The only way you can guarantee your Shiloh Shepherd has been bred by original criteria, is to check that your breeder is registering the litter via the ISSR* (International Shiloh Shepherd Registry). You can get detailed information on the ISSR by visiting the official website:
“The International Shiloh Shepherd,, Registry, Inc. is the only registry authorized to recognize a dog as a Shiloh Shepherd. The ISSR was formed to protect the public from purchasing a dog falsely represented to be a Shiloh Shepherd,,and to protect the genetic future of the breed. Thus, only dogs having a certificate of registration issued by the ISSR may be considered a Shiloh Shepherd.”
With over 70 sketches by renowned artist Linda Shaw the official breed standard, as developed by the breed founder, is copyrighted and can only be found here: Official Breed Standard . Photograph examples of Shiloh coats and colors can be found here: Shiloh Coat Colors
Below is an excerpt from an article by Tina Barber entitled "Registries What are They". For more information, please view the complete article:
"In order to maintain the integrity expected by future owners/breeders, it has always been a standing ISSR policy not to allow dual registration... Any dogs appearing in a show publication, or magazine, etc. that have been registered through another organization have had their ISSR papers revoked...."
Regarding the AKC: "For most breed clubs there is no other alternative. It provides them with a lot of credibility and other advantages. No member turmoil, stud book entry errors, "take-overs", etc.. An "independent" corporation now handles all of their registrations! They have a lot more shows they can go to, with better qualified judges, and no need for collecting win sheets. For the Shilohs, I feel that such a move would devastate the limited gene pool we now have. The AKC does not set any guidelines in areas of inbreeding or even x-raying breeding stock. All dogs (both good and bad specimens) would be allowed to (in) breed at will, encouraging puppy mills to spring up everywhere! Most of the popularity the Shilohs enjoyed was due to the strict breeding guidelines established, first at my kennel, and then through the ISSR. Without these strict controls the future of this "breed" could be devastating!"
