The Complete Guide to The White Swiss Shepherd

The beautiful White Swiss Shepherd, as we know it, is a stunning dog breed with a striking, bright white coat. If you are interested in owning a White Swiss Shepherd or just want to learn more, then you are in the right place.

The White Swiss Shepherd was the descendant of the White German Shepherds imported from North America to Switzerland in the 1960s. They look like a white version of the Shepherd family but with a slightly smaller body structure. Their gentle and friendly nature makes them wonderful family dogs.

And in this article, we will uncover what makes the White Swiss Shepherd so unique. We will talk about their interesting history, basic care guide, and how they compare to the German Shepherd dog, we already know and love.

First, we have white shepherds…

White dogs have had a difficult time in history.

In the 1930s, Germany saw white dogs (White Shepherds in particular) as unfavorable. And they blamed the coat color specifically for poor health and bad behaviors in dogs. The sentiment soon spread worldwide. 

However, as time passed, the white shepherds began gaining popularity again in Canada and the United States in the 1960s.

Thanks to the preservation efforts of early White Shepherd Clubs, the breed was not lost. The White Shepherd was re-introduced as the American-Canadian White Shepherd.

Where did the White Swiss Shepherd come from?

In 1967, Swiss native Agatha Burch purposely bred white shepherds, beginning with a male named Lobo and a female named White Lilac imported from North America to Switzerland.

Eventually, the resulting breed was named and accepted as the White Swiss Shepherd (also known as Berger Blanc Suisse).

Further imports from the Canada and USA followed to expand the gene pool and thus the strain was developed, eventually being recognized as a separate breed by the Swiss Kennel Club in 1991 and later by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

The White Swiss Shepherd dog is the perfect balance of the shepherd breeds but less intense, and they have a lower work drive. The White Swiss Shepherd is a great family addition that can also excel in farm work!

What does a White Swiss Shepherd look like?

With a well-proportioned, chiseled head, long and robust muzzle, pointed ears, almond-shaped eyes, bushy tail, and the unmistakable snowy white coat, the White Swiss Shepherd has a look that’s hard to miss.

The Swiss Shepherd comes in both medium coat and long coat. Regardless, both are double-coated. A double coat means that the dog has a dense undercoat and longer hairs on top. The double coat helps protect from cold and other outdoor elements.

White Swiss Shepherd Appearance
Coat Color	White
Coat Description	Medium or long hair varieties Both are double coated
Height	Male: 23 – 26 in.Female: 21 – 24 in.
Weight	Male: 66 – 88 lbs.Female: 55 – 77 lbs.

Why is the White Swiss Shepherd so special?

White Swiss Shepherds are certainly special dogs! They make great companions and are also great pets for a family. A loyal and loving dog that is super playful.

Owners and family members of the Swiss Shepherd can form an incredible bond. They are extremely intelligent and can be great herding dogs and guard dogs too.

This video shows a beautiful example of the White Swiss Shepherd. Discussing their history and how they make excellent companions!

Because of the many great traits the White Swiss Shepherd has, they are suitable for many things. They make great family pets, good herding dogs or guard dogs.

Here are the top reasons why Swiss White Shepherd dogs are so special:

• Intelligent: They learn and understand things quickly. Also makes for a pretty easy training process.
• Loyal: A great companion dog that loves company. Is great around children and typically other pets too.
• Beautiful: They have a unique white coat and strong features common in the GSD breed.

Are the White Swiss Shepherds rare?

The White Swiss Shepherd dog is a rare breed to find.

The white coat is due to a recessive gene in the dog. Two White Swiss Shepherds will have white-coated offspring. But two non-white GSDs only have a small percentage of that offspring having a white coat.

Therefore, the White Swiss Shepherd can be expensive and difficult to find in comparison to the standard German Shepherd.

How much does a White Swiss Shepherd cost?

The fact that White Swiss Shepherds are rare does mean that they can be expensive. The price can range between $1500 and $5000, with $3000 being the average. Some factors that can also contribute to the price are whether you want a male or female and if they meet show quality standards. 

White Swiss Shepherd vs. White German Shepherd: What are the differences (and similarities)?

The White Swiss Shepherd and White German Shepherds are the same breeds, right? Not quite. They do have many similarities. For example, they are both great dogs! However, they do have some differences when compared side by side.

	White Swiss Shepherd	White German Shepherd
Origin	Switzerland	Germany
Height	Male: 23 – 26 in.Female: 21 – 24 in.	Male: 24 – 26 in.Female: 22 – 24 in.
Weight	Male: 66 – 88 lbs.Female: 55 – 77 lbs.	Male: 66 – 88 lbs.Female: 49 – 71 lbs.
Coat color	White	Many color variations
Temperament	Balanced Sociable Friendly	Outgoing Brave Energetic
Cost	$1500 – $5000	$1500 – $5000

Personality traits and temperament of the White Swiss Shepherd

White Swiss Shepherds have great personalities! Every dog is unique, but many traits are prominent throughout the breed. They are high energy dogs and need plenty of exercise.

One White Swiss Shepherd owner says: 

“It’s important to remember though: they live for action.” – Avie Dogforums.com

They are loyal but very friendly too. Another White Swiss Shepherd owner shares their experience with the breed:

“They are calmer than most GSD’s, that they are more playful than most GSD’s, are more stranger friendly compared to a GSD, not the best guard dog more watchdog.” Sarakingsley forum.champdogs.co.uk

Is the White Swiss Shepherd easy to train?

The White Swiss Shepherd is extremely intelligent and pretty easy to train. It is important to remember to keep consistent schedules and goals when you start training. 

Exercise needs of White Swiss Shepherds

The White Swiss Shepherd might not be the most high-energy dog, but they still need exercise! Walks, playing fetch, and training are all great options. Exercise helps to keep your pup in good health, mentally and physically. Aiming for an hour to two hours a day is a good rule of thumb.

Exercise does not have to be done all at once. You can break up the time and type to keep it fun for everyone. Try to keep some indoor activities as well when inclement weather hits, and you might not be able to take a long walk every day.

Do White Swiss Shepherds shed?

The White Swiss Shepherd does tend to shed a lot.

They will “blow their coat” once or twice a year. This is usually to prepare for either warm or cold weather, so usually in the fall or spring. During this time, prepare for heavy shedding. Other than that, they will still shed year-round, just not as much as during that time.

Keeping up on shedding is important. Keep up a good bruising and grooming routine to ensure they keep a nice coat.

White Swiss Shepherds care guide

Caring for your White Swiss Shepherd may not look a lot different from caring for a standard German Shepherd. There are many things to consider when you want to provide the best care to your dog. This guide will break down the most important things and how to get started.

Brushing

Brushing is an important part of taking care of a breed with a double coat. Brushing helps to keep your Shepherd’s coat nice and clean. It also makes the shedding less out of hand.

Bathing

A dog in good health with no skin conditions and a short coat doesn’t need to be bathed too often. Once every two to three months is sufficient for the White Swiss Shepherd. If your dog is still getting used to bathing, make sure to make it a pleasant time with reassurance and lots of treats.

Teeth

Regardless of the breed, brushing your dog’s teeth from the puppy’s stage will help to remove plaque and tartar and avoid unnecessary teeth problems. Ideally, brushing twice a day is great, but three times a week is the minimum recommended. Specialty toothpaste and toothbrushes help make the job easier.

Nails

Too long nails have many disadvantages. Long nails can change your dog’s posture leading to problems. Nails can also grow so long and curl back into your dog’s paw pad. Keeping nails trimmed is best. You can do this with clippers or a Dremel. There is also the option of grooming appointments where it can be done for you.

Diet

A good diet is a key to happy and healthy life for all dogs. There are many different options when it comes to feeding your dog. Make sure to pick one that fulfills their nutritional requirements.

Is the White Swiss Shepherd prone to health issues?

The White Swiss Shepherd is prone to some health problems. They are susceptible to allergies, including food intolerances and skin allergies. It is important to find the source of the allergy and eliminate it as much as possible, depending on the case. 

They are also prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. This is a genetic growth deformity and can cause mobility problems. Dysplasia is quite common in many German Shepherd Dog breeds. Surgery may be required to fix it.

Some of the most common White Swiss Shepherd health problems:

• Skin or food allergies: Allergies are fairly common and can be from a number of sources.
• Cruciate Ligament Rupture: Tearing of a ligament, which can result in immobility and extreme pain
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Abnormal development in the joints
• Haemophilia: Blood clotting disorder
• Epilepsy: Reoccuring seizures, usually due to a brain abnormality
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Problems with digesting fats, carbohydrates, and proteins

What organizations recognize the White Swiss Shepherd?

The Swiss White Shepherd was first recognized as a breed in Switzerland in June 1991 and registered in the Livre origin suisse of the Société Cynologique Suisse.

In 2002, it was provisionally recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and was definitively accepted in 2011. It was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) of the UK in 2017.

Here’s a lit of organizations that recognizes the Swiss White Shepherd as a dog breed:

• The United Kennel Club (UKC)
• The American Rare Breed Association (ARBA)
• The International Canine Kennel Club (ICKC)
• The International All breed Canine Association (IABCA)
• The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
• The White Swiss Shepherd Club of America (WSSCA)

Are they good family pets?

The White Swiss Shepherd makes a great family pet! They are loyal, friendly, and wonderful companions. The White Swiss Shepherd is great with families or single owners. Intelligent and protective, they can thrive as family pets. 

The White Swiss Shepherd is an active breed, so they do well with people around. They rarely ever miss an opportunity to play when the occasion arises. They can also be protective, even though their temperament is more mellow. The White Swiss Shepherd is an affectionate dog that does great with a family!

Who should get a White Swiss Shepherd?

If you are interested in getting a dog, then the White Swiss Shepherd is an excellent choice! They are pretty easy to train and care for. There are some things to consider before committing to a White Swiss Shepherd. 

They are active dogs, so you will need to provide regular exercise to keep them healthy. This breed does not like to be left alone for long stretches of time constantly, so that is something else to keep in mind. If you can fulfill these things, then a White Swiss Shepherd would be a perfect addition.

Where to find White Swiss Shepherds?

You can find White Swiss Shepherds in a few different ways. Start by asking any friends or your veterinarian if they know any breeders or adoptable pups. You could also attend dog shows or get involved in a Swiss Shepherd Club.

Another possibility is to find out more online. The White Swiss Shepherd Club of America has a list of breeders that follow their code of ethics. 

Conclusion

The White Swiss Shepherd is a stunningly beautiful dog with a pure white coat. They have similar temperaments and personalities to the German Shepherd Dog, just a bit toned down. Loyal, playful, and extremely intelligent. They make wonderful companions and family pets.

FAQs

Why are the White Swiss Shepherds not recognized by the American Kennel Club?

By design, Berger Blanc Suisse are not within the AKC German Shepherd standard, because they have been bred to the FCI BBS standard instead.

Can a White Swiss Shepherd become a show dog?

Yes! White Swiss Shepherds can be shown in the USA under the FCI breed standard with several organizations. They include the International Canine Kennel Club, the American Rare Breed Association, and the International All Breed Canine Association.

What is the lifespan of a Swiss Shepherd?

The average lifespan of the White Swiss Shepherd is around 12 years.