Shiloh Shepherds, Bowie at 3 years old with Dexter the 3-month-old puppy, TSSR-registered = The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
shahy-loh shep-erd
The Shiloh Shepherd's overall appearance is rather heavy. The back is broad, strong and solid. The head is broad and noble, slightly domed and in proportion to the body. The width and length of the skull are approximately equal with a gently defined stop, strong developed cheekbones, and a gradually tapering muzzle. The muzzle should be predominantly black, the length being equal to that of the forehead, with the lips firmly fitted and solid black. The muzzle should not be long, narrow or snipey in appearance. Both upper and lower thighs are well muscled. The tail is quite long and thickly covered with dense hair, hanging down like a plume. The coat comes in two varieties: smooth and plush. The plush coat is medium-length with a dense undercoat and has a distinct mane from the neck to the chest. Hair should not be more than 5" (12 cm) in length. The smooth coat is thick and medium-length with the outer hair being harsh to the touch.
The Shiloh Shepherd is very similar to the German Shepherd Dog. 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.
Height: 28 - 30 inches (71 - 76 cm)
Weight: Males 100 - 130 pounds (45 - 59 kg) Females 80 - 100 pounds (36 - 45 kg)
Hip dysplasia, also prone to tumors.
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.
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.
About 12-14 years
About 6 to 12 puppies
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.
A U.S. German Shepherd fancier had been breeding German Shepherd Dogs since the 1960s. She was active in conformation shows as well as Schutzhund, etc. In the ’70s she set her standard back to the old style, very large type Shepherds. She spent the next decade pursuing her goals for the old style Shepherds. In 1990 she separated her breed from AKC and started to maintain registry records as Shiloh Shepherds. Shiloh Shepherds are believed to have Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd in their bloodlines (Alaskan Shepherd). The International Shiloh Shepherd Registry, Inc. (ISSR) was incorporated in 1991. There are currently several different Shiloh Shepherd registries.
Herding
Bowie the Shiloh Shepherd at 1 year old, TSSR-registered =The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
Meadow the Shiloh Shepherd, TSSR-registered = The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
8-month-old Chewie/Rebel daughters—Bella, owned by Donna and Tom Greeley, and Sophie, owned by Bill and Laura Phelan, photo courtesy of P & C's Ridgewood Shilohs (TSSR)
Shadow the black Shiloh Shepherd puppy at 4 months old, TSSR-registered = The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
Meadow the Shiloh Shepherd puppy at 8 weeks, TSSR-registered = The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
Bowie the Shiloh Shepherd puppy at 8 weeks, TSSR-registered = The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
Bowie the Shiloh Shepherd as a 3-month-old puppy, TSSR-registered =The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
Shiloh Shepherds Bowie as a puppy at 5 months old (front) and Meadow full grown (back), both TSSR-registered =The Shiloh Shepherd Registry
Grace the Shiloh Shepherd at 3 years old—"We rescued Grace when she was right at a year old and she has been the best dog you could ask for."
