LPC King Shepherd: A Comprehensive Guide to Ownership

The LPC King Shepherd is a unique and captivating breed that requires careful consideration before bringing one home. This intelligent and loyal dog excels in various roles, including as a family pet, search and rescue dog, and service dog.

Their high energy levels and strong herding instincts make them ideal for active owners who can provide regular exercise and mental stimulation. Expect to spend at least 30 minutes a day engaging your LPC King Shepherd in physical and mental activities.

Their thick double coat sheds heavily, especially during shedding season, so be prepared for regular grooming sessions. Regular brushing will help reduce loose hair and prevent matting.

Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice for first-time dog owners who are eager to learn and grow with their pet.

The LPC King Shepherd is a large breed, with males weighing between 85-110 pounds and standing 26-30 inches tall at the shoulder.

They require plenty of space to move around and exercise, making them a great fit for families with large yards or homes with access to parks and open spaces.

In terms of living space, they can thrive in apartments if provided with regular exercise and mental stimulation, but a house with a yard is ideal.

The King Shepherd is a relatively new hybrid breed, and their size can vary.

Females typically stand between 25 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder.

Males are generally larger, standing between 27 to 31 inches in height at the shoulder.

Females usually weigh between 75 to 110 pounds.

Males can weigh anywhere from 90 to 150 pounds.

Some dogs may be smaller or larger than average, so individual sizes can vary.

If you're considering bringing a King Shepherd into your home, it's essential to think about the space you have available. This breed requires a lot of room to run around and exercise.

The King Shepherd is a large dog, but there are some similarly sized breeds that might be a better fit for smaller spaces. For example, the Great Weimar is almost identical in size, with a 97% similarity in breed characteristics.

If you're looking for a breed with a similar temperament to the King Shepherd, the Shiloh Shepherd is a great option, with a 95% similarity in breed characteristics. They're both intelligent and loyal dogs that thrive on attention and exercise.

If you're willing to provide the necessary exercise and attention, the Akita Inu and Golden Newfie are also good options, with a 95% similarity in breed characteristics. They're both large dogs that require regular exercise and mental stimulation.

Here are some similarly sized breeds to consider:

Regular veterinary checkups are a must for your King Shepherd to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy.

King Shepherds are prone to weight gain, so it's essential to choose a high-quality food and stick to a feeding schedule. Aim for at least 60 to 90 minutes of walking or hiking per day to keep them fit.

Daily ear checks are crucial to prevent debris and pests from building up, and your vet can recommend the best cleaning schedule for your dog.

Regular veterinary checkups are crucial to detect health concerns early, so schedule those appointments with your vet.

King Shepherds are prone to weight gain, so choose a high-quality food and stick to a feeding schedule.

Daily ear checks for debris and pests are a must, and your vet can advise on how to clean them properly.

Trim your dog's nails before they get too long, ideally once or twice a month, to prevent clicking against the floor.

Brush your King Shepherd's teeth at least three times a week to maintain their oral health, and your vet can show you the proper technique.

If you're raising a King Shepherd puppy, be mindful of their joints and avoid letting them run and play on hard surfaces like pavement until they're at least two years old.

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The King Shepherd's trainability is very high, and their intelligence and eagerness to please make them quick studies. They're a great breed for first-time dog owners, as they're one of the easiest breeds to train.

You should begin training your King Shepherd puppy immediately. They have a lot of energy and are very clever, so mentally stimulating games are fun and effective for training.

Operant conditioning is the ideal way to train your King Shepherd. This scientific method to training uses a set of consequences, including rewards, to have your dog performing tasks and behaviors on command in no time.

Positive reinforcement is a key part of operant conditioning. This involves adding something, like a treat, to the scenario, and the reward should follow a correctly completed command.

Negative punishments, such as removing attention, are often more effective than negative reinforcement or punishment. It's always better to remove something positive than to incorporate a negative, like yelling or hitting.

Socialization is a necessary part of training, especially if you want your King Shepherd to be a family dog. They can be very friendly and affectionate, both to children and other animals.

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The King Shepherd's coat is a beautiful mix of colors, including fawn, red, black, brown, and sable, often with a combination of two or more colors.

Their coats are medium-length and require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling. Brushing your King Shepherd three times a week should keep their coat looking its best.

Bathing is not a frequent task, but when needed, use a mild shampoo to avoid stripping the coat of its natural oils. Over-bathing can lead to dry, itchy skin.

A double coat is a blessing in extreme weather, keeping your King Shepherd cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They love to run and play in the snow, and their coat helps them thrive in these conditions.

Regular brushing also helps control their shedding, which is moderate year-round. Daily brushing during seasonal changes will help manage the copious shedding that occurs during these times.

Their ears need regular checks for dirt, debris, or damage to prevent infections. Clean their teeth weekly, and check their nails monthly to avoid excessive length.

A good vacuum is essential for keeping up with their shedding, and a RoboVac can be a great investment for this task.

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King Shepherds are naturally social dogs, thriving in the company of their human family and other animals.

They are highly trainable, responding well to positive reinforcement and consistency.

With proper socialization, King Shepherds can be great with children, learning to be gentle and patient.

Their high energy levels require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

King Shepherds have a strong instinct to protect and care for their pack, making them loyal and loving companions.

They are generally good with other pets, especially if socialized from an early age, but may require extra attention and training.

King Shepherds are highly intelligent and can pick up on their owner's emotions, making them great therapy dogs.

Their strong herding instincts can be channeled into other activities, such as agility training or herding competitions.

King Shepherds are naturally protective of their family, but with proper training and socialization, they can learn to be calm and composed in the presence of strangers.

They are highly attuned to their owner's needs and can sense when they're feeling stressed or anxious.

King Shepherds are generally quiet dogs, but may bark to alert their family to potential threats.

With proper training and socialization, King Shepherds can be a great addition to any family.

The King Shepherd breed is still in development, founded by Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer in the early 1990s.

They aimed to create a dog with the working ability and protective instinct of the German Shepherd, but larger, with fewer health problems, and a friendlier disposition.

The breeders were successful in their endeavor, founding the official King Shepherd club in 1995.

The King Shepherd is a rare breed that has not yet been recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.

However, they can be registered with the American Rare Breed Association and the American King Shepherd Club.

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The King Shepherd breed has a rich history that's still unfolding. This regal canine is a new breed from the United States that's still considered to be in development.

Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer began developing the King Shepherd in the early 1990s, using German Shepherds from America and Europe, Shiloh Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, and Great Pyrenees dogs.

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Their goal was to create a dog with the working ability and protective instinct of the German Shepherd, but larger, with fewer health problems, and a friendlier disposition. The King Shepherd club was founded in 1995.

This dog is a rare one that's still in development, which is why it hasn't been recognized by any major kennel clubs yet. However, it can be registered with the American Rare Breed Association and the American King Shepherd Club.

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King Shepherds are large dogs and they eat a lot. On average, you can expect to feed your King Shepherd between three and four cups of dog food per day.

Choosing the right food for your King Shepherd is crucial. A high quality dry dog food is a great place to start, and look for a kibble that's formulated for larger dogs with a high protein content.

You can supplement the dry food with wet food, and some owners even prefer a partly or wholly raw food diet. This can be a great option if you're willing to put in the extra work.

Consulting with your veterinarian is a great way to get personalized advice on what to feed your King Shepherd. They can help you create a feeding plan that's tailored to your dog's specific needs.

King Shepherds are rare enough that many people have never encountered one, let alone owned one. Fortunately, raising one of these dogs isn’t all that different from raising any other puppy.

Raising a King Shepherd isn’t all that different from raising any other puppy. However, it's essential to be aware that they do have unique needs. King Shepherds are a large breed, so they require plenty of space to move around.

As a large breed, King Shepherds require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. A daily walk and some playtime should do the trick.

For more insights, see: King Shepherd Dog Breed Profile

Finding a reputable breeder for your King Shepherd is crucial. The American Kennel Club of Sweden (AKSC) lists a few well-known breeders on their page.

You can also use online search engines to find additional breeders. However, be sure to research thoroughly and read reviews.

Meeting the breeder in person is essential before making a decision. This big decision deserves thorough research and time invested.

Contact the AKSC if you're struggling to find a suitable breeder. They'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

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