King Shepherds are sometimes usually confused for the German Shepherd due to their resemblance. However, King Shepherd came as a result of a crossbreed between German Shepherds and other dogs such as Alaskan Malamutes, Akitas, and Great Pyrenees. You should, however, know that both dogs are two different breeds.
King Shepherds are one of the best Shepherd dogs to own; they can serve as a family dog, a guide dog, a herding dog, a police dog, a guard dog, a child companion, a rescue dog, and a military dog. King Shepherds are loyal, friendly, love compassionately, and have patient, gentle temperaments.
King Shepherds combine the confident demeanor, intelligence, and versatile personalities of the parent breeds into one, making them one of the most versatile dog breeds to own.
King Shepherds
King Shepherds are designer breeds with rugged-looking and big size dogs. They have been in existence in the US since the 1990s. German Shepherds are known to have certain health challenges that are peculiar to them.
However, breeders had a goal in mind to develop a lovely and wonderful Canine that has the qualities of the German Shepherd with fewer health issues. So, a German Shepherd mix was bred.
King Shepherd is still a work in progress, as it could be a combination of many breeds. American breeders David Turkheimer and Shelley Watts-Cross crossbred a German Shepherd and Shiloh Shepherd. Shiloh Shepherd itself is a combination of German Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute.
King Shepherds are yet to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are, however, recognized by some other clubs. King Shepherds are friendly, easy to train, and loyal dogs. The males are usually about 26 to 29 inches tall and weigh 90 to 150 pounds when fully grown.
Female King Shepherds have a height of about 25 to 27 inches, and they weigh 75 to 110 pounds. King Shepherds have a tendency to gain weight when overfed. In feeding your dog, you should prepare a feeding schedule. Ensure you adhere to the feeding schedule timely so you do not skip your dog’s meal and you also do not overfeed it.
Also, if you are confused about the appropriate meal to give your dog, you can reach out to a Veterinary doctor for proper recommendation. Their food will likely change as they grow from pup to maturity until they get old. King Shepherds have good personalities; they are protective and loyal to their family.
In families with kids, they make good companions too. They do not display aggressive behavior towards kids and visitors as long as they do not feel threatened. However, you should train your dogs properly and ensure they socialize from a young age.
Also, whenever kids are playing with them, it is best advised that you stay with them for adequate monitoring and supervision. Touching a dog’s tail is not a good idea, regardless of how friendly it is. So, ensure you monitor your kids well around them.
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Facts About King Shepherds
It would be accurate to say King Shepherds are great overachievers; they are one of the few dogs that perform excellently in every aspect. If you hope to own a King Shepherd, knowing some facts about this dog breed is imperative. We will look at some facts about King Shepherds.
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They are not recognized by American Kennel Club:
A King Shepherd is a new breed that is rare among American families. They are currently not listed on the American Kennel Club (AKC) list of official dog breeds. However, they are recognized by other associations such as the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), Easter Rare Breed Dog Club (ERBDC), American King Shepherd Club (AKSC), Dog Registry of America (DRA), among other organizations.
They are larger than German Shepherds:
Unlike German shepherds that are usually about 22 to 26 inches tall, King Shepherds are about 26 to 29 inches tall. Also, in terms of weight and strength, King Shepherds weigh more than German Shepherds, especially the ones from showing lines. i.e., those that were bred particularly for winning appearances at dog shows. This is partially due to the genes from the Shiloh Shepherd.
They are Clingy:
King Shepherds do not like being alone. This could lead them to develop separation anxiety. They always love being around their owners. Regardless of what you have to do, they would always not want to be left alone.
For their separation anxiety, you need to work hard on curbing it. Ensure you do not leave them alone for too long, as they might end up getting bored and frustrated. This could then lead to some unwanted behaviors such as destroying your furniture.
What Is The Difference Between King Shepherd And German Shepherd?
Since King Shepherd was produced by crossbreeding a German Shepherd and other dogs, one could easily assume they look alike. Even from their faces, you might still not be able to tell the differences between them, as they have a lot of resemblances. However, you should know that King Shepherds are not pure breeds. They are relatively crossbreeds. Unlike German Shepherds, they are purebred dogs.
In terms of size, there are some differences between both breeds. King Shepherds are taller and bigger than German Shepherds. Of course, height influences weight. So, it is not surprising that King Shepherd weighs more too. Male King Shepherds have a height of about 26 to 29 inches with a weight of 90 t0 150 pounds. The females have a height of about 25 to 27 inches, with a weight of 75 to 110 pounds.
On the other hand, a male German Shepherd has a height of about 24 to 26 inches, with a weight of about 65 to 90 pounds. Female German Shepherds have a height of about 22 to 24 inches, with a weight of 50 to 70 pounds. Also, in terms of their coats, they differ. King Shepherds have a long wavy coarse-haired coat and a straight coarse-haired coat. German Shepherds have a long-haired, double, or plus coat.
German Shepherds are easy to train, reliable, and hardworking dogs. They are strong, intelligent, brave, protective, and loyal dogs. They are protective and can be aggressive towards strangers if they are not social. On the other hand, King Shepherds are gentle and excellent family dogs with lovely temperaments.
Although they are also protective, King Shepherds are more laid-back and do not display aggression as much as German Shepherds. German Shepherds have their origin in Germany, while King Shepherds are from the United States of America. King Shepherds have a life expectancy of 10 to 11 years.
German Shepherds have a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years; they are also called Alsatians, Schäferhund, Alsatian Wolf Dog, and Deutscher Schäferhund. King Shepherds are also known as Giant German Shepherd and American King Shepherd. German Shepherds cost about $1000 to $4500 while King Shepherds, $1250 to $3000.
Are King Shepherds Rare?
King Shepherds are still relatively new, so they are not popular among families. Also, the fact that they have not been recognized as official breeds by the American Kennel Club makes them uncommon. Only a few breeders breed King Shepherds because of the few risks involved. King shepherds are not as rare as other dog breeds, but they are not readily available.
Final Thoughts
With the knowledge that there are different Shepherd dogs, about 15 different types, you should know the best breed perfect for you and your home. While German Shepherds are more aggressive, King Shepherds are more relaxed and calmer. As long as you train your King Shepherd well and ensure it has a great social life, you will not have trouble with the dog.
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Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
