Are King Shepherds Rare?
What Is A King Shepherd?
King Shepherd is a breed of dog that has the appearance of a German Shepherd and the temperament of a Bernese Mountain Dog. They are well-mannered, good with people and other dogs, but not usually good working or herding dogs.
The King Shepherd is an experimental breed that was developed by breeding male German Shepherds to female Bernese Mountain Dogs, in the hopes of creating a breed that combines the intelligence and trainability of the German Shepherd with the gentleness, calmness, and friendliness of the Bernese Mountain Dog.
The King Shepherd is not recognized by any breed registry organization or by any major kennel club.
Dedicated breeders developed the breed in an effort to create a companion dog with the appearance of a German Shepherd but with more reliable temperament and less aggression than is common in most working lines of German Shepherds.
The King Shepherd is a medium-to-large, powerful dog. Females are generally slightly smaller and lighter built than males, with longer muzzles, rounder heads and more refined heads.
The head is wedge shaped (broad at the front, tapering to a rounded tip), long and narrow with dark triangular ears that are set high on the head. (The breed standard calls for erect ears which are slightly wider at the base than at the tip.)
The male has a moderate stop and is deep in muzzle. The coat is long, thick and somewhat wavy (but not curly). The upper coat is darker in color than the undercoat. They have a double layer of fur which provides cold protection for the breed.
The breed has a relatively long tail that can be docked to three vertebrae, though not traditionally done. King Shepherds are larger than Bernese Mountain Dogs, but smaller than German Shepherds.
The breed standard calls for a brindle or black-and-tan color, but this may vary from dog to dog. The breed standard also calls for medium markings and white feet, but these traits can vary between dogs.
Are King Shepherds Rare?
The American Kennel Club does not yet recognize King Shepherds as they are a relatively young breed that is still uncommon among American families.
King Shepherds are not well-known or recognized by any major kennel club, although a rare few litters of puppies may be registered with one of the two organizations that register Bernese Mountain Dogs.
King Shepherd puppies registered with either of those registries are often used in breeding programs for the breed’s development.
Because of their lack of a formal registry, there is no accurate count on how many King Shepherds exist in the world and it is unknown how many King Shepherd dogs have been bred.
Will King Shepherds Bite?
Although King Shepherds are generally more loyal, loving and gentle than German Shepherds, they are still dogs and all dogs can bite. The King Shepherd has yet to be fully developed into a breed, so the exact personality traits of an individual dog cannot be accurately predicted.
However, it is generally accepted that a well-bred and well-raised King Shepherd is usually very good with people—more so than some other breeds of dogs—and will usually not bite unless provoked.
Are King Shepherds Aggressive?
King Shepherds are generally not aggressive toward other dogs, but they can be if not well-socialized with them. They are good watchdogs because they are naturally observant of other animals, and they can be protective of their owners and territory.
The King Shepherd is a loyal and hardworking companion dog. They are a breed that is highly intelligent and well-behaved. They are often used as a personal pet, but they can also make good family dogs if they are trained from a young age.
Are King Shepherds Good With Children?
King Shepherds get along great with children, especially those they’ve been raised with. King Shepherds are the perfect dog for a family that loves to have fun outdoors but also likes their fur babies to relax with them indoors.
King Shepherds are not typically aggressive with other dogs, although they may growl or defend themselves if they feel threatened or misunderstood. They are generally patient with children and generally get along well with other pets.
King Shepherds have a reputation for being good watchdogs. They will bark if they detect something suspicious nearby and will keep an eye on their property from a distance.
They can be trained to come to their owners when called, but they usually prefer to tell their owners what they’ve found. If a King Shepherd senses that people don’t want them around, they are more likely to bark at strangers than run away.
Why Are King Shepherds Not Popular?
King Shepherds are still a relatively rare breed in the United States, and they are not well-known or popular enough to be common pets yet—even among dog lovers.
Landlords sometimes object to having an intelligent dog living with them and the temperament of King Shepherds is often thought to be an undesirable trait that can lead to trouble.
However, King Shepherd owners say that these dogs make wonderful pets once they’ve been well-socialized with people and other dogs. They are easygoing, loyal and playful dogs that love to snuggle up with their owners.
What Colors Are King Shepherds Expected To Be?
The King Shepherd breed standard lists the following color options for the breed:-Any color from black, red, brown, fawn, sable through tan from the nose to tail tip, with the feet preferably the same color as the toes.
There are a few other color variations that can be found in King Shepherds, but these four colors are most commonly seen in dogs.
The coats of King Shepherds tend to be more wiry and less shaggy than a Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat and they don’t have as much undercoat that contributes to their shaggy appearance.
King Shepherds are still relatively young, and the exact pigment patterns of the dogs may change over time. In general, King Shepherds tend to have a darker brindle coat than the four standard colors listed above.
King Shepherds are most often seen in black-and-tan, fawn (light brown) or red tints in their coats.
Are King Shepherds Good Family Dogs?
The King Shepherd is a dog that is usually very well-behaved as a pet and as a family dog. They are loyal, lovable, and well-trained dogs with a strong sense of responsibility.
They have a calm temperament that makes them suitable for families who like to go out on daily walks or hikes. They are also relatively quiet dogs, making them great for apartment dwellers near other households or apartments.
They are intelligent dogs that will make very loyal companions, but they need to be socialized with other people and dogs while they are young. If they are not well socialized as puppies, King Shepherds may get aggressive toward strangers or other dogs when they reach adulthood.
When they are young, King Shepherd puppies, like all puppies, need a lot of social and mental stimulation to help them feel confident.
How Big Do King German Shepherds Get?
The King Shepherd is a medium-sized dog that weighs between 75 and 150 pounds. King Shepherds are usually between 25 and 31 inches tall at the shoulder.
The King Shepherd is a newer hybrid breed. They do have breed standards, even if they are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Are King Shepherds Dangerous?
King Shepherds are very intelligent dogs that have been bred to be self-confident, courageous and protective of their owners and territory.
They are very protective of their owners, especially if they feel they are threatened or confused by the presence of strangers. They are well-adjusted dogs that enjoy being around other friendly dogs, even if they are not bred to be a hunting dog like the Basenji.
King Shepherds generally do not make good guard dogs because they can be easily distracted. They can be trained to do tricks, but they will try to resist if they feel they are being forced into a trick.
Do King Shepherds Shed?
King Shepherds have thick, double coats that shed heavily. To manage the shedding, brush them daily and bathe them as needed.
King Shepherds do not tend to be a big shedder. They have a soft double coat that sheds heavily during the shedding season, but they also have little hair all year, providing insulation and protection for their skin.
Brushing your dog’s coat many times a week (or even daily) will help prevent shedding and keep it healthy, clean, and tangle-free.
King Shepherd puppies can be prone to tear stains on their fur, especially if they are teething or nursing. They can develop skin irritation from the oils in their coats if they are not bathed often enough, so it is important to bathe them as often as necessary to keep them clean and healthy.
Are King Shepherd’s Good With Cats?
King Shepherds are usually very good with cats as long as they are introduced to the cats when they are young. Early socialization is crucial for the development of a sociable dog.
If they do not get along with a particular cat, it may be worth getting them desensitized to that cat before they reach adulthood. The owner should not force the dog to accept the cat, because that can lead to unpredictable behavior.
King Shepherds are very loyal dogs and they may show a natural tendency to protect their owners from other animals, but they will generally avoid a confrontation with a cat if it is introduced into the household when they are young.
If a King Shepherd feels threatened by an unfamiliar cat, however, it can be aggressive toward that cat.