Shollie Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

31-36 kg

Height

53-74 cm

Lifespan

10-15 years

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About the Shollie

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

What better mix than a German Shepherd – Border Collie? These are two of the best dogs wrapped into one beautiful, loving, and energetic breed! If a protective and active companion is what you are looking for, then this is your match!

A Shollie is the perfect adventure buddy, and you are sure to fall in love with this breed by the time you are done reading this guide.

What is the history & origin of the Shollie?

To understand the Sholli, we need to look at the origin and history of the Border Collie and the German Shepherd. The German Shepherd dog originates from Germany and dates back to 1899. It was bred as a herding dog and as a protector.

The Border Collie was a working dog and herder in farming communities in Scotland and England. In Gaelic, their name means Sheepdog. They are a cross between invading Roman breeds and English Shepherd dogs.

The German Shepherd’s name was changed to Alsatian or the Alsatian Wolf Dog after WW1. Many believe that the German Shepherd is a genetic divergence from grey wolves and that hunters domesticated them around 15,000 years ago.

The American Kennel Club first recognised the German Shepherd in 1908, and much later, the Border Collie was recognised as a breed in 1995. However, the Shollie is still not recognised as it is not purebred.

What is a Shollie breed?

The Shollie is a mix of two incredible dog breeds – the German Shepherd and Border Collie. This mix has been recognised for around 20 years.

The breed is recognised by the Dog Registry of America and the American Canine Hybrid Club.

Since they love action, are agile, and are intelligent, they make great military dogs, search and rescue, and herding dogs. They are very common in North America, and they are part of the Canidae family.

Who is a Shollie best for?

Shollies are a wonderful family dog; they love children and are very protective and active, so the kids will have a playful companion, and you can be sure that your family will have a lovely little watchdog.

This breed is well fit for families or owners that live active lifestyles. They love being with their owners and do not enjoy being left at home on their own since they like keeping busy and having company.

A Shollie will do well in a home that has a large garden or big open space where they can run around. They also need owners who will be happy to play games with them that are stimulating and interactive.

Your Shollie will get along well with other dogs and pets as long as they have been socialised from an early age. They do love the company of another animal and having someone to play with.

This German Shepherd Collie mix will be happy with anyone as long as it can chase, herd, run, play, or work – as previously mentioned, this pup absolutely loves being kept busy and active.

Shollie Grooming & Shedding

This German Shepherd – Border Collie mix has a medium-length, soft but thick coat, and it will require regular grooming. This breed will shed quite a lot during the summer months, so daily brushing will be necessary.

Give your pup a good bath only when needed, and always use dog shampoo. Bathe them every few months or when they get very dirty. Make sure you brush their teeth on a regular basis and give them some chew toys as this will also help to break down any plaque on their teeth.

Their nails should be trimmed once a month, and check their ears for any build-up to avoid infections.

Do Shollies bark a lot?

Shollies are not considered to be yappy dogs but they may bark if they feel threatened, need attention, or have been left at home alone and are starting to feel bored. They will also likely bark to greet people.

If you feel that your dog’s barking is becoming problematic, then it is best to train them so that they can break this habit, and you might want to enlist the help of a professional dog trainer if you feel this would benefit you and your Shollie.

What is the average weight & height of a Shollie?

This mixed breed dog is a medium to large-sized pup. The males are generally around 53-74 centimetres in height and weigh around 31-36 kilograms. A female Shollie weighs about the same and is as tall as a male, but it can sometimes vary, and they are likely to be quite a bit smaller.

Are Shollies easy to train?

Training a Shollie is relatively easy since its parents are two of the most intelligent dog breeds, meaning the Shollie is also one of the more intelligent mixed breed dogs. The Shollie does very well in obedience training and agility since it is such a hard-working pup.

Be sure to use positive reinforcement when training this breed, and keep them stimulated with tricks and games. They will excel in puppy school. The Shollie is very easy to train due to it being a very smart and energetic dog.

These dogs have a good memory and attitude toward work, making them very disciplined. They will need to be socialised early on, especially if being introduced into a family. They need to get used to different people, places, and environments.

The main types of training this pup will need are discipline, obedience, socialisation, and agility so that you can ensure that your pup will be adaptable and versatile.

It is best to teach your four-legged friend some basic commands. Crate and potty training are also essential. This pup will need regular exercise and training to constantly physically and mentally stimulate them.

How do Shollies behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Shollies have the best parts of their parent breeds, and they are intelligent, hard-working, and very energetic – they love playing and excel in activities like agility trials and flyball. They are also courageous and highly intelligent.

This mixed breed pup is active and needs a lot of exercise; they will always be eager to join you on a walk, a hike, or any adventure. Their lively personalities make them the best companions. They are also very alert and love attention.

Shollies are very loyal companions; they love their families and will guard and protect them and their homes. Their obedient and focused nature means that they need to keep busy and active; they will love playing games.

Does the Shollie have any common health issues?

According to a new study, German Shepherds suffer from nearly 50 hereditary ailments. Obviously, some are more widespread and through attentive breeding practices, these ailments can be eliminated through a single gene line.

German Shepherds have inherited diseases like pituitary dwarfism and degenerative myelopathy (a neurodegeneration disorder), pancreatic acinar atrophy (an autoimmune disease), and congenital idiopathic megaesophagus (dilation of the esophagus).

Shepherds are often prone to a wide range of symptoms, including elbow/hip dysplasia and stomach bloating. A Shollie is prone to any of these, and they can also get epilepsy, deafness, and osteochondritis dissecans.

Always review your puppy’s health records first; this way, you can be fully aware of your pooch’s state. You should also ensure you are taking your dog for regular check-ups at the vet to ensure you can spot any signs of potential disease early on.

What is the lifespan of a Shollie?

Shollies can live anywhere between 10 – 15 years. This of course depends on a variety of factors.

The happier and healthier your pups, the longer they will live, so ensure that they get enough exercise, eat well, and get all of the love and attention they require.

How much does a Shollie need to be fed?

Your Shollie should be fed high-quality dog food appropriate for a high-energy and larger-sized dog. The amount and type of food you feed them should depend on their age, weight, activity level, and their metabolism.

It is best to have a feeding schedule, so we recommend that you do not free-feed as these dogs are prone to weight gain.

How much can you expect to pay for a Shollie in Australia?

It is crucial that you buy Shollie puppies from a responsible, registered, and reputable breeder. This way, you can be sure that you are getting a healthy and well-cared-for puppy.

A Shollie puppy can cost you anything between $700 to $1000, or sometimes more. It does depend on the breeder and on the bloodline of the dog.

Shollie FAQs

How can I tell if my dog is a Shollie?

A Shollie’s coat will often be a mix of two colours. The colours are different for every pup. They are large dogs, and their coat is often medium length. Standard coat colours include brown, red, black, white, brindle, or grey.

They also have the cutest floppy ears and almond-shaped little eyes.

Are Shollie dogs aggressive?

They may be a bit wary of strangers but will not show aggression towards them unless they feel threatened or feel the need to protect. If they are not cared for or treated properly, then they will likely show some aggressive behaviour.

Do Shollie dogs get along with cats?

Yes, they will as long as they are socialised and introduced correctly. A Shollie will get along with most other pets; it is just best to introduce them to each other slowly.