Shiloh Shepherds were created in upstate NY in an attempt to bring back the old style flock- guardian German Shepherd Dogs. They gained recognition as a rare breed in 1991. They are not recognized by the AKC nor the UKC.
2. How big are they?
Shiloh Shepherd males range in height from 28-30", weight 110-130 pounds. Females are 26-28" and 75-95 pounds. Be wary of websites that claim to have dogs that are 32" tall and weigh 140+ lbs... when you meet the dogs in person, they usually turn out to be quite overweight, and not nearly that tall!
3. How are they different from a German Shepherd Dog (GSD)?
We have owned both GSD's and Shiloh's, so I am answering this from the personal experiences I have had with my dogs. Both breeds are wonderful dogs- intelligent, problem solvers, devoted companions. In general Shiloh's are larger, and more laid back. An example- taking your dog to the vet. With the Shiloh's, they are excited trying to greet/sniff everyone for the first 5 minutes. Then they are sitting quietly on the floor waiting for people to adore them. My GSD's didn't relax until they had been home for 15 minutes.
4. What are their coats like? Do they shed?
They come in 2 coat lengths, plush and smooth, and a huge range of colors, from solid white to solid black, and almost everything in between. And oh yes, they shed! It isn't bad if you stay on top of it with frequent brushings (and your Shiloh will love the attention!). You can expect a major shedding period in the spring and fall, and if you have an female, every time she goes through a heat cycle. Note- not every long haired shepherd is a Shiloh! GSD's can have long hair too- though it is considered a fault.
5. Do they make good watch dogs?
Yes. Ours are very diligent about letting us know if we have been invaded by visiting people, bunny rabbits, or the dreaded chipmunks.
6. Any differences between the males and females?
The males are usually quite a bit larger than the girls are. The females tend to be more territorial, more protective, and more obedient than the guys. The males tend to try and charm their way out of trouble rather than follow the rules. :-). Of course, some lines are more territorial/protective/laid back etc than others, and each dog is an individual. How you raise and train your dog plays a large role in how they respond to any circumstance.
7. Are they good with kids?
Yes. Shilohs are outstanding family companions. They truly live to be with their people, and do not make good "outside dogs". They love their whole family, but tend to form a special bond with the person who does the majority of their training. As with any large breed of dog they need lots of socialization, and obedience training. There are Shiloh Shepherds working as therapy dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, but the vast majority are just beloved companions.
8. Why so many registries?
In a nutshell, there are many people who are devoted to the Shiloh Shepherd breed, but don't see eye to eye on the best way to help protect the breed for future generations. We are currently members of the TSSR- The Shiloh Shepherd Registry and the ISSDC - International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club.
9. What is with all of this copyright, "slivers", and "fraud" stuff on other websites?
There are other websites have done a great job explaining this... please read this article The Other Side at http://www.shilohs.issdc.com/ISSDC/ISSDCArticleOtherSide.html
10. Is a Shiloh Shepherd the dog for me?
The best way to find out is to meet one in person. Pictures can't show you how much space a 30" dog takes up in your house, car, or lap. Nor can they show you the temperament of the dog.
If you want a very large lap dog who will trample your plants, shed all over your house and clothes, and have large food and vet bills, a Shiloh might be for you.
Just a note about finding a puppy...
While there are a few good breeders in all the registries, just like in any breed, there are unethical ones too. We encourage you to do lots and LOTS of research before you purchase your puppy. If at all possible, go to the breeders house and meet the parents. See what condition the dogs are kept in. Meet the breeder face to face. If you feel there is something "off", please keep searching!
While you might feel you are doing a good thing by giving a puppy who is being kept in horrible conditions a home - you are also allowing that breeder to continue to keep dogs in that manner.
Again, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!