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Shiloh Shepherds

Shiloh Shepherds are an amazingly versatile breed.  They range from excellent companions to caring service dogs to great agility dogs. Shiloh Shepherds are a newer breed, developed by Tina Barber about 43 years ago.  The breed was developed to eliminate the problems commonly exhibited by GSDs, such as hip dysplasia, GSDiva, and degenerative myelopathy.  Shiloh Shepherds are carefully selected for breeding and undergo thorough physical, genetic, and temperament testing prior to breeding.  

None of this is cheap, easy or without occasional heartbreak.  Developing this breed is truly the work of a lifetime.

We are proud to be part of the Original Shiloh Shepherds.  Find out more about this incredible breed.  

Our family

Cindy and Maggie have been involved with the Shiloh breed for 16 years.  They live in Colorado, Maggie in Fort Collins, Colorado and Cindy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Cindy

Cindy fell in love with the Shiloh Shepherd breed as soon as she saw a picture of a New Zion dog.  Sometime in 2000 she contacted Lisa at New Zion and told her the type of dog she was looking for.  In 2001, she got Scout.  He was the best dog.  Personality, looks, charm, and he actually foiled a robbery when he was 9 months old.    

Then, in 2002, she got Prydwyn, aka Pryddie.  She was smarter than most people she knew.  Between them, she had the two most wonderful dogs anywhere.  Pryddie was the escape artist, and entirely too good at getting where she wanted to go.  She was also determined.  After a squirrel she caught bit her on the lip, she started standing up and shaking the big trees to get the squirrels to fall out.  Pryddie and Scout were best friends.

Sadly, she lost Pryddie in 2010 to Degenerative Myelopethy.  She called Lisa, and was put on the list for a new puppy.  In 2011 she got Meli, who is a real charmer!  Scout made her his personal project, and they were inseparable until Scout’s death in 2013. Meli has become her hearing service dog.  She then got Odin in 2015 and he has added a lot of entertainment to the household.

She is grateful to Tina, Lisa’s mother, for developing this fabulous breed, and to Lisa who now has the entire burden of breed development.  Without the New Zion kennel, there would not be any Shiloh Shepherds.  You only have to read the Shiloh Shepherd friends’ comments to know how very special these dogs are.  So many people with needs have found safety and assistance with these dogs.  They are amazing family members.  They are search and rescue dogs.  They are show stoppers everywhere.  

Maggie  

Maggie's mom suggested she get a Shiloh when her lab, Cody, died from cancer in 2013. She was hesitant, because she is a proponent of rescuing dogs and is very skeptical of breeders.  After a lot of research into how the Shiloh Shepherd breed is being maintained and learning how strict they are in maintaining a healthy breed she decided that a Shiloh might really be the way to go.  The breeding restrictions are what made her decide to consider it. She wanted to support a breeder that was willing to put forth so much effort and time to maintain the integrity of the breed. 

Shiloh Shepherds are very versatile dogs and she didn’t think there would be a problem finding one that would fit well into her lifestyle.  She is  very active and was hoping to find a dog that she could train to go on rides and pack trips with her horses.  Lisa seems to have a knack for placing puppies and dogs with families that will benefit the dog as well as be benefitted by them.  Lisa found Laika for her and she has been a perfect fit.  She helped to bring Maggie and her Bloodhound Louis out of their depression after losing Cody.  Her training has been incredibly easy and she wants nothing more to do than to learn and be near her.  

In August 2014 she was still new to the Shiloh Shepherd world, so she and Cindy took Laika to New York for the Shiloh Homecoming.  It was all new to them because they had never been to a dog show.  Everyone they met was happy to help them get through the shows and even loaned them collars, leashes and advice on what to do in the show ring.  It was a lot of information very fast and long days, but they had a wonderful time.  The best part was getting to go to the kennel behind Lisa’s house.  They got to see all of the dogs and how much work goes into running and keeping the kennel in the best possible condition.  The dogs were all so happy to show off and play.  they were so impressed with this breed and what Tina and Lisa have done.  

They attended Homecoming in 2015 with Kirby, Spice,  Odin and Laika.  It was quite the adventure as they drove from Colorado to New York in an RV with all four dogs.  They all did very well at the show and Odin even got his puppy championship.  She is very excited to be a part of the breeding program with her mom.