The King Shepherd is a hard working, loyal companion dog. Confident and strong, their huge size would be a pretty big deterrent for any would-be predator. King Shepherds are protective of their families, but they’re not aggressive dogs.
The King Shepherd is a combination of several possible breeds but must include the German Shepherd. Most often, they are blended with the Alaskan Malamute and/or Shiloh Shepherd* *Some lines of the King Shepherd have incorporated Great Pyrenees, while some older lines trace back to the Akita. Even though they might have an intimidating size, they’re affectionate and loving.
King Shepherds are versatile. This highly intelligent dog can do a variety of jobs from sheep herding to child companion, police dog, rescue work, or guide dog. They get along great with other dogs, but early socialization is an important factor for raising a friendly sociable pup.
They can live in an apartment as long as they get plenty of exercise and room to stretch their legs. These dogs can get pretty large, so while they can live in an apartment, a house with a big yard might be a more ideal setting.
History
The King Shepherd was developed in 1990 by Americans, Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer. The breed is still considered to be in development.
*This hybrid is a mixture of German Shepherds with other breeds, including the Alaskan Malamute, Shiloh Shepherd, and sometimes the Great Pyrenees. Breeders wanted to create a dog similar in nature and appearance to the German Shepherd, but larger and with fewer genetic health concerns.
While the hybrid was in development in the early 1990s, it was not officially established until 1995 when a King Shepherd breed club was created.
The King Shepherd is currently recognized by:
American Rare Breed Association (ARBA)
King Shepherd Club of America (KSCofA)
American King Shepherd Club (AKSC)
American Pet Registry, Inc. (APRI)
Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
Eastern Rare Breed Dog Club (ERBDC)
States Kennel Club (SKC)
World Wide Kennel Club (WWKC)
Size
The King Shepherd is a relatively new hybrid breed. While not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), they do have breed standard.
Females should be 25 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh 75 to 110 pounds. Males should be 27 to 31 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh 90 to 150 pounds.
That said, some dogs may be smaller or larger than average and not fit into their breed's standard sizes.
Personality
King Shepherds make excellent family companions and guard dogs. Their size is intimidating and may discourage any would-be predator. They are protective of their families and home but friendly with anyone non-threatening.
They are highly trainable and thrive on positive reinforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. They can easily become bored, depressed, and frustrated, which will result in unwanted behaviors.
Health
The King Shepherd hybrid breed is predisposed to some of the same conditions that the German Shepherd also faces, though many breeders have worked to reduce instances of genetic health problems. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups.
Children And Other Pets
King Shepherds have an intimidating presence due to their size, but they get along great with childrens, especially those they've been raised with. A gentle giant, they are patient and sweet with kids.
As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Teach your child never to approach any dog while they're eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food away. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.
King Shepherds are nice to strangers and can get along well with dogs and other household pets, including cats. Early socialization is an important factor for developing a social dog.
Highlights
The King Shepherd is a hybrid dog breed. They are a mix of many different breeds, but always have German Shepherd ancestry.
The main colors of King Shepherds are fawn, red, black, brown, and sable. Their coats are usually a combination of two or more colors.
While they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are easy to care for. A good brushing three times a week will probably do the job with other grooming as needed.
King Shepherds get along great with children, especially those they have been raised with. A gentle giant, they are patient and sweet with kids.
They also get along well with dogs and other household pets, including cats. Early socialization is an important factor for developing a social dog.
King Shepherds are highly trainable and thrive on positive reinforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. They can easily become bored, depressed, and frustrated, which may result in unwanted behaviors.
Disclaimer: Info is from www.dogtime.com; information noted by “*” indicates update and/or correction to the breed description and blend by the King Shepherd Club of America.