Shiloh Shepherd

		Shiloh Shepherd
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Shiloh Shiloh Shepherd Dog

A brief presentation of the Shiloh Shepherd

The Shiloh Shepherd is larger than the German Shepherd and has been bred with better hips. It's a breed that's still in development, with bloodlines linked to the German Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute. Calm and confident, the Shiloh Shepherd is a good companion because of its friendly nature and devotion to its family. Serious and intelligent, they have great courage and loyalty. Shiloh Shepherds are giant dogs who like to be involved and part of family life. They respond well to training, picking things up very quickly. Early socialization and a firm but fair hand when they're young will help you get the most out of your new companion. Ideal as a guardian or watchdog, their size and serious wolf-like demeanor will deter any intruder. Their coats can be smooth or fluffy, and they shed regularly. This big dog needs plenty of exercise and loves a good hard workout. They love a challenge. So training and field work are ideal for this athlete. Your kids will love this teddy bear of a dog, and in return, they'll be showered with love and loyalty from Shiloh.

History of the Shiloh Shepherd

The Shiloh Shepherd is a dog breed that is still in the development phase. Tina Barber, a German Shepherd breeder in the USA, has been breeding the German Shepherd for many years, exactly since 1960, when she decided to bring her standard back to the old style of the very large shepherd type. Driven by her passion for her dogs, she spent a decade pursuing her goal of attaining old-style Shepherds. These dogs were larger than the German Shepherd and had stronger hips that were well muscled to avoid the problems some German Shepherds had with hip dysplasia. In the 1990s, she separated her breed from the American Kennel Club and began keeping accurate records for the Shiloh Shepherd. Shiloh bloodlines are thought to originate from the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd. In 1991, the international Shiloh Shepherd Registry Inc. was incorporated, although there are currently several different Shiloh Shepherd registries. Bred to be calmer, larger and more family-oriented, the Shiloh is descended from German Shepherd bloodlines. This dog has more of a wolfish air than either Royal or German Shepherds. Tina Barber has achieved her goal with the Shiloh Shepherd, and we can look forward to further developments within the breed. Time often shows the success of any new breed, but thanks to its beautiful appearance and lovely nature, this gentle giant will surely become a dog of choice in the battle of the breeds.

Appearance of the Shiloh Shepherd

The Shiloh Shepherd's appearance is rather heavy at first glance, but this is a dog of magnificent proportions. Their back is broad, solid and strong, and their hips are strong and well-muscled, resulting in a long, bushy tail with dense hair that hangs like a plume. The coat is available in two types, either smooth or plush. The plush coat has a dense undercoat with a medium-length outer coat, and dogs with this type of coat have a distinct mane around the neck and shoulders. The smooth coat is of medium length and thick, but hard to the touch. But it's the face that catches the eye. These handsome dogs have a wolf-like appearance with their broad, noble head, strongly defined cheekbones and tapering muzzle. The ears are alert and erect, with fringing around the lower edges. Their deep amber eyes have an alert yet calm expression, and often the face has black or masking stripes, making them an attractive dog.

Temperament of the Shiloh Shepherd

The Shiloh Shepherd is a gentle giant dog, totally loyal and very affectionate with a heart of gold. They have an outgoing nature and are confident, friendly dogs, although they can look serious and stern if they assess someone as an intruder. Their size may deter intruders, so they don't need to be aggressive. In fact, they're calm, gentle dogs for their size. The Shiloh is an ideal companion dog, being calm inside the house, but active and energetic outside. This dog is highly intelligent and learns quickly, they can be trained for police work, search and rescue, and used as therapy dogs due to their pleasant nature. They love being part of the family and part of everything that's going on. A well-socialized and trained Shiloh Shepherd is friendly and sociable and can be trained to walk without training you. Keep this dog well exercised and allow him to be with the family, and you'll be repaid with total loyalty and affection. The Shiloh Shepherd is sure to become a popular dog because of its attractive cuddly bear appearance, peaceful nature and family- and pet-friendly temperament.

Needs and activities of the Shiloh Shepherd

The Shiloh Shepherd is a large, handsome dog that needs regular daily exercise, as well as mentally challenging tasks to satisfy its intelligent nature. Fortunately for us, this dog is relatively inactive when indoors, but loves to be active outdoors. They are suited to a home that has a large yard where they can move around at will. The Shiloh is an ideal walking companion, biking companion or running companion. With their all-weather coats, they do well in both cold and warm climates, their fur insulating them from the elements. The Shiloh is very playful and makes an excellent playmate for your children. The Shiloh Shepherd is affectionate and calm, but enjoys active play with older children. Fetch, chase and splashing around a pool are all part of this dog's perfect life. The Shiloh is a dog that loves the challenge of training and learns quickly.

Maintenance of the Shiloh Shepherd

The smooth-coated Shiloh Shepherd needs minimal grooming to maintain its appearance, while the plush-coated Shepherd requires regular brushing to keep the coat clean and free from tangles. Whatever the coat, this dog has regular shedding topped by seasonal loss of its winter coat. Keep the vacuum cleaner handy at this time of year. Daily brushing will help keep the hair out of the house, which is a small price to pay for such an affectionate dog. The Shiloh rarely needs a bath, perhaps once or twice a year, to avoid depleting the natural oils in the skin that keep the coat shiny. Grooming offers a good opportunity to check for cuts, tufts of hair or body parasites like fleas or ticks, as well as to check their ears for infection. Two or three times a week, give your Shiloh's teeth a good brushing to keep their breath soft, and a mini manicure and pedicure will keep their nails short. The Shiloh Shepherd is a big, cute, hairy dog who will appreciate the attention that grooming brings.