Shiloh Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison

Shiloh Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed ComparisonShiloh Shepherd is originated from United States but Irish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland. Shiloh Shepherd may grow 56 cm / 22 inches shorter than Irish Wolfhound. Shiloh Shepherd may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Irish Wolfhound. Shiloh Shepherd may live 4 years more than Irish Wolfhound. Shiloh Shepherd may have more litter size than Irish Wolfhound. Shiloh Shepherd requires High maintenance. But Irish Wolfhound requires Moderate maintenance

History

shiloh shepherd - historyThe Shiloh Shepherd is currently a hybrid that breeders are attempting to develop into a new breed. New York breeder, Tina Barber, out of Shiloh Shepherds kennel developed dogs when in 1974, she attempted to develop a German Shepherd line. She wanted a GSD that was more like the ones she remembered from her childhood.

Tina took her foundation stock out of the AKC and got the FIC (Federation of International Canines) to recognize the Shiloh Shepherd as a separate breed. The FIC is not the same as the FCI or Federation Cynoloquque Internationale. In 1991 the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America was formed, and the shepherd was recognized by the American Rare Breed Association.

Official recordkeeping on the breed began in 1993. The computer system TCCP maintains breed records and the Shiloh Shepherd has at least 9 generations in the system. Tina Barber was president of the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America and oversaw the international club as well. She was responsible for the breed. After her death in 2011, her daughter took her place in working with the breed.

The Shiloh and the German Shepherd were then crossed to develop the King Shepherd.

irish wolfhound - historyIt is believed that the Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed and that it was brought to Ireland as early as 7000 BC.

These dogs were bred as hunting dogs as well as guard dogs. There was a time when these huge canines were only allowed to be owned by the nobility. The breed died out somewhat, but Scotsman Captain George Augustus Graham made efforts to restore the breed’s numbers.

Captain Graham devoted his life to making sure the Irish Wolfhound’s numbers were built up, and the breeding program included Great Danes, Borzois, English Mastiffs and Scottish Deerhounds.

Description

shiloh shepherd puppy - descriptionShiloh Shepherds are giant dogs, much larger than the usual German Shepherd Dog. The Shiloh had been bred to be a companion animal and not a guardian or herder. The Shiloh looks more like a wolf than either the German or the King Shepherd Dog. Their back is straighter than the GSD and they are larger, more stable and more intelligent. They were bred to show a complimentary balance between strength and elegance.

They have slightly domed, broad heads with a muzzle that gradually tapers, strong cheekbones and black lips. Their ears are triangles, well cupped and firm. The Shiloh Shepherds eyes are either brown or very dark. They have a straight back which is muscular and broad. Their chests deep and their tails plush, long and curved.

They have a very “heavy” appearance compared with other shepherds. They are well muscled in both the lower and upper thighs. Their coat is plush, and they have a dense undercoat. Their hair is harsh to the touch. There is both a smooth coat and a plush coat with the plush coat being more prevalent.

irish wolfhound puppy - descriptionThe tallest of the sighthounds, the Irish Wolfhound looks like a large Greyhound, only he has a rough, wiry type of coat.

He is also gracefully built and known as a gentle giant. The double coat which can be fawn, red, white, grey, black or brindle is straight to wavy.

He stands at about 81 to 86cm and weighs roughly 48 to 54kg. This is one of the few dog breeds that you can’t really call social. He loves his own human family, and becomes unhappy and ‘down-in-the-dumps’ when separated from his family members for too long. He is a quiet dog who tends to be somewhat introverted and reserved, while being highly intelligent.

He will require being trained and socialized to make him obedient as he is an independent dog. He takes his role as family protector seriously and even though he is quiet, he is ready to take on anyone who threatens his property.

Temperament:

The Irish Wolfhound is a gentle, quiet, soft-natured, easy-going dog and even though it is such a large dog, it doesn’t throw it’s weight around but is calm and patient around the elderly and children in the home. It can tend to be aggressive with animals he isn’t familiar with.

He is an intelligent dog, but even so he may be quite resistant to training as he is strong-willed and determined to have his own way. These dogs need to be trained and socialized otherwise they just do their own thing.

Characteristics

shiloh shepherd dog - characteristics1.Children friendliness – yes, they are good with children. They are large however and have to be monitored with small children

2.Special talents - Speed and balance.

3.Adaptability good – they are large dogs and need space.

4.Learning ability good – intelligent and loves learning.

irish wolfhound dog - characteristicsThe most notable aspect of the Irish Wolfhound is his amazing height. The legs are long, the body narrow. He is gentle and easy-going but because he is a sighthound he loves to give chase after animals.

He is capable of living in the city or countryside, but your home will need to cater to his size. He isn’t particularly energetic, enjoying a quiet life but he will absolutely need to be exercised.

Provide your gentle giant with everything needed to make him content, and you’ll have a faithful, loving friend for about 10 years.

Health Problems

shiloh shepherd puppies - health problemsThe Shiloh Shepherd has some health issues to deal with. These include: They seem to have very sensitive stomachs and intestinal issues.

  • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency – supplement with digestive enzymes.

• Bloat – gastric dilatca ation volvulus – twisted stomach or intestines. Needs immediate veterinary care.

• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth – diarrhea, difficulty absorbing nutrients, abdominal pain.

  • Hip dysplasia – causes arthritis or lameness.
  • Tumors – intestinal.

irish wolfhound puppies - health problemsOne wonders why breeders seem so bent on breeding such large dogs when they have health issues and they don't live particularly long. Not only do they cost a fortune to feed, but large dogs like this are more prone to illnesses and won’t live as long as small dog breeds. This big dog can live up to 10 years of age or so.

For starters, just because he is a deep chested dog, bloat or gastric torsion can be a threat. Other illnesses to look out for are dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This is a disease of the heart muscle where the enlarged heart won’t function properly. The upper- and lower chambers of the heart are enlarged and the heart isn’t able to pump blood out properly. When the heart’s ventricle doesn’t pump enough blood into the lungs, fluid accumulates in the lungs and this ultimately leads to congestive heart failure.

Older dogs battle more with this heart disease and it is also more common in some dog breeds of which the Irish Wolfhound is one. Your dog will have shortness of breath, coughing and abdominal distension. He will need to get to the vet for medical tests.

Bone Cancer:

Bone cancer can strike any dog, but you’ll find in more commonly with larger dog breeds. It can spread quickly and the long term prognosis isn’t good. It’s not easy to pick the disease up and it can mean joint pain for your pet and even lameness.

Your dog will be tired too. Your vet will do X-rays and other tests, but unfortunately the prognosis isn’t usually good. Big-dog breeders should take this into consideration.

Caring The Pet

shiloh shepherd dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy -Due to the breed’s sensitive stomach and intestinal issues, it is important to feed the puppy a high quality large or extra-large breed of dog food. Feed at least 3 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult- You will still want to feed a high quality large or extra-large breed dog food two times a day. However, if you feed the pup well and keep the intestinal issues under control, the adult should have an easier time.

3.Points for Good Health - Good eyesight and hearing.

4. Games and Exercises Be careful of the puppies’ exercise levels. Their bones grow slower than most so avoid a lot of jumping or strenuous exercise until they are adults. This means that even though they will be very good at agility or flyball and they will love playing them, do not start them when they are puppies. Wait until they are mature. The do well in herding trials, agility and search and rescue. Many make great therapy dogs.

Exercise:

irish wolfhound dogs - caringThis isn’t a particularly energetic dog and he can tend to become lazy. Don’t allow this as becoming unfit and overweight can be very bad for such large dog. Being so large already puts stress on the dog’s body, and the dog is already susceptible to cardiac and skeletal problems. Allowing him to become lazy and overweight will be a death sentence for this large dog. It is imperative to make sure you take him on walks and play games with him.

Grooming:

The coat of your dog is thick and medium length and he will require being brushed at least twice a week. You may want to also trim the longer hair you find around his face and legs.

When it comes to his ears, you can moisten some cotton wool and wipe the inside of his ears to remove dirt and excess wax. Remember not to probe too deeply to avoid damaging the ear. If you’re uncertain how to do this, your vet can explain to you how its done.

Check his teeth regularly as dental disease can affect other areas of the body too. Don’t allow his nails to get too long as they can cause paw problems and the nails can hook onto things and cause injury.

Diet:

Because this is a giant breed, the puppy will grow for a long time. Speak to your vet about how to ensure you feed your puppy in such a way that he doesn’t grow too quickly.

If you feed your dog a commercially manufactured food, make sure its one of the top quality brands. Include home-made cooked food such as chicken, rice and vegetables into his kibble from time to time, and also try to feed him some raw meat occasionally.

Fresh, cool water must be available to your Irish Wolfhound around the clock.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Hound dog
Origin:
United States
Ireland
Height Male:
28 - 30 cm
11 - 12 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Height Female:
26 - 28 cm
10 - 12 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Weight Male:
54 - 65 kg
119 - 144 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 54 kg
99 - 120 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 14 Years
6 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 12
3 - 4
Size:
Giant dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
none
None
Colors Available:
silver, red, reddish tan, dark brown, colors bi or dual colored in black with tan, or sable. They can also be solid golden, golden tan, dark grey, or black sable, silver
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
Coat:
smooth or double coat and the plush coat
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Gentle, Loyal
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shiloh Shepherd vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  2. Shiloh Shepherd vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Shiloh Shepherd vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Shiloh Shepherd vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  5. Shiloh Shepherd vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Shiloh Shepherd vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. Shiloh Shepherd vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Shiloh Shepherd vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. Shiloh Shepherd vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  10. Shiloh Shepherd vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  11. Shiloh Shepherd vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  12. Shiloh Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  13. Shiloh Shepherd vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  14. Shiloh Shepherd vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  15. Shiloh Shepherd vs Mountain Burmese - Breed Comparison
  16. Shiloh Shepherd vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  17. Shiloh Shepherd vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  18. Shiloh Shepherd vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  19. Shiloh Shepherd vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  20. Shiloh Shepherd vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  21. Shiloh Shepherd vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  22. Shiloh Shepherd vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  23. Shiloh Shepherd vs Nebolish Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  24. Shiloh Shepherd vs Scottish Deerhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Irish Wolfhound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Wolfhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Wolfhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  28. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  29. Newfoundland Dog vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Wolfhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Wolfhound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Wolfhound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Wolfhound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Wolfhound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Wolfhound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Wolfhound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Wolfhound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Wolfhound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Wolfhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Wolfhound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Wolfhound vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Wolfhound vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds