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Shiloh Shepherd

Breed Characteristics

Compatibility With Children
Trainability (Learning Rate)
Energy Level
Exercise Requirements
Grooming
Compatibility With Other Pets
Loyalty
Protectiveness

1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic

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Shiloh Shepherd

Nicknames Shilohs
Country of Origin United States
Weight Males: 100 - 130 lbs. (45 - 59 kg)
Females: 80 - 100 lbs. (36 - 45 kg)
Height (at withers) 28 - 30 in. (71 - 76 cm)
Coat Shilohs come in two distinct coat varieties: the smooth or double coat and the plush coat. The smooth coat should be of medium length and lie close to the body; the hair at the neck and on the back of the fore and hind legs may be longer and thicker than other areas. The outer coat will be dense, straight, and harsh. The plush coat is longer, with a soft undercoat and a distinctive "mane" which extends to the chest. The body coat should not be over 5 inches (12.5 cm) long but will have feathering inside the ears and behind the legs which should not be over 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.
The smooth coat is easier to groom, though the plush coat may shed less. For show purposes, the tufts that grow between the toes and pads must be trimmed. Coats that are open, woolly or curly are serious faults.
Colour Shilohs come in a wide range of coat colours. They may be bi or dual coloured in black with tan, golden tan, reddish tan, silver, or sable. They can also be solid golden, silver, red, dark brown, dark grey, or black sable. Solid black and solid white are possible, but for show purposes, the nose, lips, and eye rims must be solid black. Blue and liver colours are possible but not bred for since they are disqualifying faults.
Shilohs may have a small white blaze on the chest or white on the toes, but white in any other area is a fault. To meet the standard, this should blend in with the lighter colour of their coat. Pale, washed-out colours are discouraged.
Litter Size 7 - 8 puppies
Life Span 10 - 14 years
Origin & History The Shiloh Shepherd was developed by Tina M. Barber of Shiloh Shepherds (kennel) in New York, United States. In 1974, she began developing a new line of German Shepherd Dog. Her goal was to preserve the type of dog she remembered from her childhood in Germany: dogs that are good family companions, exceptionally intelligent, both physically and mentally sound, and large in size.
Tina separated her foundation stock from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1990, and the FIC (Federation of International Canines) agreed to register these dogs as a separate breed. FIC is not to be confused with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale – World Canine Organization (FCI). The name chosen for these dogs was "Shiloh Shepherd" after the kennel of origin. Shortly thereafter, the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America, Inc. (SSDCA, Inc.) was formed to preserve and protect the future welfare of the breed. In 1991, the International Shiloh Shepherd Registry (ISSR) was established and took over registry functions from the FIC.
In 1993, The Complete Computer Place (TCCP), using a specially designed database program, officially started maintaining breeding records. This program tracked nine generations of pedigree and LMX (Littermate X-Ray Program) data and computerized all the older paper files. The ISSR used this program to document vital data on each Shiloh Shepherd in its registry. Tina Barber was active in the development of the breed as the President of the SSDCA, Inc. and Breed Warden for the ISSR. Tina Barber died at the age of 63 on May 30, 2011 in Warsaw, New York. Lisa Barber (daughter) has assumed the role of Breed Warden and Registrar of the ISSR since the death of her mother.
In 1997, during a period when the SSDCA was inactive, The International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) was opened. In 1998, the ISSDC opened their own registry, calling it the ISSDCr. The Shiloh Shepherd Breed Association (SSBA) was opened shortly after and assumed registry functions for the ISSDCr. The National Shiloh Breed Registry (NSBR) was established in 2001 and The Shiloh Shepherd Registry (TSSR) in 2002. In 2004, the ISSDC was reorganized as a parent club for the NSBR, the SSBA, and the TSSR. In June 2009, the SSBA was closed.
There are significant differences of opinion between the founding club and registry and subsequently established clubs and registries as to how best serve the breed.
Personality The Shiloh Shepherd is very similar to the German Shepherd Dog, except it is bigger, and bred with better hips. The breed club promotes temperament testing and issues certificates for individuals that it considers to be neither fearfully shy nor dominantly aggressive. Although the Shiloh is still relatively unknown, it makes a nice companion dog. It is a very intelligent, courageous and self-confident dog that will willingly protect its family, yet it is friendly and a good companion to its friends and family. Makes a good guard and watchdog. Shilohs have tremendous loyalty and courage. Calmly confident, but not hostile. Serious and intelligent. They have a high learning ability. Shilohs love to be close to their families. They should be trained and socialized from an early age with a firm and loving hand. Remaining alpha over the dog along with providing daily walks, jogs or runs is paramount to a successful relationship between you and your shepherd.

Care Requirements

Health As with other large/giant breed dogs, Shilohs may experience problems with bloat and torsion. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth syndrome has also been reported and can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and difficulty absorbing nutrients from food. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is another health concern although manageable with digestive enzyme supplementation. Each condition is serious and should be treated immediately by a veterinarian.
Shilohs are susceptible to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders. An exhaustive and detailed genetic breeding program has greatly reduced the incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia. Panosteitis may occur during a Shiloh's growth stages.
Grooming The coat comes in two varieties, smooth and plush. The plush coat requires regular brushing to keep it clean and tangle free. The smooth coat requires minimal grooming. This breed sheds bits of hair constantly and is a seasonally heavy shedder. A quick daily brushing is best unless hair in the house is not a problem. They should be bathed rarely, only once or twice a year to avoid skin oil depletion.
Exercise The Shiloh Shepherd loves strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for these dogs are very intelligent and crave a good challenge. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you when you bicycle. If under-exercised, this breed can become restless and destructive.
Other Considerations The Shiloh Shepherd will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough exercise. These dogs are relatively inactive indoors and do best with at least a large yard. They have all-weather coats and will do well in cold as well as hot climates. They can live outdoors, but would be much happier inside close to their owners. Be sure they have plenty of water and shade on hot days and proper shelter in the winter.
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