collie is a medium breed of dog that has an average weight of 30-55 pounds for males and 30-45 pounds for females.
Most male adult Border Collies are 19 inches to 22 inches tall, and adult female Border Collies are 18 inches to 21 inches tall.
What Is a Good Weight for a Border Collie?
A good weight for a BC should be about 75% of the dog’s height. So, if your BC is 24 inches tall, he should weigh between 18 and 20 pounds.
In general, males have a higher body weight than females, but this is because they have a higher muscle to fat ratio.
The female Border Collie average weight can vary depending on the age and size of the dog.
Generally, the smaller the dog, the lighter it will be.
Signs My Border Collie Is Under or Over Weight?
You will notice that your Border Collie is under or overweight if they look too thin or too fat.
Another way to tell if the dog’s weight is just right is that you should be able to feel their ribs, but there should not be any major bones sticking out.
You can also check your Border Collies waist by checking for a clear indentation behind the ribs.
If your dog is underweight, you may notice a skinny appearance and a lack of a visible waist.
Carrying too much body fat will cause the dog to have an obvious potbelly with a thick middle or an apple-shaped body.
If your Border Collie is overweight, you should ease off on their food and treats, and if they are underweight, increase it.
You should also make sure to take them for a walk every day. This will give them exercise, which will help burn off energy and keep them fit.
In addition, feeding dry dog food will help your Border Collie achieve a healthy weight.
If your dog is too thin or too fat, then the quality of life for both you and him will decrease dramatically as they won’t be as active as usual.
The less active your Border Collie, the better chances he has of gained or loosed too much weight.
Overweight Border Collies are at increased risk for arthritis, diabetes, kidney failure, high blood pressure, heart disease, and shortened life spans.
Factors That Affect Border Collies Weight
Many factors affect a Border Collie’s weight. Many of these factors are related to genetics, but there are also a few factors that come from their environment.
The most common factors to affect a BC weight are:
Genetics
Genetics plays a very important role in the BC weight. It is one of the biggest factors when it comes to their size.
There are many different genes that can affect a Border Collies weight, but some of the most common are:
POMC or proopiomelanocortin gene is what determines whether your dog will be lean or obese. A mutation in this gene can cause a dog to be obese if not getting enough exercise. This issue is mostly found in purebreds and is more common in females but can affect both genders.
Ribosomal S6 Kinase 2 (Rsk2) is the second most common gene that affects the Border Collies weight. A mutation in this gene can cause a reduction in muscle mass and an increase in body fat.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is another very common gene that affects BC’s weight. The EPI gene will affect your dogs’ ability to digest their food properly, which leads to them not absorbing most of the nutrients.
Age
The age of your Border Collie is one of the biggest factors in their weight. As they get older, they will become less active and thus weigh more than when they were younger.
Height
Another big factor for Border Collies’ weight is their height. Taller BC’s are usually heavier than shorter ones. This is because taller dogs have longer legs which require more muscle mass to support them.
Nutrition
Nutrition is one of the biggest factors that affect Border Collies’ weight. The food you give your dog can make him obese or cause him not to gain weight.
For example, if you overfeed your dog, they will gain more weight than is necessary for their breed and physical condition.
A proper amount of nutrition is extremely important for them to be able to maintain a healthy weight.
Environment
The environment can also affect your Border Collie’s weight, whether they are in an outdoor or indoor living situation. For example, if you keep your dog in an area with very little chance of physical activity, then they will gain more weight than an active one.
Neutering Your Dog
Another factor that can affect your dog’s weight is neutering him.
Neutering will reduce the hormone levels, which makes them less likely to gain weight. Also, it will make them less likely to become aggressive, which can cause them to lose motivation for physical activity.
Family History
The family history of your Border Collie can also be a factor in their weight.
If their parents are obese, then they are more likely to be obese than an average dog.
Physical Activity and Health
Border Collies require a lot of physical activity in order to maintain a healthy weight. The more physical activity they get, the less likely they are to gain or lose weight.
However, if your dog is not getting enough exercise, he will become overweight and unhealthy, which can lead to developing various diseases and illnesses. These include:
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart Disease
• Deafness or blindness caused by obesity
If your dog is overweight, then it can also affect its life expectancy. Generally, an obese dog will die up to 3 years earlier than a healthy dog. If you are concerned about the weight of your Border Collie, then you should take him to a veterinarian for a checkup.
Border Collie Weight Chart by Age
The weight chart below can help guide you to what you should give your Border Collie puppy as they grow. You should note that these weights can vary depending on the size of your BC and whether it is male or female.
Male BC Weight
| Age | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1-4 weeks old | 3-5 lb. (1.36-2.27 kg) |
| 5-8 weeks old | 5-10 lb. (2.27-4.54 kg) |
| 9-12 weeks old | 10-15 lb. (4.54-6.80 kg) |
| 13-16 weeks old | 13-18 lb. (5.90-8.16 kg) |
| 17-20 weeks old | 17-22 lb. (7.71-9.98 kg) |
| 6 months old | 20-25 lb. (9.07-11.34 kg) |
| 7 months old | 23-28 lb. (10.43-12.70 kg) |
| 8 months old | 28-33 lb. (12.70-14.97 kg) |
| 9-12 months old | 30-45 lb. (13.61-20-41) |
| 12-24 months old | 40-55 lb. (18.14-24.95 kg) |
Female BC Weight
| Age | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1-4 weeks old | 2-4 lb. (0.91-1.81 kg) |
| 5-8 weeks old | 4-8 lb. (1.81-3.63 kg) |
| 9-12 weeks old | 8-12 lb. (3.63-5.44 kg) |
| 13-16 weeks old | 11-16 lb. (4.99-7.26 kg) |
| 17-20 weeks old | 15-20 lb. (6.80-9.07 kg) |
| 6 months old | 18-22 lb. (8.16-9.98 kg) |
| 7 months old | 20-25 lb. (9.07-11.34 kg) |
| 8 months old | 23-28 lb. (10.43-12.70 kg) |
| 9 months old | 25-30 lb. (11.34-13.61 kg) |
| 10 months old | 28-32 lb. (12.70-14.52 kg) |
| 11-24 months old | 30-45 lb. (13.61-20.41 kg) |
What to Do if My Border Collie Has Not the Right Weight?
If you suspect your Border Collie is not the right weight, you’ll have to find what the cause is.
If you want to make sure your dog is not overweight or obese, then you’ll have to take him to the vet.
The vet will help take measurements of his body and tell you what weight he should be at based on his age and physical condition.
A Border Collie can be too skinny for many different reasons. If you suspect your dog is underweight, it can be due to low food intake, not receiving the right amount of nutrients, or because of an underlying illness that is causing them to lose their appetite.
You should take them to a veterinarian for a checkup if you suspect any underlying health problems that may be affecting their weight.
On the other hand, if your Border Collie is overweight, then it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are unhealthy. It can be for one of three reasons:
• They are being given too much food;
• They are not exercising enough;
• There is an underlying health problem causing them to put on the extra weight.
The vet can also give you some tips on how to get your dog back into an ideal weight range.
All in all
The Border Collie’s weight is affected primarily by their age, height, and food intake. You can help your dog maintain a healthy weight by giving them proper exercise and monitoring their food intake.
If you suspect that your Border Collie is overweight or underweight, then it’s important to take him to the vet for a checkup. This will let you know what weight your dog should be and the reason behind any possible weight fluctuations.
