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A King Shepherd resembles a large German Shepherd Dog. The breed was originally
developed on the East Coast using American bred German Shepherds, crossed to flock
guardians, which were then crossed with European bred German Shepherd dogs. The
intent was to develop a superior family companion. What makes a breed a "rare
breed"? Typically in the US, a rare breed is classified as a breed which does not
have AKC recognition; a breed which is newly developed or is still in the process
of being refined; a breed which is in development; a breed which has very small
numbers; a breed which may be AKC recognized, but does not conform to the AKC
standard of said breed or a breed that is developed by breeding certain deviant
characteristics of an otherwise known AKC 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 AKSC registers the King Shepherd breed and issues individual and unique
registration names and numbers for those dogs and their ancestors who are used in
the King Shepherd breeding program as well as for puppies that are produced. 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
the AKSC 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, the AKSC believes 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. The original breeders also wanted to produce a dog which was free of
the many health and temperament problems, which has been affecting German Shepherd
Dogs.
The King Shepherd is a breed in development.
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Copyright © 2006-2008 Highland Mist King Shepherds. All Rights Reserved.
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