King Shepherd Breed Description

Introduction

These dogs are very similar to the German Shepherd in appearance. Their build is slightly long, robust and muscular, the structure is solid. Self confident, extremely intelligent and easy to train, they are eager to please their owners. King Shepherds make good watchdogs, are very protective and good with children. They come in a wide range of colors. Puppies change color from birth to the final adult coat color. There is 2 coat varieties; coarse, straight hair or light and wavy longhair. Brush regularly and bath only when necessary. These dogs weigh 90-150 lbs. and stand 25-29" at the shoulders.

History

Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer created the King Shepherd in the 1990s by crossing American and European German Shepherds with Alaskan Malamutes and Great Pyrenees. They sought a family companion and guard dog with best traits of these founding breeds, and the King Shepherd was the result of their efforts. Today, the breed has fans across the US and around the world.

General Description

The American King Shepherd Club has created a Breed Standard that stresses the overall proportion of these large dogs. When measured at the withers, they should be somewhat longer than tall, with a rectangular silhouette. Front and rear angulations balance, strong muscle and heavy bone throughout are all hallmarks of this dog. Most notable, perhaps, is the large square head. Skull and muzzle are parallel, the latter being square and blunt with level and parallel planes. The skull is somewhat rounded between the ears, which are erect slightly rounded triangles; these point forward and should be parallel with each other. Eyes are medium, dark color preferred although lighter colors in lighter dogs is acceptable. Nose is always black; teeth meet in a scissors bite. Jaw is strong. The strong neck holds the head high, giving the King Shepherd a noble profile. Backline is level, chest is strong, oval in shape. Back and loin have some tuck up; croup slopes gently and tail is set slightly below back level. It is carried low in repose, never over the back, Dense, broad and strong, the tail is plumed. Shoulders and hind quarters display the strength and musculature that denote the King Shepherd.

The coat may be smooth or rough; colors can be sable (a brown/red or tan/cream body with black); bi-colored (predominantly black with red, tan or cream); black saddle with either red, tan, gold or cream or solid black. There can be small areas of white on chest, toes or tail (the ideal is to have none).

Temperament

King Shepherds are alert and interested, and often take their cues from their owners when it comes to meeting strangers or welcoming new people. They make excellent watch dogs and will run intruders to ground with ease. Since they enjoy intellectual challenges and thrive with physical workouts, they do extremely well in agility trials of all sorts. They respond well to training as long as it is done with encouragement and a gentle but firm command.

Health and Care

Thanks to their ancestry, King Shepherds have dense double coats that are completely weather and terrain resistant. Brushing to remove accumulated dirt and debris will keep the dog comfortable and happy. Be sure to keep nails trimmed and teeth cleaned to maximize your dog’s health and lifespan.

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