Overview

King Shepherd dogs look like large German Shepherds. They were developed originally on the East Coast through a rather complicated breeding process. German Shepherds bred in America were cross bred to flock guardians and then were crossed with German Shepherds bred in Europe. The intention was to result in a superior companion to families and a protector capable of doing many types of jobs. These ranged from guide dogs, to police dogs and search and rescue dogs. Originally, breeders wanted to end up with a dog that had no health and temperament issues that had been present in German Shepherds.

Activity

King Shepherds need only a moderate amount of exercise. So typically, 2 walks daily is enough for them. You'll need to figure how much exercise is needed according to the individual needs of your dog. However, apartment life isn't recommended for these dogs. They need a large fenced yard to run in.

Care

King Shepherds must be brushed at least once a week. When shedding begins, a comb should be used to remove loose or dead hairs. Health concerns include a susceptibility to hip and elbow issues. Spread their meals through the day or they'll become bloated.

Character

King Shepherds are highly intelligent and extremely obedient, loyal, protective and brave. They are also known for their fearlessness while not being either aggressive or hostile. These dogs are devoted and make amazing companions as well as excellent watchdogs. They're very versatile and adapt easily to various ways of life.

Coat

King Shepherd dogs have long haired coats that can be wavy or coarse. They also may not possess a double coat. The typical color of a King Shepherd is tan with a black mask and back. However, they can also come in other colors such as grey, black, yellow, brown, sable, and tricolors of white, black, and red or brown. They also have various markings including black lines on their toes and black on the backs of their legs.

Temperament

King Shepherd dogs have a sound and stable temperament. They're not overly aggressive or hyper. When with their families, they're quite loving and affectionate, but with strangers they're typically standoffish. These dogs are highly intelligent and very easy to train in obedience and as personal guard dogs.

Training

When it comes to training, King Shepherds are enthusiastic and learn quickly. They respond most to the voice of their owner. The fact that they're so versatile makes them excel in several activities to include dog sports. Because of the immense size of these dogs, obedience training is needed.