One woman's journey into the development of the Shiloh Shepherd Dog

Our Forum Members Share Their First Impressions of Tina's New Book

It's so nice to read the whole history of the Shiloh Shepherd in one place. And what a story it is!

I have to say, the part that touched me the most and brought tears to my eyes is the recounting of the fire. I felt the horror and devastation you must have felt by reading your words. I have to say, I'm petrified of fire. I won't burn candles in my house, I know, I'm totally paranoid. So, reading about what a complete loss you suffered brought it even closer to me. I could feel your pain by reading your words.

But, in all, the book gives you an excitement of things to come. It uplifts you and wants you to hang around and be a part of the future of this magnificent breed!

You go Ma! Go get 'em!

Olga Twombly
ISSR Licensed Breeder and SSDCA Member

Wow!!! I loved the book. It was really hard to put it down. As I read it I felt like I was reliving your life with you.

I was moved so many times. Especially when you first came to America and didn't feel like you fit in and the fire. I was in tears. I could feel your broken heart as you thought your dream went up in flames with the house and your belongings. The passing of Izzy was heart wrenching. Thank God for your friends that helped you to believe again and not to give up. I had tears as I read about the way everyone came together to help you to rebuild your life, faith in mankind and the Shiloh dream.

It was so sad as I read about all the hardships, splits and disappointments of losing people that you thought were your friends and the Shilohs you created with them. It is so amazing after all the loss that you have endured you still have heart of gold. Your willingness to let more people in your life, heart and becoming a new LB's is a true testimony of God's love with in you.

The book really shows your love, dedication and commitment to God. You are a inspiration to me as you stayed true to God and his will no matter what life threw at you. Thank you for sharing your hardships, triumphs, dreams, and dedication in your life as you created the Shiloh. The Shiloh and your story is is truly God inspired.

Irene Valenueza
ISSR Licensed Breeder in Training and SSDCA Member

The book is just what I was hoping it would be. Your story. Your family's story. Your Shiloh story.

I came around just a couple of years after the fire. I was at New Zion when Nancy and Joe were there and Joe was putting in the new tile. My husband and I were so "new" we really didn't know the whole story. Even with all that you have gone through you have surly been blessed! Your Shiloh's are going to be most awesome when you are finished. They already are. You have friends like Karen, Corinne, Dave and Barb, Lyn and Dawn who have been around and want to be and are a part of your history also. I am grateful that you had/have them as friends to help you over the rough spots. You have even more friends and supporters now!

I'm too old to start being a breeder (even though I do think about it sometimes) but I WILL continue to support your dream in any way that I can. If anything, this book has made me want to fight for you even more! BE GONE SPLINTERS

I got teary eyed when I read about Izzy. I can't imagine everything that your family has been through.

Tina, you are an inspiration to me. I will continue praying for you, your family, and your dream. Thank you for sharing your story.

Gail Neff and Alex (Sage/Grizz)
SSDCA Member

I can not find the words to express how proud I feel to own a Shiloh, how blessed I must be to have found New Zion, and how completely grateful I am for all that Tina has done (and gone through) for this breed. God Bless, and NEVER give up the dream!!! The fight may not be over, but I will always be proud to be a soldier for the ISSR!

Stephanie Schad and Zeus
SSDCA Member

Oh, Tina ... Oh, my ... I just finished the book and I don't even know where to begin to find the words to tell you how much I loved it. I was deeply moved several times in the book, especially reading about the fire, but also reading about the '97 Homecoming at the end of chapter 8 ... "I learn, and I learn, and I learn again."
That's beautiful.

I was also teary reading the last chapter. How incredible to read about these "final steps." I feel so fortunate to be around to witness these last stages in the development of this wonderful breed. I'm cheering you on for all I'm worth, Tina, as you finish this marathon. I know, I know, you're not quite done yet, but reading about your plans in the last chapter make it so real, so concrete, you know?

Of course, there are plenty of other great things to OOO and AHH about in the book. I loved all the pictures and the inserts, the story itself is very compelling, and I learned plenty of things that I hadn't picked up on from reading the articles. It's just a terrific book, Tina, and you can be rightfully proud of this accomplishment. As I read it, I really began to feel the momentum building for the future of the Shiloh Shepherd. It feels almost like you're turning a corner or coming to the top of the mountain and seeing a whole vista of possibilities spread in front you ... Amazing.

Congratulations again, Tina -- marvelous work!

Katy Carthey
SSDCA Member

A little over 5 years ago I first heard about the Shiloh Shepherd. I was working with an animal behavioral specialist to try and help my German Shepherd who had extreme fear aggression. The behavioral specialist told me all she knew about Shilohs and how impressed she was with them. She said she would never buy another German Shepherd due to the health, hip and temperament issues. Over the next few years I did a lot of investigating and in 2004 I purchased my first Shiloh Shepherd. I have never had such a wonderful dog! I have just finished reading "The Shiloh Shepherd Story" and I felt compelled to write this review.

I was fascinated reading about what goes into making a new breed. At times while reading the book I was totally overcome by emotion. So many trials and tribulations. The hardships, heartbreaks, and setbacks that had to be overcome to bring this wonderful dog to where it is today left me with such a sense of amazement. The tenacity it must have taken Tina Barber to keep picking up the pieces and going on. It is certainly a tribute to her strong faith, and she gives all the credit to God.

I had never really thought much about politics in the dog world. After reading this book I have a much more in depth understanding of the role they have played in this breed. It would be very difficult to develop a new breed without any of the disasters and political fallout that Ms. Barber endured. It says volumes about the character of this breed founder. I have met Tina Barber several times and she is a compassionate, strong woman.

I would recommend this book to everyone, and I fully intend to read it many more times from cover to cover. And as someone who has a Shiloh Shepherd I would also recommend this breed to anyone who would like to have a healthy, intelligent, beautiful dog. Thank you Tina Barber for creating this breed and for sharing your life with us.

Sue Olson and Sophie
SSDCA Member

I just finished reading the book. I started it this morning and could honestly not put it down. What a story, what you have endured, what you have overcome and what you have accomplished. All I can say is WOW. This is one of the few times in my life that I am speechless.

I agree with a prior post that anyone that is getting a Shiloh should read the book. It is a must read, definitely.

I wrote a post earlier this week about how special Ember is to me and how she came to me, but I truly did not understand then, like I do now, just how really special she is.

In the book I noticed several times that you talked about the "Real Shiloh Shepherd", and it hit me, have you ever considered adding the word "Real" to the breed name or at least to your site and forum to differentiate between the real deal and the splinters.

HOME OF THE REAL "SHILOH SHEPHERD"

That would certainly upset the applecart some and help the newbies. At least they would know to ask questions about why it says that. It has taken me a long time to get a good understanding of what exactly transpired and I had a lot of confusion about it all, but now I feel that I know.

Great job on the book Tina - it is a really really good book.

Sue Carrier and Ember (Halle/Timber)
Shiloh Owner

Wow...Honestly, I don't know how to express the power of this book. To put it lightly, for any 24 fans out there it was a bit like watching Jack. As he takes a few steps forward, and you think "phew, he finally got himself out of this one" and then all hell breaks loose and he finds himself in the middle of all sorts of terrible things and your blood pressure rises. I felt my heart lift when it looked like Tina was turning a corner, only to be in tears at the reality of what was around that corner. Although you 24 fans know just the feeling I am talking about, the book cannot be taken lightly.

Every section of the book was amazing, truly amazing, and powerful in its own right. Different parts brought out different feelings...joy, desperation, ANGER, loss, but the most important being faith and courage, although often they go hand in hand. I am not gifted with words, so I feel I am doing an injustice to the book by trying to put my feelings into words. The best analogy I can think of is we have an AMAZING pianist at our church. He plays piano like no one you have ever heard. Once after he performed, the pastor said how easy it is to take for granted all the work that has gone into his skill. For us, we sit back, listen, and enjoy, then move to the next topic in the sermon. For Alsbrook, that performance is the result of hours, days, months and years of determination and a never dying devotion to his music. I thought of this throughout reading the book, at times through tears. People may buy the dogs, love them and make them part of their family, but should never, never take for granted the decades of dedication that Tina and her family put into, and continue to put into these amazing animals. For those who have walked the journey with her, you do understand. But for newbies like me, there is no way to understand without walking that journey via the book. It should be a requirement to buy a puppy to also buy the book. When I get my puppy, I will never, never look into his eyes and take for granted what it took to bring him into my life. Thank you, Tina.

It truly makes me wish we could afford to purchase a breeding quality dog and take a greater place in the continuing journey of the Shiloh. What an amazing feeling for all you ISSR breeders to play a part in bringing these amazing creatures to others' lives, and sharing in helping a dream come true for Tina. I hold all of you in deep respect, and maybe someday will in a position to join you as an ISSR breeder. Until then I will wait, as patiently as possible, (which is not very) and get my little fuzzball puppy in my hands and keep Tina in my prayers that her future with the Shilohs are not filled with the obsticles the early years were. It is true, God tests us and tests our strength. I for one think Tina passed with flying colors.

Krista Miller
Shiloh Fancier


From her childhood in Germany to her present day challenges, Tina Barber's strength, faith, and determination in the face of adversity are an inspiration.  This book chronicles, in words and photographs, the birth and evolution of the author's dream--to breed a dog of impressive stature, stable temperament, and superior intelligence.  I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting because there was no way I could put it down.  A day later, I read it again.  In the last chapter, called, "Final Steps," the author says her Shiloh Shepherds are her "legacy to the world."  The Shiloh Shepherd Story is an integral part of that legacy.  You don't have to be a breeder to appreciate Tina Barber's journey--if you have ever owned a dog, or let yourself be owned by one, you'll look at them through different eyes after reading this book.

Wendy Bumbera
Shiloh Fancier

All comments/reviews are copyrighted by the individual reviewers and are reprinted with their permission.