Shiloh Shepherd

Shiloh

(by Lesley de Klerk)

The Breed Founder, Tina Barber, has the following to say about the Shiloh Shepherd.

‘’ Do you remember a specific German Shepherd you used to own as a child (or if you are under 40, one that your family and friends told you about?) He was the dog with that almost human intelligence; that big family protector that was so very gentle with little children, yet would give his life for his master without question. The dog that would walk you to the school bus, and then show up again exactly on time to wait for your return; the hero that everyone talked about; the one that seemed half human. His personality consisted of Lassie, Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin all rolled into one.

Well that dog is still here today, and he is called a Shiloh Shepherd.”

I have always admired and loved the Shepherds, but after years of watching my beloved German shepherds battle with HD, ear problems and digestive problems, I began to research the Shiloh Shepherds. They look like BIG beautiful German Shepherds, but it is the temperament of these magnificent animals that has converted me forever. I have owned Shiloh Shepherds for more than 5 years, and I can’t imagine not having these animals in my life. They are excellent alert dogs, and they are extremely intelligent too, but they also have the tenderness of a Golden Retriever. Can you imagine these traits rolled into one dog? This is my description of the Shiloh Shepherd.

I am fortunate to have 6 Shiloh Shepherds. They are NOT guard dogs or watch dogs. They are Companion animals and need to be part of the family in every way. I would not suggest this breed for anyone who does not want a full time companion, and who will not allow animals inside the house. They also require training and stimulation, but they are not excessively energetic. They possess a very high willingness to please, which makes them highly trainable, but they are also sensitive creatures and harsh training will break their spirits.

As they are a large breed (bordering on giant) they require correct nutrition (as does every dog), but the importance of feeding a large/giant breed dog correctly, particularly during the growth phase, cannot be stressed strongly enough. I only wish every dog owner would take the time to discuss proper nutrition with their veterinarian.

The Shilohs come in 2 coat types – Plush Coat and Smooth Coat. My Shilohs are all Plush Coats. They deal with the summer heat fairly well, by staying in the shade or swimming, but they do seem to enjoy our winters. They originate from the USA and are considered a rare breed.

My Shilohs are excellent therapy dogs; they genuinely love the work, and the people they visit. They turn heads wherever they go and it is indeed an honour to share my life with them.

Website:; www.shilohshepherds.org

There are now currently 6 Shiloh Shepherds in South Africa. They are from left to right: Cheyanne, Willow, Shiloh, Kodi and Dakota. New Arrivals Sarabi and Sabrina are pictured below. Shiloh passed away on the 19th of July 2011 at the age of 12 and a half years old.

Willow and Dakota are the youngest dogs to pass the Paws for People® Assessments and Skills and Aptitude tests.

Keep checking this site for news and updates on our Shiloh Shepherds!

Bear

Dog gets national ward

May 8 2012 at 09:27am
By Sue Manning

Los Angeles - Three years ago, Bear was a 45-kilogram Shiloh German shepherd nobody wanted at a Texas shelter.

Debbie Zeisler came to his rescue. She has lost count of the times since then that he has come to hers.

On Monday, Bear was honoured with the 30th National Hero Dog award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles.

Last May, Zeisler had a seizure, fell down some steps, hit her head and lost consciousness in her front yard. Bear scratched on every front door in their Millsap neighbourhood but nobody answered. A Parker County animal control officer saw the frantic dog and went to help. Bear led the officer to Zeisler.

As a by-then conscious Zeisler was being loaded into an ambulance, Bear did not hesitate to jump in with her and accompany her to the hospital.

The dog recognises the signs of imminent seizures and will lean on Zeisler's legs so she can sit down before they happen, explained the society's Ana Bustilloz.

Bear never had any training, but three days after Zeisler took him home he started alerting her to possible problems. "He figured it out on his own," Bustilloz said.

The sometimes daily seizures started after a horse riding accident 18 years ago.

Zeisler said she initially went to the Weatherford Animal Shelter to get a German shepherd for her mother. When she asked about shepherds, she was told they only had one, but he was in the back because nobody wanted him.

They brought out the dog and it was love at first sight, she said.

Zeisler has fallen a couple of times when she didn't heed Bear's warning. The dog will fetch her medicine or stay with her, whichever she seems to need, she said.

As National Hero Dog, Bear gets free dog food for a year, the trip to California for him and Zeisler, a stay at an oceanfront hotel in Huntington Beach and a plaque. - Sapa-AP

Shabreika Shilohs

click here to learn more

From left to right - Willow, Kodi and Dakota - showing off their dumbbell skills

Kodi with her friend Jade – Jade as little as she is often trains with Kodi!!

Dakota and Sarabi

above -Dakota & Sarabi

All the kids! Dakota, Kodi, Sarabi and Cheyanne

Dakota Sarabi

Left is Willow – Right is Dakota – they are now 29 months old!

Sarabi & Kodi - Us Shiloh’s love the cold weather!!!

Dakota and Sarabi patiently waiting to go for a walk!!

"Waiting for Mom to go on our walk" – left to right, Dakota, Cheyanne, Shiloh, Kodi and Sarabi.

My Big Boy Shiloh has turned 12 years old
- and he is still gorgeous!

The Birthday Girl herself - Cheyanne on her 9th Birthday	A very unimpressed Kodi
Cheyanne's 9th Birthday	Dakota and Shiloh on Cheyanne's Birthday
From left to right Dakota, Sarabi, Kodi and Liam (GSD) on Cheyanne’s 9th Birthday!!!	Sarabi and Dakota ….. sigh…. The things we do for our Mom!!!!

Our little Sabrina’s arrival – Sabrina means Princess

Ok enough of this box now!	Getting braver by the second
Second thoughts??	Me and my new Dad
Kisses!	Me and my new Mom
A little jet-lagged – first day at puppy school!	Puppy school is fun – not feeling jet-lagged any more!
Finding my Dad at the end of the tunnel!	Oh – I have another 2 legs at the back!
My first time up the ramp!	I love my big sister
Sarabi and Sabrina	Sarabi and Sabrina
	Sabrina chewing a rawhide!
Dakota at 20 Months	Sabrina - Growing Fast!
Sarabi at 9 months!	Sarabi and Sabrina
Dakota and Kodi Sleeping

Shiloh & Dakota sleeping head to head

Dakota and tiny Tim-Tim

Dakota Cleaning Tim-Tim

Fearless Tim-Tim

Sarabi says - "This lady said I made her day (not sure what that means but she was REAL happy to have me visit with her). My Aunt Tammy printed it out and gave her this photo because the lady wanted to show her husband what wonderful visitors she had!"