Solace Shilohs

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I am happy to share a bit about my experience with Laura and Solace. I have the honor of caring for Galen from the Pica/Zeke 2008 litter. Galen is a year old, weighs just over 100 pounds and is a little under 31 inches tall at the wither. I'm not sure why they measure to the shoulder, but that's how they do it! So they expect him to weigh around 130 pounds when he's full grown, and stand close to 33 inches at the shoulder. Galen is tall enough, he can already see what's on the dinner table without his feet leaving the ground! He's a beautiful silver plush sable, and we really can't go out without people stopping us to admire him and ask about his lineage. He's been called a "shepherd on steroids" because of his size. I've had folks run across the freeway to ask about Galen at rest stops! He is beautiful.

I've had dogs my whole life, from a Yorkie, dachshunds, and a Pom (small) to multiple Shepherds, Dalmations, Alsations, Labs, a St. Bernard, Collie, and Goldens (not small). I love dogs, have always had them in my family, and I am not easily impressed. Galen is impressive.

Galen is not a "beginners" dog, in the sense that he's way too smart for someone who expects dogs to be on a chain in the back yard or crated all day. He needs someone who can help him understand the world, someone that he can trust. Galen first stunned me with simple things. He noticed I wear reading glasses at night (when my contacts are out), and when he saw me reading in the morning, he thought to run to the other end of the house and grab my reading glasses off my nightstand, and bring them to me in the kitchen. That takes multiple- step thinking! He can turn off my alarm clock for me without upsetting the table, he brings my deaf daughter her cell phone and alerts her when the doorbell rings, understanding she doesn't hear what he hears. We didn't train him to do these things, he just thought of them himself. An example from this week....when I put on my work heels, Galen looked sad, he realized the work shoes meant I was leaving. He came and nuzzled me, then started gathering his toys (he has lots) and started pushing them through the doggie door, so he would have toys to entertain himself outside. This ability to "strategize" his behavior based on things he expects to happen is just well above anything I've experienced with dog intelligence before. Recently, I thought my garage door was broken because it kept opening when I was in the front yard, and Galen kept bounding out to join whatever was going on. I was in the garage looking around to see if the door opener was broken, with Galen watching me, and Galen realized I wanted the door open. He walked over, jumped up against the wall, and pressed the button! He didn't realize he wasn't "supposed to", so just thought I had forgotten how "we" get in the front yard! I took Galen with me to Smith College for a week this summer, where we lived in the dorms. It took him mere hours to be able to open the refrigerator door, the room, shower and bathroom doors. He loved being a "gentleman" and opening the doors for me! We have since explained to him that being able to do something doesn't mean he should do it! Galen earned the right to be unsupervised in the house and yard early on...he isn't destructive, doesn't dig, or try to escape the yard. At this point I have no doubt he could break out of the yard if he wanted to. His heart is really wanting to please, so if he understands what we want from him, he almost always does it.

Galen is gentle and sweet. When I had the flu a few months ago, Galen kept coming in and checking on me, obviously worried. He's not allowed on the beds, but he can bury his head next to mine and keep me company. Finally, he brought his favorite toys in and tucked them into bed with me. I woke up to discover his "special" toys keeping me company!

I know this sounds.....remarkable. What is remarkable is that the folks from the Pica/Zeke owners I've talked to are not impressed! They just say "Oh, yeah, I get it, let me tell you what MY dog does!" I think Laura's decision to repeat this breeding is delightful and wise!
I hear from other Solace owners that this level of intelligence isn't that unusual. This means that you need to be willing to think about your dog as a family member with feelings! Galen's emotional radar means he understands things one doesn't expect a dog to understand, and needs an owner that can give him the time and energy to understand him. Galen has been through three obedience classes, more for socialization than training. He understood the commands within hours.

Galen is a good family member. He loves his toys, but honors my request not to chew on the chewiest items, like furniture. He put his teeth on an oak leg once (one crunch in the dark one night). I gave him one reprimand, and he's never repeated the mistake! He doesn't understand why I don't want him drinking the freshest water in the house (the toilet), but he honors my quirks. Once he understands a request (grass is good, carpet is not), he complies willingly. He isn't without his faults, he spent a month or so addicted to toilet paper. It's so funny to see an 80 pound puppy wrapped up in toilet paper and trying to look innocent! I laughed too hard to really be angry. It is disconcerting to have a dog that big acting his age instead of his size!

I placed my trust in Laura. We visited Solace Kennels and were introduced to Laura's dogs, shown around her kennel, and taken for a walk to meet other Solace Shilohs in the neighborhood. Her dogs were uniformly beautiful, well cared for, friendly and well behaved. The kennel itself is a clean, beautiful facility that allows the dogs to be members of the family. Laura made sure I knew about my pup's history, his temperament testing, and his personality. She didn't try to sell me on this dog, she wanted to make sure it was a good match. My daughter later said she thought WE were being interviewed to see if we were good candidates! Laura has been an ongoing resource for me. She is a wealth of information regarding developmental and training issues, and has always found time for my questions. I needed her to guide me in understanding how to train such an intelligent dog!

I am sold on Solace Kennels and Shilohs. We are planning on adopting another puppy. We are waiting to find a match from Laura's kennel, and would highly recommend the Pica/Zeke breeding. In the meantime, I continue to be amazed by Shilohs every day!

Good luck with your decision to purchase a puppy. I've only told you a fraction of the things Galen does to impress us. I can't imagine life without Galen, and recommend Laura without reservation. Karin and Galen (Pica/Zeke '08) - Washington State

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Solace Shiloh 's and its owner/breeder Laura Kathryn are what every breeder should be. She is extremely well informed about the breed, has a 1rst rate facility, is accessible and willing to spend time with potential customers and her dogs are not only in great condition physically, but are really nice dogs that are ambassadors for the breed. She obviously cares about the breed, where it is going and her customers.
We were going to visit some other breeders before making a decision to buy a Shiloh , but our visit to her Kennel convinced us that we wanted one of her dogs. Her Kennel is cleaner than most peoples homes (no kidding) and she is very attentive to her dogs and friendly to her customers. We met all her dogs and they are well socialized, gorgeous looking and any of them would be a dog you would be glad to own.

When she picked our puppy for us, she took a long time analyzing the puppy (after the LER exam) and talking to us to make sure we got the perfect dog for our family. It was a great experience for us, and it was reassuring that getting a puppy was NOT simply a matter of writing a check and walking away.

Laura is a person who cares about the breed, her dogs and where they are going. And, she cares about her customers. She has maintained contact with us and is always willing to talk about how our dog is doing and hear stories of how he is growing up.
Shiloh Shepherds are not cheap. But, you get what you pay for, and to me, our dog was a bargain. First, because he is a wonderful dog, family member and friend and second, because, given the level of care that Laura devotes to her dogs, if you measure the cost of the dog versus the hours she spends caring for them, her dogs are dirt cheap. And, in the end, we measure our dogs’ worth in his value as a family member, friend, protector and companion and his worth is immeasurable if that is what you consider.

I would recommend Solace Shilohs without hesitation to anyone who wants a Shiloh Shepherd or to anyone who wants a wonderful dog combined with a great experience with a first rate Breeder.

Now, about our guy, Tiger. He is from Zeke (dad) and Pica (mom). He has his dad’s height, coloring and presence and his mom’s sturdiness and friendly personality. His general attributes are that he is large (32” at the shoulder, 110+ pounds at 15 months and still growing), active (requires at least 1 long walk a day), friendly, intelligent and handsome. People have literally stopped their cars to come and ask what kind of dog he is and pet him. Talking to other Shiloh owners, this is not uncommon. Most people after meeting Tiger want to know where they can get a dog like him.

He is a very people oriented dog and just loves children. With small children who are afraid of him, he will lie down next to them and let them explore him until they are comfortable with him. And, that shows the intelligence f the breed. When you talk, he looks directly at you and actually seems to understand exactly what you are saying.

We have never had to show him anything more than twice to get him to do what we wanted. He was very easy to potty train – he had just one ‘accident’ and that was the first day we had him, never after that. He learned very quickly what he could play with and what he had to leave alone. At his obedience class, he was learning the commands by watching the instructor’s dog demonstrate how to do the command, it made us look good, but it was really his intelligence at work. We often joke that we need to teach him how to read so that he will have something to do when we are at work and school during the day (he has the run of the house).

And, his personality is the best. He is the happiest dog I have ever seen. He always has a smile on his face (no kidding) and is curious and engaged with everything that goes on around him. He likes other animals, but does like to chase squirrels and cats in our yard --- he never tries to catch them, he just likes to chase them. He is really attached to his family. He is happiest when we are all together in the same room and he can play with us. He loves to greet our guests when they come and is happy just to be a part of the group.

The great thing about him is that is that Tiger is not an isolated super personality. All the Shiloh ’s we have met are large, handsome (or pretty), intelligent, friendly and totally people focused. They love attention and thrive when they can be around people. They are easily trained, make great pets and watch dogs (Tiger is really vigilant around the house) and companions. The downsides, if they can be called that, are an outgrowth of the breed standard: they require a fair amount of exercise; they HAVE to be in the house with the family, they are not solitary dogs; they have to have something to engage their intelligence or they will find ways to amuse themselves and they are pretty soft temperamentally, i.e. if you are the harsh type of owner, these are not the dogs for you. But, if you are looking for the best family pet ever, a dog that loves attention, wants to be a integral part of the family, is intelligent, loyal, gentle, stunning looking, and has a great personality, then a Shiloh Shepherd and especially a Solace Shiloh Shepherd would be the perfect choice. If you tour the facilities you will fall in love with the breed and recognize the commitment that Laura Kathryn has made to her dogs and to the breed and want to have a puppy join your family. Doug, Angie, Ria and Tiger (Pica/Zeke '08) - Washington

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Laura is a professional. She cares very deeply for Shilohs. Tekoa is from Zora/Gunny litter '07. I asked for a specific temperament and I know that she took strides in picking the best fit for my family. Laura's knowledge of breeding is the tops. Her facility is clean and spacious, so the puppies are well taken care of and socialized -- what more can you ask for in a breeder? She studies the genetics of the pair before a breeding takes place. Tekoa is so smart she knows when I want her to behave and when to act like a clown. She is protective of my family, but she does not act aggressively toward people, which is okay for my situation. I have a daughter who has a disability and Tekoa is a comfort to her and this allows her to go out and not have panic attacks. Tekoa will chase some of my cats and this is something we work with her, so I do keep my eye out and you can tell when she wants to herd them.:) About training -- I've read books and I ordered the dvd of Ma Shiloh's (Breed Founder) training. Tekoa is not dominant and you can see the intelligence in her eyes. Belly rubs are the most important to her. She loves them. I wasn't a first time owner of a dog, but I don't know for sure if a first time owner would be a good choice with Tekoa. Health wise, she has been good. She does have a sensentive stomach and I have to feed her only certain types of food. Actually homemade diet does the best for her and she likes it alot. Laura is quite knowledgeable about what to feed her Shilohs and takes great strides to learn about the nutrition content of the food that she feeds them. After having Tekoa I can tell you, she my favorite breed. I have a variety of dogs large and small and she is by far the most well behaved of the pack. She accepts her place in the pack and does not cause disruptions in the pack. Only thing about owning a Shiloh, is that you want another. Becky and Tekoa (Zora/Gunny '07) - Illinois

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I need to praise Laura for being a wonderful, conscientious breeder. It's not like me to gush, but I need to, now. I took my new Zora/Gunny pup to the Vet yesterday for just a check up. My vet said that we just made her day. She was a little familiar with Shilohs from reading the Monks of New Skete. She was so impressed with the health, and conformation, and temperament of this guy. She was so impressed with Laura's breeding program and how she cared for the puppies. The Vet was grinning and smiling the whole time. She is looking forward to watching this fellow grow. As am I. I guess we did make her day. My puppy's name is Sam. And he continues to be a very polite and sweet boy. Thank you Laura. Wanda and Sam (Zora/Gunny '09), Maryland

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It was a hard decision for us to get a dog from a breeder. We have always gotten our pets from the Humane Society, or from the area in which they were dumped. Actually buying an animal was a real stretch for us..HOWEVER.....
About 6 months before we got our puppy from Solace, we had gotten one from a rescue group. It wound up being a huge mistake, as we knew nothing of the pups parents temperaments, nor of the pups. He was a pit bull/boxer, and his first day of puppy kindergarten was a disaster. We trusted our trainer, and she let us know that this dog would require far more work than we had anticipated, and could actually wind up being a dangerous dog. We had to return him.

Along comes Shilohs!! Yay. I had been researching them for about a year after having met one at a local video store. Laura Kathryn was the closest breeder I could find ( after searching fruitlessly for a rescue group for Shilohs). I kept returning to her website over and over and finally decided these dogs were for us. And I was NOT disappointed in the least.

Things that impressed me the most.
1. The cleanliness of her kennels and the great love and care she shows for not only her breeding dogs, but all dogs..
2. Her knowledge base and enthusiasm for the breed.
3. Her thoroughness in helping us through the process.
4. Her willingness to continually answer questions, before, during and after the adoption process.
5. Her ability to match puppy with family..

We got our pup at the end of June of 2009 and we could not be happier. She is everything we had hoped for and more. She is calm, loving, courageous, smart ( sometimes too smart),funny, and absolutely gorgeous.
Having the opportunity to visit the kennel and observe the LER ( a way to assess temperament) was a lifelong learning experience, and I will never get another dog without a thorough temperament testing. Of course, now that I have a Shiloh, I dont know if I will ever get any other kind of dog again. They are the perfect match for us. They are HUGE creatures however, and its important to realize this. Her tail has taken out quite a few knick knacks with her enthusiastic wagging. She loves everyone.

There is not enough space to really go into how impressed I was by Laura's kennel. She is HIGHLY organized and knows her animals, as well as her business. If you are considering buying a shiloh, she is definitely the one I would choose to use over and over again. Rui, John and Meika (Lolly/Gunny '09), Oregon

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We purchased our Zora/Gunny Shiloh named Ryker from Laura in September of 2008 and could not be happier! My husband and I went to Solace and took a tour and saw Ryker when he was just two days old.  Laura has such an amazing love for the breed and wants nothing but the best for the puppies and the people taking them home. She has helped us every step of the way by phone or email no matter what we need, no matter how busy she is, she responds quickly and is willing to spend the time it takes with you during and after the purchase of your pup to answer any and all questions.

The temperament test is unlike anything I have seen before and after seeing the entire litter of Zora/Gunny pups test I know the importance of it. They were right on with Rykers temperament, mouthy (he is very verbal and likes to mouth things, also likes to work by carrying things in his mouth), showoff (he drug the tug toy over for the audience to see and shook the heck out of it), very intelligent and a good problem solver(he was out of the maze in a few seconds), fine being alone and followed very well. He was our favorite out of nine boys and that was the dog Laura picked for us. Ryker needs and gets firm guidance, boundaries and limitations and a lot of love time.

Ryker is a BIG 16 month old plush coat boy, 110 lbs and 32", and full of love, energy, and silliness! He is our only child and we love everything about him. The situational and emotional intelligence of this breed will blow you away. He loves meeting new people so we take him where ever we can, he especially loves to put his big wet nose nose into the hands of children and give them kissses-he is such a lover.  We have people stop us every time we are out to ask questions about him (now I know what Laura means if you are in a hurry to get through Lowes you'll have to leave him at home!). Ryker is very protective when he senses he needs to be, he is always on high alert and very aware of his surroundings, and when I walk him alone it intensifies which is exactly what we wanted for when my husband is gone for 24 hour shifts for work. He can get along with any dog no matter the size or breed and he loves to go to dog parks and blends in well with all the other dogs (even as an unuttered male-he is breed quality). We exercise Ryker two times a day religiously so he has come to expect an hour long Chuck-it session in a field and a 2 mile walk in our neighborhood, we figured out he can tell time due to the regularity of his schedule he will sit by his leash and cry if we are not paying attention to the time. He has a dog sitter that adores him that comes to see him two times a day on the 4-6 days a month we are both working and gone from home, he is an inside dog and has always been well behaved and and respectful of the house, at 9 months we were able to let him be free inside the house (I only lost one roll of toilet paper and a corner of floor trim board). He enjoys the mental stimulation he get from the food/puzzle toys I have for him and they always get put out around the house any time we leave.

I feel our family is complete now, Ryker was the last piece of the puzzle we needed. Our lives are so full of love and laughter because of him and each day I think how lucky I am to have him in my life. I am hopeful that in the future we can get a little sister for Ryker! I love taking care of him and he takes such good care of me, the love and companionship I get from him makes it all worth while. Shiloh's will change your life for the better and fill your heart with forever love.    I have included a link with pictures of Rykers 1st year-enjoy! http://www.flickr.com/photos/kymnaho/sets/72157621799857978/ Kym, Will and Ryker (Zora/Gunny '08), Washington
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As owners of one of Laura Kathryn's Shiloh Shepherds we would be glad to share our thoughts and experiences about our new puppy. Sabre is now 13 weeks old and is out of the Pica/Zeke pairing. Being amateurs, but yet avid dog lovers, we had searched many months for a special dog that would fit into our unusual lifestyles. I am a firefighter and Kristy is a surgical technologist. In addition, we have an entertainment farm, where the public comes in the fall to pick apples and pumpkins. The kind of dog we were looking for needed to protect us, but, at the same time, be friendly to our customers. At this time, we don't know if our search was successful, as Sabre has not gone through an apple season with us, but there is certainly reason to have high expectations of him. I'd like to describe a few things about Sabre that makes him unique and I'm assuming is characteristic of the ISSR Shiloh Shepherd breed.

All puppies are cute, that's for sure, whether its a Shar Pei with wrinkles all over or an English Bull Dog puppy that sits in the palm of your hand. But no one matches a Shiloh Shepherd. When we walk into Petsmart we're suddenly surrounded. Children and adults alike are mesmerized by his cute face, his trusting eyes, his huge paws, his soft fur, his antics, and especially his easy going, quiet demeanor. We'll often drop the leash and let him follow us, step for step around the store, letting us know what chew toy he has to have next. He likes to go to the outdoors shopping center with us, where lots and lots of people want to pet him. He never misses a beat. He'll often lie comfortably and unconcerned on the floor soaking up the attention. When he meets other dogs, big or small, yappy or quiet he remains unnerved, humble and hospitable. The other dogs' expressions suggest reverence for him; though still a puppy, he projects a regal presence. Sabre, with his black muzzle, understanding eyes, and thick puppy coat is truly the most beautiful puppy I have ever seen.

Sabre will sit and talk to you for extended periods of time. Unlike, other puppies or children, his attention span seems unlimited. During our "conversations", his ears prick up and he tilts his head this way and that, as our voice inflection varies. His eye contact is so intense you would think he's about to answer you. This type of focus is indispensable during training sessions. From the first day that we went on our first walk, he stayed next to me, rarely ever tugging at the leash, constantly looking up at me. Walking with him is pure pleasure. Already, at 13 weeks, he is house trained, (done through crate training), and can pretty much go the entire night without asking to "go to potty". He lies quietly next to us, on the floor, when we watch TV. He knows how to sit, stay, down, leave it, come, and can work at fifty foot distances without breaking. It's all child's play for him. That's how smart he is. We're hoping to soon get his "goodcitizenship" designation and enlist his help visiting nursing home shut-ins. We're also investigating clicker training to develop some tricks that visiting children to our farm might find fun.

One thing that I would like to make clear, at this point, is that this kind of pup needs direction and lots of stimuli. He craves it. Sabre's purpose in life is to be Kristy's and my best friend. Family is everything to him. To relegate him to the backyard and dismiss him with the occasional pat is an injustice to something as intelligent as him, and a loss of an special family member to you. In addition, without proper training, there possibly could be king-size problems as a backlash. These dogs are huge. They're powerful. At 13 weeks, Sabre is about 32 lbs. Yes, he is a huge puppy. His legs look like they're three sizes too big for him. Yesterday, he made me laugh. Kristy let him out of his crate at the same time I was opening the treat jar in the adjoining room. (Nothing gets by him.) Merrily responding, he pranced through the house looking for his due. It sounded like we were boarding a Shetland pony as he walked on the hardwood floor.

One other thing I'd like to share about Sabre is his temperament. If you like to cuddle, (and who doesn't, especially, when you have one of the cutest puppies ever), Sabre is "El Primo Magnifico". Often times, when he is at a low energy level, like when riding in a car (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, he's the greatest passenger), or perhaps when we're relaxing with candlelight, he'll crawl up in our laps and just melt. Tummy rubs and muzzle stroking turn him (and us), into butter.

So..... with that said, I hope we've helped you to decide if Laura Kathryn's Solace Shilohs are for you. Understand, Sabre's not always perfect - he's a puppy and he makes mistakes (like mauling the kittens) - but all in all, he's magical. If you're fortunate enough to work with Laura you will find, above all else, that she is a true professional. Her breeding dogs are exceptionally well cared for, her kennels are clean, she has extensive daily interaction with each of her dogs within a family setting, she is unwavering in her support of prospective puppy buyers and above all she is honest and forthright. She is passionate about her dogs and she's committed to delivering the highest quality puppies. If you would like further information in regards to our experience with "Solace Shilohs", we would be glad to talk to you and Laura is welcome to give you our phone number. Good luck, have fun with your new Shiloh Shepherd puppy. Curt and Kristie and Sabre' (Pica/Zeke '09), Missouri

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I have Sassy from the 2007 Pica/Gunny litter. She is a magnificent looking girl who gets compliments wherever she goes because of her stunning looks and behaviour. I had a Shiloh before, but I had adopted her when she was older, hence I had not experienced raising a Shiloh puppy.

When we decided on a Shiloh I knew of Laura’s kennel and approached her about purchasing a puppy and from the first step she answered all our questions promptly. We liked the way Laura was close to her dogs and included them with family activities. We couldn’t help but notice the cleanliness of the kennel and the condition of all the Shilohs there. We especially loved walking into Laura’s house and being greeted by a bevy of gorgeous dogs.

When we went to watch the temperament tests once again we appreciated Laura’s attentiveness to our comments and questions. Laura shares her knowledge willingly and has been available to us whenever we have had questions or concerns (even on New Years Eve). Now that I have gone through parenting Sass I am really ready for a puppy!

Some parts of Sassy’s early life were easy; housebreaking was a snap, but I was a novice with a Shiloh pupster and had no idea of the changes that would occur as Sassy passed from her absolutely sweet eight week old self to a piece of work for me because of my naïveté. She challenged my authority as she grew into a teenager, but with her high drive she loves obedience. Sass has many of the qualities that would make her a candidate for schutzhund. Her exuberance also makes her a willing exercise partner. In addition to daily runs, twice a week she does a shift to herd and chase the Canada geese from the local community park. On her quiet and lovey side Sassy is an excellent household companion devoted to family and friends. Gerri, Russ and Sassy (Pica/Gunny '07), British Columbia, Canada

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Echo is the light of our day. Echo is a male Pica/Zeke pup born September 10, 2009, from Solace Shilohs, Laura Kathryn. He is a delightful pup, loves life, wants to learn, wants to please, and is very good with the wildlife around here. Echo has the great fortune of living in northwest Montana with 20 acres of his own, 640+ acres of Fish, Wildlife and Parks as an extended yard and 95,000 acres of Wilderness lands beyond that. We go on daily walks behind our property so Echo can learn all about the wildlife surrounding him. He’s only four months old so I imagine it is still somewhat intimidating but I can tell he is feeling more and more confident.

I choose Solace Shilohs because of Laura first, Pica/Zeke second. Laura took allot of her own time to talk with me over and over again before we ever got to any agreement. Let me tell you, I have allot of questions and can do some talking! I liked what I saw on her website about her facility and her dogs. Once the decision was made to move forward with getting a pup it was hands down, Solace Shilohs. Laura is just so nice to talk/work with, you feel like you’ve been friends for a long time. She is a wealth of information and will share it all with you. If you call or email she always responds. She is professional in all ways. Her facility is outstanding. It’s clean, efficient and hazard proof for the dogs. It is clear that Laura puts her dog’s safety and wellbeing first.
Solace Shilohs, Laura Kathryn you will not be disappointed! Bill, Nance and Echo, (Pica/Zeke '09), Montana