Can you compare the Shiloh Shepherd to the German Shepherd?
When compared, the biggest differences between a Shiloh Shepherd and a German Shepherd are size and personality. The Shiloh Shepherd is larger and tends to be a more mellow family dog, whereas the German Shepherd is smaller than the Shiloh Shepherd and is a powerful working dog.
There are some major differences to consider if you’re picking between these two breeds. In this list, we include some of the basic differences between Shiloh Shepherd and German Shepherd.
1. Difference by Origin:
Shiloh Shepherd dog:
The Shiloh Shepherd’s hereditary is a cross between a German Shepherd and an Alaskan Malamute. The creator hoped to create a dog that looked like a German Shepherd but was larger and had a softer, gentler temperament. Tina Barber, a German Shepherd aficionado, created the Shiloh Shepherd in the 1970s in New York, and it was recognised as a breed in 1990. It was not recognised by American Kennel Club (AKC).
German Shepherd dog:
The German Shepherd was created in the late 1800s in Germany. Captain Max von Stephanitz is credited with founding the breed. The word “German” was dropped during World Wars I and II, and the breed was known as the shepherd dog. They were trained to work as police dogs. In the early 1900s, global interest in the breed grew, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognised the GSD in 1908.
2. Size Comparison:
Shiloh Shepherd dog:
Females Shiloh Shepherds will be between 26 and 30 inches tall while Male Shiloh Shepherds height is between 28 and 32 inches at the shoulder.
Shiloh Shepherds weight is around 100 to 130 pounds.
German Shepherd dog:
Females German Shepherds will be between 22 and 24 inches tall while Male Shiloh Shepherds height is between 24 and 26 inches at the shoulder.
German Shepherds weight is around 75 to 95 pounds.
3. Appearance difference
Shilohs are much larger dogs than German shepherds. The German shepherd is two inches higher than this breed. They don’t have the same body length as German shepherds. Shilohs’ ears are smaller and triangular, and their heads are less square.
4. Coat difference
Shiloh Shepherd Coat:
Shiloh Shepherds have two coat types: smooth and plush. Smooth-coated Shiloh Shepherds should have a thick, double coat with the outer coat laying close to the body and the forelegs and hind legs having significantly longer hair. Shiloh Shepherds with plush coats may not have as coarse a coat as those with smooth coats.
Hair should be shorter on the sides of the body, face, forelegs, and feet in either style of coat, but longer on the shoulders and neck, along the back, and on the underside of the tail in either type of coat. It’s best if the coat isn’t too lengthy. It shouldn’t be more than 3 inches on the chest and 6 inches on the legs.
Shiloh Shepherds are available in the same wide range of colors as German Shepherds, and the standards are comparable, with the exception that Shiloh Shepherds can be completely white.
German shepherd Coat:
The German shepherd dog has a double coat that is medium in length. German Shepherds come in a variety of colors, and the AKC allows for most of them. The coat is dense, and the outer coat is flat to give it a sleek appearance. The hair on the hind legs and the backs of the forelegs is usually a little longer, and the hair on the neck is also longer and thicker. They should be black saddles with contrasting lighter hair.
5. Personality & Temperament difference
Shiloh Shepherd dog:
The goal was to create a Shiloh Shepherd dog that resembled a German Shepherd but was larger and had a softer, gentler temperament. Due to this reason, Shiloh shepherds are considerably calmer and easier to handle than German shepherds.
Though some Shilohs have stronger activity and drive than others, and some can do difficult activities such as search and rescue, the Shiloh is not a “working” breed, and as breeders, we want to produce a calmer, social, multi-talented companion dog.
Shilohs also have a “softer” disposition than German shepherds, preferring to go with the flow and posing less of a training challenge to their owners.
German Shepherd dog:
The German Shepherd is known for having a brave and compassionate temperament. They aren’t normally rude to strangers, but they don’t make friends quickly. German Shepherds are not afraid to bravely defend their home and family, as timidity is not one of the breed’s characteristics. They are not a nervous breed, but they are a very strong dog breed.
6. Comparison of Characteristics
| Shiloh Shepherd dog | German shepherd | |
| Other’s name | Shiloh Shepherd dog, Shiloh | Alsatian, Berger Allemand, Alsatian wolf dog (UK), Deutscher Schäferhund, Schäferhund |
| Breed type | Pure breed | Pure breed |
| Puppy Price | $800-$1000 | $800-$2000 |
| Coat type | Smooth Double |
Fuzzy |
| Coat color | Black Black & Tan Golden Grey Silver White |
Silver Tan Red Black |
| Grooming Needs | Doesn’t require a lot of grooming. | Average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level | shed moderately. | heavy shedders. |
7. Difference due to Exercise Requirement
Shiloh Shepherd dog:
The Shiloh Shepherd dog has a lower energy and drive requirement than a standard German Shepherd. They are non-stop powerhouses, just like German Shepherds. Their energy levels are better suited to a busy family than challenging work.
German Shepherd dog:
German Shepherds are active working dogs who require work to feel fulfilled. When they are excited, they can be difficult to handle and require lengthy training with a firm hand to be able to resist impulses.
8. Some Important Difference between both Breed
| German Shepherd | Shiloh Shepherd dog | |
| Trainability | Easy to train | Quite easy to train |
| Playfulness | Like playing | Like playing |
| Affection Level | They are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Shiloh Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. |
| Sensitivity Level | They don’t like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds |
| Watchdog Ability | one of the best watchdogs | one of the best watchdogs |
| Social Needs | They need average social interaction | These dogs are a social breed |
| Barking | Low to Average | Low to Average |
| Biting | High | Low |
| Adaptability | They adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | These dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
The German Shepherd Or The Shiloh Shepherd dog: Which Is A Better Family Dog?
At last question that arises is which breed is best bred. The German shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd are both excellent family dogs, but only the Shiloh Shepherd was bred particularly for that family dog purpose. Shilohs are less aggressive with visitors and have more empathy for your family than German Shepherds.
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