Shiloh Shepherds: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

The Shiloh Shepherd was developed in the 1960s by crossing German Shepherd lines with a few other breeds.

Compared to German Shepherds, Shiloh Shepherds are larger and tend to have calmer, softer, more easygoing personalities. Also they often have longer coats that require more grooming.

Though they need long, brisk, daily walks and occasional romping to stay fit, Shiloh Shepherds are known for stamina rather than a high energy level. One breeder calls them "slow but steady."

Most Shiloh Shepherds are intelligent, trainable dogs. They enjoy swimming, carrying backpacks, and pulling carts or sleds. Some have even been used in Search & Rescue.

If you want a dog who...

Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Shiloh Shepherds have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up.
• Finally, you can avoid some negative traits by training your Shiloh Shepherd to respect you and by following the 11-step care program in my book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy.

More traits and characteristics of the Shiloh Shepherd

If I was considering a Shiloh Shepherd, I would be most concerned about...

1. Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Shiloh Shepherds don't need miles of running exercise but they need regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become bored, which they usually express by destructive chewing. The intelligence of these dogs is wasted when they have nothing challenging to do in their lives.
2. 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 excessively timid.
3. Potential animal aggression. Most Shiloh Shepherds are perfectly fine with other pets in their own family, but some individuals are dominant or aggressive toward strange dogs of the same sex.
4. Heavy shedding. Both short-coated Shiloh Shepherds and long-coated Shiloh Shepherds shed a lot, all year. Short coats actually drop more hair onto your floor, furniture, and clothing, compared to long coats. This is because in long-coated dogs, their shed hairs get caught in the long wavy coat and must be brushed out. A good number of Shilohs end up turned into rescue groups because of shedding, so make sure you're up for it.
5. Multiple dog clubs to sort through. The original Shiloh Shepherd Club is the International Shiloh Shepherd Registry (ISSR). But there are several other organizations, each of which supports its own breed standard (how the breed should look and act). Political backbiting abounds, so when you're looking for breeders, you'll need to pick your way through a minefield of claims, counterclaims, and accusations.
6. Serious health problems. From hip and elbow problems, to bone diseases, to stomach disorders, to skin conditions, Shiloh Shepherds face many of the same health problems as German Shepherds. Read more about Shiloh Shepherd Health.