The Adorable Shiloh Shepherd

Where Do They Come From?

In 1974, Tina Barber became tired of her problems with her German Shepherds. So, she started crossing them with other dogs to try and get a different type of dog. Tina wanted a dog that helps families. It should be good with little children and helpful in the house. And it must be loyal to the family. The woman also based her ideal temperament on fictional dogs like Strongheart, Lassie, and Rin Tin Tin.

Tina tried different dog breeds. She had some Canadian White Shepherds, Sarplaninacs, Malamutes, and Old German Shepherds (Aldeutscher Schäferhunde), but she mostly has German Shepherds.

Tina worked for many years to create a dog with good hips and an excellent temperament. But as the breed became more popular, it was harder to control all the breeders. Tina died in 2011, but her daughter continues her legacy and is the fourth-generation breeder.

Today the Shiloh is not as healthy as Tina would like, but it has a good temperament and looks. Although the AKC has not yet recognized it, other organizations like the FCI and ARBA have.

There are also various Shiloh clubs and registries. The International Shiloh Shepherd Registry, the National Shiloh Breed Registry, the Shiloh Shepherds Breeders Association, and the TSSR are all organizations dedicated to the Shiloh Shepherd breed (The Shiloh Shepherd Registry).

What Makes a Shiloh Shepherd Different From a German Shepherd?

The Shiloh Shepherd is more significant than the German Shepherd. The German Shepherd is 24 to 26 inches and weighs 65-70 pounds. Meanwhile, the Shiloh should be 26-30 inches and weigh 80-130 pounds. 

The Shiloh is a softer and calmer dog. It is more suited to companion or therapy work than the more intensive military or police duties for which some German Shepherd lines are produced.

The Shiloh is a dog meant to be easy to train and take on challenging tasks. They also look more wolfish than German Shepherds, which sometimes have long coats. Never be scared, even though the Shiloh Shepherd looks like a wolf. It is not made of an actual wolf.

What Characteristics Does the Shiloh Shepherd Possess?

The Shiloh Shepherd is a massive, powerful dog that, despite its size, should be able to move around readily. The ears should be medium-sized and triangular with dark eyes.

This dog is more significant than some other giant breeds. This dog is the same size as a standard large breed like the Siberian Husky. This dog has two coat types: a longer, soft, plush coat and a shorter, smooth coat. Both of these coats shed, so this is not a hypoallergenic dog.

The Shiloh is a type of dog. It has many colors like black and tan, silver, cream, golden or tan. They can also be dark gray or brown and be solid black or white, with the rims of their eyes and lips in black. The eyes and nose of the Shiloh Shepherd are dark to light brown. The dimensions of the dog should be harmonious. But it typically measures a little bit longer than tall. Its hind legs shouldn’t be very angular like those of other German Shepherd dogs, and its back should be straight rather than sloped.

General Care of the Shiloh Shepherd

Energy

Some breeds in the Shiloh Shepherd family are high-energy. So, you should be prepared if your dog is high-energy.

It is especially true when the dog is young. If you don’t train your dog early, it will have behavior problems. Training or providing them with a career, such as therapy work, is an excellent approach to accomplish this.

Housing

The Shiloh Shepherd is a big dog. They need to be with their family and be great housemates. They need room to stretch their legs outdoors, so they should have access to a garden.

Food & Diet Requirements

Some Shiloh Shepherds can become obese. Their joints and muscle structures are put under a lot of stress. Talk to your vet about what diet suits your dog best based on age, size, and medical conditions such as allergies.

You can feed your Shiloh Shepherd a raw diet, but check with a veterinary nutritionist if you do so. This person can help you avoid any deficiencies or imbalances.

Grooming

A Shiloh Shepherd with a smooth coat will require brushing once each week. One with long hair will require brushing at least twice a week. You can use a slicker brush or a pet grooming glove.

If your pet sheds a lot, take them to the groomer on days that do not require workdays. It would help if you also trimmed their nails with clippers or a grinder about once or twice a month. Keeping your pet’s teeth and ears healthy is critical because they will have more difficulties if they become ill.

Exercise

The Shiloh Shepherd is not as energetic as some other breeds and should only walk for about an hour a day. They still have working dogs in their background and like it when they can be given jobs. They make good therapy dogs because they enjoy the challenges of obedience training.

No-pull harnesses are better for Shiloh Shepherds because collars can hurt their necks. When you travel, be careful with your dog. Please ensure that they are secured in the crate or are wearing a seatbelt.

Concerns 

Tina Barber made a concerted effort to breed a dog free of the German Shepherd’s health issues. But it seems that several things from other breeds got into her dogs. It is not uncommon for all breeds and even worse for some lineages like the Saarloos and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.

Your dog can have hip and elbow dysplasia or “growing pains” when they are a bigger breed.

Big breeds may also suffer from panosteitis, a disease that causes lameness.

Bad things can happen to dogs, like paralysis. If your dog has this problem, it might be harder to walk. It’s also bad when the dog lumps its butt. It sometimes happens in German Shepherds, making the skin around their butt sore and red. There are some cases where the esophagus is enlarged. It can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Bloat is a problem for the Shiloh Shepherd. By preventing them from gulping down their food too quickly, a slow feeder bowl can help lower the risk. In addition, you should eat smaller meals more frequently and avoid exercising right before or after meals.

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Shiloh Shepherd?

The Shiloh Shepherd is anticipated to live between 9 and 14 years.

The Trainability of a Shiloh Shepherd: Temperament and Intelligence

The Shiloh Shepherd is a less intense breed than the German Shepherd. They love children and are intelligent. They also enjoy being praised with treats.

Some dogs in Shiloh’s past can be oppressive and willful, though this is not always the case. Socializing with him early on is critical to understand how to behave. Also, train him from a young age because he can still be powerful even if he’s gentle.

Animals like to do jobs. It is suitable for them if they have a job. If you hike with animals, they may carry their backpack.

Are the Shiloh Shepherds Aggressive?

Shiloh Shepherds are good dogs because they are calm and affectionate. They also have a reliable temperament. It would help if you were careful with any dog, but Shilohs will not be aggressive unless under the wrong conditions.

Dogs should not be around cats. It can be hard to train and socialize dogs with other animals. The dog might be aggressive and hurt the cat.

Suitable Home: Are Shiloh Shepherds Good Pets?

Shilohs might be more expensive to feed and vet, but they make excellent pets. You should still supervise them with children because if someone gets hurt, it could be harmful.

Giant dogs are generally friendly with strangers, so they may not make good guard dogs. But their size should be enough to scare away intruders. These dogs are best in families who are home more than away or owners willing to invest time in training and exercising their dogs.

How Much Does a Shiloh Shepherd Cost?

Shiloh Shepherds are pretty rare in the world. It’s possible that getting one from a respectable breeder will put you on a waiting list. You might also think about rescuing one. A rescued Shiloh Shepherd will cost about $1000-$2000, but it is worth it because they are so rare.