Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Shetland Sheepdog
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Shetland Sheepdog Will Have
- How Much Does the Shetland Sheepdog Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy
- How Long is a Shetland Sheepdog Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Shetland Sheepdog
- Conclusion on Shetland Sheepdog Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Shetland Sheepdog
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 292 different Shetland Sheepdog birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Shetland Sheepdogs can have is 3 puppies. Also, the Shetland Sheepdog can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 8 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Shetland Sheepdog compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Shetland Sheepdog Will Have
Shetland Sheepdog Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Shetland Sheepdog will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Shetland Sheepdog is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Shetland Sheepdog litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Shetland Sheepdog will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Shetland Sheepdog
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Shetland Sheepdog will have if your Shetland Sheepdog gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Shetland Sheepdog. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Shetland Sheepdog at different ages. This table applies to a Shetland Sheepdog that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 3 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 4 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 5 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 6 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 7 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 8 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 9 | 3 puppies | 0 to 7 puppies |
How Much Does the Shetland Sheepdog Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Shetland Sheepdog puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 5 Shetland Sheepdog puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 5 Shetland Sheepdog puppies, the average weight of the Shetland Sheepdog at birth is 150 grams (5.3 ounces). The birth weight of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy typically ranges from 143 grams (5.0 ounces) to 150 grams (5.3 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Shetland Sheepdog puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
Furthermore, according to another research study that weighed Shetland Sheepdog puppies from 1 litters, Shetland Sheepdogs can weigh 200–280 grams at birth.
How Big Will a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy Get?
A Shetland Sheepdog puppy will grow up to weigh around Starts at 20 pounds. Furthermore, a Shetland Sheepdog puppy will grow up to be 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Shetland Sheepdog weight and how big Shetland Sheepdogs grow here
How Much is a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy
The average price of a Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of a Shetland Sheepdog puppy ranges from $1000 to $2000.
Since the Shetland Sheepdog has an average litter size of 3, therefore a Shetland Sheepdog litter birth is worth $4770.
To learn more about the price of Shetland Sheepdog puppy, check our review on how much Shetland Sheepdog puppy cost, and Shetland Sheepdog buying advice.
How Long is a Shetland Sheepdog Pregnant?
Shetland Sheepdogs are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Shetland Sheepdogs can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Shetland Sheepdog conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Shetland Sheepdog for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Shetland Sheepdog
To ensure that your Shetland Sheepdog successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Shetland Sheepdog well: A good diet will ensure that your Shetland Sheepdog has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Shetland Sheepdog is in good health: Ensure you take your Shetland Sheepdog to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Shetland Sheepdog gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Shetland Sheepdog is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Shetland Sheepdog Litter Size
Shetland Sheepdogs can have 3 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Shetland Sheepdog will have depends on factors such as the age of the Shetland Sheepdog and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Shetland Sheepdogs the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Shetland Sheepdog. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Shetland Sheepdog gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Shetland Sheepdogs in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.