King Shepherd - A Healthy, Large, and Loyal Dog

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If you are looking for a puppy that is loyal, loving, friendly and has less health problems than other breeds, the King Shepherd might be a perfect fit for your home. Read this article to find out if you and you should add the addition of a King Shepherd to your family!

The King Shepherd is a crossbreed puppy that can make your home whole because of its friendly attitude and loyalty, forming strong bonds with its new family and friends.

The King Shepherd is a crossbreed puppy between the Shiloh Shepherd and the German Shepherd. The Shiloh is not a very known dog, but you will find that it has many amazing traits!

The King Shepherd has both the qualities of the German Shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd so you will get a dog that is beautiful to look at, easy to train, loyal, friendly, and strong.

One great thing about this breed of dogs is that it is considered to be one of the larger and healthier breeds. Since this dog is a new breed and has only been around for a few decades, it is not yet recognized by the main kennel clubs, but it is recognized in the American King Shepherd Club, the AKSC and the American Rare Breed Association or the ARBA, Dog Registry of America or the DRA, Eastern Rare Breed Dog Club or the ERBDC, States Kennel Club or the SKC, World Wide Kennel Club or the WWKC and the American Pet Registry, Inc. or the APRI.

Quick Summary of King Shepherd Breed

Items	Values
Popularity	High and hard to find.
Lifespan	10 to 12 years of age.
Temperament	Very smart, large, affectionate, kind, caring, loving, loyal, energetic, easy to train, good with children and other pets, friendly, healthy.
Average Height	24 inches to 32 inches.
Average Weight	70 pounds to 160 pounds.
Coat Type	Medium length, dense, double coat.
Hypoallergenic?	No.
Grooming Needs	Moderate to High. Regular vet checkups, nails trimmed once a month, brushing teeth at least 3 times a week, coat brushed 3 or more times a week.
Shedding	Moderate to High Shedding.
Brushing	Three or more times a week.
Touchiness	Moderate to High. They love to be touched but needs to be handled at a young age.
Tolerant or Solitude?	Moderate. They love socialization
Tolerance to Heat	Moderate to High tolerance to heat.
Tolerance to Cold	Moderate to High tolerance to cold.
Barking	Moderate will bark at noises or some strangers.
Good Family Pet	Very Good Family Pet!
Good with Children?	Very Good with Children!
Good with Other Dogs and Pets?	Great with other pets.
Good Apartment Dweller?	No. This dog is very active and needs a large place to run and play.
Trainability	Very easy to train!
Exercise Needed	An hour to two hours a day of exercise such as walking, hiking, running, playing.
Tendency to Gain Weight	Yes. Make sure to follow a feeding and exercise schedule because this breed is very prone to gain weight.
Common Health Concerns	Joint Dysplasia, Eye problems, Allergies, Bloat, Hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand’s Disease.
Average New Puppy Price	A new King Shepherd can start at $1200.
Average Annual Medical Expense	$500 to $700
Yearly Cost to Own This Breed	The annual cost for the first year is around $1100 and $700 each additional year unless the King Shepherd has health issues.

What is a King Shepherd?

The King Shepherd has only been around for about 30 years and is a mixed breed between the Shiloh Shepherd and the German Shepherd breeds. This breed was created by Shelly Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer who breed their German Shepherd and Shiloh Shepherd to create this crossbreed.

The purpose of King Shepherd was to make a dog that would have the great qualities of the German Shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd but to make a puppy that was healthier than other larger dogs.

German Shepherd and Shiloh Shepherd Breed Comparison

shiloh shepherd mix german shepherd — Shiloh Shepherd (left) Vs German Shepherd (right)

German Shepherd Qualities	Shiloh Qualities
Origins from the 19^th and 20^th century.	Origins from the late 20^th century.
Used as a sheep dog.	Cross breed between the German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Canadian White Shepherd, and the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.
Has a strong work ethic.	Not recognized by major kennel clubs only the ARBA.
Said to be “wolf” like.	Easy to train.
Very strong.	Very smart.
Fast.	Make great service dogs.
Easy to train.	Loving and loyal.
Often used as a working dog in military or police work.	Loves children.
Great guard dogs.	High shedding and Very Energetic.
Loyal.	Loyal.
Protective and playful.	Playful and compassionate.

The temperament of King Shepherd

King Shepherd is a very loyal, loving, caring, compassionate, and fun dog. Not only is this breed loving and loyal, but it is also will be a hard-working dog that wants to please its owner.

This breed is very playful, gentle, and has a great heart towards its family, strangers, children, and other pets.

King Shepherd, the Family Dog

King Shepherd makes a great family dog, and they love children. They are considered a large breed and can be intimidating by their looks, but they are known to be very loving and to be patient, and gentle with children.

Always make sure that you socialize your puppy at a young age and always supervise your children around any dog. Make sure you teach your children not to pull the dog’s fur, take its food, or pull its tail. It is important to never leave your child unsupervised with your dog.

Is King Shepherd Friendly Or Dangerous To Strangers?

King Shepherd is a very loyal and protective dog, but they love to meet new people. Socialize your dog at a young age and it will love to meet strangers and new friends.

Is King Shepherd good for other Pets?

King Shepherd will get along with other pets including other dogs and even cats, but once again, socializing your puppy is very important so that it can be exposed to all kinds of people, pets, and experiences.

Coat of the King Shepherd

The coat of King Shepherd is a double coat that is medium length. This kind of breed is prone to shedding and needs to be brushed at least 3 or more times a week to keep the shedding at a minimum.

Since you are getting a dog that is a mix of two different breeds, the color of the coat will usually be mixed. Some of the coat colors that you can see on King Shepherd are:

Red
Brown
Black
Sable
Fawn

Since King Shepherd has a double coat, expect it to love playing out in the snow and staying warm and cozy. In the summer, your King will lose much of his fur so that he will stay cool in the heat.

How much exercise does King Shepherd Need?

The King Shepherd is full of energy and loves to go outside and run and play. Your King Shepherd will become depressed and bored very fast if not given attention and not taken outside to release energy.

Always take your King out for at least an hour or two a day in order for it to run, jump, play and have fun. The King loves to play games such as frisbee or catch or to just go for a jog around the neighborhood.

Fun and Games for King Shepherd

King Shepherd is a very fun and happy dog and loves to play games with its family. Not only does the King like to play games so that it can get exercise, but it also likes to have its mind stimulated.

Here are some games that your King Shepherd would love to play:

Tug-o-War
Obstacle Courses
Hide and Seek
Fetch
Catch
Chase

How to Train Your King Shepherd

Since your King Shepherd will be very intelligent and energetic, it is important that you use training techniques that will keep their mind and body stimulated. You can find exercises that your puppy will love to do and make sure that you include things that use mental stimulate. By doing this, your dog will be happy and will not relent to destructive behavior that comes with boredom.

If you want to train your German Shepherd/Shiloh Shepherd mix here are some tips:

Always be firm and confident because this breed will try to be in control.
Be patient.
Use positive reinforcements such as treats and praise.
Do not use punishment when training.
Socialize your dog so that they will not be timid or have timid behaviors.
Take your puppy out places to desensitize it and show it new things.
Use crate training.
Use leash training.
Start training King Shepherd around 7 weeks old.

You can use simple things to help train your dog such as a collar, leash, and rewards. You can also use your own rewards such as petting, praising, and doing something fun with your pet.

Find more some training techniques you might want to teach your dog:

King Shepherd is a Good Working Dog?

King Shepherd makes a great working dog because it is very intelligent, patient, and a hard worker. Many King Shepherds have been known to have jobs such as service animals, police dogs, guard dogs, and more.

How to Grooming King Shepherd

If you find that you do not want to spend time grooming or brushing a dog, King Shepherd might not be the perfect dog for you.

King Shepherd needs to be groomed often such as clipping its nails, brushing its teeth, brushing its fur at least 3 times a week, and cleaning its ears of debris. King Shepherd will also need to be bathed occasionally but not too much because it needs natural oils to keep its fur healthy and shiny.

King Shepherd Health problems

King Shepherd will possibly have some health issues because it is a mixed breed, and the health issues can come from one or both of the parents.

The great thing about King Shepherd is that it is considered a “Hybrid Vigor” dog which means that it is usually healthy and strong and rarely gets sick.

Like other large dogs though, some of the medical conditions that your King Shepherd could have include:

Joint Dysplasia
Eye problems
Allergies
Bloat
Hypothyroidism
Von Willebrand’s Disease.

How to feed King Shepherd

It is important that you feed your dog properly and that you put them on a large dog diet and keep them active. King Shepherd should get around four cups of high-quality, large breed Kibble each day.

Make sure that you do not overfeed your dog or that you do not give them too many in-between meal snacks to avoid obesity.

Canine obesity is known in King Shepherds and gaining weight can cause your puppy to have muscle, joint, and bone problems.

Here are some other foods that are healthy to feed your King Shepherd:

Fatty wild-caught fish.
Pork.
Ground bison.
Chicken.
Apples.
Pumpkin.
Bananas.
Kale.
Sweet Potatoes.
Carrots

How much does a King Shepherd Cost?

If you are looking for a King Shepherd, always know that you are looking for a breed that is considered to be rare and since they are becoming popular, they are harder to find and in high demand. The average cost to purchase a King Shepherd puppy starts around $1200 and can go as high as $2800 dollars. Adopting a King Shepherd will be much cheaper and can run between $50 to $300 dollars.

Additional Costs

Some additional costs of purchasing a new puppy can include:

A crate (around $75 to $120).
Collar ($20 to $30).
Obedience training (around $200 to $300).

Where Can You Find a King Shepherd?

King Shepherd is a hybrid dog, and it can be very hard to find this particular breed. Always check your local shelters if you are looking to find this particular breed of dog.

Because of their rarity, the King Shepherd puppies can start at $1200. Always make sure that you find a reputable breeder and that you ask for the AKSC or the ARBA papers to certify that the parents are full-blooded. You should never leave with your puppy without a health certificate certifying that they have good health and that they have been taken to the vet for their first shots and worming.

It is very important that you take time to meet your new puppy before purchasing it and make sure that you always meet the breeder and the parents. Be careful about purchasing a King Shepherd online or from a puppy mill.

Caution

Purchasing a puppy from a puppy mill can be costly and can cause you to get a puppy that is sick, not the correct kind of puppy or a puppy that has not had the proper care. It is tempting to pay less to get the breed that you want but paying a little extra can ensure you that you will have a healthy pup and that you will get the breed you are seeking.

Buying Suggestions

If you are looking to purchase or find a King Shepherd puppy, the American Kennel Club has suggestions for buying new puppies. Here are some of their great buying suggestions:

Find a breeder that is known and is knowledgeable about their breeds.
Make sure that you approve of the way the breeder is raising the puppies.
Go to the kennel and look at the puppies and the breeding area.
Meet the puppy parents so that you can see their size, temperament, and personality.
See if the kennel is clean, smells nice, and has good upkeep.
Make sure that the puppies all look healthy, well-groomed, well-fed, and clean.
Make sure the puppies are full of energy.
Pay attention to how the breeder interacts with the puppies and with you.
Ask about health papers and what the breeder has done to keep the puppies safe and healthy. Ask for certificates of screenings.
Get to know the breeder so that you can talk to them if you need support.
A good breeder will not allow the puppies to leave their home until they are at least 8 weeks old.
Be aware of anything odd such as the breeder trying to get rid of a puppy before it is 8 weeks old or a breeder that refuses to show you the paperwork.

Adopt a King Shepherd

If you choose to adopt a King Shepherd from an agency or from a rescue, know that your puppy might have some issues. Chances are it can have health problems, lack of exercise, improper dieting issues and may not have had the medical care needed.

Your puppy might need some extra help in adjusting to your home so always be patient and loving when you give an adopted puppy a fresh, new start.

Pros and Cons of Owning a King Shepherd

All breeds have both pros and cons and here is a quick overview of the pros and cons of owning a King Shepherd breed.

Pros	Cons
Kind and loving.	Requires a lot of grooming to avoid shedding.
Gentle.	Requires a lot of exercise, at least an hour or more each day.
Great with children.	Becomes bored very quickly.
Great with other pets.	Will show destructive behavior if not stimulated enough.
Very strong.	Very large.
Very Smart.	Cannot be kept in apartments or small dwellings.
Easy to train.	Needs a lot of outdoor space.
Often used as a working dog in military or police work.	Barks a lot if not given enough attention.
Great guard dogs.	Needs a lot of mental stimulation.
Loyal.	Not good for people that are out of the home a lot.
Protective and playful.	Will chew on things when bored.

Final Thoughts…Is Owning a King Shepherd Right for You?

Owning a King Shepherd can help to make your family complete. This breed is gentle, loving, loyal, and caring and has all of the great traits that every family needs when looking for a new addition to their home.

You should ask yourself these questions before you decide if you want to take in a King Shepherd:

Do you have a place for your King Shepherd to run and play?
Do you want a pet that is full of energy?
Are you looking for a playful pup?
Do you want a pet that can make perfect memories with your children and family?

If you answered yes to all of the questions above, King Shepherd can be the perfect pet for you and your family. This is a breed that will leave you smiling, laughing, and with great times for years to come.