What is a Shiloh? The Shiloh Shepherd is a breed in development…
The Shiloh Shepherd is Tina Barber’s vision of a better companion dog. Inspired by the dogs she grew up with in Germany; her formula strives to produce the well known intelligence of the German Shepherd, with improved hips, and stable temperaments.
Not withstanding the vision of the ultimate companion shepherd, there are three important characteristics which make a Shiloh a Shiloh. Those being 1) The extensive data needed both on parents and litter mates in order to track and accurately produce the desired type of the next generation 2) The "old-line" foundation dogs, and 3) The carefully selected, and limited, outcrosses.
The first is the LMX program (Litter Mate Cross-reference). The LMX evaluates different criteria, temperament, weight, coat, color, sex, structure, health issues, and hip reports including dominant and recessive characteristics of the breeding stock and their littermates. Because the Shiloh is still a breed in development, it is critical that this data be collected and analyzed prior to the next generation of breeding.
Another key element of the Shiloh is Kari, the foundation dog. All of the current ISSR Shiloh’s are still tracked and measured by their % of Kari. Kari was not only a gorgeous dog with uncanny human-like intelligence and wonderful hips- she was able to pass those traits to her pups. Kari’s lines are similar to the London lines, of the famed “Littlest Hobo”.
All decisions regarding outcrosses for the Shiloh have been made by Tina. Two of the first outcrosses were Samson and Sabrina. Sampson was a cross between an old-line German Shepherd (also with a London ancestor), and Giant Malamute. The breeder also kept detailed records of genetic history, which was incorporated into the Shiloh data. Sabrina was another line of old Wurttemberger-type German Shepherds from Don Baker’s 30 year breeding program. Sabrina was heavier boned, and also had Sarplaninac lines.
In June 1991, the original Shiloh Shepherd breed club was developed and incorporated. The club was named the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America, or the SSDCA. After the first round of outcrosses, the Shiloh’s were no longer considered GSD’s, and so they were called Shiloh’s after Tina’s kennel, and the ISSR (International Shiloh Shepherd Registry) was formed as the registry for the Shiloh Shepherd.
Two more outcrosses were incorporated. In 1998, Tina brought Artus, an Altdeutsche Schäferhunde, into the genepool. Galdalf, the dog who rescued the boy scout in the Carolinia Mountains, is a registered ISSR Shiloh- and an Artus progeny. In 2000, Tina brought in Orbit, from the Hoofprintline. The Orbit lines also boast the original “Rin-tin-tin” lines. In researching the breed, you may find a reference to "MAW". This term refers to the non-GSD components of the Shiloh, "M" referring to Malamute, "A" for American Shepherd, and "W" for White Shepherd.
Nearly 40 years of highly selective breeding has produced an amazing dog. Shilohs love and protect their family members, with a special affinity for children. They are highly intelligent animals, and possess no limitation in their ability to perform as search and rescue dogs, in herding, or as therapy dogs. They excel in any and all obedience competitions, and love to strut their stuff at shows. It’s not unusual for some males to reach up to 32” at the withers. Most average 30”, which Is still closer to the standard of a St. Bernard, or even small Great Dane, than to a normal German Shepherd.
Originally written by Chris Adair for Zwanet Boer.