When a Border Collie is crossbred with a German Shepherd they produced a Shollie. German shepherds have the guarding instincts while the Border Collies have herding instincts, a Shollie will inherit most of the good qualities of the parents.
Shollies also known as German Shollies are a healthy breed and are rare to find. They are loyal, loving, and guardians of their owners. They are highly active and require a lot of stimulation physically and mentally.
Before deciding whether a German Shollie is the right breed for you, read on to know their origin, temperament, appearance, grooming, health issues, and puppy price.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Origin
Shollies are a result of crossbreeding a purebred German Shepherd and a purebred Border Collie. This implies that we have to understand the origin of the parents to know the origin of the Shollies. Both of the parents have a herding history and are big and energetic. It is assumed that the main reason for crossbreeding them was to get a large, protective, energetic, and playful dog.
Border collies are thought to have originated in the British Isles in the 19th Century. Their main work was to herd and protect livestock. In 1995, the American Kennel Club (AKC) granted them official recognition. Nowadays they still work in ranches and are still great family dogs.
The German shepherds were originally bred in Europe to assist in herding and guiding the livestock. They worked in extremely cold environments in some seasons of the year and that made them very tough dogs. In 1908, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized them. They have assisted in many jobs apart from hunting like working with the military to track down thieves. Because of their protective nature, they make great family dogs.
Shollie Appearance
When crossbreeding two different breeds, it is hard to predict what the hybrid will exactly look like. Even in the same litter, they will not be similar. They might take half of each parent or take more than half of a single parent in appearance.
Shollies are big dogs that weigh up to 80 pounds. They have a height of 21-29 inches for males and 18-24 inches. Their coats can either be long or medium and shed heavily throughout the year.
Their ears are large and triangular which can be floppy or erect depending on the inherited parent.
Their eyes can be amber, hazel, brown, or blue.
If they inherit the colors of a German shepherd coat it will be black and brown or tan. However, if they inherit the Collies coat colors it will have a combination of two or three of these colors: black, blue, blue merle, brindle, red, sable, black, and white coat.
Shollie Temperament
They are active and energetic dogs thanks to their parents. This means they will require a lot of exercise to be stimulated and prevent destructive behaviors.
They can be taken for walks, swimming and engaging in games. All the exercises should be splinted into smaller sessions so as not to over-exercise them.
They would appreciate being taken for hikes and other outdoor adventures.
Trainability
Due to their intelligence, they can easily get trained and acquire new skills. They like pleasing their owners meaning they will easily understand and do as ordered by their owner.
They need stimulation physically and mentally to keep them in good shape. Their easy trainability makes them suitable for first-time owners.
Border Collie and German Shepherd Mix Puppy
Shollie puppies from a reputable breeder can cost from $450-to $900. The price is affected by the location, breeder, and many other factors.
You should research to ensure that the puppies are healthy and have been vaccinated but not assume that an expensive Shollie puppy is healthy.
There are rescue homes and shelters where you can get a Shollie puppy at a lower price.
Shollie Grooming
Shollies have a dense coat that can both be medium or short and require regular brushing to keep them in a good condition. They should be bathed once in two to three months to avoid ripping off the natural oils on the coat.
Their ears should be washed regularly because the border collies are prone to ear infections which can be inherited by the Shollies.
Their nails should be trimmed regularly because they can cause discomfort when long. To prevent dental issues, brush his teeth regularly.
Shollies Health Issues
Most designer dogs are generally healthy and it’s the case with Shollies. They can live for 13-15 years.
Nevertheless, they will be prone to diseases like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, bloat, joint problems, degenerative Myelopathy, and ear infections.
Their diet should be regulated because they can get obese.
Also Read: Are Border Collies good guard dogs
Should I Get A Shollie
Before getting a Shollie you should know whether you can meet their exercise needs which are30- 60 minutes per day.
Also if you live in hot areas, you should know that they have a double coat that can retain heat so you should have arrangements on where and how your dog will be cooling down.
