When I got my first Shiloh, I was of the naive mindset that breed standards don’t matter for companion dogs. And what I learned along the way, is that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many people come to the Shiloh breed looking for a great companion, but not everyone understands the traits that make it so. Breed standards are like blueprints, preserving what makes each breed unique. It’s not about creating perfect show dogs, but about protecting the structure, health, & temperament that allow a dog to do the job it was bred for. Standards are goals that maintain the integrity of a functional breed. Breeding to the standard ensures that future families can experience the same loyal, capable, & balanced companions the breed was intended for.