Meet the King Shepherd Dog

A newer mixed breed called the King Shepherd was developed not long ago, in the 1990s. This breed was created to have fewer temperament issues than its parent breeds.

The King Shepherd combines the popular German Shepherd, Shiloh Shepherd, and the Alaskan Malamute. They all makeup what is known as the King Shepherd.

Here you will find a lot of information about the King Shepherd from its history, trainability, temperament, and much more. Keep reading on to find out if this is your dream dog breed.

King Shepherd History

Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer developed King Shepherd dogs. They created the breed from European and American German Shepherds, Great Pyrenees, and Alaskan Malamutes.

They wanted to create a breed of dog that would be very smart and easy to train. In addition, they wanted to have a dog with next to no temperament problems and next to no health problems.

The official King Shepherd club was founded in 1995. Now the King Shepherd is wildly popular across the United States as a working dog and companion.

King Shepherd Appearance

The King Shepherd dog is a robust, muscular canine with a solid structure and proportionate head. The face includes a rounded forehead with wide-set eyes.

The ears are thick and set high, ending in a point that is similar to those of a German Shepherd. Like the GSD, King Shepherd puppies do not always carry their ears upright until four to six months of age.

This canine has a deep, broad chest and feathered tail, which is usually carried with a slight curve close to the ground. The King Shepherd will raise the tail if they become excited, but it will never curl over or lie on the dog’s back.

To be accepted in a show ring, King Shepherds must have a black nose and prominent colors that are not pale or washed out.

Coat of the King Shepherd

The King Shepherd’s coat is very thick, and they can either have a medium-length to long hair-lengthed coat. In addition, the coat on this breed is naturally water-resistant. The King Shepherd sheds quite a lot, so be prepared for that when grooming.

This breed’s coat will be very similar to the German Shepherd’s coat. Again, if your dog has a double coat which will likely be the case, then you are in for a whole lot of shedding. You will need to keep up a consistent grooming routine to prevent all of those shedding hairs from taking over your home.

What Colors Do They Come In?

King Shepherd breeders will produce puppies in a wide range of colors, including:

Sable with Brown or Black markings.
Grayish Silver with Black markings.
Black saddle with Tan, Cream, Gold, or Silver markings.

The Temperament of a King Shepherd

A King Shepherd dog will show self-confidence. This breed is not shy and has a well-balanced nervous system. They are highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train. They are very loyal and show an eagerness to please.

King Shepherds make excellent guard dogs because they are hardy and courageous, making them natural protectors. This is why it is very important to incorporate early socialization when your dog is a puppy to get your dog used to being friendly around other people and dogs.

In most situations, the King Shepherd will be docile and friendly with everyone they meet, including other animals and children. They possess enormous stamina and are often used as sheepherders and working dogs.

Height & Weight

Average King Shepherd size includes a height of between 25 and 29 inches (64 and 74 cm) and a weight of between 90 and 150 pounds (41 and 69 kg). For more specific size information, you will need to know the size of the parent breeds, and this will give you a better understanding of how big your King Shepherd might get.

King Shepherd Health Problems

There are no notable health concerns associated with the King Shepherd dog. However, there are a few things to watch out for in general since this is a large breed dog, like bloat and hip dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia – This is a condition where the joints in the hips don’t form completely correctly. This can cause a great deal of pain to your dog.

Bloat – Another thing to watch out for is bloat. Bloat is when your dog eats too much at once and becomes extremely sick. The stomach expands too much and can even kill your dog if not careful.

Hypothyroidism – This affects the thyroid making your dog begin to gain weight, have skin issues, and it can even change your dog’s overall behavior. Once your dog is diagnosed, you can make sure your dog goes on a special diet for this condition.

Von Willebrand’s Disease – This is a serious condition that does not have a treatment. It is a bleeding disorder that can make it hard for your dog to clot its blood. If your dog has excessive bleeding after an injury, then it could be a sign of Von Willebrand’s disease.

These are just some conditions to watch out for. This does not mean your King Shepherd will inherit any of these health problems. Keep your dog scheduled for regular routine vet visits.

Life Expectancy of a King Shepherd

The average King Shepherd dog’s life span is between 10 and 11 years. However, as long as you keep your dog in good health and keep them happy, they can possibly live much longer than this.

Living Conditions Ideal for King Shepherds

King Shepherd dogs may be too challenging to manage for first-time dog owners. This breed is strong, active, and intelligent. They require a strong leader who can maintain order and provide the canine with the exercise and mental stimulation needed for good health and happiness.

The King Shepherd dog is a large breed that requires more space. They are not recommended for apartments or other small living spaces. A large fenced-in yard is ideal so the dog can get the exercise required to stay healthy and happy.

A rural location out in the country would be even better as it would give your dog plenty of space for your dog to roam around.

Exercise

Every King Shepherd dog has the traits of a working breed. That means they need an outlet for their energy and their intelligence. This breed needs significant daily activity. They love challenges, so a brisk walk is good, but something more strenuous would be even better.

Most working dogs do not make good pets for first-time dog owners because they are very energetic. If they do not get enough daily exercise, this big dog breed can become very destructive in the home.

Training is also a must and can be incorporated into exercise time. This keeps the dog engaged mentally and physically to prevent boredom at home. Your King Shepherd needs sixty minutes or more of daily exercise.

The King Shepherd needs over sixty minutes of exercise each day. Remember that you can break that hour into multiple exercise sessions throughout the day. You can do so many things with your King Shepherd to help them burn energy that it would take up this whole page to list them all.

Diet Of a King Shepherd

The King Shepherd is a large dog breed that needs a lot of food to replenish lost calories throughout the day. They need a high-protein diet that contains protein from a meat source. This breed needs to eat four cups of high-quality dog food a day.

Depending on the food you decide to purchase, you are looking to spend almost $3.00 a day and $90.00 a month on average.

Do not feed your dog all four cups of food in one sitting because this will increase the chances of bloat. Instead, break the meals up into smaller meals throughout the day. Of course, you can always check with your dog’s veterinarian about how much food your dog should get. If you have any other concerns, you can ask them.

Grooming

The King Shepherd coat is weather-resistant, so it can survive well outdoors. Unfortunately, that also means its coat is thick and will require regular daily brushing. However, this breed does shed heavier when the seasons change, so just expect to be cleaning up a lot of dog hair.

Keeping them brushed regularly will help reduce shedding around the house, improve circulation, and help to keep your dog’s hair free from tangles that could hurt them. In addition, their coat is water-resistant, so it doesn’t need to be bathed much unless they are incredibly filthy.

Remember always to trim their nails and check their ears for infections periodically. Also, check your dog’s skin to ensure no signs of bleeding, infection, or irritation.

King Shepherd Training

As I have stated throughout this article, the King Shepherd is a brilliant and easy-to-train dog. Now you need to know what your doing or training will not go well. If this is your first time training a dog, then I suggest hiring someone who can properly train your King Shepherd.

It is very important to start training your dog as soon as you get it. If your dog is a puppy, then training should start in its puppy years. There are a few things you will want to work on potty training, obedience, mental intelligence, and socialization.

One of the best methods of training is done through positive reinforcement. This can be done with praise or with treats. This lets your dog know how proud you are of it, and it will remember the wonderful praise it got when it performed the task or command that made you so happy.

Cool Traits / Characteristics?

King Shepherd dogs are hard workers that love strenuous activity. If you are an active outside person, then this dog breed would be perfect for you!

They make very good guard dogs because they will protect you, your family, and your children. They are very playful, and they love to play games outside.

King Shepherd Puppies

King Shepherd puppies can be hard to find. Make sure when you have found a breeder that you are able to take a look at the mother and father! Also, ask for medical history and anything you should be aware of about the puppy’s parents.

Raising a puppy can be a lot of work, but it is gratifying too. This is a big dog breed, so your puppy will grow fast. Make sure not to overfeed your puppy because it can lead to unnormal growth.

Start training your puppy early on to make it easier. In addition, early socialization with people, children, and other animals is beneficial for raising a nice, sweet, and loving dog.

King Shepherd puppies can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $2,500. There will be breeders out there that may charge more, so just keep in mind that this is the typical price range.

King Shepherd Litter Size

Pregnant King Shepherds can have between six and ten puppies per litter. Litter size all depends on the parent breeds and which one is the female. Therefore, the above litter size is just an estimate based on the size of the parent breeds.

Key Takeaways

In this section, I like to give a brief overview of my article and its important facts.

The King Shepherd is a mixed dog breed that combines the German Shepherd and another dog breed such as an Alaskan Malamute.
This breed has a lot of looks similar to the German Shepherd, just quite larger than its standard.
King Shepherds are very intelligent and should be easy to train if this is to your first time training a dog.
Keep in mind this is a very large breed of dog, which means it needs plenty of room to move around. So preferably, a home with a yard that is fenced in would be ideal.
There are some health risks to be familiar with that your dog could potentially get.
King Shepherds need over one hour of exercise each day. This will help your dog get out its energy that way; it won’t be destructive inside of your home.
They also need over four cups of high-quality protein-forward food. You can split those four cups into one cup meals throughout the day.
This is a heavy shedding dog breed, so it is not recommended for people who have allergies to dog hair.
Always purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder that you can trust to give you a healthy and happy puppy.

FAQ

Here are some answers to really common questions inquiring about the King Shepherd.

What Two Dogs Make a King Shepherd?

The King Shepherd is a mixed breed dog that was just developed in the 1990s. This mix is said to have combined the German Shepherd, Shiloh Shepherd, and the Alaskan Malamute together.

Are King Shepherds Aggressive?

No, King Shepherds are not aggressive dogs by nature. They are very big, which gives them a very intimidating look. Some people definitely assume that the breed is aggressive based on looks. This is a very loyal, friendly, and wonderful family companion.

Are King Shepherd’s Vocal?

Yes, the King Shepherd is a vocal dog breed. The German Shepherd parent that helps makeup the King Shepherd, is a very vocal breed that can pass the trait down to its offspring. They are very intelligent, so it is probably just the breed’s way of talking to you.