German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Complete Guide

The German Shepherd Border Collie mix is an intelligent, medium to a large-sized and adorable hybrid dog that is also known as Shollie. German Shepherd Border Collie mixes stand between 21 and 27 inches and can weigh up to 80 pounds.

This is possibly one of the most trainable mixed dogs that you may come around. Being a mix between a Border collie and a German Shepherd, you would expect nothing less than just astonishing.

What makes the German Border Collie so unique? If you are interested in learning more about this dog and all that he requires, then you have come to the right place.

By the end of this article, you should be able to know if the Border Collie x German Shepherd is the right for you and if you want the dog to be part of your life.

German Shepherd Border Collie mix

Shollie is a mixed dog, and you are right; it is between a German Shepherd and a Border Collie. These are two of the world’s best herding dogs breeds. When you combine the trainability and loyalty of the German Shepherd with the incredible intelligence of the Border Collie, you get a superb designer dog suitable for any active home.

This is a dog that loves to stay busy and will quickly pick up the commands that you teach him. These dogs are incredibly loyal and are ideal as working dogs. Apart from these, they can also make great companion dogs.

German Shepherd Border Collie mix Identification

They are, however, not recognized by the AKC as they are not purebred dogs. Although this is the case they are perceived by

• The American Canine Hybrid Club.
• And the dog registry of America.

Though this is a mixed dog, you are not always assured of a dog that is 50% german Shepherd and 50% border Collie.

You may have some variation even in puppies of the same litter, and it is not something that you should be concerned about.

Appearance and Characteristics of the German Shepherd and Border Collie Mix

Features	Detail
Height	21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulders
Weight	70 to 80 pounds
Lifespan	13 to 15 years
Breed type	Mixes
Purpose	Companion and working dog
Best for	Families
Grooming needs	Moderate to high grooming
Color variation	Golden with markings of black
Temperament	Loyal, loving, friendly, Energetic
Other names	Shollie or Border Collie German Shepherd mix
Health issues	Back Problems, Bloat, Eye Problems, and Joint Dysplasia

German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Size and Appearance

Shollie is a hybrid dog whose appearance may vary from one pup to another. You can only make forecasts depending on what has been seen in other similar dogs, which we will do for you.

No matter how your furry friend will look, you are sure of getting a great dog that has high stamina and stiff muscles. Generally, these pooches could reach a height of 28 inches and could weigh up to 80 pounds.

Depending on the genes of the dominant parent, the mixed Border Collie may look more like a German Shepherd or a Border Collie. However, you may notice that the general appearance may lean more towards the German Shepherd.

The bodies may be muscular, which can often be confused for a purebred German Shepherd dog. One way you know that this is a designer dog is by looking at the floppy ears and the tail, which mostly matches that of a Collie.

How Big Do Border Collie German Shepherd Mixes Get?

This is a medium to large-sized crossbreed. It weighs around 45 to 80 pounds (20 to 36 kg) and stands about 22 to 29 inches (56 to 74 cm) tall. Typically, male Shepherd-Collies are more significant, with a height of 27 to 29 inches (69 to 74 cm). Female Collie-Shepherd crosses stand amid 22 to 25 inches (56 to 64 cm) tall.

A Smart, Affectionate Dog

The German Shepherd Collie Mix is intelligent and driven, but he’s also a loving dog. They are sensitive dogs that love interacting with children and other animals.

He loves to be the center of attention and is affectionate with family members. This funny crossbreed likes to be part of family activities and is usually friendly. Nevertheless, they may be aloof around strangers and people they’re unfamiliar with.

They are above-average when it comes to energy levels and intelligence. They are the perfect working dogs since a job helps maintain their body and mind active.

These dogs need plenty of socialization because of their protective nature, and they should be introduced to pets and children at an early age. This makes them more adjusted and less protective when there are new people or other dogs around.

The GSD-Border Collie cross is a great family dog, but it does need supervision when associating with young kids because of its size and strength.

Border Collie German Shepherd Mixes Coat and Shedding

Both of the parent breeds have dense, straight, and medium-length coats, which will be inherited by the Shollie. In case the hybrid takes more of the German Shepherd, he will have a double-coat, which will be denser during winter.

The double coat can also come in handy when the dog is working in cold weather. If you are not used to dealing with shedding in dogs, the German Border Collie may be a bit strange for you.

You may also want to consider this before going out to get this dog if you have anyone in the family that is an allergy victim because Shollie is not hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, you may want to consider one of the dogs on this list.

Does the Shollie Bark Often?

The Collie Shepherd rarely barks for no reason. Because of their guarding nature, they may bark to alert you or when they sense a threat to you and your family. Since it’s not a yappy dog, this crossbreed is suitable for apartment living, as it won’t disturb your neighbors with constant noise.

Border Collie German Shepherd Mixes Colors

This dog may come in any color but is mostly black and white or black and tan. It is also possible that you may get a white German Shepherd Border mix with the coat being pure white, but it is rare.

• Blue
• red
• Chocolate
• Brindle
• Sable merle and gold
• liver
• Blue merle
• Black and tan
• Black White

How Much Activity Does Shollie Need?

A regular exercise routine ensures that these dogs remain well-behaved and keeps their temperament in check. Border Collie German Shepherd mixes require 60-minute walks two times each day for physical and mental stimulation.

They need an average of 12 miles of walking per week, but swimming is an excellent alternative exercise for these dogs, too. It is also essential for these crossbreeds to have ample off-leash playtime.

A two or three-hour playdate with other dogs in the park is a great way to familiarize your Border Collie German Shepherd mix with other animals while helping it expend its energy. Interactive toys and games like playing fetch and catching frisbees also help with their mental development.

All this activity will keep this dog from getting bored and ensuring that its mind stays sharp and alert. Like their German Shepherd parents, they will also excel in canine sports like activity, obedience, herding trials, as well as flyball.

Shepherd Collie Temperament and Personality

Shollies make great working dogs with impeccable loyalty and trainability. Their active minds need to be kept busy most of the time because leaving them to get bored is a recipe for destructive habits such as barking and chewing on stuff.

This dog may not always inherit the best traits from the parents, and there is still a risk of negative aspects. They can inherit the reserved nature of the German Shepherd.

The dog can also inherit the highly-strung life of the Border Collie if not stimulated. These are some of the temperament issues that he may develop and one that should make you think if you are ready to handle this hybrid dog.

You should be prepared to provide this dog with a lot of exercises, play, and training if you are not just looking for a companion dog. It is also very possible that the German Shepherd and Border collie mix that you get will have a stable temperament where he is smart, friendly, and a bit cheeky.

This is a dog that much adores its owner, forming high bonds with them. Shollies can also be very protective, and it is for this cause that you need to make sure that the dog is well socialized from a young age.

When a pup is well socialized, you can reduce the likelihood that GSD Mix will react strangely when he meets new people.

Is the Border Collie German Shepherd Mix a Good family dog?

When you are bringing any hybrid dog home, you will need to determine how suitable he will be as a member of the family. The Border collie Shepherd mix makes an excellent family pet as long as he is socialized well with the family, which should happen naturally.

However, this pooch should not be left alone with small children. They may nip other fewer pets and small children, but it is something that you can get rid of by providing the dog with the correct training.

Other family members must get involved in the exercise of this dog, preventing any inconsistencies which may send mixed messages to the dog.

German Shepherd Border Collie Mix History

The Shepherd Collie has become a favorite furry friend for many people over the last decade. This dog is the perfect blend of activity, athletism, and playfulness, which seems to be the main reason why this designer dog was bred.

Apart from that, they are not much-documented information on the origin of the Shollie or who the first person to breed the dog was. The only thing that is known is that designer dogs have become famous over the last two decades. To get a better understanding of the Shepherd Collie, let us look at the parent breeds.

Complete History of Border Collie

Border Collies originated from England in a place that is known as Northumberland, which is in the Border of England and Scotland. They were bred mainly for herding livestock and would herd sheep all by themselves.

During the British invasion by the Romans, people brought dogs beside food and other goods. Vikings and Roman dogs were crossed to get a dog that would be suited for the hilly and rocky landscape, and it is here that the Border Collie came to existence.

Border Collies are believed to have arisen from the Old Hemp, a tri-color dog that was bred by Adam Telfer. Shepherds often used old Hemps as he was well known as the best herding dog around.

The name Border Collie came from the fact that they were bred in a place that was at the Anglo Scottish border. Collie is a Scottish Gaelic for “Sheepdog.”

The dog was named to separate the dog from already existing Collies. The American Kennel Club first realized this dog in 1995. Border Collie is also ranked as the smartest dog. They can easily and quickly pick up commands, which means that they also get bored quickly.

Popular Border Collie Mixes

•  A Border Jack is the product of mixing the genes of a Border Collie and a Jack Rusell, delivering you a dog that looks a little like a fox.
• A Borderdoodle is a mix between a Poodle and a Border Collie that is sure to make go like “Ewwww’.
• Borador is a cross between a Labrador and a Border Colli. The Dobie has both the genes of a Doberman and a Border Collie.
• The tri-colored Border Aussie is a mix within a purebred Border Collie and purebred Australian Shepherd.

German Shepherd Complete History

At the end of the 19th century, a man by the name Max Von Stephanitz decided that he would breed a dog that was smart, agile and could be used for herding. Deutsche Schäferhunds or German Shepherds are guarding dogs.

This is one of the most popular breeds in the US. The German Shepherd is an intelligent dog that is capable of working and excelling in what you teach him. German Shepherd can weigh up to 90 pounds with heights of about 5 inches.

Males are usually larger than females. In the late 1800s, a German captain by the name Max von Stephanitz decided to breed the perfect German herding dog. He believed that dogs should be able to assist in work, but he could not find a dog that could do just that.

After 35 years of working hard, the German Shepherd that you know today was created. As a result of herding sheep and other livestock, German Shepherds got the remarkable qualities that you know for today.

These qualities include versatility, intelligence, and other attributes. Did you know the German shepherds were once known as Alsatians?

Best Known German Shepherd Mixes

•  Corman Shepherd is a mix among Corgies and German Shepherds.
• Shepadoodle is a mix between Labradoodles and German Shepherds, making together a brilliant breed.
• Golden Shepherds is a hybrid that combines the qualities of German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
• Chow Shepherd is a mix in the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd. German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix.
• Shug is an odd mix of the two: German Shepherds and Pugs.
• Shollie is a mix between the German Shepherd and a Collie.

German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Puppy

When you look at a Shollie pup, you may think that it is a purebred doggo. These puppies tend to look more like a Germa Shepherd or a Border and not visible mixes. If you have never seen a Collie Shepherd, you may never notice that these puppies are mixes.

How much does a Shollie Cost?

If you decide to buy a Border Collie German Shepherd mix, you could end up paying anywhere from 450 dollars to 900 dollars. This cost is less than that of either parent breed dogs.

It would help if you were careful of puppies that come at a meager price as you could end up paying for puppies that come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are places where puppies are mass-produced, which often support lousy breeding practices.

Adoption may also be an excellent option for you if you are not willing to pay as much to get the puppy. You are also able to get a home for a doggo that needed it.

The Costs of Owning This Designer Dog

A Border Collie German Shepherd mix puppy may cost around $475 to $1000 each, on average. Of course, the costs don’t stop there. You’ll have to spend more on accessories like a collar, leash, and crate and on medical systems like microchipping, spaying or neutering, flea prevention, and check-ups.

Buy your Border Collie German Shepherd mix puppy only from authorized breeders so you can gather all the knowledge you need about the pup and its parents, including their health clearances.

Reliable breeders will also let you visit their kennels so you can observe the puppy before taking it home. You can look for Border Collie German Shepherd mix puppies for sale at websites like Greenfield Puppies and Lancaster Puppies.

What You Should Need to Know Before Getting a Puppy

When you are buying a puppy, you must make sure that the breeder you are dealing with is a responsible and reliable one. By doing this, you can increase your chances of buying a puppy that is in the best possible condition.

You are also able to discourage puppy mill practices and bad breeding as well. Communicate with the parent to the puppy or at least the dam that is the mother. You should also ask for the AKC certification of the parent dogs and check on their health.

A good breeder should not be in a hurry to sell the puppies before he makes sure that they are going to the right home. It would be best if you told the breeder what your needs are so that he can cater to them because a guide dog would not be bred the same way a working dog would.

Avoid buying Puppies With These Issues

•  No certification was issued by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for both its parent.
• Any signs of aggression from any of the mixes parents.
• Too many hereditary diseases in family history.

Grooming Needs of a Shollie

The German Shepherd Border Collie mix is a large dog that has a dense coat that comes with high keeping needs. If you are going to own this dog, you should know that you are going to have a lot in your hands when it comes to grooming the dog.

You should be ready for the seasonal shedding that is seen in this cute pooch. The coat falls off twice every year in fall and in spring to create room for a new coat to grow.

And even if the dog will not have a double-coat, he will still shed a bit during the year, and you, therefore, need to brush the coat twice in a week. You should have an excellent time to bond with your Shottie when you are grooming him.

Brushing is a unique way to keep the coat in top condition. It will also help you get rid of dead hair and shed dander, which is responsible for allergic reactions.

To do this, you will need to have the right tools that can assist you. He has a medium to long coat that needs daily brushing. The regular grooming will help you get the Border Collie German Shepherd mix’s shedding under control.

Bathing should be done twice a month, since too much use of dog shampoo may dry out your dog’s skin. His teeth should be brushed at least once every day to maintain proper oral hygiene.

Make sure to clean your dog’s ears at least once weekly. Just use a damp piece of cloth to wipe off dirt on the outer ear. His nails need proper clipping since they tend to multiply, and having long nails makes running uncomfortable for your dog. You can either do the cutting yourself or let a professional groomer do it for you.

Shepherd Collie Feeding Requirements

The amount of food that you give to your German Shepherd will depend on how much he weighs. A simple way to learn how much calories you will provide to your Border Collie mix is by multiplying the dog’s weight with 30 calories—putting into consideration the normal pressure of this dog that will be about 1300 calories per day.

This translates to about 3 cups of kibble. You can also have some wet food mixed with this. These meals should be divided into two meals a day. Good dog food should be high in proteins, and the diet should at least 25% of it being proteins.

Proteins are essential in the dog’s development. Fats are also vital because it is where your dog will get his energy from. The amount of fat in the diet should be about 8% when the dog is young and growing and reduced to 5% when the dog is an adult.

You don’t want to give him too much as such could make him get obese, which is common in large dogs. The Border Collie German Shepherd mix takes about 18 months to reach maturity.

Working dogs also do well on raw foods such as meat, fruits, bones, milk, and even some vegetables. Joint supplements are essential when you are dealing with large dogs such as the Shollie as should be involved in the diet to prevent joint ailments.

Training an intelligent crossbreed

A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix is highly trainable and one of the best guard dogs you can have in your home. They have the protective and defensive abilities of their parents. Like with most dogs, it is best to start training your Shollie at an early age.

This will reduce the likelihood of your dog developing destructive tendencies towards other pets and family members. These dogs will bark at strangers and animals they’re not familiar with, especially if they’re not appropriately socialized.

Training your German Shepherd Border Collie mix to stop barking on command and teaching him the difference within a friendly guest and an intruder should be included in your training plan.

Obedience training helps your dog learn about his role in your family and teaches him all about appropriate behavior. With this training style, you can prepare your simple pup commands like “sit” and “stay” and simple tasks like fetching the newspaper or rounding up his toys.

Use positive reinforcement when teaching your proper dog behavior. He can become stubborn when he is scolded or punished. Treats and prizes make the training process more pleasant and will yield better results. One of the best ways to get around training this dog is through positive reinforcement, which is a reward-based training system.

To understand how dog training works, you have to know that dogs learn through the consequences of their action. By this, I mean that when dogs experience something positive, there is a high probability that they will repeat the action that led to that consequence.

When a dog is praised or rewarded, he tends to repeat the same behavior as he associates that way with a positive result. Support the action that you want to see and pay the doggo for it and repeat it.

Avoid or instead never punish your Border Collie German Shepherd mix because that never works and could even be problematic. But you must get the dog’s trust while he is still young, suggesting that you should start training while he is still a pup.

Once your puppy is home, you should start by teaching him the basic house training. From there you can advance to more complex tricks and commands.

Obedience training is also vital as it opens up the dog’s mental health. Just get to know what your pooch loves the most and use that to help you train your dog.

German Shepherd Border Collie mix Health Issues

The Shollie seems to have fewer health issues than registered dogs, most likely because of genetic diversity and hybrid vigor. However, it is still possible that they will inherit special genetic ailments from their parents.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a severe spinal condition that results in the paralysis of the leg. It is a condition that currently has no cure.

Hip Dysplasia

This is an inherited condition where the bone at the thigh fails to fit the hip joint snugly. Some dogs will show signs of pain on one or both of the rear legs, but others may not show any indication that they are not enough. To diagnose the best thing you can do is to get an x-ray screening. As the dog gets older, he may develop arthritis.

Elbow Dysplasia

This condition is very similar to hip dysplasia, but it affects the forelimbs of the dog. Elbow dysplasia is an elbow joint malfunction that occurs at the connection between the ulna and the radius. Just like hip dysplasia, this condition causes uneven wear and a loose connection at the cartilage that pads this two-move and rotate.

This results in severe arthritis and lameness as the dog ages and can be a painful condition to your dog. During the early stages of the dog, examinations should be carried out to determine if your dog has elbow dysplasia.

Is The Shollie the Right Dog For You?

A Border Collie German Shepherd mix is an extremely playful and fun-loving dog. He is the perfect pet to bring home if: You love the outdoors and lead an active lifestyle that can match this canine’s energy and enthusiasm. You are home most of the time and have a big fenced-in yard for your dog to play in.

You are looking for a hardworking pet and companion. He may not be a good fit for your family if you have no experience handling a high-energy dog. You may also want to reconsider getting this crossbred if you have allergies to dander. Are you thinking of getting a German Shepherd-Border Collie mix? Or maybe you have stories about your Shepherd-Collie mix? Comment down below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Border Collie German Shepherd mix live?

On average the German shepherd lives anywhere from 13 to 15 years. But if the dog is in extremely good health he could live for up to 17 years.

Does the German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Bark?

The Collie Shepherd does not bark often and only does it if there is a reason. And because this is a protective dog he will only bark he will only bark when he senses a threat to you or the family.

How big does the German Shepherd Border Collie mix get?

Shollie is a large dog that reaches up to 29 inches in height. In terms of weight, he could be anywhere between 70 to 80 pounds.

Final Words

The German Shepherd Border Collie mix is a handsome dog that has incredible intelligence. These dogs are energetic, active, and affectionate towards the owner.

They are best suited for busy families and loves to play a lot and discovering new tricks. To house this dog, you will need to have a fenced backyard where this dog can play and explore. If you have any experiences with this dog, tell us about them in the comment section below.