King Shepherd Dog Breed Information

Posted on Sep 14, 2019, Modified : May 7, 2024 Zina

King Shepherd history, behavior, training

Breeds

Country of Origin	United States
Nicknames and Other Names	None
Scientific Name	Cacnis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Crossbred
Group	Herding Group
Bred For	Herding Livestock
Size	Large-Sized
Recognized By	AKSC, WWKC, SKC, ARBA, ERBDC, APRI
Life Span	10-14 Years
Ideal Weight	Male: 130-150 Pounds Female: 90-110 Pounds
Ideal Height	Male: 29 Inches and more Female: 27 Inches and more
Fur Type	Weather-resistant, Long Haired, Plush Haired
Common Colors	Black, Sable, Cream, Gold, White, Black Saddle and Tan
Markings	Tan Markings
Availability	Modeately Available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	No
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	German Shepherd

King Shepherd is a large-sized hybrid dog that has a handsome and bold look. Although most people get King Shepherd confused with German Shepherd, they both are a different breed with few similarities.

It is a recently developed breed that is created with the combination of German Shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd.

The appearance of King Shepherd is more large and strong than the German Shepherd. It has strong bones, a deep chest, and a muscular body. The body is slightly longer than taller. The muzzle is square with a strong underjaw.

Origin and History

King Shepherd was originated in the United States in the 1990s by Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer. They wanted a dog that has a working ability and protective nature like the German Shepherd but in a larger size and more affectionate and happy disposition.

They succeed in their attempt and they founded the official King Shepherd Club in 1995. Since then, it is a new dog breed in the process of development, it has not yet been registered by any major Kennel Club.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of King Shepherd is affectionate, loyal, loving, and dedicated. They are a very gentle breed that is extremely devoted and loyal to their people. King Shepherd forms a strong bond with its family and especially to one specific person that it sees as its leader.

Behavior: King Shepherds is a highly active dog that needs regular exercise to keep themselves happy and healthy. It was bred as a working dog, so regular vigorous exercise is necessary for a happy and healthy life.

If they are not provided with a good amount of exercise, they will get anxious and destructive.

King Shepherd on the field.
Image Source: EVANS SHEPHERDS EXCEPTIONAL GERMAN SHEPHERDS

Personality: The personality of King Shepherd is gentle, loving, mild, and well-mannered. When it comes to working, they are very hardworking and when it comes to its people, they are very loving, gentle, and loyal. King Shepherds are faithful and very eager to please their owner which makes them a highly trainable dog.

Trainability

Training King Shepherds needs a very experienced dog owner who can train them with firm leadership and consistency. They are a very smart and intelligent dog breed that can catch all the commands and all the tricks if trained properly. Once they master the obedience training, enroll them in agility for physical and mental stimulation.

Is King Shepherd Child-Friendly?

King Shepherd is a very friendly dog with children and is affectionate and protective of them. They adore kids and are very playful towards them while at the same time, they are protective of them. You can trust and leave your children with King Shepherd as they are gentle and loving towards them.

Elderly supervision is necessary so that there is no accident between your kids and your dog.

A girl posing with the King Shepherd.
Image Source: Instagram-@jadeeliza4

Facts

King Shepherd is used as a police dog by many country’s police departments.
Although the popularity of the German Shepherds is higher than King Shepherd, it is considered healthier, smarter, and fearless than the German Shepherd.

Health Issues

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Hip Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Elbow Dysplasia
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Leptospirosis, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Rabies, Canine Coronavirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough
Shedding	Moderate Shedder
Drooling	Average Drooler
Grooming	Easy and Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High
Separation Anxiety	Moderae Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 25% Fat: 8%-10% Glucosamine Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids Multivitamins

King Shepherd can face the following canine health issues:

Bloat: It is also known as Gastric Dilation Volvulus which causes the abdomen of your dog to balloon up. It is due to improper eating and lack of proper digestion. So, take care of your dog’s eating habits and always feed them a healthy diet.
Hip Dysplasia: It is a condition where the hip joints of your dog are either dislocated from their original place or underdeveloped. Therefore, it is necessary to check the health issues of its parents, so it has not inherited any serious health from its parents.