ISSDC NE BREEDER SPOTLIGHT

BELLE GRACE SHILOHS .::. DAWN SWICK
http://www.bellegraceshilohs.com/
http://bellegraceshilohs.blogspot.com/
dawn@bellegraceshilohs.com

Foxy, NS bCh Zion's Foxy Wildthing, CGC, ROM in the Snow.
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

WHAT IS YOUR BREEDING KENNEL NAME?
BelleGrace Shilohs

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Murrysville, PA 15668

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BREEDING SHILOHS?
Since 2000

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO GET INTO BREEDING SHILOH SHEPHERDS?
We were raised with the German Shepherd, but were disappointed with the direction it had taken. Once we found how fabulous the Shiloh breed was, we wanted to help to expand the genepool and share with others what we had discovered. The Shiloh is more than a dog. They are intuitive,sensitive creatures that get deep into your soul. They become a part of you.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AS A SHILOH SHEPHERD BREEDER?
We breed original Shiloh Shepherds for beauty, elegance, sound body and temperament. Every breeding is carefully researched so that it will benefit the Shiloh as a breed, in hopes that the best can move forward to contribute to the genepool and help to preserve the breed. We do not breed "just to produce puppies".

Toran/Foxy puppies at four weeks old.
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

WHO WERE/ARE YOUR FOUNDATION SHILOHS?
Allie: 2xGV bCh Zion's Joyous Alleluia CGC TT TDI (Zion's The Mark of Zorro/Moriah-Zion Indypen-Dance Dawn)
Foxy: NS bCh Zion's Foxy Wildthing CGC (Zion's Walker-Texas Ranger/Zion's Echo of Golden Splendor)

GVx2 bCh Zion's Joyous Alleluia, CGC, TDI, ROM.
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THEM AND HOW THEY HAVE HELPED MOLD YOUR BREEDING PROGRAM.
Allie was our first showdog, and she reached heights I never imagined. She was a beautiful black/silver smooth with stunning conformation. Her movement was flawless, and she was a joy to watch in the ring. She was willing to do anything for me, to make me happy. She was my protector, my best friend, my pride and joy, my heart and soul.

Foxy is our beautiful old-line Shiloh, a red-brown plush. She is what a plush Shiloh should be in every way. She is broad, heavy boned, and has beautiful conformation. Her temperament is reserved, calm, and confident, yet strong and protective when the need arises. When she enters a room, she makes her presence known with just her stare.

Both Allie and Foxy's daughters are contributing to our breeding program in our quest to produce the best possible.

Sera (seated) and Foxy enjoying the day.
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST THRILLING MOMENT AS A SHILOH SHEPHERD BREEDER?
My most thrilling memory as a Shiloh breeder is shared between two events:
Allie taking her first Best in Show while I handled her in the ring, and Allie delivering her first and only litter of puppies. This was our first litter ever, and will always be extremely special. Our Sera is from that litter, and carries on Allie's legacy.

Sera, bCh ptd BelleGrace Alleluia Seraphim, TT, CGC.
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT SHILOH SHEPHERDS THAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THEM FOR YOUR PERSONAL BREED OF DOG?
Their intelligence, intuitive nature, and sensitivity; they can read your mind, know your thoughts.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STORY ABOUT SHILOH SHEPHERDS, YOURS OR OTHERWISE?
My favorite story is Foxy's story:

Zion's Foxy Wildthing aka Foxy came from a large breeding kennel in NY. She lost her first litter, and was accused of killing it. She was basically being thrown away with the label of being a puppy-killer. To them she was of no use anymore.

On New Years Eve, we made a phone call and offered to take her, giving her a brand new start for the new year. We brought home a dog that had never lived in a house before. She made one accident, and after I explained to her in a calm voice that she was to do her business outside, she has never had another one in our house. We took her to obedience class, and earned her CGC. She became my shadow, sleeping next to my bed every night. We found in Foxy a very intelligent animal, one who was willing to do anything just to please you ... all you had to do was ask.

She had a litter of puppies for us, and once she was shown what was expected, she became the perfect mom. She would have protected those babies with her life. She raised that litter for us as well as one more before being retired and spayed. To this day, when we have puppies in our home, Grandma Foxy will share in their care. I have to smile when I think of the reputation she arrived with. So much for being the "puppy killer".

Foxy and her grandson, Atreyu (at eight weeks)
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SHILOH IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR, AS IF THAT IS A FAIR QUESTION.
Although every Shiloh in my life is special in their own way, my Allie was and will always be my doggy soulmate. She was the beginning.

Allie, GVx2 bCh Zion's Joyous Alleluia CGC TDI ROM.
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR SHILOHS?
We enjoy taking leisurely walks through our pastures and woods with our camera.

We have high hopes for Atreyu, Mystical Flight of Atreyu O'BG, one of our progeny living in Canada. Photo courtesy of Mystical Shilohs.

PLANS OR NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR KENNEL/BREEDING PROGRAM?
Currently our kennel is being remodeled and will be opened in the future for boarding and training. We have four acres of fenced pasture as well as over 100 acres of woods that we use for training. Our goal is to add walking trails and maybe someday in the future, a doggy day care program.

Our breeding program will continue to strive to produce excellent health and temperament from health certified parents.

Yukon, Ch Glorious Yukon SnowDancer, is the latest addition to BelleGrace and we're excited to add his old lines to our breeding program. Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
Our Shilohs are our passion, our lives revolve around them. What we do, everyday, 7 days a week, 365 days a year is for the dog. They are first and foremost in our lives.

Thank you for reading about us and please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments on our wonderful Shilohs.

Foxy's granddaughter Peri.
Photo courtesy of Belle Grace Shilohs.

Special thanks to Dawn Swick for sharing with us.