Shiloh Shepherds are a mix of German Shepherd and other breeds. Developed in 1970s New York, they were bred to be bigger with a straighter back and healthier hips and elbows than German Shepherds.
Shilohs stand 26-30 inches; females 26-30 inches. German Shepherds stand 24-26 inches; females 22-24 inches. Shiloh temperament is more mellow and peaceful; German Shepherds more alert.
Key differences:
Shilohs bigger
Different temperament
Straighter back
Healthier hips, elbows
Shiloh Shepherds have Sarplaninac, Malamute, Canadian White Shepherd and Altdeutscher Schaeferhunde lineage, not just German Shepherd. They’re usually larger and heavier too.
We compared intelligence, price, health etc for Shiloh Shepherds and German Shepherds. We calculated a Better-Pet Score to see the better pet.
Shilohs bred to be companions, not herders. They look more wolfish with domed, broad heads, triangular ears and dark brown eyes. They have straight, muscular backs; deep chests; long, plush tails.
Shiloh Shepherds bigger than German Shepherds with softer, gentler natures. Key differences:
– Origin: Shilohs crossed with Malamutes
– Size: Shilohs larger
– Temperament: Shilohs mellower
Though Shiloh Shepherds sometimes called Shiloh German Shepherds, they are distinct breeds with key differences in lineage, size and temperament.
What breeds make up a Shiloh Shepherd?
A Shiloh shepherd is a crossbreed developed from a combination of dogs, including the German shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Canadian white shepherd, and Czech wolf dog. Shiloh shepherds are 26 to 30 inches tall, weigh at least 80 pounds, and are known for their intelligence and affectionate nature.
The Shiloh Shepherd is a mixed breed with German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Canadian White Shepherd and a Czech Wolf Dog in their heritage. They were first bred by Tina Barber in the 1970s, who used to train German Shepherd dogs in New York.
Shiloh Shepherds are now purebred, but were founded primarily from about 20 individuals in the 1990s. Most of these individuals were AKC American Showline German Shepherds from the breed founder’s kennel, with a few German Shepherds from different lines.
In 1989, German Shepherd breeder Tina Barber mixed the German Shepherd with the larger Alaskan Malamute. The Shiloh Shepherd is much bigger than the German Shepherd and larger than his Alaskan Malamute mother. Like any dog, the Shiloh must always be watched when he’s with children due to his size.
Compared to other breeds, the Shiloh Shepherd grows to be a quite large dog, some of them weighing between 100 and 130 pounds and standing at 28 to 30 inches. Females are slightly lighter and shorter than males, weighing 80 to 100 pounds.
Despite their size, Shiloh Shepherds can be considered ‘gentle giants’ as they have a very calm nature perfect for kids. They typically get attached to their owners, used for service or therapy work.
A Shiloh Shepherd puppy can cost around $1000 from a reputable breeder to avoid backyard breeders. Essential medical procedures will increase the initial costs. Yearly medical costs for vaccinations, check-ups, flea prevention, etc may come out to $500.
Is a Shiloh Shepherd rare?
The Shiloh Shepherd is a rare American breed developed in the United States in the 1970s. Breeder Tina Barber set out to recreate the style of German Shepherd she remembered from her childhood by combining German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Canadian White Shepherd and Czech Wolf Dog lines.
Shiloh Shepherds stand 26 to 30 inches tall and weigh 80 to 130 pounds. Their lifespan is approximately 9 to 14 years. They are similar in appearance to German Shepherds but larger in size with a more gentle temperament.
As a relatively new rare breed there are few Shiloh Shepherd breeders. They can run up to 30 miles per hour. While not aggressive, Shiloh Shepherds are very active dogs who love playing and exercise.
Their origins trace back to German Shepherd lines from Tina Barber’s Shiloh Shepherds kennel. Barber specifically bred them to be calmer and more gentle than German Shepherds while retaining intelligence and trainability.
Shiloh Shepherds do have some health issues including hip and elbow dysplasia which can be common in German Shepherds. However, selective breeding in Shilohs aims to produce fewer hip problems than other similar breeds.
In appearance, Shiloh Shepherds resemble a larger German Shepherd with a wolf-like, blunt muzzle and sturdy build reflecting their Alaskan Malamute ancestry. They have a loyal, gentle and affectionate personality making them excellent service dogs and beloved family companions.
What is the purpose of a Shiloh Shepherd?
Shiloh Shepherds are bred for temperament over specific jobs like herding or hunting. The result was a larger, healthier and more laidback breed than the German Shepherd. Shiloh Shepherds are known for intelligence, loyalty, affectionate nature, trainability, protectiveness and gentle disposition.
Males typically weigh 100-140 pounds, females 80-120 pounds. They have a thick double coat that can be smooth or plush in various colors like black and tan or sable. The Shiloh Shepherd is larger with a shorter body and smaller, triangular ears than the German Shepherd.
This breed moves gracefully despite its large size. Shiloh Shepherds are exceptionally intelligent, capable of various tasks like search and rescue. They have an eagerness to please owners and protective, loyal natures. With proper socialization and training, Shiloh Shepherds make excellent family pets and therapy dogs.
The Shiloh Shepherd combines the German Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute. Developed in the 1960’s by cross-breeding German Shepherd lines, the Shiloh Shepherd is a rare American breed with a plush double coat. Although similar to German Shepherds, much of the Shiloh’s gene pool is removed from that line. Internationally recognized registries prove the Shiloh’s worth in roles like search and rescue.
According to breed standards, the Shiloh Shepherd should be strong and intelligent with fluid movement despite its large size. Males stand over 30 inches at the withers and females can be a little smaller.