The Shiloh Shepherd is a giant shepherd dog bred to be larger, calmer, and more family-friendly. Shilohs sprang from German shepherd lines which were then mixed with other breeds to improve health and develop the breed's distinct look and temperament. The ISSA is an educationally-minded group of club members and breeders. Our mission is to preserve this unique rare breed and carry it forward into the future.
Shilohs are a giant breed, significantly larger than most of today's German shepherd dogs. Whereas King shepherds are described as a flock guardian breed, the goal of the Shiloh shepherd breeding program is to produce an excellent companion dog. The Shiloh head possesses a more "wolfish" look than either King or German shepherds.
The Shiloh Shepherd is an American rare breed. Tina Barber, our breed founder, set out in the 1970's to recreate the style of shepherd she remembered from her childhood in Germany. The German shepherd lines behind the Shiloh come from Tina's Shiloh Shepherds kennel lines. Eventually, the kennel of origin gave the new breed its name when Tina split from the AKC in 1991.