Shollie

Shollies are a hybrid, or designer, dog breed. They are a mix between a German Shepherd and a Border Collie. These dogs are energetic, devoted, and loyal. They are a large dog breed that sheds quite a bit and requires a large amount of exercise. In return, they will be loving companions and are a great choice for families with children. Shollies are one of the newest popular mix breeds.

See all of our expert product reviews.

3 pros and cons of owning Shollie

Size and Weight

Shollies are a large dog breed. They have medium-length hair and come in a wide variety of colors such as black, brown, black and white, red, gray, or brindle (black, vertical stripes like a tiger). This hybrid breed can be anywhere from 28-29 inches tall and weigh between 70 and 80 lbs.

Evolution and Origins

The Shollie is a hybrid breed resulting from the breeding of a German Shepherd and a Border Collie, which are both popular breeds, but despite their popularity, the Shollie is not widely known and is only recognized by a few organizations such as the Dog Registry of America and the American Canine Hybrid Club.

Health and Entertainment for your Shollie

See all of our expert product reviews.

Shollies, which are a crossbreed of German Shepherd and Border Collie, can have various coat colors, including the typical black and brown pattern of German Shepherds, as well as light brown, white and brown, golden, or black and white; they are intelligent and eager to learn and require an owner who can provide ample exercise and attention.

Furthermore, Shollies are a designer breed resulting from the crossbreeding of a German Shepherd and a Border Collie, known for their energy, loyalty, and devotion. They are a big shedder and require plenty of exercises.

Common Health Issues

This crossbreed is typically a very healthy dog breed. However, like most other designer breeds, Shollies are capable of inheriting illnesses that are common in their Border Collie and German Shepherd parents. Bloat is an illness that causes air and pressure to build up in the stomach, cutting off circulation to the back legs and causing a medical emergency. Another problem is hip and elbow dysplasia, causing pain when the dog walks or runs. In short, the top 3 problems that Shollies may face are:

• Bloat
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Hip Dysplasia

Temperament

Shollies are a very energetic breed with protective temperaments. If you rescue a Shollie, you’ll own a dog that works well with kids if socialized to them from a young age. Puppies that bond with their family members will grow into loyal members of the household throughout their lifespan.

These dogs need at least an hour of exercise every day in order to curb destructive behaviors like chewing furniture. However, this is a small price to pay for such a loyal companion. They make a great partner for those with active lifestyles or those who want a dog suited for tests of strength and intelligence, like agility or dock jumping. Shollies are ill-suited for apartment life and would much prefer a large, open area to run around in.

Because of their German Shepherd heritage, these dogs may be unkind to or wary of strangers and guests in your home. In this regard, they also make good guard dogs.

How To Take Care of Shollie

Shollies are a crossbreed that requires a fair amount of upkeep. They need to be groomed and exercised very regularly in order to remain healthy and happy. However, the payoff is a smart and energetic companion who makes a great addition to a busy, active household.

The Best Dog Food for Shollies

Shollies require high-quality food in order to maintain their active lifestyle. This food may come at a high price, but it is essential for a long lifespan and a healthy dog. For dogs susceptible to bloat, owners should use caution not to allow exercise and meal times too close together. Always consult your veterinarian when deciding on properly feeding your pet Shollie.

Shollie puppy food: Puppies require different nutrition from adult dogs, so always choose food specially formulated for puppies when feeding your young Shollie.

Shollie adult food: Shollies will need to be monitored to make sure they do not gain too much weight, which will hurt their joints and cause discomfort. Food with a high amount of protein and real meat will help them maintain their high energy levels.

Taking this breed’s joint dysplasia and bloat risk into consideration, A-Z Animals chooses Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food & Wet Dog Food as the best dog food for Shollies.

Salmon is the first ingredient, bringing high-quality protein into your Shollie’s diet to convert all that activity and movement into lean muscle. The fish ingredients also offer natural glucosamine to make their joints as resilient as possible. The alternative carbohydrates, rice or oat, are better for digestion, with prebiotic fiber and probiotics to prevent stomach upset. If you’re particularly worried about your Shollie getting bloat, opt for the wet food version for extra protection.

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach High Protein Dog Food is available on Chewy or Amazon.

Best for Sensitive Skin and Stomach

Purina Pro Plan Skin and Stomach High Protein Dog Food

• Salmon and rice recipe for sensitive stomachs and and skin
• Live probiotics for optimum digestive health
• Sunflower oil promotes healthy skin and coat

Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance And Grooming

Shollies will require daily brushing in order to maintain a healthy coat and prevent excessive shedding. Owners can use this opportunity to check their dog’s ears for grime, as well as their teeth for general cleanliness. Brushing can be a great bonding experience between a rescue Shollie and its owner. Shollies who spend a lot of time outside may need their paw pads cleaned and trimmed to keep debris from getting stuck inside.

Training

If you’re looking for a smart, attentive designer breed, the Shollie is an excellent choice. These intelligent dogs will be eager to learn and love to learn tricks and skills like agility and fetch. Both the German Shepherd and the Border Collie parents contribute traits of being hard workers who love to learn.

The best way to break a Shollie of any bad habits is to start training early and to make sure this large breed gets plenty of time to run around and release pent-up energy.

Exercise

Shollies are a highly active breed, and those who live a sedentary lifestyle should not consider this breed. At a minimum, they require an hour of exercise a day, and a large yard to run around in is considered a bonus. They enjoy activities like herding and agility, which benefit both their minds and their bodies. They are also excellent bonding exercises as both dogs and owners learn from each other.

Puppies

Shollie puppies should be rescued or obtained from reputable breeders only. They should be in good health, and the parent’s background info should be double-checked. Shollie puppies should have a high amount of energy – puppies that are lazy or slow may have an underlying health issue. Begin training your Shollie puppy early in order to teach them good behaviors and bond with them right away.

Shollie And Children

If Shollies are integrated into the household at a young age, they will be excellent companions for young children that they see as part of the family. Shollies are herding dogs, so they may try to “herd” young children around the house and yard. These are large dogs, so some amount of roughhousing and play can be tolerated.

However, Shollies are also wary of strangers. Keep this in mind if any children enter your Shollie’s space that they are not familiar with.

Dogs similar to Shollie

• Border Collie – this herding dog is one-half of the Shollie mix breed heritage. They provide the intelligence and love of agility games with a friendly, energetic spunk.
• German Shepherd – The German Shepherd is the other half of the Shollie mixture. This protective breed will always be a loving companion and protector of the household.
• Australian Shepherd – These beautiful herding dogs are renowned for their coat colors and their herding abilities.

Popular Names for Shollie

Popular names for your Shollie include the following names

• Bella
• Lucy
• Max
• Charlie
• Sadie
• Finn
• Bear
• Luna