AMERICAN KING SHEPHERD BREED

The King Shepherd breed can fit several of the definitions above as a "rare breed". The King Shepherd was developed with the vision of a large sized or "king-sized" German Shepherd, with differences in temperament, conformation and of course size, as compared to the German Shepherd. It is no surprise that German Shepherd is the main ingredient in the King Shepherd. In fact one of the first rare breed organizations that recognized the breed included among its acceptable definitions on how an F1 Generation King Shepherd could be produced was by "breeding a King to a German Shepherd; breeding a King to a Shiloh Shepherd (another "rare breed" which is highly influenced by the German Shepherd); and breeding a German Shepherd to a Shiloh Shepherd". Originally the King Shepherd was indeed produced by selective breedings of specific bloodlines of German Shepherd dogs that deviated from the AKC Ideal German Shepherd Standard of the Breed. Later on in the years, the American King Shepherd Club, Inc. (AKSC) has reformed the King Shepherd Standard of the breed and introduced other breeds, to try to strengthen the King Shepherd breed as well as to build upon the characteristics that make the King different from the AKC Standard of the German Shepherd.

The King is accepted by several rare breed organizations which allows the breed to be shown in breed competitions as well as obedience competitions. Interested individuals typically wish to add a King to their family because of their love for the German Shepherd breed; but are disillusioned by what some German Shepherds have become. Individuals add a King to their family because of the general looks and temperament of the King; not because it is considered a "rare breed" in many peoples eyes.

Some people believe that the King is "just a King-sized German Shepherd". While we will not argue with these individuals and based on the original vision and genetics of the King, to a German Shepherd Purist, there is an element of truth. However, we believe that the King is indeed unique because it consistently deviates from the Ideal German Shepherd that is described in the AKC German Shepherd Standard of the Breed and we will continue to love, promote and work on the "evolution" of bettering the King Shepherd Breed for the future.

In the final analysis, we should ask ourselves these questions: Do you enjoy your dog? Is it social with you and others? Is it easy to train and control? Is it healthy? Is it a loving and loyal, priceless companion that enhances your life? If so, owning a King Shepherd has fulfilled its main purpose in your life. That's what the breed is really all about. A protector that was capable of performing a wide variety of working duties ranging from police service, to guide dogs, to search and rescue dogs. We as independent breeders continue to strive towards producing dogs that are free of the many health and temperament problems which currently affect the German Shepherd dogs.

The King Shepherd is a breed in development.