About Shiloh Shepherds

GENERAL APPEARANCE
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 being in harmonious proportion to every other part, and to the whole. Being of giant size does not deter from his proud carriage or seemingly effortless movement. Their total devotion and willingness to work can be seen in their alert eyes, and happy attitude. Timidity, frailty, sullenness, viciousness, and lack of animation, impair the general character of this breed. A certain amount of aloofness is acceptable as long as it is not associated with any form of sharp-shyness.

CHARACTER
Courageous and self confident, this gentle giant possesses intelligence wrapped in a heart of gold, faithfully protecting his home and those they love. This extremely versatile and easily trained companion loves to swim, carry packs for the mountain climber, endure long trail rides, or pull heavy sleds. Excellent Air Scenting ability can be utilized in various ways. As a true, loyal Flock Guardian decedent; he is steady and bold without undue aggression; ready to die fighting for those in his care; yet sweet and loving when playing with small children, animals, or comforting the elderly.

HEAD
The head is broad and noble, slightly domed and in proportion to the body. The muzzle should be predominantly black. The muzzle should not be long, narrow, or snipey in appearance.

PROPORTION
The Shiloh Shepherd should appear longer than tall. The desired height for males, at the top of the highest point of the shoulder blade, can be no less than 28" with the ideal height of 30" or more preferred. For females, the desired height can be no less than 26" with the ideal height of 28" preferred. The minimum weight for dogs should not be less than 120 pounds at maturity (three years), with the ideal being 140 to 160 pounds. Minimal weight for bitches is 80 pounds at maturity and the ideal being 100 to 120 pounds.

BODY
The entire body should appear to be well coordinated, yet muscular and solid. The back is broad and straight, strongly boned, and well developed. There should be good depth of brisket. The body should not appear spindly or extremely leggy. All proportions must be well balanced.

COLOR
The Shiloh Shepherd comes in various colors. Shades of black with tan, golden tan, reddish tan, silver, and cream are as desirable as various shades of richly pigmented golden, silver, red, dark brown, dark gray, or black sables. Also solid black or solid white is acceptable as long as the nose, eye rims, and lips are solid black. A white blaze on the chest is acceptable as well as some white markings on the toes, as long as they are blended in with the other shades of silver, cream, tan, etc.

COAT (two acceptable coat varieties)

SMOOTH:
The ideal dog 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 rear of the forelegs and hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the pastern and hock respectively. The head including the inner ear and fore face, legs and paws should be covered with shorter hair. *Even though the smooth coated type requires less care and grooming - the Plush coated variety seems to shed less.

PLUSH:
The Plush Variety has a close fitting double coat of medium course guard hairs, with a softer undercoat. The head and muzzle, back of the ears and front of the legs and paws are covered with short smooth hairs. The neck has a distinct "mane" that extends to, and covers the chest, with slightly shorter hair covering the remaining torso.

HISTORY OF THE SHILOH SHEPHERD:
The Shiloh Shepherd has been under development since 1962 by Tina Barber of Shiloh Shepherds Kennels.  Her breeding has developed "re-development" and variant to the German Shepherd Dog.  The importance of the “re-development” was to develop soundness, temperament and health while preserving the original qualities found in the old style German Shepherd.  Typically, Shilohs are calm and friendly, and great with children, yet they can be excellent protection dogs

Two decades later of breeding and information being collected and used to improve the hips the breed started to gain it desired looks.  With the general appearance of nobility, strength, powerful build and elegance the Shiloh has a proud carriage and moves effortlessly. They are a self-confident, very intelligent, courageous and a very versatile breed.  Training comes easy to this loyal and devoted family member who is always ready and willing to work.  As a developing breed, the breed has been recognized by the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) since 1991.

Today, as the breed grows stronger in popularity there are numerous breeders who have Shilohs that can be seen excelling in conformation, obedience, herding, therapy, search and rescue, and service work.