Shiloh Shepherd

People usually start looking up the Shiloh Shepherd when they want a straight answer on three things: how big these dogs really get, what they’re like to live with, and whether the breed is recognised and responsibly bred where they live. The details matter. With a large, fast-growing dog, small misunderstandings can turn into expensive vet bills, avoidable behaviour problems, or a dog that simply doesn’t fit your home.

Below is a calm, practical profile of the Shiloh Shepherd: where the breed came from, what to expect in size and temperament, the everyday care they need, and the health risks you should plan around—grounded in breed registry material and veterinary guidance.^{1, 2}

Quick facts (adult Shiloh Shepherd)

• Origin: Developed in the United States (late 20th century), as a distinct breed type separate from the German Shepherd Dog.^{1, 3}
• Height (at the shoulder): Males commonly around 71–76 cm; females around 66–71 cm (breed standards may list broader ranges and “minimums”).^{1, 3}
• Weight: Often roughly 34–54 kg depending on sex, build, and line; avoid chasing “giant” sizes at the expense of soundness.^{3, 4}
• Coat: Double coat; most registries describe two coat types (often called “smooth” and “plush”).^{4, 5}
• Colours: Commonly sable and black-and-tan; some standards also allow solid black and solid white.⁵
• Temperament (general): Bred for steadier companionship than some high-drive working shepherd lines; still a large, alert dog that benefits from training and careful socialisation.³

History and origin

The Shiloh Shepherd was developed in the United States, with early development commonly linked to breeder Tina Barber. The aim was a large shepherd-type dog selected for stable temperament and physical soundness, drawing on German Shepherd Dog foundations and other large northern-type influences described within Shiloh breed communities.^{1, 4}

It’s also worth being clear about what the Shiloh Shepherd is not: it’s not simply a long-coated German Shepherd, and it’s not a size-upgrade of the German Shepherd Dog. Most Shiloh organisations treat it as its own developing breed with its own registries and standards.^{3, 6}

Breed recognition and registries (why this matters)

In many countries, the Shiloh Shepherd is not recognised by major all-breed kennel clubs. In practice, that means you’ll often be dealing with breed-specific registries and breeder codes of ethics rather than a single national kennel club system.

When you’re comparing breeders, it helps to ask which registry the dogs are recorded with, and what health screening is required for breeding animals. The International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) lists partner registries and also notes that not all “all-breed registries” apply Shiloh-specific validation rules.⁶

Size and physical characteristics

Shiloh Shepherds are large, substantial dogs—tall at the shoulder, but also long in the body, with a deep chest and strong bone. Breed standards typically describe adults being assessed at full maturity around three years of age, not at 12 months when many are still all legs and growing into themselves.^{4, 5}

Most describe two coat varieties:

• Smooth: a close-fitting double coat with a harsher outer layer.
• Plush: longer outer hair with a denser, softer undercoat and more feathering around neck and legs.⁴

The coat is built for weather. It also means seasonal shedding is normal, and it arrives all at once.⁴

Temperament: what they’re like to live with

A well-bred, well-raised Shiloh Shepherd is usually described as steady and people-focused—more companion-oriented than many high-drive working shepherd lines, while still retaining the alertness and confidence that makes shepherd breeds so watchful of their environment.³

That balance is easiest to live with when it’s shaped early. These dogs tend to notice everything. Without calm, consistent training and generous social exposure, “protective” can slide into over-vigilant behaviours—barking at visitors, discomfort around strangers, or difficulty settling when the household changes rhythm.

Training and exercise needs

Shiloh Shepherds usually do best with daily exercise paired with mental work: training sessions, scent games, structured walks, and chances to practise calm behaviour around the ordinary bustle of life. The goal isn’t to exhaust them with endless running, but to build a dog that can switch off.

Training style matters. Clear routines, rewards for the behaviour you want, and early, sensible socialisation tend to produce the best adult dogs—especially in a breed that can grow large enough to accidentally knock over a child simply by turning too quickly in a hallway.

Health concerns to plan for

No breeder can promise perfect health, but they should be able to show you what they’ve done to reduce predictable risks. In large shepherd-type dogs, the big watch-outs are joint disease and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), often called “bloat”.

Joint problems (hip and elbow dysplasia)

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common discussion points in large breeds. Practical risk reducers include choosing breeders who screen breeding animals, keeping puppies lean during growth, and avoiding excessive impact exercise while joints are still developing.

GDV (“bloat”): fast, serious, and worth understanding

GDV is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach can distend and twist, compromising blood flow and rapidly leading to shock. It’s seen most often in large, deep-chested dogs—including shepherd types.^{7, 8}

Risk can’t be eliminated, but routine habits can help:

• Feed two or more smaller meals rather than one large meal.^{8, 9}
• Avoid vigorous exercise for at least an hour before eating and for at least two hours afterwards.^{8, 9}
• Slow down fast eaters (slow feeders, puzzle feeding, scattering kibble).⁸
• Know the early signs (unproductive retching, swelling abdomen, drooling, restlessness) and go to an emergency vet immediately if they appear.^{7, 9}

Grooming and everyday care

The Shiloh Shepherd’s coat is designed to insulate, not to be fussed over—but it does need regular brushing. A thorough brush once or twice a week is a reasonable baseline, with more frequent sessions during seasonal coat blows. The aim is to lift out dead undercoat before it mats and before it ends up as tumbleweeds around the skirting boards.

Keep nails trimmed, ears clean and dry, and teeth cared for. With large dogs, small maintenance tasks done consistently tend to prevent big, expensive problems later.

Shiloh Shepherd as a family dog: good fit, poor fit

In the right home, a Shiloh Shepherd can be a calm, affectionate presence—large enough to feel like part of the furniture, observant enough to notice every visitor, and trainable enough to enjoy learning the household rules.

Often a good fit if you have:

• Space for a large dog to move comfortably, inside and out.
• Time for daily training and structured exercise.
• Interest in early socialisation and ongoing manners (especially greetings and leash walking).

Often a poor fit if you have:

• Very limited time at home (some dogs can develop separation distress, particularly if routines change abruptly).¹⁰
• A preference for a low-shedding, low-maintenance coat.
• No appetite for training a powerful adolescent dog through the clumsy teenage months.

Shiloh Shepherd vs German Shepherd: the plain differences

The German Shepherd Dog is a long-established, widely recognised breed with many distinct working and show lines. The Shiloh Shepherd was developed more recently, with breed communities often describing it as larger-framed and selected toward a steadier companion temperament on average, though individuals vary widely by line and upbringing.^{3, 5}

If you’re deciding between the two, focus less on labels and more on the individual dog in front of you: the parents’ temperaments, the breeder’s health testing, and how thoughtfully the puppies are raised and socialised.

Final thoughts

The Shiloh Shepherd is a big, watchful dog built for companionship as much as capability. When breeding is careful and early training is steady, they tend to move through family life with a quiet confidence—close to their people, responsive to routine, and happiest when they have a job, even if the job is simply to walk, learn, and settle.

Before you commit, confirm which registry the breeder uses, what health screening has been done, and how they support you through adolescence. With a dog this size, good beginnings show up for years.

References

1. Petco – Shiloh Shepherd Breed Facts and Information
2. International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) – Appearance
3. The Shiloh Shepherd Registry (TSSR) – Frequently Asked Questions
4. International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) – Coat varieties and maturity notes (Appearance)
5. ISSDC – Shiloh Shepherd Breed Standard
6. ISSDC – Registries
7. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine – Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or “bloat”
8. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) – Understanding Canine Bloat (GDV): A Medical Emergency
9. VetZone (Australia/New Zealand) – Gastric dilation and volvulus (bloat) in dogs
10. RSPCA Victoria – Separation anxiety