The King Shepherd is a giant dog bred to be a working guardian, watchdog, and loyal companion. This breed originated in the Shiloh and German Shepherd Dog, but with the King, a shepherd dog was created to be healthier, sturdier, and more even-tempered than its GSD ancestors.
Not to mention a whole lot bigger.
History of the King Shepherd: Where Do They Come From?
There are varying reports about the exact history of the King Shepherd. According to the International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance, the King Shepherd began as a Shiloh Shepherd and splintered away when a breeder had a different vision for her dogs.
The Alliance maintains that these Shilohs were bred to Great Pyrenees, Malamute, and Akitas to create the King Shepherd.
The American King Shepherd Club is less specific. They do not mention the Shiloh as part of their breeding program, nor do they specifically mention the Great Pyrenees or Akitas. They report that the King Shepherd was founded by mixing German Shepherds with flock guardians and then breeding them back to Old German Shepherds from Europe.
Either way, it seems evident that the origins of the King Shepherd are entwined with the Shiloh Shepherd.
The Shiloh Shepherd began as a breed by Tina Barber, who had grown frustrated with the health and temperament issues in some German Shepherd lines. She then crossed her dogs out with breeds such as the Šarplaninac, the Canadian White Shepherd, and the Malamute.
The King Shepherd split from the Shiloh Shepherd lines when David Turkheimer and Shelly Watts-Cross developed their own vision for the breed and wanted more of a working dog.
So today, both breeds have their own association and breed standard. Neither are recognized by the AKC, but they are acknowledged by the American Rare Breeds Association (ARBA).
What is the Difference Between King Shepherd and the German Shepherd?
The most noticeable difference between the two breeds is the size. The King Shepherd is significantly larger than the German Shepherd. It also only has two coat types, straight and rough, or long and silky. On the other hand, the German Shepherd can have plush, double, or long-haired.
There is also a difference in temperament. King Shepherds are bred to be stable and reliable dogs, but they may also be more independent and have a stubborn streak.
Meanwhile, the German Shepherd is generally a highly trainable dog, provided it comes from good lines.
