We all know about German Shepherds, they are among the most popular breeds. But did you ever hear about the King German Shepherd or better known as just King Shepherds? No? Well, let me introduce you to him.
Now, even though King Shepherds are not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, their size makes them stand out among their close relatives: Shepherds and Herding Dogs. As the name suggests, the King German Shepherd is a giant crossbreed between the German Shepherd and Shiloh Shepherd.
Despite their size and imposing appearance, King Shepherds are very loving and kind. They are among those dogs we consider “gentle giants” of the canine world. Not only are they incredibly calm and cute, but also gentle around you, but young children and other pets too. King Shepherds are loyal as well, and they will always protect their family members. But, we have to say that they are never aggressive, which makes them the perfect family pet.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this beautiful mixed dog.
King German Shepherd
When people see the King German Shepherd they usually think it’s just a very large German Shepherd Dog. But, that’s wrong. If you look carefully, there are some differences in their appearance.
For example, King Shepherds have a much sturdier body with a broad chest. Their back is much straighter than the German Shepherds, which is a good sign for their health. Besides this, they have a boxier face and look much rougher.
As already mentioned, King Shepherds are a relatively new breed and still quite rare in American families, so they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, they are recognized by the American Rare Breed Associations (ARBA), the World Wide Kennel Club (WWKC), and the Eastern Rare Breed Dog Club (ERBDC).
Also, the ears of the king Shepherd are thicker and overall they look stronger. Now, let’s take a closer look at what these dogs look like.
What they look like
King Shepherds are considered to be giant dogs. This means males are on average between 27 and 29 inches tall and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds. Female King Shepherds are a minimum of 25 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 90 and 110 pounds.
Their coat is beautiful, thick and protects them from every weather condition.
These dogs have a double coat, which can keep them warm and dry in the winter, and cool in the summer. When it comes to their coat length it generally ranges from medium to long. Their fur can be straight or have a slight wave.
It’s needless to say, but these dogs shed all year round, but especially in spring when they are blowing their winter coat.
King Shepherds have a much wider range of coat colors than their German Shepherd parents.
Of course, they can have the familiar black-and-brown coloration, but they can also be sable, brown, gold, cream, or they can even have silver coats and markings on them.
But, we have to say that the kennel clubs that do recognize the King Shepherd, don’t accept dogs that are light in color or pure white. They mostly focus on dogs with stronger, richer, and darker colors.
While we’re talking about coat colors, check out all the beautiful colors of German Shepherds:
- All Black German Shepherd: Why They Are Special
- White German Shepherd Puppies
- Liver German Shepherd: What You Should Know
- Sable German Shepherd: How different are they?
- Blue German Shepherd: Basic Breed Info
What they are like
The King German Shepherd is known for his kind, loyal, and loving nature – there is no sweeter dog out there.
They were bred to have a gentle, patient temperament, which makes them perfect family dogs.
This breed is playful and fun-loving. They love games and always want to be part of the action. If you have other dogs, they will become best friends!
You should know that these dogs have a natural desire to protect. They are not aggressive but act as brilliant watchdogs. So, be sure they will bark to alert you about an intruder or when something else is going on around your property.
But, because they are so protective, early socialization is incredibly important for this dog. If you don’t work on socialization, then they can become over-protective and will bark even when there isn’t even a threat.
The royal shepherd is extremely intelligent. They are full of energy, learn quickly, and are always looking to do something. They don’t do that well when they’re bored. When they are bored they usually turn to destructive behavior which won’t end well for your belongings or furniture.
Does a King Shepherd make a good family dog?
The King Shepherd makes an excellent family dog. They are patient and gentle with children and make great playmates for kids. These dogs are full of energy and can adjust well to the children’s energy level.
But, please don’t let your small kid and a King Shepherd play unsupervised. Sometimes they forget how large they really are and can accidentally hurt your kid.
We’ve already mentioned that these dogs are very protective, this means they will protect your dog from anything! So, you really couldn’t ask for a better best friend for your child.
Of course, we have to add that long as you have the time to get involved, train, and socialize them, they will make a great addition to your household.
Training and exercise
Training is a must with the King Shepherd, and with every dog for that matter. You have to teach your dog, no matter small or large what acceptable behavior is. Now, the best method to train and teach a King Shepherd is positive reinforcement. Your dog shouldn’t associate training with something negative. So always keep it positive. These dogs live to please you! So, if you give them treats and praise for proper behavior, they will learn quickly.
But, don’t forget mental stimulation either. These dogs are highly intelligent and need a lot of stimulation. One great way to do this is by hiding treats in the room and having them sniff out where it’s hidden.
You may also want to introduce them to interactive feeders and puzzle games early on.
The King Shepherd’s enormous energy level makes them great candidates for agility classes. With their muscular physique and alert nature, nothing will be a challenge for them.
These dogs are incredibly energetic. So, they need 90 minutes to two hours of exercise a day and at least one long walk.
The great thing is that the King German Shepherd makes a great jogging partner, they would even love to just run next to your bike. Hikes and little adventures where they can explore new places can be a great idea too. But, if they are not well trained, it’s best to keep them on a leash.
Caring for a German King Shepherd
Taking care of these great dogs is very important. You will have to brush them at least three times a week. This will help them get rid of the old coat and will keep their skin and fur healthy and shiny. It’s also an excellent way to bond with your pup.
But, we have to warn you, during spring, when they lose their winter coat, you will have to brush them every day. Otherwise, your furniture and carpets will be covered with dog hair.
You don’t have to bathe them often because that would ruin the natural oils in their fur. But, you should trim their nails regularly and make sure their ears and teeth are clean too.
Be aware that the King German Shepherd is a huge dog, so they need a lot of space too. If you live in a small apartment, then this dog is not for you. They would be perfect for a family that lives in a big house with a fenced yard.
Also, be aware that the King Shepherd isn’t just a massive dog, they also have a massive appetite. They can eat between 1,800 and 2,500 calories a day. The same as a grown adult!
When choosing a food mix, focus on protein and fat content, and get them high-quality food that will provide them with the right nutrients.
Health
King Shepherds are sturdy and generally healthy dogs. But they are not invulnerable. Just like any other breed, they are susceptible to certain health problems.
Now, because this is a mixed breed, they might be a bit healthier than their purebred parents. But, you should still be aware of all the potential health problems they can experience in their lives.
Some health problems that are common in King Shepherds are:
- Hip and elboy dysplasia: A condition that causes instability, weakness, and pain in the hips or elbows.
- Von Willebrand Disease: A genetic disorder that affects the ability of the blood to clot after an injury.
- Hypothyroidism: An endocrine disorder that lowers the dog’s metabolism and often leads to obesity, canine diabetes, or heart disease.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or Bloat: A very serious health problem. It occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and subsequently twists. It’s important to know that GDV develops without warning and can progress quickly. This condition will not resolve itself, and if you don’t take your dog for prompt veterinary care and surgery, they won’t survive.
This is why it’s important to get your dog from a reputable breeder. Because they strive to maintain the highest breed standards and produce the healthiest dogs. But, of course, this is not a guarantee you’ll get a dog that won’t have any health problems in their lives.