The Shiloh Shepherd’s overall appearance is rather heavy. The back is broad, strong and solid. The head is broad and noble, slightly domed and in proportion to the body. The width and length of the skull are approximately equal with a gently defined stop, strong developed cheekbones, and a gradually tapering muzzle. The muzzle should be predominantly black, the length being equal to that of the forehead, with the lips firmly fitted and solid black. The muzzle should not be long, narrow or snipey in appearance. Both upper and lower thighs are well muscled. The tail is quite long and thickly covered with dense hair, hanging down like a plume. The coat comes in two varieties: smooth and plush. The plush coat is medium-length with a dense undercoat and has a distinct mane from the neck to the chest. Hair should not be more than 5″ (12 cm) in length. The smooth coat is thick and medium-length with the outer hair being harsh to the touch.

Bred as companions, Shilohs have loyal and outgoing personalities. Many of the breeders in the United States operate out of large farms where the puppies are introduced to a large variety of animals. They were developed to be gentle and loving, able to work with animals and children, while still possessing a trainable drive for working applications, such as assistive service, obedience, or herding. Shiloh Shepherds are reported to be the least territorial when compared to other Shepherd breeds. With proper socialization they adapt easily to a variety of environments and are stable. Extreme aggression or shyness is severely penalized in the breed standard.