Shiloh Shepherd

The Shiloh Shepherd is an American breed built to be a larger, calmer German Shepherd with a straighter back.

History

Tina Barber began it in New York from the 1970s, using German Shepherd stock with Alaskan Malamute added, out of dissatisfaction with where show breeding had taken the German Shepherd — particularly the sloping topline and the temperament that came with the fashion. It is registered by its own American clubs rather than by the AKC, and hip scoring has been a breeding requirement from early on.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, gentle and closely attached to its family, notably softer than the working German Shepherd lines and good with children.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work. Coats come plush and smooth, both shedding heavily. It trains willingly and responds badly to harshness.

Health

Known tendencies include hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and degenerative myelopathy; the breed's registries require hip screening. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.