Can You Afford A Border Collie Mixed With German Shepherd
Finally, can you afford a Collie mixed breed? No matter which dog breed you own, they can become expensive. The cost for the dog food can begin to add up, and then you have to throw in veterinarian visits, pet insurance, dog toys, dog beds, and other essentials your dog will need.
Within your first year of dog ownership, it should be no surprise that you can end up spending over a thousand dollars. Make sure you can afford a new dog and budget accordingly.
About the Author
Im Jackie, dog trainer, author, and former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101, and the Popular Cats Series.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Temperament:
The German Shepherd Border Collie mix is known for its high energy levels and working dog abilities. It has an intense drive to work with people, in addition to having the boldness of the German shepherd, this dog is equally curious and exploratory. This is why its important to start training early on in their lives, otherwise, they can become stubborn and willful.
How Big Does A German Shepherd & Border Collie Mix Get
The size of the Shollie would be under the medium to the large range for dogs. They have an average height of 22 to 29 inches and a weight of 45 to 80 pounds .
Female Border German Shepherd mixes are 22 to 25 inches 27 to 29 inches tall, and males are slightly bigger and stand between 27 to 29 inches .
If theyre not with an owner who has a ranch or a farm, then its also suitable to live in a house with a spacious yard thats enclosed with a high fence to avoid it from escaping if something catches its attention.
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The Border Collie German Shepherd Mixs Origin
The Shollie has become a favorite designer dog over the last two decades.
The quest for the ultimate large dog with a combination of athleticism, agility, and a protective and playful nature may have been the driving force in creating this crossbreed.
To know more about the Border Collie-German Shepherd mix, let us peek into the history and traits of its parent breeds.
Physical Characteristics Of A Shollie
Photo from: @kennelteamies
Physically, this mixed breed reminds more of its German Shepherd ancestor than the Border Collie parent. The coat colors might even confuse you by thinking its a purebred GSD instead of a cross between two breeds.
However, when you start noticing details, youll see that the mixed-breed dog has more limped ears and a not so fluffy tail .
If you thought that Border Collies and German Shepherds have fluffy coats, youd quickly change your mind after seeing the Shollie.
This canine shares the same colors as the GSD, but the coat hair is significantly more prolonged and fluffier.
Still, some crossbred doggies might have a medium-length coat that is inherited from the Border Collie breed, depending on the gene that a crossbred puppy receives.
The Shollie is definitely more on the German Shepherds side, with its muscular structure and a strong body frame when it comes to its general appearance.
These canines are considered relatively large and sturdy, which is why they stand as one of the best working dog breeds.
GSDs are generally taller than Border Collies. They can go up to 28 inches, while the maximum height of Collies doesnt exceed 22 inches.
However, even the smallest Shollie will be at least 20 inches tall, which means the height is more on the German Shepherds side.
Coat colors and types
These coat hues are usually combined in beautiful mosaic patterns that make this mixed-breed even more beautiful!
Grooming
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A Quick Guide To The Pros And Cons Of Owning A Border Collie German Shepherd Mix
Positives
- Fiercely loyal to Master and family
- Affectionate and looks friendly
- Easily trained, not a yappy dog
- Active and energetic
- Sociable and can be gentle
- Cute appearance and popular with kids
- Loves food
- Not instantly friendly, Will be fiercely protective of their family
- Not always easy to approach if a stranger
- Unsettled if not stimulated. Needs to keep active
- Naughty and noisy only if alone for long times. Will bite things
- Not good in sedentary or cramped environments, will wander if allowed
- Cautious with strangers, can appear aloof, sometimes fierce
- Will shed hair everywhere, needs to be brushed regularly.
- Should not be left alone with young children
- Could weight gain easily which puts pressure on its hips risking future problems
Shollies Is This The Right Crossbreed For You
This mixed breed is extremely energetic and playful, so if you want to get this dog, you should love being outdoors and enjoys being active. You can only call it a right match if you have the same enthusiasm and energy as your canine buddy.
You should also have a home thats spacious with a fenced yard for the Shollie to run around freely. If not, make sure you have the time to take him out for his daily exercise.
This hardworking mix is also suitable for those who want a canine as their companion for different jobs.
If you or anyone in the family have pet allergies, or no one has experience in handling a working or herding dog, then we advise you to reconsider and take a look at other Border Collie mixes.
What do you think of the German Shepherd Border Collie mix? Tell us your opinion and stories by commenting on the box below.
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Where Did The German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Come From
Border Collie German Shepherd mixes are a result of crossing a purebred GSD with a purebred Border Collie. So their history is the combined history of those two breeds! Based on their heritage, it may be assumed that the hybrid was the result of a desire for the ultimate large dog. One that has athletic ability, agility and a protective yet playful nature.
Much like Shollies, the Border Collies true origins are unknown. But its thought that they first came into prominence in Scotland. There, early Collies were bred to do much the same thing that they do today. Herd and protect livestock.
Sheepdogs such as the Border Collie have been in existence for centuries. Although the American Kennel Club didnt formally recognize the breed until 1995. Modern Border Collies are still excellent working dogs, especially on ranches. But youll also find them in the dog agility ring or as beloved family pets.
Another herding breed, the German Shepherd Dog was bred in Europe. Formed to create the ultimate herding or guide dog. In a climate where working outside often meant braving cold weather and damp conditions, the Shepherd dog had to be tough.
The GSD eventually became a refined herding breed known for its stamina and work ethic. The AKC formally recognized the breed in 1908. Later, Shepherds became associated with military, police, and service work. All sectors in which you can find them working in today.
What Do Shepherd Collies Look Like
German shepherd collie mix dog coat colors include black, golden, white, brown, and often it’s a mix of two colors, like black and white. The purebred dogs who are born out of purebred parents appear slightly different that hybrid dogs.
The coat of this mixed breed dog is often described as medium in length and their appearance is textured, dense, and straight. They are relatively tall and are very energetic plus playful.
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German Shepherd Mix Dogs For Sale Come In All Sizes And Ages
The German Shepherd puppy you choose should have hips that are wide and strong your new best friend will need a lot of room. Be prepared to give up some of the time when you adopt this type of dog. It takes time for a puppy to adjust to its new life. This type of dog requires regular exercise, health care, and socialization.
German Shepherd mix dogs for sale come from a variety of locations. In the olden days, these dogs were raised by families as house pets. The modern history of the German Shepherd is quite different. Many modern German Shepherd pups are bred to be show dogs and not pets.
A reputable breeder who has had his puppies rated in the top positions by the American Kennel Club, will usually only sell to experienced German Shepherd owners. If you buy a puppy from an inexperienced or untrained breeder, you may end up with a puppy that doesnt do as well as its breeder hoped. An inexperienced breeder cant be trusted to give you a real good match.
If you want to get a Collie mix dog, youll want to get one from a reputable breeder. The best German Shepherd breeders will have certificates of good breeding from the American Kennel Club, and they will also have the latest CERF tests for breeding purposes. A reputable breeder will want to be sure that their puppies will grow up to be healthy, strong, and obedient adults.
German Shepherd Collie Mix Puppies For Sale
If youre searching for a breeder to get a puppy, make certain to find a person who uses genetic testing on their breeding stock. But should you find a breeder that specializes in designer dogs such as these, then know your cost increases with the value thats put on the parent stock. The most suitable breeder for you will ask you tons of questions regarding your dog knowledge, home, and how you plan to look after the puppy.
Adopting a dog is normally a fairly inexpensive course of action. They will likely be fairly high shedding dogs, and that means you will need to put money into a great high-quality animal hair vacuum cleaner. When it regards hybrid dogs, you truly cant predict with certainty how they are going to look. Since purebred dogs are frequently the focus of breeders, it can be more probable you will find Shepherd Collie mix puppies offered for adoption at a nearby animal shelter or humane society. The German Shepherd Dog is sometimes the topic of controversy.
To quit your dogs extreme barking, you will need to discover the reason behind the behavior. My favorite issue is to get the other dogs to chase me, I really like to run! If youre thinking of bringing this fabulous mixed breed dog into your house, then lets make sure they are the correct choice for you.
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How To Take Care Of Your German Shepherd Border Collie Mixs Health:
Taking care of your German Shepherd Border Collie mixs health is very important. This breed is a healthy one although some diseases are common for this breed.
The most common genetic problems that the GSD-BC mix can have are hip dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Eye disease, and Wobbler syndrome. Make sure to always check out if the parents of your dog are free from these problems. It is very important because if both parents have good hips but you get an offspring with bad hips you will never know when they will start developing issues with their joints which is very painful in our opinion. So it is better to be safe than sorry.
How To Take Care Of Your Dog
Caring for a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix dog can be pretty challenging because this breed has both shepherds working traits and the collies active nature. This means that they are hardworking, will try to herd your children if they become too boisterous, and need plenty of exercise to keep them out of mischief. Thats why these dogs need a lot of attention and training to become good family members.
A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix is usually very energetic and athletic, but that doesnt mean that they cant be couch potatoes at times too- you just have to understand what makes them tick! They are more than willing to please their owners, so if you want an obedient dog that will follow your commands easily then this may well be the breed for you. If you are looking for a medium-sized dog that will protect your home as well as make great company, then this is definitely one breed that might suit you perfectly!
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German Shepherd Collie Mix Exercise Requirements
If you decide a German Shepherd Collie Mix is the right dog for you, youll have an active dog on your hands.
They require a lot of exercise regular walks or runs with their dog owner, trips to the dog park, games or playtime in the back yard, as well as mental stimulation.
As the saying goes, a tired dog is a happy dog. If you dont give a German Shepherd Collie enough exercise, they could resort to destructive behaviours out of boredom or frustration.
WagWalking.com recommends at least 60 minutes of activity on a daily basis. They need around 12 miles of exercise every week. If youre unable to commit to an exercise regime with this mix breed, theyre probably not a good fit for you or your lifestyle.
What Do They Eat
They are omnivores in nature and, therefore, they can feed on both vegetables and meat. It is important to provide them with good quality dog food that will provide them with essential nutrients to keep away from several health issues and offer necessary mental stimulation. As it is a designer dog, shepherd collie mix serves as a good family dog if their health conditions are taken care of.
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Rough Collie German Shepherd Mix Temperament
Intelligent, fun-loving, alert, and strong-willed.
These are just some of the adjectives to describe a Shollie dog.
But it takes meeting him to fully witness the charm of his personality.
He combines the wits of the German Shepherd and Rough collie making him one of the most intelligent dogs on earth.
He is easy to train, with an uncanny ability to grasp and retain commands in a matter of days.
Also, a Rough Collie German Shepherd mix dog borrows the alertness of his parents.
Both parents were alert herding dogs, so rest assured that nothing will miss the eye of a Shollie.
Add his strong powerful body and you have yourself an A-list guard dog.
But you should also know that a Shollie pup can be very vocal.
If he takes after his Rough Collie parent, he is inclined to bark at intruders until you show up.
They can also inherit the German Shepherd whining habit.
One other thing to note about a Rough Collie German Shepherd dog is his high energy.
He is ever active and thrives on outdoor adventures.
Because of this intense energy, it is advisable not to leave him unsupervised around young kids or small pets.
Border Collie German Shepherd Mix Personality
Similarly to GSDs, Border Collies are extremely intelligent and highly trainable dogs.
However, they are also similar to GSDs in that they have a working mindset and arent always down with the kids, so to speak. They will protect their home and their owner fiercely. But this behavior can be prevented with the early-onset training and socialization.
Furthermore, Border Collies are naturally very inquisitive dogs who do not enjoy sitting without a job to do or a game to play.
This can sometimes result in destructive behavior. Especially if a Collie is kept cooped up and without toys or other enrichment activities.
With all of this in mind, it is likely that a German Shepherd Collie mix will need to be kept as a working or sporting dog. Unless you will be able to exercise him frequently and provide him with things to keep his busy brain focused.
Youll also need to have plenty of time to devote to training and socializing a Collie Shepherd if you want him or her to show a more sociable side.
Although a hybrid puppy may be an equal mix of its purebred parents. There is also the possibility that the puppy will take after one parent more so than the other. Youll want to be prepared to handle a situation like that, as well.
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Do German Shepherd Collie Mix Shed
A Shollie is usually a high shedding dog that will require brushing every day to maintain the health and quality of their coat. By doing so, pet parents will remove dead hair .
A German Shepherd Collie Mix will blow out its coat twice a year, which will be a challenging time for a dog owners with dog hair all over the home.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Food Requirements
The Border Collie German Shepherd mix requires about 3 cups of dry dog food per day, depending on its activities. If the hybrid dog is exhausted from more training than usual, owners can go for 4 cups a day. The cost of the dog food required per day is around $1.50 to $1.90. Feeding a German Shepherd Border Collie takes approximately $39 to $52 in a month.
Bloat and diabetes are two main health problems that can affect a Border Collie crossed with a German Shepherd as both parent breeds may also suffer from them. It is essential for owners to avoid overfeeding this hybrid dog and prevent nutritional imbalances. In such scenarios, products such as Nutra Thrive dog food supplement can be a solution to regain the proper balance of nutrients. Do not let it overpower you to the food stack or let it deceive you with its puppy eyes.Owners must also be strict with giving the Border Collie German Shepherd human food because some may have harmful effects on the crossbreed.
Dog owners and lovers must also keep in mind that they need to seek food for the best large breed dry dog food instead of best dry dog food for small dogs.
Whatever you do, make sure you steer clear from the worst dry dog food. Try to learn more about the difference between poor-quality and premium-quality chows by checking our best dry dog food guide!
Here are a few of the most recommended large breed dog food in the US:
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
- EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food
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