You may have read our article about Shiloh Shepherd dogs and discovered they are difficult for first time owners. Though I have answered briefly, today I will discuss it more elaborately to understand the reasons behind it. The following 5 reasons have an impact on making Shiloh Shepherds difficult for first time owners. Explore them and think deeply.
Shiloh Shepherds are among the guard dogs. It is difficult for first-time owners to handle Guard Dogs.
Guard dogs are difficult for first-time owners because of their
1. High exercise requirements to avoid boredom and hyperactivity.
2. Early socialization ensures that Shiloh Shepherds remain well-behaved when growing to adulthood and prevents dangerous situations because of their protective nature. Without Early socialization, Shiloh Shepherds may exhibit Aggressive and Mean behavior towards strangers and other Pets. Also environment can impact on their behavior too.
3. Legal implications, Meaning a guard dog may injure someone, and the liabilities will be associated with the owners. In some cases, first-time owners may need more preparation to handle the legal responsibilities.
Mentioned three facts may cause difficulties for first time owners who are interested in Shiloh Shepherds.
Reason 2: Shiloh Shepherds Dogs Not Hypoallergenic
Shiloh Shepherds are not among hypoallergenic dog breeds such as Golden Mountain Doodles. This a huge Cons of owning a Shiloh Shepherd.
Non-hypoallergenic means Shiloh Shepherds will produce more dander and allergens in the environment, which will cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to dogs.
Here’s how Shiloh Shepherds is challenging for first-time owners for their Not Hypoallergenic coat:
Non-hypoallergenic dogs shed a lot, meaning Owners need to do more cleanup around the house. First-time owners may need to be conscious of how much grooming and vacuuming will require, leading to matting and tangling, skin problems such as itching and scratching, and an increase in shedding.
Reason 3: Maintaining High-Exercise Needs
Generally, larger dog breeds require much exercise and mental stimulation to remain healthy. Therefore, if you are a busy person, you cannot think about Shiloh Shepherds, as you cannot leave them home for a long time. They can get anxious and show destructive behaviors.
An adult Shiloh Shepherd needs 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise with high-energy activities to ensure their well-being. This is a disadvantage of adopting Shiloh Shepherd Dog for the owners who are busy.
First-time owners may find it challenging to fulfill their exercise requirements, which can be harmful and may lead to some behavioral issues later on.
Reason 4: Frequent Grooming Requirements
Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom, but they require frequent Grooming due to their thick double coat.
Regular Grooming includes brushing, nail clipping, dental care and ear cleaning. They will also require bathing and trimming whenever necessary.
First-time owners may not fulfill the grooming requirements and may need to seek help from professional groomers, which is costly.
Also, first-time owners sometimes neglect grooming requirements, which owners should never do because, without proper Grooming, several health issues and skin problems can occur. Sometimes, we see some behavioral issues, such as aggression and meaningful behaviors.
Reason 5: Training and Stubbornness of Shiloh Shepherds
Shiloh Shepherds are guard dogs and can be easily training with Positive and Negative Reinforcement Methods. They can work as rescue dogs, police dogs and family dogs too. Guard dogs can show aggressive behavior if they are not trained perfectly from a young age. Socialization is the essential training to ensure a well-behaved adult Shiloh Shepherd.
Shiloh Shepherds are excellent learners of Dog Talking Buttons, they can learn up to 100 words. Making life easier for owners to understand their feelings.
Also, they grow fast physically, but mentally, they take time to mature. So, patience is required to be successful with Shiloh Shepherds.
Shiloh Shepherds have a trait of stubbornness, which may lead to a huge challenge for first-time owners. But with consistency, proper expertise and Positive Reinforcement, they can be trained even if they are stubborn.
Final Thoughts
The five reasons mentioned make Shiloh Shepherds challenging for first-time owners. However, with proper knowledge and consistency, anyone can own Shiloh Shepherds.
I recommend not adopting a Shiloh Shepherd as your first dog. Instead, go for some toy breeds like Chihuahuasor larger breeds like Golden Mountain Doodles, which are more likely for first-time owners.
