Interest in designer dogs has grown immensely in recent years. Many breeders see this as a way of creating stronger healthier pooches that are not predisposed to inherent genetic health issues associated with purebreds. While we have seen many crossbreeds over the years, the German Shepherd Collie Mix will easily grab the attention of anyone.
The German Shepherd Collie Mix is a hybrid dog that combines two purebreds – the German shepherd and the Border collie. Often referred to as the Shollie, this adorable canine tends to be large, super-intelligent, and hyperactive. The Shollie is also extremely healthy and would typically live for 13 to 15 years.
In this post, we will give you valuable information about the German Shepherd Collie Mix, including details about grooming, health, temperament, and the cost of buying pups. But before we get there, let’s first all look at just how big these hybrid pooches can get here below.
As noted above, the mix between the German Shepherd and the Border Collie is called a Shollie. These pooches can also grow quite big as well and tend to have very distinct physical appearances.
Despite their large size, shollies are playful family-friendly dogs that can be left around kids without any issues.
As with many crossbreed dogs, the look of the Shollie is derived directly from its purebred parents. These pooches come in a wide variety of coat colors including black, golden, brown, and white.
The coat is often a mix of two colors though – one dominating the entire body and the other forming small accent spots. The Shollie’s coat is dense and the pooch is considered a heavy shedder.
Shollies also have a large body, characterized by strong, well built, lean muscles. These canines have cute floppy ears too and a long muzzle.
Most Shollies would typically inherit the physical attributes of the German shepherd parent. As a result, the pooches are very big.
On average, a Shollie will measure between 21 and 27 inches in height. The dog can also weigh somewhere between 70 and 80 pounds when fully grown.
You will notice however that it’s very easy to mistake a Shollie for a purebred German Shepherd, especially because of its large, muscular, and imposing size.
Shollies are perfectly healthy dogs that have very few health issues. As a matter of fact, the Border Collie, one of the parents in this crossbreed, is rated among the healthiest dogs in the world. This invaluable attribute is also transferred to the Shollie.
Typically, Shollies will live for 13 to 15 years.
It’s relatively less than the Border Collie that can live for 12 to 17 years. But it is still enough time to enjoy the pooch’s company.
Regular visits to the vet, exercise, proper diet and general pet care are some of the factors that may affect the life expectancy of these hybrids.
Despite their formidable health, Shollies are predisposed to certain health issues. Here are some of the more common ones:
By virtue of being large and muscular dogs, Shollies are susceptible to hip dysplasia. This condition is hereditary and has been known to affect German Shepherds as they age. For this reason, you can expect your Collie to also be at risk of the same.
Shollies may also face a relatively higher risk of bloat. Also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) complex, this is an emergency medical condition where the pooch’s stomach fills with air.
This leads to a buildup in pressure, which in turn stops blood flow from the hind legs to the abdominal area.
Although bloat is very rare, it is a common ailment among German Shepherds. If it’s not treated immediately, the condition will be fatal.
The cost of the Shollie is not standard and varies based on so many factors. However, expect to pay somewhere between $475 and $950 for a single pup.
No doubt, that this is quite pricey. In that case, you may want to take your time just to be sure you are buying a genuine well-bred hybrid.
There are several factors that will determine how much you ultimately pay for your German shepherd collie mix. Here are some of them:
If you decide to buy dogs directly from breeders, then the cost will vary a lot depending on the pedigree they have.
Breeders with a history of producing quality well-bred dogs are relatively more expensive compared to back-alley dealers who may lack enough equipment and expertise to guarantee quality in the breeding process.
In most cases, dog prices in large urban areas will be relatively higher compared to rural counties. However, it’s always advisable to buy from the nearest breeder, even if you are in the city. This will save you a lot of money on transport and logistics.
As a rule of thumb, if you want to enjoy the company of a dog, buy it when it’s still a pup. This gives you time to see it grow and socialize with you. But there is nothing wrong with buying a full-grown Shollie. It will however cost you more money.
Yes, Shollies are relatively easier to train for one main reason. The hybrid combines two of the most intelligent dogs in the world.
In fact, the Border collie is ranked as the most intelligent dog breed globally while the German shepherd is third.
As a result, a mix between the two can easily memorize and follow commands without too many repetitions.
Shollies are characterized by high spirits and bundles of energy. These pooches always want to play and they are also very affectionate and loyal to their owners. It is important to note that traditionally, both the Border collie and the German shepherd were bred as herding dogs.
The responsible and protective trait of a herding dog is very apparent in the Shollie as well. A typical Shollie can be overly protective of its home and the people in it, including children. However, Shollies are rarely aggressive towards people unless they have not been socialized properly.
Additionally, this herding heritage also makes the Shollie more adaptive to other pets. It can live harmoniously with other dogs and cats without any problems. The pooch also loves to nap and snuggle so be ready to give it the attention it needs.
Yes absolutely. Shollies are incredible family dogs and would normally bond very quickly with the rest of the family. The dog is also fun-loving, affectionate, and so adorable that everyone will instantly fall in love with it.
Shollies have quite a thick coat. And since both parents are heavy shedders, one should brace themselves for the amount of work needed for grooming.
Shollie will require brushing at least once every day to get rid of the loose and dead hair.
Heavy-shedding large dogs will need specialized brushes for grooming. The Furminator Undercoat Deshedder is in particular highly recommended because it is perfectly suited for dogs with short hair. The brush also does a pretty good job in brushing out the undercoat, shedding up to 90% if used more regularly.
In addition to brushing, it is also important to give your Shollie a bath regularly. Shollies however have very sensitive skin so make sure you use safe organic shampoo in every bath.
The Seamus Cherry Blossom Professional Hypoallergenic Shampoo is one of the best products to consider, especially for dogs with short hair. It is a safe to use shampoo that will make bath time with your four-legged buddy quite enjoyable.
Since you will be having your Shollie around the house more often, it is very likely that the pooch will drop strands of dead and loose hair all over the place.
Cleaning this up fast is very important to the health and hygiene of your home. It will also go a long way in creating a comfortable environment for the dog itself.
Well, in case you are always busy, get the iRobot Roomba i3. This automatic robot vacuum cleaner can be programmed to run through every inch of your home, picking up stray hairs when you are not around.
The cleaner can also be remotely operated via WI-Fi and empties itself once full. It is an invaluable tool to have if you are a Shollie owner.
Do German Shepherds And Border Collies Get Along? Yes, both the German shepherd and the Border collie get along pretty well. The two can in fact make up such an adorable team. This is largely because of the fact that both these pooches are traditional herding dogs that enjoy having some company around.
How Much Exercise Does A Shollie Need? Shollies need at least an hour of exercise each day to stay healthy. This hybrid is a hyperactive pooch that loves to play and jump around. It is therefore advisable to take it in the park regularly when you can. Additionally, Shollies are prone to obesity so exercise is simply paramount.
Is A Collie A Shepherd? No, a Collie is not a shepherd. These are two distinct dog breeds. Although they are both intelligent herding dogs, the Collie is a medium-sized pooch that originates from the Anglo-Scottish border of the UK while the German shepherd is a large breed from Germany.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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