What We Ask of All Our Puppy Buyers!
WARNING: We ask a lot! But we cover most of it!
Health Testing & Assessments
Hip & Elbow Assessments
All Breeding Shilohs must pass hip/elbow assessments for Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) through OFA or PennHip prior to becoming part of our breeding program.
We also require all "Pet quality" Shilohs from Wilderness Kennels to have their Hips/Elbows X-rayed. This should be done between 12-16 months of age for males, and 18-24 months for females. (Wilderness Kennels will reimburse OFA charges.)
Mandatory Holter Monitoring at 6 Months
Fighting GSDIVA (The Invisible Killer)
German Shepherd Dog Inherited Ventricular Arrhythmia (GSDIVA) is an inherited heart condition that can cause sudden death in Shiloh Shepherd puppies. This is a DEVASTATING disease that is deeply rooted in the foundation lines of all Shilohs alive today.
Before becoming a Shiloh Breeder, I personally witnessed a confirmed GSDIVA death of a devastatingly handsome young Shiloh Shepherd. His memory is what drives me to always do the absolute best by my own dogs (and their descendants) and take this invisible killer very seriously!
Because of this life-changing experience, the Holter monitoring of EVERY Shiloh Shepherd puppy produced at, or by, Wilderness Kennels is absolutely mandatory via our contract.
Don't worry, it's an easy test: Your puppy simply wears a heart monitor vest for a period of 24 hours. We will mail you the Holter and cover the full cost of submitting the data results.
We NEED the help of all our puppy buyers to reach our dream of a GSDIVA-free future!
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
All our own dogs are 100% clear of Degenerative Myelopathy by parentage. In rare cases where a stud is a confirmed carrier, Wilderness Kennels will test the entire litter before they are matched to their new families at 8 weeks.
Even in breedings with males that are confirmed carriers, I assure you there is no chance of a puppy being physically affected by this illness, as DM requires two copies of the gene to manifest.
Biodiversity Management Project
All our puppies are DNA tested with Betterbred as soon as they are born to confirm parentage and their unique biodiversity value within the breed. We strive with every generation to lower COIs while maintaining the old Shiloh lines.
Special Genetic Diversity Clause
Sometimes in rare cases, a male puppy sold to a "Pet" home will be included in our genetic diversity project. Included in the contracts for these special boys will be a clause to have the dog's sperm frozen at 16-18 months of age (dependent on OFA/PennHip and Holter results).
Sperm freezing will be paid by, and property of, Wilderness Kennels. This is a great opportunity to get a beautiful show-quality male for a "pet" price!