Are You Interested in Adopting a Shiloh Shepherd?

The 1st step - Research the breed. 
Are you sure a Shiloh is right for you?

Visit our Shiloh Resources page for a list of the best websites to learn more about this breed.  We also recommend that you join the Forums where you can talk to other owners, breeders and the breed founder, Tina Barber (aka MaShiloh).  Joining the parent club, Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America is also a great way to learn more about the breed.
 

Are you ready to commit the time and effort to adopting a Shiloh?  Taking a Shiloh Shepherd into your home can be stressful on both you and the dog.  Please keep in mind that the dog needs to have an adequate adjustment period to settle into his new home and to understand that you are his new family.  It is not uncommon for the dog to be out of sorts, to mope and to have accidents in the house during the adjustment period.  After all, you have just taken him from the only home he's known, turned his life upside down.  Of course it'll take him a while to settle in.

The 2nd step - See what Shilohs are available.

Visit our Dogs For Adoption area and take a look at the Shilohs that are currently available for adoption.  We do our best to put an accurate summary up based on the info provided to us by the owner.

The 3rd step - Fill out our application and let us know about you.

Fill out our online Adoption Application to give us an idea how much big dog experience you've got and what kind of a home you'll be able to provide for a Shiloh.  Don't worry, there are no 'wrong answers' on the application.  Shiloh Shepherds do well in many types of environments from cities to farms.  By providing us with the most complete information you can, we'll be able to try and match you with a dog who's got a good temperament and energy level for you.

The 4th step - We put you in contact with the Shiloh's original owner.

Once you've passed the initial application process we'll put you directly in contact with the owner or foster family that has the dog.  They are the people living with the dog and are the best ones to tell you about the dog's behavior, health and personality.

The 5th step - Adopting the Shiloh.

If you and the owner or foster family feel that you are the right person for this dog, you are asked to work directly with them to arrange transportation.  It is helpful if you can arrange to visit with them and the dog at least once or twice and then hand the dog off directly from them to you.  This is always preferable to transferring the dog via a 3rd party transport group, or shipping him to you (a complete stranger that he's never met before).  It gives the dog a chance to meet you while still being with his owner and makes the transfer less stressful on the dog and all the people involved.  If you live close enough, you could even visit and allow him to get to know it before he actually moves to your home.  Having them visit your home with the dog is also advisable if possible because it gives the dog a chance to get to know your home before the actual transfer of ownership.

When an in-person handoff is not possible, we will do our best to assist in transporting the dog with the help of our volunteers, but if transportation costs are expected to be incurred, they will be the adopters responsibility.

The 6th step - Join our growing list of Success Stories.

We've started to keep a list of successful adoptions.  Maybe one of these days we can add you new Shiloh's picture to our Success Stories page!

Remember that we're here for you.

We realize that some adoptions don't go completely smoothly and we're here to offer advice and help you over any rough spots that might arise.  We've got trainers, breeders, and other owners to try and help you with any problems you run into after you adopt a Shiloh Shepherd.  We want every adoption to work out and the best way for that to happen is to make sure that you've got support if you need it.

You don't see a Shiloh that you like?

If you'd like to fill out the Adoption Application anyway we'll be happy to keep it on file for a year in case we come across another Shiloh that might be a good match for you.  We try to find new homes in the same geographic area as the dog's original home.  That makes it easy for the adoptive family to meet the dog before the day they adopt him.  If we have your application on file we'll let you know of any dogs that become available within a few hours drive of your town.