The Sila Shepherd is a rare livestock guardian dog (LGD) breed originating from the the Sila Highlands of Calabria, from which the breed gets its name. Developed in one of the most remote and mountainous regions of the country, the breed evolved to thrive in harsh, impenetrable terrain while guarding flocks—primarily goats—from predators such as wolves.
The breed’s foundation traces back thousands of years. Its ancestry includes ancient LGDs brought by Indo-European settlers, as well as sheepdogs introduced by Greek populations who later colonized the Sila region. The result is a resilient and highly capable guardian dog, bred for both instinct and intelligence.
Sila Shepherds were first imported to the United States in 2022. As one of the newest LGD breeds in the country—with only 30–40 currently residing here as of 2025—the Sila Shepherd Club of America is dedicated to preserving the breed’s physical structure, work ethic, and deeply rooted guardian temperament as the population grows.
What sets the Sila Shepherd apart is its people-friendly nature, a trait shaped by generations of working in regions popular with hikers and tourists. While they are fiercely protective of the livestock in their care, they exhibit a stable, discerning temperament with people—especially when well-socialized.
Like all LGDs, Sila Shepherds belong to one of the oldest dog breed groups, with many LGD breeds having histories over 5,000 years old. These dogs require a distinct blend of characteristics to do their job effectively. Physically, Sila Shepherds are large and powerful, typically weighing between 75 and 110 pounds, with sexual dimorphism seen in the breed—males are more square and heavily built, while females tend to be narrower and more agile.
There are four cornerstone traits that define successful working LGDs, all of which are foundational to the Sila Shepherd:
- Attentiveness – remaining closely bonded and in tune with the livestock.
- Trustworthiness – acting appropriately and calmly around stock when unsupervised.
- Protectiveness – evaluating and responding to threats appropriately, using strategic deflection and escalation only when necessary.
- Independence and Intelligence – making critical decisions on their own without requiring human direction.
The Sila Shepherd is not just a livestock guardian—it is a thoughtful, discerning, and deeply loyal partner in protection, bred to adapt, problem-solve, and live closely with the animals and people they protect.
Sila Shepherd Club of America 