The king long haired german shepherd is a hard-working, loyal companion dog. Confident and strong, their huge size would be a pretty big deterrent for any would-be predator. King long haired Shepherds are protective of their families, but they’re not aggressive dogs.
What is the King Long Haired German Shepherd?
The king long haired german shepherd is a combination of several possible breeds but must include the German Shepherd. Most often, they are blended with the Alaskan Malamute and/or Great Pyrenees, and some older lines trace back to the Akita. Even though they might have an intimidating size, they’re affectionate and loving.
King Shepherds are versatile. This highly intelligent dog can do a variety of jobs from sheep herding to child companion, police dog, rescue work, or guide dog. They get along great with other dogs, but early socialization is an important factor for raising a friendly sociable pup.
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They can live in an apartment as long as they get plenty of exercise and room to stretch their legs. These dogs can get pretty large, so while they can live in an apartment, a house with a big yard might be a more ideal setting.
DogTime recommends this big, spacious crate to give your big King Shepherd a place to rest and relax. You should also pick up this dog water bottle for any outdoor adventures you have with your pup!
King Shepherd Highlights
- The King long haired Shepherd is a hybrid dog breed. They’re a mix of many different breeds of germand shepherd dogs, but always have German Shepherd ancestry.
- The main colors of King Shepherds are fawn, red, black, brown, and sable. Their coats are usually a combination of two or more colors.
- While they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing three times a week will probably do the job with other grooming as needed.
- King Shepherds get along great with children, especially those they’ve been raised with. A gentle giant, they are patient and sweet with kids.
- They also get along well with dogs and other household pets, including cats. Early socialization is an important factor for developing a social dog.
- King Shepherds are highly trainable and thrive on positive reinforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. They can easily become bored, depressed, and frustrated, which may result in unwanted behaviors.
Breed History
The long haired King Shepherd breed was developed in 1990 by Americans, Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer. The breed is still considered to be in development.
This hybrid is a mixture of German Shepherds with other breeds, including the Great Pyrenees, Alaskan Malamute, and sometimes the Akita. Breeders wanted to create a dog similar in nature and appearance to the German Shepherd, but larger and with fewer genetic health concerns.
This dog is from a lineage of working parents and needs to stay busy in order to stay happy.
While the hybrid was in development in the early 1990s, it was not officially established until 1995 when a King Shepherd breed club was created.
The King long haired Shepherd is currently recognized by:
- American Rare Breed Association (ARBA).
- American King Shepherd Club (AKSC).
- Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).
- Eastern Rare Breed Dog Club (ERBDC).
- States Kennel Club (SKC).
- World Wide Kennel Club (WWKC).
King Long Haired German Shepherd Size
The King long haired Shepherd is a relatively new hybrid breed. While not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), they do have breed standards.
Females should be 25 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh 75 to 110 pounds. Males should be 27 to 31 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh 90 to 150 pounds.and this what make this breed the biggest german shepherd dog.
That said, some dogs may be smaller or larger than average and not fit into their breed’s standard sizes.
Personality
King long haired Shepherds make excellent family companions and guard dogs. Their size is intimidating and may discourage any would-be predator. They are protective of their families and home but friendly with anyone non-threatening.
The King long haired Shepherd is driven and capable of learning any task. They like to work and need to have a job to do, whether big or small. Give the King Shepherd a sense of purpose, and this dog will earn their keep tenfold.
They are highly trainable and thrive on positive reinforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. They can easily become bored, depressed, and frustrated, which will result in unwanted behaviors.
Coat Color And Grooming
King long-haired Shepherd coats are mostly a mix of German Shepherd and other parent breeds’ coats and colors. The main coat colors are fawn, red, black, brown, and sable. Their coats are usually a combination of two or more colors.
They usually have medium-length, normal density coats, and while they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing three times a week will probably do the job and bathing is recommended only as needed with a mild shampoo. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils.
Their double coats do shed quite a bit. You will definitely want a vacuum on hand. See if a RoboVac is right for you!
That double coat gives them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also help to keep them cool during hot summer months. Keep in mind they’re an indoor dog and need to live indoors.
How Much are King long haired Shepherds?
The King long haired Shepherd is still a rare breed, and as such there are few reputable breeders around, however as they are becoming increasingly popular, they are also high in demand. Because of this, the average price of a puppy will start from around $1,500.
Are King Shepherds rare?
The king shepherd German Shepherd is a rare breed Because the King Shepherd is a hybrid dog breed and a relatively new breed—and still fairly rare among American families—they are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club.
What is the largest shepherd breed?
When we come to the largest shepherd dog breed we will see the king shepherd which has a big size from height to the weight