Shiloh Shepherd Dog
Encyclopedia
The Shiloh Shepherd is a rare breed
of dog
that is still under development. Developed in the 1970s, they are meant to resemble an older variety of German Shepherd
. Shilohs are not recognized by any major kennel club
, but may be shown in rare breed organizations.
Shilohs are larger and have a straighter back than most modern Alsatians and German Shepherd
s, they are bred for intelligence, size, and stable temperaments. Their coats can be a variety of colors and color mixes. They compete in obedience and agility. They work as therapy dog
s, search and rescue dog
s, livestock guardians and service assistance.
The head should be broad and slightly domed with a gradually tapering muzzle; bite alignment is important since either an over or undershot bite is a disqualifying fault. Muzzles and lips should be black, though pink has been seen, it is a fault. Ears should be firm, triangular and well cupped; they are carried erect when at attention. Their eyes are always a shade of dark to light brown; no other eye colors are bred.
Their broad and muscular backs should be straight with a gradual slope from the withers that complements their full chest. Tails should be long, plush and slightly curved; they may show a more pronounced curve when the dog is excited or exercising but should never be a ring or a hook shape.
The smooth coat is easier to groom, though the plush coat may shed less. For show purposes, the tufts that grow between the toes and pads must be trimmed. Coats that are open, wooly or curly are serious faults.
Shilohs may have a small white blaze on the chest or white on the toes, but white in any other area is a fault. To meet the standard, this should blend in with the lighter color of their coat. Pale, washed-out colours are discouraged.
, Shilohs have loyal and outgoing personalities. They were developed to be gentle and loving, able to work with animals and children, while still possessing a trainable drive
for working applications, such as assistive service, obedience, or herding. With proper socialization
they adapt easily to a variety of environments and are stable. Extreme aggression
or shyness is severely penalized in the breed standard
.
Shilohs just like other large/giant breed dogs may experience problems with bloat
. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth syndrome has also been reported and can cause diarrhea
, abdominal
pain and difficulty absorbing nutrients from food. Both conditions are serious and should be treated immediately by a veterinarian
.
Shilohs are susceptible to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders. Panosteitis
may occur during a Shiloh's growth stages.
related activities with ease. However, due to slower bone
growth they should not perform strenuous obstacles or jumping until they reach maturity.
Shilohs have herding
instincts that make them excellent partners in the arena
. Shilohs have been recognized by the American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) since 2004. The AHBA's preliminary test for Herding Instinct is used to determine if a Shiloh has the instincts and interest for herding.
Shilohs have been trained as search and rescue dogs. In March 2007, a Shiloh named Gandalf received national media attention after finding a Boy Scout lost in the mountains of North Carolina.
Shiloh's gentleness and calm temperament allow them to be a part of therapy work
. Their intelligence and willingness to please make them highly suitable for work as assistance dog
s. They respond quickly to training and retain the capacity to make independent decisions when situations change. They are frequent recipients of the AKCs "Canine Good Citizen
" Award and have been awarded the Companion Dog title, the Companion Dog Excellent title, the Utility Dog title and been certified as Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
Shilohs are easy to handle and even children can be successful in the show ring. Currently Shilohs can be shown in the American Rare Breed Association, the International All Breed Canine Association, Rarities, Inc., the Rare Breed Club of South Western Ontario, the National Kennel Club Inc. and the National Canine Association as well as special shows by two Shiloh dog clubs and an annual Homecoming held by the breed founder.
The Shiloh Shepherd was developed by Tina M. Barber of Shiloh Shepherds (kennel) in New York
, United States. In 1974, she began developing a new line of German Shepherds. Her goal was to preserve the type of dog she remembered from her childhood in Germany
; dogs that are good family companions, exceptionally intelligent, both physically and mentally sound, and large in size.
Tina separated her foundation stock from the American Kennel Club
(AKC) in 1990, and the FIC agreed to register these dogs as a separate breed. The name chosen for these dogs was "Shiloh Shepherd" after the kennel of origin. Shortly thereafter, the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America, Inc. (SSDCA, Inc.) was formed to preserve and protect the future welfare of the breed. In 1991, the International Shiloh Shepherd Registry (ISSR) was established and took over registry functions from the FIC.
In 1993, The Complete Computer Place (TCCP), using a specially designed database program, officially started maintaining breeding records. This program tracked nine generations of pedigree and LMX (Littermate X-Ray Program) data and computerized all the older paper files. The ISSR continues to use this program to document vital data on each Shiloh Shepherd in its registry. Ms. Barber is active in the development of the breed as the President of the SSDCA, Inc. and Breed Warden for the ISSR.
In 1997, during a period when the SSDCA was inactive, The International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) was opened. In 1998, the ISSDC opened their own registry, calling it the ISSDCr. The Shiloh Shepherd Breed Association (SSBA) was opened shortly after and assumed registry functions for the ISSDCr. The National Shiloh Breed Registry (NSBR) was established in 2001 and The Shiloh Shepherd Registry (TSSR) in 2002. In 2004, the ISSDC was reorganized as a parent club for the NSBR, the SSBA, and the TSSR. In June 2009, the SSBA was closed.
There are significant differences of opinion between the founding club and registry and subsequently established clubs and registries. The ISSR claims that the NSBR, SSBA and TSSR produce lower quality dogs with more health issues, while the three later registries claim the opposite is true.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
that is still under development. Developed in the 1970s, they are meant to resemble an older variety of German Shepherd
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
. Shilohs are not recognized by any major kennel club
Kennel club
A kennel club is an organization for canine affairs that concerns itself with the breeding, showing and promotion of more than one breed of dog...
, but may be shown in rare breed organizations.
Shilohs are larger and have a straighter back than most modern Alsatians and German Shepherd
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
s, they are bred for intelligence, size, and stable temperaments. Their coats can be a variety of colors and color mixes. They compete in obedience and agility. They work as therapy dog
Therapy dog
A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations, such as disaster areas....
s, search and rescue dog
Search and rescue dog
The use of dogs in search and rescue is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. Dedicated handlers and well-trained dogs are required for the use of dogs to be effective in search efforts...
s, livestock guardians and service assistance.
Appearance
According to the breed standard, the Shiloh Shepherd should have a regal bearing that shows intelligence and strength. The balance between elegance and strength is the key to their distinct appearance and fluid movement. Their larger size should not impede their movement or grace.The head should be broad and slightly domed with a gradually tapering muzzle; bite alignment is important since either an over or undershot bite is a disqualifying fault. Muzzles and lips should be black, though pink has been seen, it is a fault. Ears should be firm, triangular and well cupped; they are carried erect when at attention. Their eyes are always a shade of dark to light brown; no other eye colors are bred.
Their broad and muscular backs should be straight with a gradual slope from the withers that complements their full chest. Tails should be long, plush and slightly curved; they may show a more pronounced curve when the dog is excited or exercising but should never be a ring or a hook shape.
Size standards
The Shiloh Shepherd is powerfully built and well-balanced and should have a proud carriage and smooth, effortless gait. The male Shiloh stands 30 inches (76 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 28 inches (71 cm); he weighs 120 to 140 pounds (54–65 kg) with a minimum of 110 pounds (50.5 kg). The female is smaller, standing 28 inches (71 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 26 inches (66 cm) and weighing 100 to 120 pounds (45-54.5 kg) with a minimum of 80 pounds (36 kg). With their even proportions, Shilohs should appear longer than they are tall.Coat Types
Shilohs come in two distinct coat varieties: the smooth or double coat and the plush coat. The smooth coat should be of medium length and lie close to the body; the hair at the neck and on the back of the fore and hind legs may be longer and thicker than other areas. The outer coat will be dense, straight, and harsh. The plush coat is longer, with a soft undercoat and a distinctive "mane" which extends to the chest. The body coat should not be over 5 inches (12.5 cm) long but will have feathering inside the ears and behind the legs which should not be over 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.The smooth coat is easier to groom, though the plush coat may shed less. For show purposes, the tufts that grow between the toes and pads must be trimmed. Coats that are open, wooly or curly are serious faults.
Coat Colors
Shilohs come in a wide range of coat colors. They may be bi or dual colored in black with tan, golden tan, reddish tan, silver, or sable. They can also be solid golden, silver, red, dark brown, dark grey, or black sable. Solid black and solid white are possible, but for show purposes, the nose, lips, and eye rims must be solid black. Blue and liver colors are possible but not bred for since they are disqualifying faults.Shilohs may have a small white blaze on the chest or white on the toes, but white in any other area is a fault. To meet the standard, this should blend in with the lighter color of their coat. Pale, washed-out colours are discouraged.
Movement and Gait
The Shiloh's gait is smooth and rhythmic. Their long strides and flowing motion require good muscular development. Even while in a flying trot, the straightness of their back should be maintained. The full trot is steady and level, without swaying or rolling. To help keep their balance, their feet are brought in toward their middle line when running. Forward reach of the dog should be as long as possible, ideally extending past the nose, giving the Shiloh the impression of "flying". Faults in movement or carriage are serious.Temperament
Bred as companionsCompanion dog
Companion dog usually describes a dog that does not work, providing only companionship as a pet, rather than usefulness by doing specific tasks. Many of the toy dog breeds are used only for the pleasure of their company, not as workers...
, Shilohs have loyal and outgoing personalities. They were developed to be gentle and loving, able to work with animals and children, while still possessing a trainable drive
Working dog
A working dog refers to a canine working animal, i.e., a type of dog that is not merely a pet but learns and performs tasks to assist and/or entertain its human companions, or a breed of such origin...
for working applications, such as assistive service, obedience, or herding. With proper socialization
Socialization
Socialization is a term used by sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists, political scientists and educationalists to refer to the process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs and ideologies...
they adapt easily to a variety of environments and are stable. Extreme aggression
Dog aggression
Dog aggression is a term used by dog owners and breeders to describe canine-to-canine antipathy.Aggression itself is usually defined by canine behaviorists as "the intent to do harm"...
or shyness is severely penalized in the breed standard
Breed standard
A breed standard in animal fancy and animal husbandry is a set of guidelines which is used to ensure that the animals produced by a breeder or breeding facility conform to the specifics of the breed....
.
Health
Shilohs have an average life span of 9–14 years, slightly longer than the German Shepherd breed.Shilohs just like other large/giant breed dogs may experience problems with bloat
Bloat
Bloat is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content. It is also commonly referred to as torsion, gastric torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus when the stomach is also twisted. The word bloat is often used as a general term to cover gas distension...
. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth syndrome has also been reported and can cause diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, abdominal
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
pain and difficulty absorbing nutrients from food. Both conditions are serious and should be treated immediately by a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
.
Shilohs are susceptible to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders. Panosteitis
Panosteitis
Panosteitis is a common bone disease in dogs. It manifests with sudden, otherwise unexplained pain and lameness sometimes shifting from leg to leg, usually between 5 and 14 months of age. Signs such as fever and weight loss, and symptoms such as anorexia, and lethargy can also be seen...
may occur during a Shiloh's growth stages.
Titling and competition
Using their speed and balance, Shilohs perform agilityDog agility
Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles...
related activities with ease. However, due to slower bone
Bone
Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
growth they should not perform strenuous obstacles or jumping until they reach maturity.
Shilohs have herding
Herding dog
A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding...
instincts that make them excellent partners in the arena
Sheepdog trial
A Sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land...
. Shilohs have been recognized by the American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) since 2004. The AHBA's preliminary test for Herding Instinct is used to determine if a Shiloh has the instincts and interest for herding.
Shilohs have been trained as search and rescue dogs. In March 2007, a Shiloh named Gandalf received national media attention after finding a Boy Scout lost in the mountains of North Carolina.
Shiloh's gentleness and calm temperament allow them to be a part of therapy work
Therapy dog
A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations, such as disaster areas....
. Their intelligence and willingness to please make them highly suitable for work as assistance dog
Assistance dog
An assistance dog is a dog trained to aid or assist a person with a disability. Many are trained by a specific organization, while others are trained by their handler .-Classification:...
s. They respond quickly to training and retain the capacity to make independent decisions when situations change. They are frequent recipients of the AKCs "Canine Good Citizen
Canine Good Citizen
The Canine Good Citizen program, established in 1989, is an American Kennel Club program to promote responsible dog ownership and to encourage the training of well-mannered dogs...
" Award and have been awarded the Companion Dog title, the Companion Dog Excellent title, the Utility Dog title and been certified as Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
Shilohs are easy to handle and even children can be successful in the show ring. Currently Shilohs can be shown in the American Rare Breed Association, the International All Breed Canine Association, Rarities, Inc., the Rare Breed Club of South Western Ontario, the National Kennel Club Inc. and the National Canine Association as well as special shows by two Shiloh dog clubs and an annual Homecoming held by the breed founder.
History
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States. In 1974, she began developing a new line of German Shepherds. Her goal was to preserve the type of dog she remembered from her childhood in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
; dogs that are good family companions, exceptionally intelligent, both physically and mentally sound, and large in size.
Tina separated her foundation stock from the American Kennel Club
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
(AKC) in 1990, and the FIC agreed to register these dogs as a separate breed. The name chosen for these dogs was "Shiloh Shepherd" after the kennel of origin. Shortly thereafter, the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America, Inc. (SSDCA, Inc.) was formed to preserve and protect the future welfare of the breed. In 1991, the International Shiloh Shepherd Registry (ISSR) was established and took over registry functions from the FIC.
In 1993, The Complete Computer Place (TCCP), using a specially designed database program, officially started maintaining breeding records. This program tracked nine generations of pedigree and LMX (Littermate X-Ray Program) data and computerized all the older paper files. The ISSR continues to use this program to document vital data on each Shiloh Shepherd in its registry. Ms. Barber is active in the development of the breed as the President of the SSDCA, Inc. and Breed Warden for the ISSR.
In 1997, during a period when the SSDCA was inactive, The International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) was opened. In 1998, the ISSDC opened their own registry, calling it the ISSDCr. The Shiloh Shepherd Breed Association (SSBA) was opened shortly after and assumed registry functions for the ISSDCr. The National Shiloh Breed Registry (NSBR) was established in 2001 and The Shiloh Shepherd Registry (TSSR) in 2002. In 2004, the ISSDC was reorganized as a parent club for the NSBR, the SSBA, and the TSSR. In June 2009, the SSBA was closed.
There are significant differences of opinion between the founding club and registry and subsequently established clubs and registries. The ISSR claims that the NSBR, SSBA and TSSR produce lower quality dogs with more health issues, while the three later registries claim the opposite is true.
External links
- ISSR Inc. (2003) Photographic Guide to Color Conformation
- Photographic Guide to Shiloh coat colors
- About Shiloh Shepherds - Your Guide to Shiloh Shepherds
Registries
- International Shiloh Shepherd Registry, Inc. (ISSR) (Illustrated Breed Standard)
- National Shiloh Breeders Registry (NSBR) (Breed Standard)
- The Shiloh Shepherd Registry (TSSR)
Clubs
- Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America (SSDCA)
- International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) (Breed Standard)