During the 1990s, American breeders Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer used American and European German shepherds, Great Pyrenees and Alaskan malamutes to develop the massive king shepherd. Through careful and selective breeding, their goal was to produce a dog that resembled a large German shepherd. However, this dog would not possess the health problems and the temperamental issues that are typically associated with the German shepherd. The breeders also strived to produce a dog that would prove to be a capable working dog, able to serve as a herder, guard dog, guide dog, search and rescue dog and police dog. An official club for the breed was established in 1995.
The strong, robust and muscular stature of the King Shepherd stands 25 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 90 to 150 pounds. His thick, weather-resistant double coat consists of a soft undercoat and a top coat that may be either coarse and straight or long, thin and wavy. The coat may be sable with black or brown markings, gray or silver with black markings or black with tan, cream, gold, gray or silver markings. The King Shepherd's pointed ears stand erect and his thick, feathered tail is carried downward when relaxed. His expression is regal, loyal and alert.
Personality
If you love the look of a German Shepherd, but you are seeking a hardy and docile companion for the family, then consider the King Shepherd. Still a newcomer to the dog world, this giant breed has been developed to simultaneously fill the roles of loyal protector, obedient worker and faithful, loving family member. The King Shepherd is highly intelligent, obedient and eager to please his master, making him easy train. He is self-assured, courageous, and he takes his protective role seriously, making him an excellent watchdog and guard dog. By the same token, he is also docile and even-tempered. King Shepherds are friendly with strangers, and they get along well with children and other pets. The King Shepherd thrives on plenty of exercise, and he also rises to challenges. Obedience training is essential for owners to establish dominance, and obedience trials are a productive outlet for energy expenditure and mental stimulation.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 12 years |
| Nicknames: | American King Shepherd |
King Shepherd Build Information
The strong, robust and muscular stature of the King Shepherd stands 25 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 90 to 150 pounds. His thick, weather-resistant double coat consists of a soft undercoat and a top coat that may be either coarse and straight or long, thin and wavy. The coat may be sable with black or brown markings, gray or silver with black markings or black with tan, cream, gold, gray or silver markings. The King Shepherd's pointed ears stand erect and his thick, feathered tail is carried downward when relaxed. His expression is regal, loyal and alert.
| Size: | Large |
Behaviour and Personality
If you love the look of a German Shepherd, but you are seeking a hardy and docile companion for the family, then consider the King Shepherd. Still a newcomer to the dog world, this giant breed has been developed to simultaneously fill the roles of loyal protector, obedient worker and faithful, loving family member. The King Shepherd is highly intelligent, obedient and eager to please his master, making him easy train. He is self-assured, courageous, and he takes his protective role seriously, making him an excellent watchdog and guard dog. By the same token, he is also docile and even-tempered. King Shepherds are friendly with strangers, and they get along well with children and other pets. The King Shepherd thrives on plenty of exercise, and he also rises to challenges. Obedience training is essential for owners to establish dominance, and obedience trials are a productive outlet for energy expenditure and mental stimulation.
| Activity Level: | Moderately active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
The King Shepherd's thick coat should be brushed out once or twice weekly to remove dead hairs and minimize shedding. Bushing the teeth several times each week will help to preserve good dental and overall health.
| Shedding: | Heavy |
| Grooming: | Moderate |
King Shepherd Common Health Conditions
In the breed's very short history thus far, no conclusive data has established any known genetic health conditions for the King Shepherd. As with any large breed, prospective owners should confirm that the dog of their choice has been determined to be free of hip dysplasia. The average lifespan for the breed is 10 to 12 years.
King Shepherd Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The King Shepherd originated in the United States and is also called an American King Shepherd. The King Shepherd's personality is faithful, courageous and highly intelligent. This dog breed stands 25 to 29 inches tall and weighs 90 to 150 pounds. They have a moderate energy level and require moderate grooming. The average lifespan for a King Shepherd is 10 to 12 years.
| Training: | Easy to train |