There are two things any prospective Shollie parents need to know before they bring one into their household.
Let’s start with the fact that this is a dog with a phenomenal amount of energy. They need at least an hour’s activity a day and around 12 miles of walking a week. A backyard for them to expel some energy in between these outings would be helpful — a small apartment is not an ideal living environment for a German Shepherd Border Collie mix, frankly.
In addition to these long walkies, parents will also need to commit time to grooming their Shollie. This is a dog that sheds all year around, with two particularly heavy spells of fur loss each year.
To prevent your home from becoming overwhelmed with pet hair, parents should brush their Shollie every day. They shouldn’t be bathed too frequently though as this can disturb the balance of natural oils.
As well as this, there are a few other tasks to incorporate into the dog’s grooming regimen — this includes brushing teeth, clipping nails and checking ears for signs of infection.
Shollie Health Risks
While the Shollie’s parents will usually pass down their obedience and handsome looks, they can occasionally bequeath less desirable gifts, such as hereditary diseases that are common to both German Shepherds and Border Collies.
In certain cases, it can be pure bad luck for a dog to be born with a genetic disorder, but there are measures a parent should take to lower the probability. The main precaution is to only deal with breeders that carry out screening on their animals and prevent those with health conditions from reproducing — don’t be afraid to ask breeders for proof of this testing.
The most common health issues that can affect a Shollie include:
Joint problems
As a dog that loves to run around, it’s a shame when a Shollie is inhibited in their movement for whatever reason. Sadly, it would seem that a Border Collie German Shepherd mix is slightly more prone to developing hip dysplasia.
This is fairly common in medium-to-large-sized dogs and happens when the hip joint fails to develop correctly. This malformation leads to the hip bone moving with friction against the corresponding socket, resulting in limping and pain.
If a vet diagnoses your dog with hip dysplasia, there are various treatment options available. Milder cases can often be alleviated with weight loss or supplements, but more serious instances might need physiotherapy or surgery.
A less common joint condition seen in Shollies is patellar luxation. This is normally seen in small or toy-sized breeds, but it can develop in larger dogs, too.
Patellar Luxation is the name given when a dog’s kneecap frequently dislocates. Again, this leads to limping and pain, but the good news is that it can often be treated successfully with medication and surgery.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Another medical problem that a Shollie dog appears to be predisposed to developing is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). This is a disorder whereby the body doesn’t produce digestive enzymes, so food isn’t broken down into a small enough size to be absorbed by the intestines. Undigested food appears in the feces and the dog will become malnourished.
The classic symptoms for EPI — weight loss, lethargy, eating feces — are quite generic, making it a hard disease for a vet to diagnose. Once they’ve landed on this diagnosis, your dog will have to take supplements containing pancreatic enzymes and change to a low-fat and low-fiber diet.
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat
Often referred to as bloat,
GDV can be a serious issue in medium-to-large-sized dogs with deep chests — such as the Shollie dog. It happens when the stomach fills with air and twists, often after eating. The inflated organ can hinder blood flow to vital parts of the body, including the pancreas. This is a fast process and if treatment isn’t sought in the following hours, it can be fatal.
Parents should be aware of the signs of bloat, which include retching, drooling, a swollen or painful abdomen, difficulty breathing and restlessness. Contact a vet straight away if you believe your dog is suffering from GDV as swift treatment is essential.
Likewise, parents also need to know how to reduce the likelihood of bloat happening in the first place. Spreading meals throughout the day stops overeating in a short period, while there are also bowls designed to slow down dogs as they eat. Some experts recommend not exercising a dog for an hour before or after mealtime, too.
Eye Conditions
Many Collie parents will already be familiar with Collie Eye Defect, a vision disorder spotted mostly in Collie breeds. This leaves Shollies vulnerable to inheriting the condition.
This normally starts when a dog is young and stops developing at the 10-12 week mark. Cases range in severity and sometimes the symptoms are minimal. However, other pets are affected more and parents will have to adapt the living environment to this new challenge. Unfortunately, there’s no known cure.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is another disease sometimes diagnosed in Shollies. Like Collie Eye Defect, this can also lead to a gradual loss of vision, although this continues throughout a dog’s life — it often starts with diminished night vision, before day vision depreciates, sometimes to the point of total blindness.
Parents might spot cloudy or gray-looking eyes, and their pet seemingly more uncoordinated and clumsy than usual. There’s no effective treatment for PRA, so the only thing a parent can do is support their dog by making their home environment safer.
Many diseases can be treated more effectively if caught earlier — a wellness plan includes testing and 24/7 live vet chat.
What to Feed a Shollie
As energetic dogs, Shollies need a lot of food, but this needs to be of the right sort to avoid weight gain. Look for recipes with high protein levels, real meat as the first listed ingredient and plenty of fruit and vegetables for nutrients. Avoid products with lots of carbs and filler ingredients.
German Shepherds are often considered large breeds and if your Shollie is similarly sized, you could give them a dog food formulated specifically for large breeds. However, they can also have formulas designed for all dog sizes, too.
Still need help with choosing what to give your Shollie at mealtimes? Our partner Dog Food Advisor is the go-to authority when it comes to this matter — here’s their list of the best dog foods for German Shepherds, for example.
