Unleashing the Magic of the German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

When two “super” energetic, intelligent dogs from the herding group such as Border Collie and German Shepherd come together, they give birth to a “Shollie” or a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix.
Mixbreeddogs is here with a complete guide for everything you need to know about a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix dog breed in 2023.
In this article, we’re going to cover the dog’s appearance, traits, and temperament.
This will also help you decide whether or not the addition of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix will suit you and your family.
Let’s get started.

What is a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix?

A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix is a cross between two purebred dogs: a German Shepherd and a Border Collie. They are a hybrid dog breed that was probably bred to have a superior athletic ability, agility, protective nature and playfulness combined into one.

But where does this awesome breed come from?

Let’s take a look at the following sections for Border Collie German Shepherd Mix origin and history. 

Origins of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

To understand the true nature of a German Shepherd Collie Mix, we need to learn about where the two parent breeds come from. Crossbreed dogs get less exposure than purebred dogs and many don’t get proper recognition. That’s why their history isn’t properly monitored.

Origins of a German Shepherd

German Shepherds were bred to be the ultimate herding dogs. A German Shepherd can adapt to most conditions, including cold and/or damp weather. German officer Max Von Stephanitz refined the breed and the American Kennel Club finally recognized the breed in 1908.

German Shepherds quickly became popular with the police, military and service work. Their intelligence and trainability make them be one of the most sought out dogs in the entire world.

Origins of a Border Collie

Many don’t know, but the history of Border Collies start when the Romans were in Britain. The Roman’s dogs bred with the Viking’s dogs and over time they became “World’s Greatest Herding Dogs”.

Their history goes back centuries, but sadly, the American Kennel Club didn’t give them official recognition until 1995. Modern Collies are not just agile; they are also highly intelligent and are loving faithful companions.

Physical Characteristics of a Border Collie German Shepherd Mix

Most hybrids tend to resemble either of the parents when it comes to their physical aspects; however, it’s not uncommon for Collie German Shepherd Mix dogs to have balanced characteristics from both parents.

Size and Weight of a Border Collie and German Shepherd Mix

A German Shepherd Collie can grow up to be a medium-large sized dog.  While the weight depends on which parent a crossbreed leans more towards, in terms of characteristics—the height of the breed can be easily guessed.

A Shollie stands 22-24 inches tall at the shoulder. In terms of weight, it’ll come to anywhere from 45-80 lbs.

Color and Coat of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

One thing that sure can’t be guessed is a crossbreed’s coat color. A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix can be any one of 17 colors. They range from blue, black, merle, red, sable, brindle, traditional black and white, and more!

Your Shollie will most likely be bi-colored—it’s the most common coloring.

They can also inherit a medium length double coat (from their German Shepherd parent) or a medium length coat (from their Border Collie parent).

Personality and Temperament of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

With mixed breed dogs, it’s difficult to know the type of personality and temperament a dog will get before they become adult; however, with a Border Collie German Shepherd Mix, we can take a few educated guesses.

Border Collies and German Shepherds are both highly intelligent and trainable. With all that intelligence comes the need for attention. They are likely to get bored easily and need both physical and mental stimulation regularly.

A Shollie will mostly inherit the above traits from its parents. It is unlikely that they will have aggression issues as no matter what the rumors say, neither German Shepherds or Border Collies are aggressive dogs.

Trainability of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix is one of the best guard dogs you can have in your home. They are highly trainable and their Shepherd lineage gives them the instinct to protect members of the family. Likewise, Collie lineage makes them think outside of the box about any possible threats.
They do have a tendency to bark though, so one of the first things you should train your German Shepherd Collie Mix to do is to stop barking on command.
One of the most popular training you can give your Shollie is the ability to distinguish between a harmless guest and potential intruder.
As the puppy is growing up, make sure you also complete crate training, leash training and obedience training.

Health Concerns of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

Mixed breed dogs are generally healthier than their parent breeds. A German Shepherd Border Mix is no different, but they also face some inherited, age-related health problems.
A few such health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies, skin and eye conditions. Both German Shepherds and Border Collies are prone to hip dysplasia. So, Shollies are at particularly high risk.
Please refer to our articles about German Shepherd health and Border Collie health for detailed information.
Shollies will live somewhere up to 10-15 years. In fact, there have been cases where they’ve lived up to 17 years!

Buying a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Puppy

One of the most important things you should always do before getting a mixed breed puppy is finding a reputable breeder.
A reputable breeder will have all the details about a puppy, including any and all health problems it might have inherited. They will also have information on the parents.
The cost will increase with the value of the parent stock.
There are other options for getting a Border Collie German Shepherd Mix puppy. Check your local animal shelter or humane society.

Taking Care of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix is a dog that needs a decent amount of care. As dog owners, we should always make sure that our furry friends get the proper exercise, grooming, and nutrition.

Exercise Needs of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

A German Shepherd Collie Mix is a high-energy dog. That means you’ll need to plan daily walks, off-leash exercise and play time. They will get destructive if cooped up for long.
They aren’t an ideal dog for people with small apartments because Shollies need plenty of space to run around.

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Grooming a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

No matter what type of coat your German Shepherd Border Collie Mix dog has, they will require weekly brushing. As a high shedding dog, it’s recommended you invest in a good brush and a vacuum cleaner.
The shedding will only increase during the shedding season.

Conclusion

A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix is the perfect companion for someone who is witty, affectionate and loves the outdoors. If that’s you, you’re in for a long and happy companionship with what’s arguably one of the best mixed-breed dogs in the world.