King Shepherds are hybrid dogs developed in the early 90s in the United States. They were designed by mixing “German shepherds” and several other dog breeds such as “Akita”, “Alaskan Malamute”, and “Great Pyrenees”. King shepherds are giant and robust. They are well aware of their strength. Always a devotee, a protective dog but not aggressive. King shepherds are well known for being loyal family dogs.
In fact, this hard-working and confident giant is very social and friendly—a great companion for children. They are also famous as guide dogs and also do rescue work.
Can King Shepherds be trained?
There is no doubt these intelligent King Shepherds are easily trained because they are fast learners. A strong foundation of obedience is extremely important for any breed of working dog. A lack of obedience training means that a dog may end up running off after a squirrel instead of following its owner’s commands.
The training period should start with puppyhood. Remember, the training should be done very patiently and methodically. It is mandatory to do the activity in a way that does not bother them; otherwise, the willingness to train may decrease or be boring. Make sure the training sessions must be more fun and enjoyable for your puppy.
You can start with basic simple word commands like “Sit down”,” No”,” Stay”, “Run”, “Let’s go” etc.
Are King shepherds good with children?
A big yes!! They are preferred to play with children and spend time with them. Most kids can safely pet a king shepherd but keep in mind that they are powerful and hyperactive animals. Therefore it is hard to spend time in one place for them. Besides king shepherds always crave playing. They know how strong and intelligent they are. So they are always careful when children and old people are around. More importantly, they are gentle but not aggressive. If you are thinking to bring a king shepherd for your kids, don’t hesitate, they will definitely make your kids’ life more active and protective.
Are King shepherds good for apartment living?
Yes, they can adjust pretty well. If you can provide plenty of exercise for them, living in an apartment is not a big problem for king shepherd. Also, they do not bark unnecessarily. But if you live a very busy life and don’t have much time to spend on them, the king shepherd is not suitable for living in an apartment. If not it will be a risk for some health issues.
This does not mean that they are not suitable for living in an apartment. But if they live in an apartment, it is essential to pay more attention and care to them.
Personal Characteristics
King shepherds are well known as loyal and hardworking dogs because they are highly intelligent. Besides they are very confident about themselves. King shepherds can act smartly according to the situation. Their large bodies and majestic faces can make one feel intimidated, but they are actually very social and friendly dogs. In addition, King shepherds show quite a mouthiness as a puppy. You can expect Chewing things, play bites (Soft painless bites) and nip lots from them. Therefore it is better to give them some chewing toys.
Physical Characteristics of King Shepherd
| Weight | |
| Male | Female |
| 55 – 65 kg | 40-55 kg |
| Height | |
| Male | Female |
| 27 – 31 inch | 25 -27 inch |
Coat
| Coat Type : |
| Medium – long Normal density coat |
| Coat colors : |
| Sable, Fawn, Brown, Red, Black |
| Coat color type : |
| Combination of two or more colors or solid color |
King shepherds are highly shedding dogs. So when it comes to shedding period you need to brush the coat at least thrice a week. If there is any family member with asthma or who suffers from allergies, then king shepherds won’t be a good choice.
Life Span
| Life Spam : |
| 10 – 12 yrs |
Are they good family companions?
One thing that makes king shepherds different from regular dogs is that they are very social animals. They are very confident, loving creatures that will seek attention from anyone who wants to give it to them. Also expecting too much patting and cuddling. They are affectionate dogs that love having friends over for play dates. Any adult that loves going for long walks with their dog will tell you that they are perfect for keeping company. Remember they love to be around the family, not alone.
Can King Shepherds Get Along With Other Pets?
As we know, some dogs try to dominate other dogs. When it comes to king shepherds, they are well behaved with the other dogs. So they can live with other pet dogs as well. But remember, if your puppy or dog is born with Alpha characteristics, these will be changed. Then the dominating nature will appear naturally. Therefore, let them be with their mother for more than six weeks. It gives plenty of time to play with other siblings. This will help to decrease dominance tendencies and improve the interaction with other pets. They are smart, independent, and willing to work hard for what they want. When properly socialized, they make good family pets and loyal companions to their owners.
The easiest way to ensure that your king shepherd gets along with other pets is to start early on. Puppies need to learn how to respect and trust other animals before they become adults. Their social ability with other dogs, cats, and even humans, depends on how they are raised. Once your puppy becomes an adult, he should be allowed to meet other pets at least once a week. Never allow your puppy to roam freely around the neighborhood without supervision. It would be disastrous for a young king shepherd to escape his pack and run free in the woods. Always teach him the proper way to greet other pets.
Are King Shepherds barking a lot?
No.! They are not a noisy breed. There is a very low potential for barking and howling. But sometimes they will be a little bit talkative and getting a conversation with you. It may be quite funny but you can definitely enjoy it. There will be no chance you are unhappy about your talkative king shepherds.
Are they hunters?
This hybrid dog breed can’t categorize under hunters. They are categorized under herding and droving dogs. Indeed most of them do not like to chaise animals and kill them. But there is potential for prey drive, but not expected in hunting dogs. Since king shepherds have ancestors from the working group and shepherd family, they pretty much enjoy herding. In addition, some of these dogs are natural water retrievers and have excellent instincts in tracking game down.
Can King Shepherd Dogs Play Rough?
If you plan on taking your king shepherd to the park regularly, you need to know whether or not your pup likes to get dirty. He should be able to roll in grass and dirt, but he shouldn’t be able to dig holes. Playing rough and getting muddy helps build muscles and keeps your dog active. But don’t worry, if your dog does decide to roll in the mud, he will smell really nice afterward!
What are the common health issues among King Shepherds?
1. Obesity
Obesity occurs in almost half of the adult dog population. In fact, it affects over 50% of dog owners at some point in their lives, making this disease the second leading cause of death among pet dogs.
Obesity is the result of both genetic and environmental factors. Commonly, obesity is directly linked to dietary problems (overeating), lack of exercise, and metabolic disorders (insulin resistance). Because obese pets tend to have trouble exercising and lose weight faster than lean dogs, they are often not given enough exercise time and opportunity to do activities that burn calories.
Obesity causes many health problems, including
- Diabetes (in diabetic dogs)
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Liver failure
- Cancer
- Kidney failure
However king shepherds are hyperactive dogs, so they don’t like to sit idle. But as a dog owner, you need to provide a suitable environment for it. Just having a meal and waiting for you all day will cause obesity in king shepherds easily.
There are several ways to help your dog get off the couch and become more active. You may need to convince him/her to take walks around the block, go for rides in the car, or play fetch outside.
2. Allergies
Allergic reactions occur when a dog’s immune system mistakes harmless substances such as pollen, grass, and some foods as foreign invaders and attacks them. As a result, symptoms ranging from sneezing and itching to asthma occur. Sensitive stomach and bloating can happen due to food allergies.
In fact, if your dog is allergic to something, he’ll react by licking his lips excessively or scratching at his skin. He may have runny eyes or nose, excessive salivation, and/or diarrhea. Dogs who suffer from allergies also tend to cough.
When your dog first becomes allergic, there’s no cure; however, you can try to control the problem by choosing homes for your dog away from certain allergens, using medications, changing diets, and limiting exposure to things that trigger allergy symptoms. Try to keep your dog out of places where weeds and grasses grow. Keep windows closed when it’s windy outside and wear a mask to avoid getting pollen in your mouth. Talk to your veterinarian about medications and diet changes.
3. Kidney Disease
When a dog’s kidneys fail, he experiences decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased thirst. His urine turns dark, thick, and foul-smelling, and his gait becomes wobbly. A dog may begin to drink a lot of water and urinate frequently. His breathing slows down. Eventually, the kidneys stop producing urine, and the dog develops uremia. Sometimes, dogs with kidney disease die soon after starting treatment. However, dogs that receive early treatment and have proper nutrition and therapy can experience long-term improvement in their quality of life.
4. Heartworm
Heartworms are parasitic worms that live inside the heart and lungs of dogs. These parasites are transmitted via mosquito bites. Symptoms of heartworm infection include coughing, wheezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, and muscle pain. Most dogs infected with heartworms never show any signs of illness. However, dogs that are older than 1 year old and/or have other health conditions are more likely to develop clinical signs of disease.
Your vet should perform a physical examination on your dog to detect any
- abnormal sounds,
- heart murmur,
- enlarged lymph nodes,
- paleness, fever,
- lethargy, shaking,
- poor wound healing,
- Difficulty breathing.
If your dog shows signs of heartworm disease, he receives medication and supplements. Treatment includes daily administration of ivermectin and heartworm prevention injections.
5. Eye Diseases
Dogs’ eyes differ from human eyes in several ways. First, canine eyes are smaller than human eyes. Also, their pupils are much larger than those of humans. Finally, while humans produce tears to lubricate and protect the eye’s surface, dogs make mucous tears to wash away debris from the eye. Still, dogs’ eyes are susceptible to similar illnesses as people’s eyes. Infection with bacteria or viruses, trauma, or injury can lead to irritation, inflammation, swelling, discharge, and bleeding of the eyes. In severe cases, vision can be affected or even lost entirely. Fortunately, these eye infections can be easily treated, and most dogs recover quickly.
6. Diabetes
Diabetic dogs experience chronic thirst, increased urination, blurred vision, and decreased appetite. As mentioned above, your vet will check your dog’s blood glucose level during routine visits. If his level is chronically high, he may require insulin injections. To prevent further complications, diabetic dogs must follow a special diet and lifestyle.
7. Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia has the potential to get massive dogs like king shepherds. In simple words, hip dysplasia means the displacement of the hip socket. Sometimes it is inherited from genetics. In addition, excessive jumping, climbing stairs, and environmental factors can cause hip dysplasia.
Cost of king shepherds
King shepherds are not easy to find. If you want to buy them make sure to get them from a reputed breeder. Their cost is typically around $1500 – $2500.
Highlights
| Origin: United States |
| Breed Group: Hybrid Group |
| Parents: German shepherd and Alaskan Malamute or Alaskan Malamute, Akita, Great Pyrenees |
| Temperament: Intelligent, Confident, Friendly, Playful, Active, and hardworking |
| Body size: Massive |
| Prey drive: Low |
| The tendency of barking: Low |
| Adaptation to the weather: High |
| Coat: Medium to long normal density coat |
| Shedding amount: High (Twice per year) |
Never miss the chance of raising this great family companion. They will do their best to make your life happy.
