| Shiloh Shepherd Dog | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | |
| United States | |
| Classification | |
| |
| Breed standard (external link) | |
| ISSR (International Shiloh Shepherd Registry) |
The Shiloh Shepherd Dog is essentially a giant version of the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). It is powerfully built and well-balanced, with proud carriage and smooth, effortless gait. The male Shiloh stands 30 inches (76 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 28 inches (71 cm); he weighs 140 to 160 pounds (63.5-72.5 kg) with a minimum of 120 pounds (54.5 kg). The female is smaller, standing 28 inches (71 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 26 inches (66 cm) and weighs 100 to 120 pounds (45-54.5 kg) with a minimum of 80 pounds (36 kg).
Shilohs come in two distinct coat varieties: the smooth coat (double, medium length, lying close to the body, dense, straight and harsh) and the plush coat which is longer, with a soft undercoat, a distinctive “mane,” body coat not over 5 inches (12.5 cm) long and feathering inside ears and behind the legs not over 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.
Shiloh coat colours according to the breed standard may be “shades of black with tan, golden tan, reddish tan, silver, and cream” or “various shades of richly pigmented golden, silver, red, dark brown, dark gray, or black sable”. Solid black or solid white are also acceptable as long as nose, lips, and eye rims are solid black. White markings are discouraged except for small patches on toes or the centre of the chest. Pale, washed-out colours are discouraged. Eyes are dark to light brown in colour.
The difference between the Shiloh Shepherd Dog and its parent breed the German Shepherd Dog is explained by the breed club as being essentially that the Shiloh is the dog for people who fell in love with the German Shepherd as it was in 1962. They claim that the breed has changed so radically since then that dogs of that type can no longer be called GSDs. Without a doubt, too, the Shiloh is larger than was ever the norm for GSDs.
In temperament the Shiloh is supposed to be courageous and self-confident; superior intelligence is called for in its breed standard. The senior breed club (Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America) places great emphasis on temperament; breeders strive for a courageous yet “soft” and manageable temperament without either the extreme aggression or the shyness often seen in the GSD.
The Shiloh Shepherd Dog was developed by breed founder Tina Barber of Shiloh Kennels in New York state in a sustained effort over the last third of the 20th century. As the breed achieved wider recognition and popularity near the turn of the millennium imitators and dissident breed clubs and registries arose, creating considerable confusion about the breed. As a result trademark status was sought for the breed name. The breed has its own independent registry, the International Shiloh Shepherd Registry, Inc.
The main health issues in this breed are gastrointestinal problems (gastric torsion/bloat, bacterial overgrowth syndrome) and skeletal or bone disorders such as hip dysplasia, panosteitis and osteochondritis. That said, breed clubs and breeders seem very aware of health concerns with effective control programmes already mounted. As giant breeds go, the Shiloh is arguably quite a healthy example.
"Shiloh Shepherd" is a trademark of the International Shiloh Shepherd Registry.
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