FAQ's...Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions you may have.
1. What is the difference between a Shiloh shepherd and a GSD?
Personality...the Shilohs are way more laid back than the GSD. They do not have the "predator, attack, drive" a GSD has. Size.....The Shiloh is generally much bigger..heavier bone structure and a much more chunky sturdy dog. Males averaging from 28-30+ inches at the withers and a whopping 100-160lbs! Females ..26-28" (Baileys mom is 30"!) and 80-120lbs (again Baileys mom is 123lbs!) Coat..Shilohs come in Plush coat (teddy bear longer fur) and Smooth coat (short hair) but also an in-between namely a "stock" coat. Colors.. Most GSD are traditional colors and traditional markings, Black/tan, or silver or sable but have the distinct "saddle" markings.. Shilohs come in many colours..including solid black & solid white (white is a huge NO NO in the GSD world) The Shiloh's come in duals, (like the GSD) with trad colors like black/tan, and also sables and silvers and grays, which are mixed colors/hairs. I found and still do that its very hard to follow and predict a Shiloh's coloring! Ava is a gray sable. Health ..Shilohs have less health problems than the GSD as strict breeding regulations and dedicated breeders submitting data constantly to ensure only the best specimens are bred on.
2. How do i get a puppy?
Firstly i advise you do your research, ask questions, investigate the breed. Is it for you? For your family? For your lifestyle? If it is, then contact me, and fill in a pup questionnaire off the website, so i can get to know a bit about you. Maybe email me with more info if you feel you would like to tell me more. Once i have read applications and got to know you a bit better, then if you decide to you can go on the waiting list. If you read my puppy page it tells you how it all works.
3. What if you don't have what i want?
If you have put your name down and a deposit as per puppy page/agreement all deposits 100% refundable, but if you just change your mind ..it's not!
4. What if i decide you are not the breeder i want to work with?
That's ok (even though i am nice!) I am a member of the ISSDC (International Shiloh Shepherd dog club) and NSBR (National Shiloh Breeders Registry) and i will help you locate another reputable breeder. I am the only ISSDC & NSBR breeder in Alberta, but there are many in Ontario, Eastern Canada, USA and a couple in BC.
5. What's an LER or a PAT?
Litter evaluation report and Puppy aptitude test. Yes , i get these done. Why? They help the breeder determine the temperament/personality traits of a pup and what home/lifestyle that pup would be best suited to. therefore help me place the best pups with the best families. so everyone is happy!
6. Well wont you say your pups are the best?
Yes !! Yes!! of course BUT i dont do the PAT or the LER testing as i may be biased! (as if!!) I hire an independent breeder to come in and do this for me.
7. Can i come and pick my own puppy from a litter?
In a nutshell NO not exactly...as firstly in a litter the stud owner and the breeders get the first picks. Then the next picks go to show or breeding families. Pet pups come next...that does NOT mean that your PET pup is of less quality, many pet pups are of show or breed quality, especially in a litter if i don't have a breeder wanting any, they all go as pets! So once we get down to choosing the right pup for you and your family a lot of things come into play. Firstly, what did you request? say it was a Male , smooth coat, dual. I may not have a male dual or a smooth. If you have opted for a second choice then you would be offered that option. I may have 3 to choose from but the outcome of the PAT suggests only 2 are suitable for your family, i would then offer you a choice out of the two pups. If only one seemed suitable i would show you the one and explain why. My goal is to give you the pup you desire that will be perfect for you. So, we work together on this. I will try to give you as many choices to pick from as there are available.
8. How does the wait list work?
Again , on my pup page. First i make up an "interested list" way before a breeding, this is my prelim list. Nearer the breeding i then go to the final list, where deposits are taken for pups from that litter. No way does that guarantee you a pup as i don't know how many i will have or what i will have. I may have 10 people want plush females and end up with 9 smooth males! so i take a list in and we wait and see what we get. The ones who are committed and send deposits in first go in order from top to bottom of a list. As the pups are born i filter thru what i have available and the final decisions are made once the PAT tests are done at 7 weeks old.
9. Do you keep us informed?
Why YES! i spam you all the time! PICS PICS PICS and i hope to be able to do small videos of the pups (if i can go all techy!) From birth to the time you collect your puppy at 8-9 weeks old i send weekly updates with pictures.
10. What after service do you offer?
After service?? after you have one of our "babies" we are family!! I am there for you for any help for the life of the puppy! I'm the Grandma!
11. What do you expect from the buyers?
As per contract, to keep this puppy in a loving home, well fed, well trained (at least basic) and happy! I'd like you to keep in contact with me even if its just an annual update with pictures.
12. What if i want to breed?
Depending on how well i get to know you and what your plans are we can talk about it. Pups can be sold on a breeders agreement or a co-ownership contract. The pup is initially sold as a pet pup at pet price with the option to UPGRADE to a breed dog IF it passes its health testing and conforms to breed standard and is deemed breed quality. Health testing includes, Hips, Elbows, Heart,Thyroid and TLI. Breed standard means it has to have the height/weight and looks of the breed, minor faults can be corrected with meticulous breeding program if done correctly.
13. ISSDC.. I hope all Shiloh owners join this breed club. Its a great source of info, you meet great people and your love of the Shiloh grows and grows!
14. Shipping puppies I can ship most places but the cost for shipping and the crate is the buyers expense, plus my costs for travel to and from the airport. In ideal circumstances i prefer the pups to be collected if at all possible, as its less stress for them and me!
15. What if? I want to buy a pup, to live outside on my yard, to tie or a rope, to keep in a kennel, to chase off bears, to guard my property? Please don't apply to my kennel. I am not what you are looking for. I wont sell pups to be outside dogs at all or roped or chained, or constantly in a kennel. Crates are great! for training and bedtime and if you have company over that doesn't like dogs! i'm fine with that! my dogs love their crate! I mean here, couped up in kennels constantly in or outside the home.
These dogs, if put in a situation i am sure will protect their own..but they are not guard dogs or attack dogs. The likes of GSD, Rottweilers or Dobermans are a way better choice for that purpose. Shiloh's are good all round family dogs and family protectors. Often the sheer size of them puts off unwanted visitors!
