Shiloh Shepherd Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: The Shiloh Shepherd comes in one of two coat varieties — plush or smooth. Plush coats have a more close-fitting outer coat with long hair, as well as a dense undercoat. This coat type sheds less than the smooth-coated variety, which has a close-fitting double coat with a medium-long outer coat.

Coat length: Medium

Grooming: Frequent

Shedding: Both coat types of the Shiloh Shepherd shed heavily and require daily brushing. "It is commonly known that Shilohs shed twice a year for six months," Amstrup says.

Training: The Shiloh Shepherd is gentle and smart, making them relatively easy to train, especially when you start at a young age.

Barking: Understanding your dog: The Shiloh Shepherd was bred to be a loyal companion pet. They are easily trained and bark infrequently. As long as you provide the breed with love, some daily exercise and challenge them mentally, they will be the happiest of friends.

Temperament & Behavior: Bred to be softer in temperament than their German Shepherd counterparts, the Shiloh Shepherd is less concerned with protection and more interested in companionship.

"While they are [lower energy than a German Shepherd], a Shiloh is still a Shepherd and will run circles around owners who are too permissive," says Bridgit Amstrup, membership coordinator with the International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance. "They are extremely intelligent and will make their own executive decisions if allowed."

Behavior with kids: The Shiloh Shepherd makes a wonderful companion for kids, although their large size means they should be watched with small children.

Protection: The Shiloh Shepherd is less interested in protection than the German Shepherd, although their size alone can be intimidating.

Life Span: On average, Shiloh Shepherds live to be between 10 and 13 years old.

Inherited health issues: Common conditions found in Shiloh Shepherds include, but are not limited to, the following: German Shepherd Dog Inherited Ventricular Arrhythmia (GSDIVA), Degenerative Myelopathy, Bloat, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, Hip Dysplasia and a Sensitive stomach.

Preventive care: As with most shepherd dogs, due to the possibility of hip arthritis from hip dysplasia, it is wise to start early joint supplementation with a joint supplement such as Glucosamine / Chondroitin and fish oil supplementation. With the risk of bloat, it may be wise to consider tacking the stomach to the body wall during the neuter / spay procedure to help prevent future possibility of bloat. Maintain a healthy weight for this breed as being overweight can add undo stress to the hip joints that are already predisposed for developing arthritis due to hip dysplasia.

Nutrition: It is important to keep these dogs on a large breed diet that also fits that particular animals age. Feed for large breed and make sure that the formula is age appropriate. There are all life stage formulas, adult, senior, mature. I recommend against using all life stage and go more with an age specific food to help prevent the possibility of obesity.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Shiloh Shepherd is 3-5 cups.

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Exercise: Although they're large, most Shiloh Shepherds only requires moderate exercise. They're happy with a daily routine that involves active play with their family members.

Climate: This breed has an all-weather coat that does fine in any kind of weather. However, they generally prefer a cooler environment.

Living space: A very large breed, the Shiloh Shepherd needs plenty of space to run and play.