Shiloh Shepherds are a rare breed of shepherd dog that started in the 1970s.
With the aim of being a more family-friendly dog than the German Shepherd breed, Shiloh Shepherds should be loving and protective of the family.
Slightly bigger than the German Shepherd breed, Shiloh Shepherds could be described as gentler giants but shouldn’t be agressive.
As a relatively new dog breed, there aren’t a lot of Shiloh Shepherd breeders in the USA and worldwide so it can be quite a lengthy process bringing a puppy home.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at Shiloh Shepherd price, where you can find Shiloh Shepherd breeders and whether it’s possible to rescue a Shiloh Shepherd.
We’ll hear from Cynthia Kelly, who is a member of the International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance, to learn more about this rare dog breed.
You can follow Cynthia on Instagram @campfireshilohs if you’d like to see more of her photos and learn more about Shiloh Shepherds.
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What Is A Shiloh Shepherd?
Campfire Shilohs (Photo: @campfireshilohs / Instagram )
The Shiloh Shepherd breed was started by Tina Barber in the 1970s.
Barber was a dog trainer who noticed that the average American family was struggling to manage German Shepherd dogs.
Therefore, she set about attempting to create a dog like the German Shepherd that would be easier to train. Barber wanted a dog that was larger, calmer and easier to handle than the GSD.
The International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance explained how the Shiloh Shepherd breed came about on their website.
Like all modern dog breeds, Shilohs are a mixture of breeds: German shepherd, Sarplaninac, Malamute, Canadian White Shepherd, Altdeutscher Schaeferhunde, and more. The introduction of these other breeds took them away from the German shepherd in appearance, genetics, and temperament.
The American Rare Breed Association accepted the Shiloh Shepherd in 1991 but the shepherd breed isn’t recognised by the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
Where To Adopt A Shiloh Shepherd
Campfire Shilohs (Photo: @campfireshilohs / Instagram )
If you’re thinking about getting a Shiloh Shepherd, you may have an underlying desire to adopt rather than purchase a puppy. With most dog breeds, you’ll usually be able to find a member of the breed in need of a forever home, whether it’s a local rescue shelter or a rescue organisation that is specifically focused on a dog breed.
However, Shiloh Shepherds are a relatively new dog breed so it’s unlikely you’ll find a Shiloh Shepherd at a local rescue shelter, especially given how close knit the Shiloh Shepherd community is.
Kelly explained why you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Shiloh Shepherd in need of a new home.
It’s very rare to find purebred Shilohs in rescues, since most breeders are very selective on the homes their puppies go to, and follow the common practice of taking dogs back if their home falls through.
Rehomes by individual breeders happen, and there is also the Shiloh Shepherd specific rescue that monitors and facilitates the rehoming of Shilohs. Shiloh Shepherd breeders are few and far between, so it’s wise to anticipate some level of travel to get a Shiloh puppy from a reputable and responsible breeder.
Where Can I Buy A Shiloh Shepherd?
Campfire Shilohs (Photo: @campfireshilohs / Instagram )
So you’ve still got your heart set on a Shiloh Shepherd puppy but you’re unsure where to begin your journey.
The best place to start is the International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance, checking out the materials on their website.
At the time of writing, there are 15 Shiloh Shepherd breeders on the ISSA’s website – 12 in the USA, 2 in Canada and 1 in the Netherlands.
The breeders listed on the ISSA’s breeder page have signed up to the organization’s breeders’ code so there is accountability.
Kelly explained why she would recommend readers go with a breeder listed on the ISSA’s website.
Look for a breeder directly from the ISSA (International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance). All of these breeders are required to submit breeding proposals to a panel of breed wardens to ensure quality. Every pairing has mandated requirements which include PennHip/OFA hips and OFA elbows, DM clear, heart holter, heart auscultation, a temperament test, and DNA submitted to UC Davis.
If you choose a breeder that is not registered with the ISSA, be sure to ask for complete health testing (OFA elbows, OFA hips/PennHip, DM clear, heart holter at 6 months and veterinarian auscultation or echo at 24 months, and temperament testing).
Advice From Shiloh Shepherd Owners
While you can do a lot of online research about a breed by reading pages such as this one, there’s no subsitute for speaking to current Shiloh Shepherd owners.
In our experience, you can gain vital first-hand experience of life owning a dog breed by talking the owners who can give a genuine insight into the dog breed, providing both pros and cons.
Kelly, who is the owner of two Shiloh Shepherd dogs, offered some advice to anyone thinking about getting a Shiloh dog.
They are wonderful, protective, loving family guardians that are go-with-the-flow, enjoy training, and are typically up for anything you are. They have one of the best longevity statistics for an extra-large breed, averaging at about 10-12 years old. They are not prone to wander, and love to stay with their owners, making them generally reliable off-leash on hikes.
The International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance (ISSA) is a very proactive Shiloh Shepherd breed club, and they are continually trying to improve the breed by embarking on breed-specific research studies, having strong standards for breeding dogs, and increasing genetic diversity.
Shiloh Shepherds are slow to mature and may have adolescent fear periods between 1-2 years old, which can lead to reactivity without careful management. They are large and are often unaware of their size. They may accidentally knock over things on low tables.
How Much Are Shiloh Shepherd Puppies?
Campfire Shilohs (Photo: @campfireshilohs / Instagram )
So we’ve covered the odds of finding a Shiloh Shepherd in need of a forever home, we’ve discussed where you can find a Shiloh Shepherd breeder and we’ve heard a firsthand account of life with these dogs.
Let’s get down to the crux of this article – how much will a Shiloh Shepherd puppy cost you?
Well, you’ll need to sign up to a waiting list once you’ve settled on your preferred Shiloh Shepherd breeder. You’ll usually be asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire so the breeder can get an insight into your motivations and your living circumstances.
Shiloh Shepherd puppies will usually cost between $2,000 and $4,000 depending on whether you go for a Shiloh Shepherd bred to be a pet or a Shiloh Shepherd set for life as a breeding dog.
However, you should be aware that the wait times are long – so you’ll need a lot of patience if you really want to welcome a Shiloh Shepherd into your family.
Kelly provided us with a suggested waiting time depending on your location.
You can anticipate average wait list times to be between 6 months and 2 years in North America, and over 5 years in Northern Europe.
Other Shiloh Shepherd Costs
Campfire Shilohs (Photo: @campfireshilohs / Instagram )
While you may have carefully saved for the initial cost of putting down a deposit to get on a waiting list before paying the outstanding balance, have you thought about the monthly costs of owning a large dog?
Of course, you’ll need to prepare your home for life with your Shiloh Shepherd by purchasing essentials such as dog beds, leashes, food and water bowls, as well as dog-proofing your home.
You’ll have to consider the initial trips to the vets to get all their vaccinations and the cost of neutering or spaying your Shiloh Shepherd if that’s part of the contract that you signed with your breeder.
On a monthly basis, you’ll need to consider outgoings for dog food and pet insurance as well as other costs such as treats, grooming and more. Kelly offered a suggested monthly cost of owning a Shiloh.
Insurance and food may cost you at least $100 a month. It’s also a good idea to budget for training classes and grooming expenses, especially with puppies and young dogs.
Anything Else To Consider?
It’s a good idea to speak to a number of different Shiloh Shepherd breeders before settling on the one that you feel best fits your criteria.
We recommend only going for a Shiloh Shepherd breeder listed on the ISSA’s website so you can have confidence that you’ll be working with a breeder who has signed up to the organization’s relevant codes.
If possible, it’s appropriate to visit the breeder so you can meet your prospective puppy as well as see your pup interact with its mother.
You shouldn’t confuse a Shiloh Shepherd for a large German Shepherd or a King Shepherd.
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
Campfire Shilohs (Photo: @campfireshilohs / Instagram )
We’ve reached the end of our feature on Shiloh Shepherd price.
You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 for a Shiloh Shepherd puppy depending on the breeder and the purpose of the dog.
However, you’ll likely face a lengthy wait to bring your puppy home due to the limited number of Shiloh Shepherd breeders worldwide.
It’s also unlikely that you’ll find a Shiloh Shepherd at a rescue shelter so contacting a breeder is your best bet of owning one of these dogs.
