The Shollie (Border Collie German Shepherd mix) is an intriguing hybrid breed that blends the best qualities of two amazing breeds: the Border Collie and the German Shepherd. Perhaps a little lesser known, Shollies are earning a reputation for their intelligence, loyalty, and versatility, making this hybrid an excellent choice for active families or individuals seeking a loving partner and energetic outdoor playmate.
Due to its great working capabilities and a good temperament, it has become a popular mix that serves as an ideal companion for active individuals and families. In this article, I will talk about the Shollie; its appearance, temperament, health, grooming, and if it makes a good family pet.
| Weight: | 45–80 pounds |
| Height: | 20–27 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Coat colours: | A blend of black, white, and brown, with common patterns including sable, bi-color, or tri-colour. |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, attentive, wonderful family dogs, intelligent, energetic, loyal, and protective. |
| Suitable for: | Active individuals, families with older children, experienced dog owners. |
| Exercise: | 60–90 minutes exercise daily. |
| Grooming: | Regular brushing, nail trims, dental care, ear cleaning, do not over bathing. |
| Puppy Cost: | $450–$1000 from a reputable breeder. $100–$300 adopting from a shelter or rescue organization. |
Origin, history, and background: Border Collie and German Shepherd
With the Shollie’s parents, the Border Collie and the German Shepherd, being recognized as two of the world’s most outstanding working dogs for decades, it’s no surprise that the Shollie celebrates the best traits of both! While German Shepherds, known for their courage and loyalty as protection and service dogs, Border collies are renowned for their herding abilities and intelligence. When you combine these two, you get a dog that is incredibly trainable, yet also extremely loyal and protective.
The Shollie is a great mix between the Border Collie and the German Shepherd breed, although where exactly the mixed breed itself came from is not entirely clear, both parent breeds have a long history.
Border Collie
Border Collies have been cherished for centuries for their unique ability to herd livestock, originating from the border between England and Scotland. They are known to be of the most intelligent dogs andcan learn complex commands and love to exercise (Coren, 1994).
German Shepherd
Originally bred as herding dogs in Germany in the late 1800s, German Shepherds quickly gained a reputation as all-purpose working dogs who excelled in police and military roles, along with search-and-rescue work. They are known to be loyal, brave, and protective (American Kennel Club, n.d.).
What does a Border Collie German Shepherd Mix (Shollie) look like?
The Shollie can take on the traits of whichever parent breed is more dominant in the genetic mix, but they tend to be stocky and athletic in build with a medium-to-large frame.
Photo credit: zoe_the_tale_of_a_dog, instagram.
Appearance and Physical Characteristics: Border Collie German Shepherd Mix
When it comes to looks, Border Collie German Shepherd mixes generally tend to inherit a good mix of the two parent breeds. German Shepherd and Border Collie mix typically weigh approximately 45-80 pounds and are around 20-27 inches high. They tend to have a dense coat, and can be a mix of colours, including black, white, brown and tan. German Shepherd and Border Collie mix also have some pretty expressive eyes, and their ears may be more German Shepherd-like (upright), or they could be soft, floppy Border Collie ears.
Border Collie German Shepherd mix usually weigh 45 and 80 pounds and present about 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder. In general, both sexes are larger among males than females.
They typically inherit a double coat, which can range from short to medium length and may be more or less dense. They have a coat that is primarily a mix of black, white, and brown with sable, bi-color, or tri-color patterns being the most common.
Border Collie German Shepherd mix usually take the erect ears and intelligent expression of a German Shepherd and combine it with the more sleek, athletic build of the Border Collie.
Personality and Temperament: German Shepherd Border Collie mix
Shollies are extremely smart and need a lot of stimulation, so they are best suited for busy homes. They are exceptionally loyal and protective, thanks to the German Shepherd guarding instincts, and they have a playful and social side that they owe to the ever-friendly Border Collie. They bond well with their families and can be very loving and loyal, making them terrific family pets.
The Shollie gets its personality from the two parent breeds, meaning this hybrid dog will be intelligent, loyal, and energetic!
Both Border Collies and German Shepherds are some of the smartest breeds out there, so the Shollie is lucky to inherit this trait. They catch on to commands quickly, have a great temperament with training, and need regular mental stimulation or they will get a bit bored (Helton, 2009).
Shollies are incredibly active and require daily exercise to stay healthy and animate. They shine at agility, obedience, and even herding!
German Shepherd Border Collie mix are often quite loyal and form close attachments with their families. They are well suited to be guardians and do become good watchdogs, but socialization is vital in order to avoid overprotectiveness.
With proper socialization, Shollies tend to be friendly and good-natured around children. While they can get along with other pets when introduced gradually, it’s important to provide early socialization for a peaceful home town.
Exercise, training, socialization, and mental stimulation
The energy levels of Border Collie German Shepherd mix (Shollies) are high so they require a lot of exercises and mental stimulation. Exercise such as running or hiking every day and agility courses is a must, making sure they have as much activity each day to remain happy and avoid creating a bored destructive dog! Also playing obedience games and interactive toys keep their minds busy.
Border Collie German Shepherd mixes are very trainable; they just need a firm yet patient hand. Proper early socialization is the key to making sure your pup does not become too protective or shy around strangers. This breed responds to engagement and rewards better than other methods so positive reinforcement is the answer here.
Shollies are very trainable and do well if given both exercise and mental stimulation as part of a daily routine. For this breed, it is the positive reinforcement methods that work. Praise, treats, and play are effective rewards. Shollies are quickly learn and can master complicated commands, although they need a broad and consistent training regimen to hold their attention (Lindsay, 2000). Shollies require a minimum of 60–90 minutes exercise daily. Best activities involve lengthy walks, hiking, running, fetch, and agility. Lack of exercise can also cause them to be destructive if the dog is bored.
Health and Lifespan: Border Collie German Shepherd mix
Shollies are, in general, a very healthy breed, having a life expectancy of about 12–15 years. Though they may suffer from genetic health problems like hip dysplasia and eye issues. Veterinary checkups, diet, and lifestyle can help maximize their quality of life.
Because Border Collie German Shepherd mixes can inherit health issues that are common for both parent breeds. Periodic veterinary care longitudinally also play a crucial role in identifying and controlling possible health abnormalities including genetic testing.
Shollies can live for 10–15 at least if well looked after. With regular vet check-ups and exercise as well as a healthy diet, they can stay healthy.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in Border Collies and German Shepherds which can cause joint pain and arthritis later in life. This can be managed by normal veterinarian inspections and maintaining a healthy weight.
Degenerative Myelopathy
The second is a genetic mutation that is responsible for degenerative myelopathy, a progressive disease of the spinal cord that affects German shepherds, among many others. Clinical signs consist of rear limb weakness and ultimately paralysis. This is a worrying feature of Shollies, particularly in old age.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition that can show up in Border Collies, and can be inherited to the Shollie. Seizures can range from mild to severe but any regularly occurring seizures should be assessed by a veterinarian and, with appropriate treatment, controlled most of the time.
Sensitivities due to allergy
They can become allergic to it, which causes skin problems, including itching, reddening of the skin, or swelling. Food, fleas, and seasonal allergies are common allergens.
PRA (progressive retinal atrophy)
PRA is an inherited disease that can lead to progressive blindness. Border Collies are especially susceptible to this disorder, which can lead to night blindness and ultimately permanent blindness.
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
The Shollie is trapeze-framed like so many deep-chested canines and can be susceptible to bloat, a potentially fatal condition in which the abdomen twists and traps gas. We need to know the signs of it, because it needs immediate treatment!
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
The Shollie is another breed that can be affected by this genetic eye condition, which is common in first Border Collies. Some dogs will have no signs, but a lot of the time it can cause visual impairment or blindness (Ostrander & Kruglyak, 2000).
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (Epi)
EPI is when the pancreas does not produce sufficient digestive enzymes and is a common ailment for German Shepherds. This may allow for malabsorption of nutrients and loss of weight and digestion problems.
Hypothyroidism
Some Shollies may be prone to hypothyroidism, which is a condition where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Signs are weight gain, lethargy and a coat that isn’t fluffy, but it is treatable with medication.
Grooming and shedding: Border Collie and German Shepherd mix
Shollies have a pretty dense coat and tend to shed moderately to heavily throughout the seasons, so you will need to brush their coat regularly. Regular grooming, nail trimming, dental care, ear care, and so on is suggested to maintain them in prime condition.
As for grooming, Shollies have double coats, so they should be brushed consistently to maintain a healthy coat and minimize shedding. Shollies need to be brushed two to three times weekly for loose hair removal and to avoid matting. During shedding season, it might be required brushing every day.
Once every few months is the recommended frequency for a bath, but more may be done if they get particularly dirty. If they are bathed too frequently, it can remove natural oils from your their coat. Even though a couple of must-care for points keep away from infections or different health problems, it’s essential to focus on common ear checks and dental hygiene. Occasionally brush their teeth 2–3 times a week for oral hygiene.
Is Border Collie German Shepherd mix good as a pet?
Shollies do best in an active household where they have space to run and play. Cocker Spaniels are very good with children and other pets if socialized early, and very gentle and protective with family. That said, they may not do well in an apartment as they do require a good deal of exercise and mental stimulation due to their energy needs.
Adoption and Finding a Border Collie-German Shepherd Mix
For more information on adopting a Shollie reach out to breed specific rescues or any level of reputable dog breeder. You can also adopt from a rescue organisation — lots of the animals (most likely a mix) are in need of a loving home. Whether you choose a puppy or a dog, the dog should be in good health, have good socialization, bright eyes, a sparkling coat, and a business-like yet genial disposition.
Is a Border Collie German Shepherd mix Right breed/dog for You?
This designer dog breed is a perfect option for those with an active lifestyle, or families, who can dedicate time, space, and attention towards a Shollie. But they might not be the best choice for first-time dog owners or people who don’t have time to train and exercise them.
The perfect owners for a Shollie would be:
- Shollies are at their most contented when they have a purpose in life. This breed makes an excellent partner for owners who like to participate in outdoor activities with their pets, like running or hiking.
- While Shollies typically have a good disposition with kids, their high energy and sometimes rough play may not be the best choice for very young kids.
- Shollies do best with owners experienced with high-energy, intelligent breeds as they are smart and require stimulation.
Conclusion
The Border Collie and the German Shepherd mix is an amazing breed that is very intelligent, loyal, and active, so they are really nice pet for the right owner. They require a lot of exercise and mental engagement so they are best placed with someone as an individual or a family who can meet their energy and companionship requirements. As long as you give the Shollie the attention it needs, it will give you back loyalty, love, and lots of fun.
The Border Collie German Shepherd mix is one of the lines that combine intelligence and loyalty with energy. For those able to provide them with adequate exercise and mental stimulation, they are excellent companions. With training, socialization, and care taken definitely Shollies will thrive for their owners and remain a happy member of the family for many years.
Refrences:
- American Kennel Club. (n.d.). German Shepherd Dog.
- Coren, S. (1994). The Intelligence of Dogs. Free Press.
- Helton, W. S. (2009). Canine Ergonomics: The Science of Working Dogs
- Lindsay, S. R. (2000). Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training. Blackwell Publishing.
- Ostrander, E. A., & Kruglyak, L. (2000). Genetics of dog behavior and physiology.
- https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-shepherd-collie-mix-for-first-time-dog-owners
- https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/shollie
- https://wagwalking.com/breed/shollie
- https://animalcorner.org/dog-breeds/border-collie-german-shepherd-mix/