| Shiloh Shepherds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Shiloh Shepherd personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Shiloh Shepherd, including these excerpts:
"Shiloh Shepherds have a calmer, softer, more easygoing personality than most Shiloh Shepherds.
Though they need brisk daily walks and occasional romping to stay fit, they have stamina rather than high vigor -- one breeder calls them "slow but steady." They enjoy swimming, carrying backpacks, and pulling carts or sleds.
Most Shiloh Shepherds are capable and trainable, eager to learn and work."
History
The Shiloh Shepherd was created in the 1960s by breeder Tina Barber, who crossed an Alaskan Malamute line into selected Shiloh Shepherd lines.
Size
26-32 inches and 80-140 lbs |
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Shiloh Shepherds
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Shilohs, and placid Shilohs.
- Hard-headed Shilohs, and sweet-natured Shilohs.
- Serious Shilohs, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Shilohs, and Shilohs who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Shiloh Shepherd puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is very similar to a German Shepherd, but larger and heavier, with a calmer, softer, more easygoing personality
- Is natural-looking and athletic, though tending to have stamina rather than high vigor
- Comes in two types of coat: plush (long) and smooth (short)
- Is one of the most capable and trainable breeds in all of dogdom, eager to learn and to work and excelling at the highest levels of competition
- Makes a sensible guardian and is not inappropriately hostile
A Shiloh Shepherd may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Providing brisk walks every day and all-out running as often as possible
- Providing mental stimulation (training and other organized activities) to prevent boredom and destructiveness
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young
- Sharpness, skittishness, and shyness in some lines, or when not extensively socialized
- Aggression toward other animals
- Heavy shedding
- Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits)
- Squabbles amongst competing breed organizations, each with differing opinions about the breed
- Serious health problems
- A high price tag
A Shiloh Shepherd may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Shiloh Shepherd... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Shiloh Shepherds don't need miles of running exercise but they MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by destructive chewing.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog out for plenty of exercise, or to get involved in advanced obedience, or agility (obstacle course), or tracking, or pulling a cart or sled, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Their intelligence and capabilities are wasted when they have nothing challenging to do. |
- Providing enough socialization. Shiloh Shepherds need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious or timid of everyone, which is very difficult to live with and could even lead to biting.
- Bounciness. Young Shiloh Shepherds (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Shiloh Shepherd puppies.
- Animal aggression. Most Shiloh Shepherds are fine with the pets in their own family, but some are dominant or aggressive toward strange dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase cats and other fleeing creatures.
- Heavy shedding. Shiloh Shepherds shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vaccuming will become a way of life.
- Multiple clubs. There are several Shiloh Shepherd clubs, each claiming to be the only "true" organization for the breed. Each group supports its own standard and differing opinions about appearance, size, and temperament. Unfortunately, political backbiting abounds and you'll have to do a lot of research to pick your way through a minefield of claims, counterclaims, and accusations, some valid, some petty.
Also unfortunately, Shiloh Shepherds have had a period as a "fad" breed, with lots of breeder ads filling the pages of dog magazines. Whenever this happens, you can count on plenty of unknowledgeable breeders being part of that crowd as they leap into breeding without enough thought or experience. The result is a breed which has gone off in several different directions in appearance, temperament, and health. It's hard to really know what you're getting.
- Paying the price. Many breeders are charging $1000 and up.
- Serious health problems. From hip and elbow problems, to bone diseases, to stomach disorders, to skin conditions, Shiloh Shepherds have more than their share of health problems.
- Legal liabilities. Because of their German Shepherd appearance and heritage, Shiloh Shepherds may end up targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. The legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guardian dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable.
| If you're considering an adult Shiloh Shepherd... |
There are plenty of adult Shiloh Shepherds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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