Shiloh Shepherd

80-100 lbs
26-28"
United States
Shiloh

The Shiloh Shepherd is bigger than the German Shepherd, and has been bred with better hips. They are a breed that is still in development, with bloodlines tied to the German Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute. Calm and confident, the Shiloh Shepherd makes a nice companion with their friendly nature and devotion to their family. Serious and intelligent, they have tremendous courage and loyalty. The Shiloh is a giant dog who loves to engage with the family and be part of that family life. They respond well to training, picking things up very quickly. Early socialization and a firm but fair hand when they are young will ensure you get the best from your new companion. Ideal as a guard or watch dog, their sheer size and serious 'wolfish' demeanor are enough to deter any intruder. Their coats can either be smooth or plush, and they do shed regularly. This large dog requires a lot of exercise and loves a good hard workout. They love a challenge, so training and course work are ideal for this athlete. Your children will love this cuddly teddy bear of a dog, and in return will be showered with love and loyalty from the Shiloh.

purpose Purpose
Companion, Watchdog, Guarding
history Date of Origin
1990
ancestry Ancestry
Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd

Shiloh Shepherd Health

Average Size
Male Shiloh Shepherd size stats
Height: 28-30 inches Weight: 100-130 lbs
Female Shiloh Shepherd size stats
Height: 26-28 inches Weight: 80-100 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
Minor Concerns
  • Ear Infections
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Tumors
  • Bloat
Occasional Tests
  • Ear Examination
  • Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
  • Full Body Physical Examination especially of the joints
  • Blood Tests and Analysis
  • Hip and Elbow X-rays

Shiloh Shepherd Breed History

The Shiloh Shepherd is a breed of dog that is still in its development stage. A United States German Shepherd fancier named Tina Barber had been breeding the German Shepherd for many years (since 1960's) when she decided to return her standard to the old style of the very large type of Shepherds. Driven by her passion for her dogs, she spent a decade pursuing her goal to achieve the old style Shepherds. These dogs where bigger than the German Shepherd, and had stronger hips that had good musculature to avoid the problems that some German Shepherd's were having with hip dysplasia. In the 1990's she separated her breed from the American Kennel Club and began to keep careful records of a registry for the Shiloh Shepherd. The bloodlines of the Shiloh are believed to have originated from the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd. In 1991 the International Shiloh Shepherd Registry Inc. became incorporated, although there are currently several different Shiloh Shepherd registries. Bred to be calmer, larger and more family friendly, the Shiloh sprang from German Shepherd lines. This dog possesses more of a 'wolfish' look than either King or German Shepherds. Tina Barber achieved her goal with the Shiloh Shepherd, and we must look forward to any new development within the breed. Often time shows how successful any new breed is, but with the Shiloh's good looks and nice nature, this gentle giant is sure to become a top dog in the battle of the breeds.

Shiloh Shepherd Breed Appearance

The Shiloh Shepherd's appearance is rather heavy at first glance, but they are a beautifully proportioned dog. Their back is broad, solid and strong, and their hips are strong and well muscled leading to a long, bushy tail with dense hair that hangs down like a plume. The coat comes 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 medium in length and is thick, yet harsh to the touch. But, it is the face that catches one's attention. These beautiful dogs have a wolf-like appearance with their broad, noble head, strongly defined cheekbones, and tapered muzzle. The ears are alert and erect, with fringing around the lower edges. Their deep amber eyes have an alert but calm expression, and often the face has black bands or masking, making them one attractive looking dog.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Shiloh Shepherd eyes
Brown
amber Shiloh Shepherd eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Shiloh Shepherd nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
brown Shiloh Shepherd coat
Brown
silver Shiloh Shepherd coat
Silver
red Shiloh Shepherd coat
Red
pied Shiloh Shepherd coat
Pied
gray Shiloh Shepherd coat
Gray
black Shiloh Shepherd coat
Black
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Shiloh Shepherd straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Shiloh Shepherd Breed Maintenance

The smooth coated Shiloh Shepherd requires only minimal grooming to keep their good looks, whereas the plush coated Shepherd requires regular brushing to keep the fur clean and tangle free. Whatever the coat, this dog is a regular shedder topped off by a seasonal shed of the 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 per year to avoid depleting the skin's natural oils that keep the coat gleaming. Grooming gives a good opportunity to check for any cuts, clumping of hair, or any body parasites (fleas or ticks), as well as a chance to check their ears for infection. Twice or three times a week, give your Shiloh's teeth a good brushing to keep their breath sweet,  and a mini manicure and pedicure will keep their nails short. The Shiloh Shepherd is a cute and large hairy dog that will enjoy the attention that grooming brings.

Brushes for Shiloh Shepherd
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Shiloh Shepherd requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Shiloh Shepherd Temperament

The Shiloh Shepherd is the gentle giant of dogs, 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 are assessing whether someone is an intruder. Their sheer size would put any intruder off, so they don't need aggression. In fact, they are calm and quite gentle dogs for their size. The Shiloh is an ideal companion dog; they are quiet and calm inside the home, but outside they are active and energetic. This dog is highly intelligent and learns fast; they can be trained for police work, search and rescue, and used as therapy dogs because of their nice nature. They like to be included in the family and like to be part of whatever is going on. A well socialized and trained Shiloh Shepherd is friendly and outgoing and can be trained to walk without pulling you along. Keep this dog well exercised and allow them to be with the family, and you will be repaid with total loyalty and affection. The Shiloh Shepherd is sure to become a popular dog due to their attractive 'cuddly bear' appearance, lovely calm nature, and family and pet friendly temperament.

Shiloh Shepherd Activity Requirements

The Shiloh Shepherd is a beautiful, large dog that requires regular exercise each day, as well as mentally challenging tasks to satisfy their intelligent nature. Luckily for us, this dog is relatively inactive when indoors, yet they enjoy being active outside. They are suited to a home that has a large yard where they can move around at will. The Shiloh makes an ideal walking buddy, biking companion, or running mate. With their all weather coats they do well in the cold as well as hot climates; their fur insulates them from the weather. The Shiloh is very playful and makes a great playmate for your children. The Shiloh Shepherd is affectionate and calm natured but does love a good active game with older children. Fetching, chasing, and splashing around a pool are all part of this dog's perfect life. The Shiloh is a dog that enjoys the challenge of training and learns quickly.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
16 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
120 minutes
activity minutes

Shiloh Shepherd Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
food bag monthly cost

Shiloh Shepherd Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Shiloh Shepherd size stats at six months
Height: 15.0 inches Weight: 25.0 lbs
Female Shiloh Shepherd size stats at six months
Height: 15.0 inches Weight: 23.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Shiloh Shepherd size stats at 12 months
Height: 22.0 inches Weight: 50.0 lbs
Female Shiloh Shepherd size stats at 12 months
Height: 22.0 inches Weight: 47.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Shiloh Shepherd size stats at 18 months
Height: 27.5 inches Weight: 100.0 lbs
Female Shiloh Shepherd size stats at 18 months
Height: 26.5 inches Weight: 82.5 lbs

Shiloh Shepherd Owner Experiences

Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd