Shollie

70-80 lbs
21-29"
United States
German Shepherd
Collie

The Shollie is a hybridization between the purebred German Shepherd and Border Collie; both exceedingly popular dogs.  Despite the popularity of both parents, the Shollie is not a well-known breed.  Currently, the Shollie is only recognized by the Dog Registry of America and the American Canine Hybrid Club.  The Shollie is a wonderful family dog with some of the highest intelligence of all canines.  They can be devotedly protective of their families but gentle with the ones they love.  Many Shollies maintain the German Shepherd appearance, but the Border Collie physical traits are still apparent if only subtler.     

purpose Purpose
Companion and Guardian
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
German Shepherd and Border Collie

Shollie Health

Average Size
Male Shollie size stats
Height: 21-29 inches Weight: 70-80 lbs
Female Shollie size stats
Height: 21-29 inches Weight: 70-80 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Cataracts
  • Portosystemic Shunts
  • Diabetes
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Radiographs
  • Complete Physical Examination

Shollie Breed History

The Shollie is a hybridization of two popular, hard-working, intelligent canine breeds.  Despite the popularity of both parents, the Shollie is not a well-known hybrid, and little documentation is available on the history of this breed.  However, owners and those interested in adopting a Shollie can benefit from understanding the respective histories of both the German Shepherd and the Border Collie. The German Shepherd is a large herding dog that developed in Germany in the late 1800s due to the efforts of Captain Max von Stephanitz.  Stephanitz desired a herding dog for German farms that was unmatched in both herding and guardianship. Herding dogs in the region had existed for several centuries, but a distinct German breed was not established by the time Stephanitz undertook the endeavor.  However, as the German Shepherd developed, the need for herding and farm dogs significantly dropped as a result of industrialization and demand for herding dogs dropped.  Instead of abandoning the breed or live with low demands, Stephanitz convinced the military and police agencies of Germany to use the German Shepherd as canine units.  The German Shepherd played a major role in Europe during World War II for both the Germans and the Allied Forces as a Red Cross, messenger, rescuer, and sentry dog.  During the war, one German Shepherd puppy was pulled from a bombed wreckage in France by an American Corporal.  The puppy was taken back to the U.S. where he went on to play the role of Rin Tin Tin in several movies and television shows.  The German Shepherd has had many roles to fill in its history, including service dog for the blind, guardian, military,  police canine, and sniffing out drugs and bombs. Unfortunately, the German Shepherd has also experienced negative publicity as an aggressive dog over the years.  While the breed may have a heightened degree of innate aggression, the German Shepherd is a loyal and loving breed that still ranks at the American Kennel Club's 2nd most popular dog. The Border Collie rose from a long line of English Shepherds in the British Isles after fanciers took note of the intelligence, grace, and agility of the herders in the region.  The Border Collie's predecessors were native dogs that crossbred with invading Roman breeds and were left to develop on the farms and pastures along the border of Scotland and England.  The Border Collie draws its name from the Scottish and English border country, and Collie is Scottish Gaelic for sheepdog.  Fanciers wished to develop an agility dog with superior herding abilities for show, and the Border Collie was the result of these enthusiastic efforts.  Today, Border Collies are bred for the excellent herding and agility qualities as well as for conformation.  However, some believe the Border Collie is so superior as a working dog that conformation standards should not weigh in the breeding program and breeders should focus on the dog's working role instead.   The American Kennel Club recognized the Border Collie in 1995.               

Shollie Breed Appearance

The Shollie is often described as a German Shepherd because that parent's physical appearances often overpower that of the Border Collie.  The Shollie is a large dog, weighing up to 80 pounds and long, straight legs.  The Shollie's head is in proportion to its body, and the ears are large and triangular and may flop over.  The Shollie's eyes are dark brown, but some puppies may have colored eyes from the Border Collie bloodlines.  The Shollie's eyes are almond-shaped with an intelligent, gentle expression often accentuated by their colored eyebrows.  A Shollie's coat tends to be thicker than the German Shepherd parent's coat and slightly soft, a trait it gains from the Border Collie parent, and the tail is less bushy that in the German Shepherd.  Otherwise, the Shollie may sometimes be mistaken for a purebred German Shepherd, especially in its youth.
Eye Color Possibilities
blue Shollie eyes
Blue
hazel Shollie eyes
Hazel
brown Shollie eyes
Brown
amber Shollie eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Shollie nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Shollie coat
Black
sable Shollie coat
Sable
white Shollie coat
White
brown Shollie coat
Brown
fawn Shollie coat
Fawn
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Shollie straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Shollie Breed Maintenance

The Shollie is a heavy shedding dog that requires daily brushing to help remove the loose and dead hair.  Their shedding increases twice a year, and daily grooming will significantly reduce the amount of hair and dander.  Frequent grooming will reduce tangling and remove dirt and debris from the hair and keep the coat looking and feeling magnificent.  The Shollie is not known to drool and has no strong doggy odor.  Owners should take care not to bathe their Shollie too often as this may reduce the amount of natural oils on the skin and lead to irritation.  If bathing is required, owners must use a hypoallergenic shampoo and refrain from overuse.  The Shollie is not prone to dental issues but brushing its teeth a few times a week will help reduce any future dental issues.

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Brushes for Shollie
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Shollie requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Shollie Temperament

The Shollie has a high spirit and a lot of energy.  They are affectionate and loyal to their families and will go to lengths to protect them.  The Shollie is especially fond and protective of children and may often herd them.  However, children should never be left alone with a Shollie, or any other dog, for both the dog and the child's safety.  The Shollie tends to be aloof with strangers but never overly shy or aggressive.  Timidity and aggression are traits that may overdevelop with improper care and owners must take measures to socialize and care for their Shollies properly.  The Shollie's herding heritage makes the hybrid dog-friendly, as well as friendly with other pets, such as the cat.  They are playful but also enjoy naps and snuggling.  Their energy levels tend to be higher than the German Shepherd's, and they get most of their playfulness from their Border Collie parent.  The Shollie is considered a highly intelligent breed that is easy to train with a committed owner.

Shollie Activity Requirements

The Shollie is no indoor dog and requires a lot of time playing and running outside.  The Border Collie genes demand daily agility exercise and task-oriented playtime; otherwise, the Shollie may become bored and destructive.  Their high activity levels, as well as intelligence, requires a committed dog owner who is also experienced with dog ownership.  A Shollie that is not mentality and physically engaged will develop negative behaviors including destruction, anxiety, aggression, or even timidity.  The Shollie requires at least 60 minutes of daily activity outside, so a house with a fenced-in backyard is a must.  The Shollie is not well-suited for apartment living and does well in the country.  The Shollie is also well-suited for a range of climates, but owners should always pay close attention to the Shollie's activities in hot weather to avoid overheat, which can be life-threatening.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
12 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Shollie Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
food bag monthly cost

Shollie Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Shollie size stats at six months
Height: 23.0 inches Weight: 65.0 lbs
Female Shollie size stats at six months
Height: 23.0 inches Weight: 65.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Shollie size stats at 12 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 70.0 lbs
Female Shollie size stats at 12 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 70.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Shollie size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 75.0 lbs
Female Shollie size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 75.0 lbs

Shollie Owner Experiences

Cisco
3 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddles
Swim
Puzzle Toys
Walk
Fetch
Cisco is a border collie German shepherd mix we rescued. he was in pretty bad shape when we found him but he was so sweet. after vet visits and baths he has turned out to be a wonderful dog! we also have cats and he had less of a problem with them than the cats did with him although now after 7 months they get along and even sleep together sometimes. he is VERY high energy which took us a bit to get used to but he is a wonderful addition to the family. he is too smart for his own good but training is so easy! he sheds...a lot. I had to upgrade the vacuum. He is completely worth it!
1 year ago
Neera
5 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
snuggling
Playing fetch
Fabulous dog! We rescued her at 3 months. She’s very loyal, protective and compassionate. Very dominant, she herds our other dogs which is hilarious to watch. Easy to train and extremely intellect. She loves to cuddle and is gentle around small children.
1 year, 5 months ago
Fireball
6 Months
5 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
they are only 6 months old they are a rescue we recently lost 2 fur babies both on my daughters 13th birthday one was a 20 yr old cat and one was our 4 yr old bulldog. My husband brought home a 2 month old Sholloe in July and we have been blessed ever since, we will never forget our 1st furbabies but this new one has healed the family and Fireball rescued us from grief and sadness.
1 year, 6 months ago
Evie
2 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, Training, Playing
Ex foreign street dog, had her for 2 months. Very affectionate and clingy to us now, wary of men, and barks madly at all dogs. Will chase it if it moves and protective of family. Very clever and quick to learn, can be extremely hyper if not kept entertained. Training classes making a slow difference but in the home, she is very soppy and loving. Needs a lot of time as very active and energetic but also sleeps a lot.
1 year, 9 months ago
Crodié
4 Months
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Road trip
Walk
still very young but I love the little guy. everyday i wake up looking forward to seeing his smile!
5 years, 1 month ago
Harley
6 Weeks
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing with toys, snuggling.
We just got her today. She seems like a quiet, easy going pup, and is equally snuggly as she is playful.
4 years, 8 months ago
Skampers
14 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
One of the best dogs I have owned. He is getting up in age, but still plays with our poms like he is a pup. He is great with family and visitors. Protective of all members of the house, including the cats even though they don't particularly like him. He plays very nice with the smaller pups.
4 years, 8 months ago
Aspen Capistrano Cole
10 Weeks
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
he is learning so fast. very smart. cries when we leave which kills me...
4 years, 8 months ago
Sierra
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Bike ride
Walk
Run
Frisbee
Road trip
Swim
Sierra came from a German Shepherd Breeder Who has other dogs on the Property including rough collies. We suspect that there was some irregular breeding that took place and as a result the GSD litter contained some collie mixes. Her Temperament and demeanor is not 100% GSD nor is the size of her head, when compared to other Female GSD. With that said, Sierra is a great dog who is intelligent, and a great household companion. She is not the best with guests but she eventually warms up to them.
4 years, 6 months ago
Tia
6 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tia is very energetic and loves nothing more then running and a big field off of her lead and chasing sticks, balls and squeeky toys and she is very good with bringing it back but we are working on recall when she sees other dogs which she wants to say hello too but runs towards them with aggression but only with the intention of sniffing
4 years, 5 months ago
Venus
8 Months
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We adopted Venus from the street two months ago, it is a mixture of German Shepherd with smooth collie, she is very affectionate and has a lot of energy
4 years, 4 months ago
Rosie
2 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We first meet Rosie from the rspca ever since then we have been attached to her. She has been great so far she is well behaved and is toilet trained. Also she gets along with our older dog axel which is a German Sheperd.
4 years, 3 months ago
Lambeau
5 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Tug-of-war
Chase
Dog-friendly events
Hide & Seek
Dog Parks
Ball
Snuggle
We love our Shollie, Lambeau, he's a very good boy, kennel trained, and knows the basic tricks like sit, shake, laydown, speak. We can't believe how fast he's growing, already 36 lbs at 5 months old.
4 years, 3 months ago
Cash
3 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cash has become extra attached to me, but is still great with my kids and husband. He is a little standoffish with new dogs and people. Very attentive and easy to train.
4 years ago
Sage
8 Months
6 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Bike ride
training
Swim
Fetch
Hide & Seek
Dog Parks
Amazing dog. We keep her outside during the summer (when no one is home) with shade and water. She does get anxious when she is alone so we tend to leave her plenty of toys whilst we are at work- in order to keep her occupied. She sheds like crazy right now but im assuming its because its during the summer months. This breed knows how to adventure and snuggle! <3
4 years ago
Spoggos
14 Months
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Best company I could ever have
3 years, 7 months ago
Sadie
21 Weeks
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is still on 4 months old, but she knows most commands and learns on the 2nd try. She does love to cuddle, but she won't sleep in bed with us unless it is light outside, which is a little strange in my experience with dogs. She may just want to sleep alone at night, and hang out in bed in the early morning until it is time for her to eat. She is very territorial over toys and food with our other big dog, and he lets her get away with it. Right now, she weighs about 24 lbs at 4 months. Very long legs that look a bit funny with the rest of her body. At this point, she lost all of her teeth except for the fangs (she lost a fang last night, actually). So far, she is VERY good with kids and people, but she is not good in group puppy play and we've been quarantined a few times. It is not that she is aggressive, but she is afraid of the noise and commotion and hides under a chair. If a dog comes near her, she will snap at them. We are working on it!
3 years, 8 months ago
Lloyd
3 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
Tug-of-war
snuggling
Hide & Seek
Dog Parks
Walks
Our sweet Lloyd is an amazing family dog. He is incredibly loving an playful with our 10-year old daughter, us and my parents. However, be aware that these dogs are a lot of work. And our guy is not cool with people just coming into our house or onto our property. He is extremely protective of his family. We have to greet anyone outside of the immediate family with him on leash and allow him to get comfortable, but even then we are very careful and would never leave him unattended around children (outside of our daughter who is his best friend). However, he thinks that anyone with a dog is absolutely fine. Loves, loves, loves other animals. He also required proper training and needs lots of activities (mental & physical) to keep him happy. We absolutely love this dog - but remember, this is not an easy dog for lazy owners. Lots of work = lots of love. Totally worth it for us and he is highly, highly intelligent. Be ready for them to be interested in everything you do and want to "help", LOL.
3 years, 5 months ago
Matilda
21 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is a great companion to my Husband and I, she is a great guard dog, her bark and growl is very deep for such a sweet girl, so strangers are very wary of her, once she is introduced to the visitor she will then relax and accept them into our home. she loves playing ball and with other dogs she also tries to round up my 2 cats, but they are the boss in the house. I cannot imagine life without her.
3 years ago
Barry
8 Weeks
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We have only just met, at 8 weeks old he has shown his ability to learn
3 years ago
Sweetpea
7 Years
9+ People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Sweetpea is my service dog. She helps with my autism, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. She's as active as she is lazy. She is very vocal. More vocal than our 5 huskies. when she's working she is all business but at home she's all naps and play. She's never herd a child or any person ever. She doesn't shed much. She has dense fur on her chest/tummy area. She prefers playing with my other dogs over toys. She loves puppies, kids/babies/ humans in general. She is fine with strangers. She's not very protective. She's a very calm dog for her breed.
2 years, 8 months ago
Pepper
7 Months
7 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walks
She is a great pet and wonderful guardian
2 years, 6 months ago
Maximus
3 Months
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We are walking around the neighborhood and trying to expose him as much as possible to the community
2 years, 5 months ago
Bella
3 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dog Parks
Walk
Run
Dog-friendly events
Bella is super affectionate! She loves to lay on anyone that comes to the house. She is a barker, which is natural. She barks if she hears something outside. She is playful at time, and definitely needs over 30 minutes of playtime each day outside of walking her. She walks about 3 miles a day. On terms of grooming, she does shed very very bad. She gets deshedding shampoo and brushed. The amount of hair is crazy! That’s the German SHEDper in her! Shollie’s are great. They are loyal, affectionate, and super super smart.
2 years, 4 months ago
Luna(tic)
3 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Look out the window
Ball
Laying in the sun
Luna is a very important part of our lives. We rescued her about 8 months old....from a life in an apartment or tied to a tree... She was hyper and nearly untrainable, but after 2 trainers $$ and some time she settled down (age) and began to follow instructions.... now we put on her training collars and she knows not to goof off. She doesn't like a crate, but does well in a cave...so naps are in the closet or under the bed... Herding behavior is very prominent when she wants to go outside...she starts with the lowest member of the family and works her way up...
2 years, 4 months ago
Tilley
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Ball play, and seek, throw stick in water, walking
Love this dog since puppy So smart
2 years, 4 months ago
Layla
5 Months
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play keep away
Rope
Ball
She is a great puppy learning a lot listens picky eater
2 years, 2 months ago
ZOOM
5 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Zoom is very friendly... he loves to play 24/. Shollie's like to learn all the time. They are attention seekers. Very well behaved dog. All in all this is a fantastic pet to have. If you ever come across one for adoption or for sale get it.!!
2 years, 1 month ago
Oreo
4 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dog Parks
Frisbee
Fetch
She’s is very talkative, constantly talking and yelling at us. Easy to train, learns a command after 2 or 3 times of teaching. People pleaser, does not like getting in trouble. Overly sensitive, if we raise our voice she gets sad and starts pawing at us. Jealous dog, doesn’t like when our husky gets attention.
2 years ago
Ryder
2 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Running
Amazing, lovable, mouthy dog
1 year, 11 months ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - Other
Question

Hello, I am currently training and walking a 7month old shollie, and she has come from a pretty unsocialized situation of which her owner had to quickly escape from for both of their safety. They are now living in a very small studio and her owner is working tirelessly to make ends meet. I have started taking her out for walks and play and she is SUPER SMART. What would you say is a good starting point for her? She gets nervous when men approach, and has high leash reactivity. I am thinking of training her in a less distracting environment before walks.

Answer
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - Nutrition
Question

What should I do to lessen the chance of my dog Having hip dysplasia issues From the nutrition perspective I have a German Shepherd border collie puppy mix and both those dogs have a history of that should I start a regiment of certain vitamins and if so what age should I start

Answer
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - Behavior
Question

Does shollie herd more like collie or more like german shepherd

Answer
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