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by Sunsilver on 29 September 2009 - 18:09
Bucko, the ISSR Shilohs have not done any outcrosses since the 1990's, and I get the impression Tina may soon close the studbook. She's getting good consistency of type, and she's reluctant to outcross for fear of introducing hidden faults, or re-introducing faults that have already mostly been eliminated, like poor temperment.
The non-ISSR breeders (SSDCA, etc.) have such a limited gene pool that they are continuing to outcross to German Shepherds. I've even heard rumours a breeder or two outcrossed to wolves. Some outcrosses are of unknown ancestry.
Needless to say, they are getting some terrible results. Lots of funky hooked tails, poor temperments, bitchy heads and loss of size and bone.
In some areas, the non-ISSR breeders predominate, and have given the Shiloh such a bad reputation that veterinarians and other dog people discourage clients from purchasing one.
I don't know what the situation is with the Kings. I just know outcrosses WERE done to Leonbergers, plus the original outrcross to Samson (giant malemute/GSD mix) which was done before the Kings split from the Shiloh. Tina says she's seen some pretty awesome looking King Shepherds at dog shows. On the whole, they are doing a much better job of breeding than the Shiloh breeders who split with Tina. (You may think, well, the lady's biased. Nope, she's not. I've seen the pictures of the non-ISSR dogs, and heard too many stories about their poor temperment.) If you want to see for yourself, check out the ISSR website, under "Broken Hearted Breed Founder". I'd be brokenhearted too, if these dogs were using MY name! 
As for the temperment test used, it is very similar to the Volhard test. They test pain threshold, submission, sociability, noise tolerance, retrieve and fighting drive. Part of the gunsureness test is the tester throws a can of pebbles close to the puppy. The pups in this litter were SO gunsure, a couple of them ran to the can, and played with it! Two proudly picked it up and trotted off with it. We also tested noise tolerance by banging a metal dish.
All 7 pups showed good retrieve drive, which amazed the tester, and almost all of them scored VERY low on submission! So much for Shilohs being couch potatoes, or nervous, pee-on-the-floor spooks!
The tester also analyses movement and gait.
As for their ability to get obedience titles, I am constantly hearing stories from owners about how phenomenally intelligent these dogs are. They can do just about ANYTHING! My friend says her male is like a little boy in a dog suit.
I've heard of Shilohs opening doors and refrigerators. One learned how to pop the pull tabs on cat food cans, and help himself. Another has learned how to operate the garage door opener. Earlier this week, the one who opens the garage door was seen very carefully studying the door to the mudroom, trying to figure out how it worked. He pushed the door partially closed, and watched the hinges. He used his nose to move the latch. He mouthed the knob. He already knows how to open the door to the daughter's bedroom, by nudging it in just the right spot with his shoulder, but so far, this door has defeated him, and he's not happy about it.
That's one of the main reasons I wanted a Shiloh, I guess. I love smart dogs, and I had to see for myself if all these stories were really true!
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