General:

SHILOH SHEPHERD

Country of origin:United States of America

From decades of experience breeding German Shepherds in her own kennels, the breed founder Tina Barber selected four lines as the foundation stock for the Shiloh Shepherds. She used a very strict LMI program (Litter Mate Information) to track all the dogs in each litter, not just the ones that were eventually used as breeding stock. This helped to weed out genetic faults and lock in virtues to set the desired foundation. The specially selected stock produced a breed of giant size, high intelligence, and easy trainability, with a sound body, good hips without the extreme angulation seen in most German Shepherds today, broad heads, softer temperaments, while retaining the fluid movement necessary for the flying trot. Through careful line breeding, the Shiloh Shepherd emerged.

To avoid the genetic bottleneck that arises from intense line breeding, a MAW (Malamute, American Shepherd, White Shepherd) outcross was introduced in 1989. This outcross added the hybrid vigor needed to maintain the desired temperament, size and sound health qualities of the Shilohs. In 1998, after much research, an Alt Deutscher Schaeferhund (ADS) was imported from Germany for use as an outcross. In the fall of 2000 a specially selected AWSA dog was also added. This splash of new blood, when added to the established Shiloh lines will continue to strengthen hips and add a bit more confidence to the temperaments as well as to strengthen the gene pool without losing any of the original qualities for which Tina had been breeding.

Appearance: The ISSR breed standard adopted by the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America (SSDCA), the parent club, describes the general appearance of the Shiloh as, "The Shiloh Shepherd portrays a distinct impression of nobility with a unique aura of intelligence, that radiates a sense of regal wisdom and strength. Powerfully built with unsurpassed beauty and elegance, a picture of true balance; each part in harmonious proportion to every other part, and to the whole."

Coat: There are two coat varieties in the Shiloh Shepherds.

The Smooth Coat has a double coat of medium length. The outer coat should be as dense as possible with hair straight, harsh, lying close to the body. The hair around the neck area should be slightly longer and thicker. The head including the inner ear and fore face, legs and paws should be covered with shorter hair.

The Plush Coat has a close fitting, double coat of medium coarse guard hairs with a softer undercoat. The neck area has a distinct mane that extends down to and covers the chest. Hair on the rest of the torso should not be longer than 5 inches. The plush coat, although longer than the smooth coat, sheds less, but needs more grooming.

Size: Dogs are no less than 28", with 30" or more being the ideal. Minimum weight at maturity (3 years) no less than 120 lbs with the ideal range between 140 - 160 lbs.

Bitches are no less than 26" with 28" or more being the ideal. Minimum weight is no less than 80 lbs with the ideal range between 100 - 120 lbs.

The Shiloh Shepherd is Courageous and self confident, this gentle giant possesses superior intelligence wrapped in a heart of gold, faithfully protecting his home and those he loves.

The ideal Shiloh Shepherd temperament is loyal and stable in all situations. This breed was developed to be gentle and loving with all children and is compatible with all animals when properly socialized and raised. A Shiloh Shepherd is adaptable to a variety of environments and lifestyles. They are easily trained to exceed in conformation, obedience, agility, therapy work, Search And Rescue, Schutzhund, STM OR just to be your best friend.

To properly match a Shiloh Shepherd with its owner, puppies are tested at 8 weeks of age to evaluate their temperaments and drives. This temperament test was developed by Tina Barber specifically for this breed. Experienced, certified ISSR testers, who are taught by the Breed Founder, analyze a puppy's reaction to specific stimuli and grade the results. This "paper picture" of the puppy's sociability, human interaction, submission/dominance and conformation gives a clear indication of future potential. All ISSR Licensed breeders take these tests very seriously.