What does everyone think of the Shiloh shepherd? Apparently they are supposed to be closer to Max's ideal shepherd
then any other shepherd. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Not going to buy one, just interested in another debate.

I started this to give VanCamp something else to talk about! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

They're HUGE. Since when was Max's ideal GSD the size of a Great Dane?

Also tend to lack working drive. I remember one breeder of Shilohs boasting that his dogs "were NOT SUITABLE for police work!" (yes, that's right... it was supposed to be a boast...)

Pete Felknor

Why not, who cares, at least they don't call em GERMAN shepherds and pretend that they are working dogs. At least not that I've seen.

Max sure had a lot of ideas about what was the "ideal" shepherd dog. :rolleyes:

Give me a -F-ing break.

I agree with Van Camp, it's good that at least call it something different. You can't argue with that. I won't like it BUT I will accept anything as long as they're honest to the people who buy them (which remains to be seen)

I may speaking out of my @#$ here BUT I think this is just a tongue&cheek way of calling it a Giant German Shepherd. It's a money thing. There's no good way to make a dollar unless you keep people into new things. Magically then they think they need it. To someone who knows jack about working dogs sometimes things like this look better. If it's bigger it's better, lol.

But to stick to the point I think it's more of a marketing ploy. I'm glad you brought that up though. I think it's good to get info like this onto the surface.

I read somewhere that they were mixed with Alaskan Malamutes in the early generations. Actually, this might not be a bad idea when starting a new breed since Malamutes tend to be VERY friendly, outgoing, and even rather fearless... should tone down the SPOOKY gene in the shepherds a bit.

I see alot of Shilo shepherds in my obed classes.. I find them to be extremely oversized, longhaired, floppy-eared, overly-soft, spooky dogs.. I haven't met one yet that has a sound temperment.

Jody

I looked into them for a bit out of couriosity and their sales pitch is that they are supposed to have no genetic defects, no aggression, and that they are bred mainly for those people who fell in love with a quite goofy GSD years ago and want the soft nature again but still look imposing.
I can see the market demand for these dogs as pets, but i am glad too that they do not call them GSd's but they are a bit far from the mark when they say that their breeding program is based on what the "original" GSD was like.
My first GSD was a huge long coat with a fantastic people attitude and great (untrained) protection tenancies. He is what got me (as a novice dog owner) to apreciate the breed but i have learnt that there are big differences between the pet that i got very lucky with in all aspects and those who are bred for ability and temp and those that are bred in an attempt to acheive consistant dogs of that "lucky" type.

The idea is there even though they forgot the "purpose" of the breed in the idea but the reality of it being achieved by these people is some what delusional.

But if they can guarentee me another "Cujo" (he chose that name)(really) ill buy one!
Every now and then we can get a dog that by sheer luck is everything you want in a dog.....then you spend the rest of your life bragging about it!!!

I agree with Dave IF that's the objective the breeder is wanting, but I think it's just a cool gimmick they use make fast cash. That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

I agree with Jody also, I have however seen some that look nice. I also like Labs, that doesn't mean I'm going to rely on them for a protection dog. I love big breeds. I would love to have a giant GSDs if they were good, as well as being able to move good for work. I would like white GSDs if they were good. BUT while I'm wishing I'll take a Porsche too. (lol)

The thing I have a problem with is when they CLAIM they are good enough for personal protection. I just like honesty. I'm not going to be mad at a show breeder if they say that's all it's good for. I wish there was a way though that the proper info will get out there. Hopefully with the net, now it will be harder for people to get screwed because your able to access more information. I know it's helped me tremendously.

I think the Shiloh's are a good looking large dog.
They were breed with a huge Malamute out of Canada to improve size and hips.
The majority of the dogs have a medium to a medium soft temperment. A protective dog can mean many things to different people.
When this breed first started, they were involved in protection sport - then they became softer.
As in all breeds, there are people out to make a buck and others to improve the breed.If you do a little research, you will find that some of the breeders had a falling out concerning breeding practices and that is why you have King's and Shiloh Shepherds.

Does anyone know what the difference is between the King Shepherd, the Giant German Shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd?

Are any of them Police patrol dogs? Are any of them good for personal protection work?

Thanks