Overview
The King Shepherd was created in the United States in the 1990s by breeders who wanted a bigger, sturdier shepherd with a calmer temperament and fewer of the health problems associated with show-line German Shepherds. The result is a large, often long-coated dog with the look of a GSD scaled up by a third.
It is still rare in the UK and most dogs here come from a small number of imports. Expect a shepherd temperament: watchful, loyal, slow to warm to strangers and keen to have a job. The extra size means every habit, good or bad, arrives with more weight behind it.
Exercise and walking needs
Around ninety minutes a day for a healthy adult, split in two, with a mix of steady walking and something to think about. Most enjoy retrieving, scent work and the kind of simple obedience that lets them work with you.
Big dogs grow slowly. Young King Shepherds should keep to shorter, gentler outings on soft ground until the owner confirms the joints are mature, and should not be jogged or asked to jump.
On the walk
- Strangers: The dog will watch anyone who approaches. Most are polite but few are gushing. Ask people not to loom over it.
- Other dogs: Usually fine with calm dogs and dismissive of silly ones. Same-sex tension is possible with other large breeds.
- Pulling: Not frantic, but if forty-plus kilos leans into the lead you go with it. A well-fitted harness and a short lead near traffic.
- Coat: Long and plush in many dogs. Expect hair everywhere and a lot of mud on wet days.
Tips for professional walkers
- Build a short routine at the start of each walk, a sit, a look, a few paces at heel, so the dog knows you are in charge of the outing.
- Avoid steep steps and repetitive jumping into the van; use a ramp if the owner has one.
- Dry the belly and feathering after wet walks; a damp long coat is slow to dry indoors.
- Keep sessions mentally busy. A bored shepherd of this size finds its own entertainment.
What to ask the owner
- How does the dog respond to strangers at the door and on the street, and what does the owner want you to do about it?
- Any hip, elbow or back history, and is the dog cleared for jumping into the vehicle?
- Is the dog used to group walks, or has it only ever been walked alone?