What is a King Shepherd Dog Breed?
The King Shepherd is an American large breed dog with a long nose, pointed ears and thick hair on its powerful, solid frame. Although these dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they exhibit many characteristics of mixed breed dogs.
King Shepherds, as their name suggests, are enormous hybrid dogs that result from the mating of Shiloh and German Shepherds. The King Shepherd, however, stands out among its close cousins due to its massive size.
Content Overview
- History
- Different names
- Appearance and Characteristics
- Personality and Temperament
- Health & problems
- How to take care
- Puppy Information
- Puppy price
- Things to consider adopting a puppy
- Advantages & Disadvantages
- Photo gallery
King Shepherd Dog History
The King shepherd dogs were bred in the United States in the 1990s to create German Shepherd mixes with fewer health problems than purebred German Shepherds. American breeders Shelly Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer crossed the German Shepherd with the Shiloh Shepherd to improve the best traits of the German Shepherd.
Breeders combined the long-haired German Shepherd with that European ancestry to achieve the long-haired look. These European lineages increased genetic diversity. This was necessary to reduce the risk of genetic problems, which are prevalent as a result of inbreeding in long-established breeds.
The American Kennel Club does not yet recognize King Shepherds because they are a relatively young breed and still very uncommon in American homes. Apart from that, it is recognized by many smaller organizations like American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), World Wide Kennel Club (WWKC) and Eastern Rare Breed Dog Club (ERBDC).
German Shepherd Dog History
A very modern breed is the German Shepherd. Dogs have been used by farmers in Germany and the rest of Europe for generations to drive and guard their cattle. Some dogs were famous for their prowess, and shepherds would go to great lengths to breed their female dogs with famous sires.
The first German Shepherd dog was known as the Horand. German Shepherds worked as Red Cross sentries, volunteers, guards, couriers and guard dogs.
German Shepherds came to the United States before the war, but the breed continued until then. In 1931, the American Kennel Club reinstated the former name of German Shepherd Dog.
Shiloh Shepherd Dog History
The German Shepherd enthusiast in New York in the 1970s, Tina Barber developed the Shiloh Shepherd, which was recognized as a breed in the 1990s. Shiloh shepherds have a common ancestor with both Alaskan malamute and German shepherds.
In addition to being bigger than German shepherds, these dogs had stronger hips and improved muscle tone to guard against hip dysplasia problems.
The Shiloh, a hybrid German shepherd, was developed to be calm, large, and more tolerant to children. This dog resembles a wolf in comparison to German Shepherds or King Charles Spaniels. Shiloh is destined to win the war of the breeds because he is a kind-hearted giant with excellent looks and disposition.
Different Names or Types
King Shepherd Dog Other Names
- Lovey
- Buddy
Recognized Names
Recognitions
- ARBA: American Rare Breed Association
- AKSC: American King Shepherd Club
- APR: America’s Pet Registry
- SKC: States Kennel Club
- DRA: Dog Registry of America
- WWKC: World Wide Kennel Club
Appearance & Characteristics
The famous German Shepherd dog and the King Shepherd look very similar. Due to the fact that they inherit their stature from their Shiloh shepherd parents, they are more substantial.
They have a powerful body and a large chest. A healthy dog has a significantly straighter back than a German Shepherd. They look rougher and have a boxier face. Their most distinctive feature is their large, square head.
They have a fairly thick coat that can be medium to long in length, earning them the nickname “King German Shepherd” for their luxurious hair. Additionally weatherproof, his coat.
Breed Basic Characteristics
- Country of origin: United States
- Breed group: Hybrid
- Life span: 10-11 Years
- Size: Medium To Large
- Height: 25-31 Inch
- Weight: 75-150 Pound
- Coat: Long, Course, and Either Straight or Wavy
- Type: Crossbreed
- Shedding: High
- Colors: Black and tan, brown, sable, cream, silver or gold
- Also as known: Lovey, Buddy
- Good with children: Yes
- Personality traits: Friendly, loyal and loving
- Good with pets: Yes
- Barking: Infrequent
- Competitive registration: ARBA, AKSC, APR, SKC, DRA, WWKC
- Eyes: King Shepherd’s eyes are almond shaped and dark brown in color
- Ears: Their ears are solid, medium in size, and thick, high, and pointed.
- Body: Strong Body
Coat
A straight or curly coat is offered for the King Shepherd. The King Shepherd’s coat is a blend of several hues in both instances, including brown, black, tan, and white.
Color and Markings
Common coat colors for This Breed Include.
- Black and tan
- Brown
- Sable
- Cream
- Silver
- Gold
Coat Color and Markings
King Shepherds frequently have coats and colors that are a combination of German Shepherd and those of other parent breeds. Fawn, red, black, brown, and sable are the primary coat hues. Their coats frequently include two or more colors mixed together.
Personality and Temperament of King Shepherd Dog
King Shepherd are wonderful pets and watchdogs. Any hunter can be discouraged by their size. Although friendly to everyone who does not harm anyone, they are fiercely protective of their home and family.
These people were bred to be kind and patient, making them ideal family pets. They will match the energy level of the youth as they are very excited. King Shepherd is motivated and able to pick up any skill. They love to work and must complete tasks of all sizes.
They are easily trained and benefit greatly from praise. Do not leave them unattended for long periods of time. They are easily bored, annoyed and prone to anger, which will lead to unwanted behavior.
Activity Requirements
King Shepherds are a breed with a lot of energy that needs a lot of exercise. Every day, you should engage in strenuous activity for at least an hour. Active single-family homes with lots of space for running, walking, exploring, and playing are ideal for these dogs.
This dog is confident and robust, and although being active, they are not prone to being overexcited. Given their high levels of activity, these dogs need a leash.
King Shepherds benefit from workout regimens that incorporate cerebral stimulation because they are also very bright animals. Games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek are excellent activities for owners to engage their dogs in.
Trainability
King Shepherds have a high level of intellect and a strong desire to please their owner, which makes them simple to teach. They swiftly pick up on following directions with minimal work from the owner when positive reinforcement is used.
Socialization and training should begin at an early age.. While more intensive training should continue throughout the dog’s life, basic obedience classes can start as early as 8 to 16 weeks of age with puppies.
King Shepherds learn basic instructions pretty quickly because they have such a strong desire to please their family members. To ensure that the dog is amiable and well-behaved among strangers and other animals, start socializing him as soon as you bring him home.
Health & Problems
Even though many breeders have sought to lessen the prevalence of hereditary health issues, the hybrid King Shepherd breed is prone to some of the same ailments that the German Shepherd also experiences. While the majority of pets are typically in good condition, some may experience issues; for this reason, proper care and frequent veterinarian examinations are crucial.
Elbow and hip dysplasia: Discomfort, instability, or weakness may be caused by the deformity this condition causes in the dog’s developing joints.
Von Willebrand Disease: The blood’s capacity to clot after damage is impacted by this hereditary condition.
Hypothyroidism: This endocrine condition, which affects the thyroid, lowers the dog’s metabolic rate, which may result in future weight gain and other health issues.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Bloat is a condition where the stomach twists due to gases that are common in huge and gigantic breeds.
Feeding Plan
A large breed with moderate energy should be fed the best King Shepherd diet. A regular food schedule should be followed and no skipping meals should be avoided throughout the day. Depending on the size and age of the dog, it should be divided into two to three meals per day.
You should be prepared to feed the king shepherd at least twice a day. Three to four cups of large breed dry dog food is recommended for an adult King Shepherd.
Despite their low appetite and caloric needs, seniors can thrive on three cups of food with the same number of calories or four cups of dog food made specifically for large breed dogs.
Also Read: Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Breed
Living Conditions
The King Shepherd has a very gentle and flexible nature. They usually live for 10 to 11 years. Due to their size and great desire for exercise, they are best suited for single-family homes with enclosed outdoor areas. King Shepherd is highly trained and praised.
Do not leave them unattended for long periods of time. They quickly get bored, irritated and frustrated, which can lead to unwanted behavior.
How to Take Care of King Shepherd Dog?
As with other dogs you should take the King Shepherd to the vet for regular check-ups so that any health problems can be identified early. Create a grooming program that will keep the dog healthy with the help of his veterinarian.
Weight gain is a problem for King Shepherds. Follow a meal plan and choose high quality foods. Make sure you exercise the dog for 60 to 90 minutes every day by walking or taking them on the track.
Grooming & Brushing
The King Shepherd are kept well-groomed, which enhances their attractiveness. King Shepherds need a lot of time, effort, and care to flourish between their grooming and activity requirements. King Shepherds have double, thick coats that shed a lot.
This dog can benefit from weekly brushing to keep their hair healthy, tangle-free, and to aid with shedding reduction. Their coats require relatively little maintenance. Vigorous brushing three times a week is often sufficient, and only occasional bathing with a mild shampoo is advised.
Check their ears daily for dirt and germs and clean them as instructed by the veterinarian. When it dog’s nails start getting too long, trim them. Maintaining the dental health of any animal is one of the most difficult tasks involved in pet care. At least three times a week, you should brush their teeth.
Feed Healthy food
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for dogs regardless of breed. For optimal health and performance, their diet should include physiologically appropriate proteins, healthy fats, ground bones, and vegetables that are high in important vitamins and minerals.
Recommended diets for King Shepherds contain 18-22% Protein and are high quality proteins. They work best with dry dog food, but you can also top them with something different.
The following items Should never be feed to King Shepherd Dog
- Salt & salty foods
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Yeast dough
- Grapes or raisins
- Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit
- Poultry bone
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Onions, chives, and garlic
Puppy information
King Shepherd Dog Puppy Training
The most crucial aspect of every dog breed or pet is puppy training. King Shepherds are often highly loyal and clever dogs, making them quite simple to teach. Breeds of dogs might be a bit challenging to teach.
King shepherd parents like you must understand some of the fundamental factors that affect a relationship with a dog in order to effectively train the dog.
Behavioral Training
Behavioral training is very important to any dog. Caring for Dogs Dog behavior training benefits greatly. If you want a King Shepherd puppy to train quickly, be aware of some common behavioral problems, such as biting, aggression, food security, whining, mouthing, and chewing. It is possible to train a dog to avoid these issues.
Obedience Training
Every dog must complete this fundamental and important training. There are three distinct ways to teach the King Shepherd, but each one starts with a good grasp of the fundamental five obedience commands: come, sit, remain, heel, and down.
Every dog should become familiar with these five fundamental dog training commands since they are essential for instilling obedience in them.
Socialization
The dog should be sociable. Socialization should generally begin as soon as practical. The socialization process involves exposing the dog to various situations, people, animals, sights and smells. Fortunately, social opportunities can be found almost anywhere.
Dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, pet supply businesses, and new walking trails are great places to start. It’s a good idea to occasionally take the dog or some friends over to someone else’s house.
King Shepherd Dog Puppies for Sale
The King Shepherd is a breed of American dog that has thick fur and a snout that is characteristic of them. A puppy can cost on average between $1500 and $2500 USD.
Things to Consider Adopting a King Shepherd Dog
- King Shepherds are active and vivacious, yet they are also wonderfully gentle with kids. They are devoted to and protective of their young pals.
- The King Shepherds need room. They require a sizable backyard or close-by park because this pet is not suitable for apartments or condos.
- Like all large dogs, King Shepherds suffer from diseases such as von Willebrand disease, hypothyroidism and joint dysplasia.
- This dog has separation anxiety, thus they require human company for the most of the day to prevent them from becoming worried, sad, subservient, or even destructive.
- This huge breed is highly active and needs at least one or two hours of intense exercise every day.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of King Shepherd Dog
- They make excellent watchdogs.
- They are a lovely, loyal breed of dog.
- The King Shepherd has a lot of energy and playfulness.
Disadvantages of King Shepherd Dog
- They are more barking dogs.
- Buying and holding them is expensive.
- They have high potential for health problems.
King Shepherd Dog Photo Gallery