Shollie is a mixed breed dog between a Border Collie and a German Shepherd. Border Collie is a herding dog typically found in hilly areas to gather and control the sheep.
They are medium-sized, trainable, and highly intelligent animals.
German Shepherds range from medium to large-sized and they are incredibly active, loyal and a lovable breed. So you can only imagine the kind of wonderful dog you’ll get when you crossbreed these two!
If you’re thinking of adopting a Shollie, and you wonder whether it is the right dog for you and your family, this guide is for you.
Understanding Shollie
Shollie is a combination of two extremely popular dog breeds. Here are a few things you need to understand about them before you can consider adopting a shollie.
● The Hybrid
The German Shepherd dog is a guard dog that is mostly utilized in the military or for the police. They have astounding stamina, can follow instructions clearly, and are extremely obedient.
The Border Collie is very active, hardworking, and immensely protective of the family it serves, which is why many families, who need a loyal watchdog, adopt them at a very early age.
The hybrid of these two incredible breeds, Shollie, results in a large-sized dog with a height ranging from 21 to 29 inches and weighs around 70 to 80 pounds. This new mixed breed inherits its’ parents’ traits such as loyalty, stamina, and diligence.
● Appearance
A mixed breed’s appearance depends on the characteristic profiles of its parents. Most of the Shollies get their appearance traits from the German Shepherd. In most cases, its coat’s color will be light brown with black points and will inherit the floppy ears and muscular body.
However, if it inherits traits from the Border Collie, it’ll probably have any one of its seventeen coat colors including as blue, black, red, sable, black and white, etc.
Regardless of the colors, Shollies have beautiful, dense coats which can be either medium in length like the Border Collie or may have a double coat. This is where the top coat is rough which hides the soft medium-length undercoat, like the German Shepherd.
● Food & Diet Nutrition
Shollie is known to put on weight easily if not monitored properly. Their diet should consist of proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that they’ll get from vegetables.
However, for any dog, their diet will depend on their ability to digest, their exercise routine, the quality of dog food, and of course, their age.
In the case of dog food, it’s always a good idea to look for recommendations from other dog owners. Consider checking reviews as they give you a more clear idea of how a dog food brand performs.
Select a brand that vets and seasoned dog owners deem as a great choice in dog food.
● Workout Sessions
Both the German Shepherd and Border Collie are very active in nature. Needless to say that their crossbreed is the same.
Shollie requires physical activity and exercise for at least two hours every day. This keeps their weight in check which is essential for those dogs who are prone to illnesses such as heart disease.
Shepherd-Collie mix also requires mental stimulation which can be done indoors. You can engage your dog in various activities such as puzzles, or games, or train them to recognize some commands. Likewise, you can do some agility training to get them moving about.
Training includes walking, running, flyball, agility training, and anything that stimulates them. You can also teach them to recognize commands and obey them.
Taking your dog outside doesn’t necessarily mean you have to keep playing fetch or running aimlessly. You can just walk, issue a command and reward it with treats for a job well done. Shollies are very energetic, bright, and fast learners. Training them is not only easy but super fun too!
● Grooming
German Shepherds and Border Collies all shed a fair amount, especially during the spring and fall seasons. Their hybrid, whether it has a double coat or not, will also shed a lot during shedding seasons so it is essential to brush their coat on a weekly basis.
While doing that, you can also use this opportunity to operate general cleanliness such as cleaning the ears and teeth.
For an active dog like the Shollie, nail trimming can be done every two weeks. Since this dog likes to spend more time outdoors than in, their nails need to be trimmed frequently.
● Temperament
Shollies are highly intelligent, playful, and very bright. With the right diet and exercise, these canines remain happy all day long. They aren’t too fussy and are loyal to the core.
They love attention – a lot of it; and if left alone for a long time, you’ll be sure to come home to chewed-up furniture. Other than that, they are extremely lovable!
● Health Issues
Shollies are likely to inherit their parents’ illnesses even if they are typically a healthy breed. Both the German Shepherd and Border Collie go through the following health problems which your hybrid dog may also be susceptible to:
- Vision Problems: It is called Progressive Retinal Atrophy which, in simpler terms, means degenerative disease of the retina which eventually leads to vision loss.
- Bloating: This is where a dog’s stomach builds up gas and eventually twists. When this happens, take your dog to your nearest vet for a check-up as bloating subsequently becomes fatal. Look for the following signs:
- Hard belly
- Swollen
- Restlessness
- Drooling
- Panting
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: It’s a developmental disorder that over time can cause pain and stiffness in the hip and elbow joints. This illness is prevalent among large breed dogs such as the Shepherd and Collie. So, your Shollie will likely inherit it from its parents.
● Lifespan
Generally, the lifespan of a Shepherd and Collie is between ten and fifteen years. Shollies have the same lifespan, give or take, considering they’ve been well taken care of.
Is Shollie The Right Dog For Me?
If you want to find out whether or not you should adopt a Shollie, here are some factors to help you consider:
1. Shollies Need Space
Shollies are hyperactive dog breeds who love to run around. So, if you live in an apartment, it’s best to think about moving to a bigger house. Otherwise, with your little furry friend cooped up, you’ll end up having a messy home every now and then.
2. Active Lifestyle
Do you lead an active lifestyle? Because Shollies do. They require exercises such as walking, running, hiking, playing fetch, and so on for at least two hours every day.
Shollies love the outdoors and are very sociable animals. If you cannot match the hybrid’s hyperactive lifestyle and don’t like going outdoors much, then this dog is probably not ideal for you.
Stimulating the Shollie through physical activity is one way to calm your hyperactive dog and ensure its good health. Even a few hours to a local dog park will keep your best friend entertained while you can sit back and enjoy.
3. Time and Attention
Leaving you Shollie for a few hours is all good and fine. However, if it happens often, you may end up coming back to an aggressive dog and a destroyed home.
Shollies need a lot of attention. They are fast and eager learners which is why they are easy to train. However, if your work schedule doesn’t fit in, maybe it’s best to not adopt a Shollie.
4. Climate Concern
Shollies coats tend to overheat in hot or warm climates. You can still adopt one only if you have the time and energy to make sure your dog stays cool throughout the summer seasons.
5. Allergic Reactions
Another important factor to consider is whether you or your family members are allergic to dog hair. Shollies are heavy shedders, especially during shedding seasons.
You’ll have a lot of dog hair in almost every part of your home. So if you or your family has asthmatic or allergic issues, it’s best not to adopt a Shollie.
6. Budget
Just like a new baby, pets are also a huge responsibility.
Dogs, in general, can be expensive, especially when it includes food expenses, pet insurance, dog toys, doggy beds, and other such essentials that your dog may require, are added into the mix.
So make sure you’re up for it!
On A Final Note
Shollies, a crossbreed mix between the German Shepherd and Border Collie, are incredibly bright, loyal, and lovable dogs and they make great guard dogs too. They are super active and energetic animals.
With proper food, diet, and regular exercise, they have a stable temperament. Over time they may get illnesses that they probably will inherit from their parents.
If you have the space, time, and budget to nurture a Shollie, adopt one now and start training it from an early age.
