White Swiss Shepherd Dog Breeds

The White Swiss Shepherd is a dog that is ideal as companion and family pet. Athletic and active.

• Country of origin: Switzerland, USA
• Size: large
• Height: 55-66 cm
• Weight: 25-40 kg
• Age: 10-13 years
• FCI breed group: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, except Swiss Cattle Dogs

Key Facts About the White Swiss Shepherd

• For a long time, there was a popular belief that the White Swiss Shepherds were the result of crossing a polar wolf and a German Shepherd. This is wrong. It is just a beautiful legend.
• The breed is also called the American-Canadian White Shepherd.
• Dogs are often used as rescuers, guide dogs, guard dogs, and therapy dogs.
• This breed is characterized by good health. It is not characterized by a set of diseases considered typical for dogs with white fur – deafness, diseases of the organs of vision.
• The idea that the gene responsible for the snow-white color of the coat worsens mental abilities is wrong. White shepherds are very smart and intelligent dogs, which are not inferior in intelligence to their fellows – German shepherds .
• The animated character Bolt, created by Disney in 2008, was a White Swiss Shepherd.

Historical background

This breed is a direct relative of the German Shepherd . At first, it was considered a variety of it.

During the process of breeding “Germans” it happened that pure white individuals appeared in the litter. But they were considered defective, so they were immediately excluded from the selection work.

The Nazis’ requirements for service dogs were very strict. Breeders believed that white individuals were carriers of various breed defects. German specialists preferred dark-colored shepherds. Gradually, the opinion that white dogs were unsuitable for service spread throughout Europe.

However, the Americans and Canadians were very interested in the snow-white animals, and they decided to consolidate this feature and separate the dogs into a separate breed group. They were very impressed by the appearance of such shepherds and their more docile character. They began to purposefully breed them, prohibiting their crossing with dogs of dark colors.

The first snow-white male was shown at an exhibition held in 1882 in the German city of Hanover. It was after this event that interest in dogs began to be shown. Breeders tried to breed a white individual with excellent working qualities.

This was only fully achieved in 1899. A cavalry captain named Stefanitz bought a snow-white shepherd. The male was called Hector. The male, who was shown at the Hanoverian exhibition, was the grandfather of this dog. Hector was considered an individual ideally suited to the role of a service dog.

The White Swiss Shepherd was identified as a separate breed in the 1960s. It gained popularity thanks to television and the fact that many celebrities owned these dogs.

In the 1970s, representatives of the breed were imported to Switzerland, where local breeders attempted to improve the species.

The International Cynological Federation recognized the breed quite late – only in 2003.

Description of the White Swiss Shepherd

White Swiss Shepherds are large dogs with snow-white fur. They are distinguished by their proportional build and well-developed muscles.

The animal’s croup is slightly elongated. The chest looks powerful and deep.

The coat of the White Swiss Shepherd varies: either medium length or long. The color is exclusively white.

In the United States, shepherds with shorter hair are popular, while in Austria and Germany, preference is given to individuals with long hair.

Head
In representatives of this breed it looks strong and dry. Its shape is in complete harmony with the body.

If you look at the animal’s skull from above, it has a wedge shape. The stop is clearly visible.

The nose is of medium size, its color is preferably black.

The lips should be dry, tightly fitting to the jaws. Their pigmentation should be as dark as possible.

Eyes
They are medium-sized in white Swiss shepherds, almond-shaped. Slightly obliquely positioned. The color of the eyes is allowed from dark brown to light brown. The eyelids of the animal are dry, fit tightly.

Ears
They are triangular in shape. They are set high. Their ends are rounded.

Neck
It is of medium length in White Swiss Shepherds. Its muscles are well developed. Dewlap is considered unacceptable. It smoothly passes into the back.

Frame
Its length is medium. The muscles are very well developed. The withers are clearly defined. The back should look straight. The croup is slightly inclined towards the tail.

The chest is moderately wide and deep. It is lowered to the level of the animal’s elbow joints. The bottom line is moderately tucked up.

Tail
Sabre-shaped. Set low. Its length should reach the dog’s hocks.

When the White Swiss Shepherd is in a calm mood, the tail is lowered. If it is moving or interested in something, it rises to the level of the back. But not higher.

Limbs
The legs appear strong and muscular, as well as straight and parallel to each other. The hind thighs are quite strong, with well-developed muscles.

The paws are oval in shape. The toes of the White Swiss Shepherd are tightly closed. They have a slight curve. The pads are dense and black. Dark nails are also desirable.

Gait
The dog moves easily and rhythmically. The characteristic gait is considered to be a trot.

The hind legs provide the dog with significant thrust, the front legs provide good reach.

Wool cover
The coat of the White Swiss Shepherd can be of medium length or long. The presence of undercoat is mandatory. It is very well developed, thick. A slight waviness of the guard hair is not considered a defect.

The dog has shorter hair on its ears, muzzle, and front part of its limbs. Long hair is on the back of its legs and neck.

Color
These shepherds can only have white fur.

Size and weight

The height of an adult White Swiss Shepherd varies from 55 to 66 cm. Males are always larger. Weight – from 25 to 40 kg.

White Swiss Shepherd Personality

It is believed that “Germans” are ideal animals for service, while “Swiss” are more suitable for the role of companions.

They are distinguished by their gentle nature and are primarily aimed not at carrying out the owner’s commands, but at communicating with him. They love to spend time with the family they live with. They require constant communication.

Very affectionate. Devoted to their owner and all family members. Capable of picking up on a person’s mood. Ready to be sad and happy with them.

White Swiss Shepherds are tolerant of children, including small ones. With proper training, they can become good nannies.

The guard instinct is well developed. The dogs will always protect their territory from strangers. The White Swiss Shepherd treats strangers calmly. It does not show unprovoked aggression.

Dogs of this breed are very active and athletic. Animals can participate in various types of dog sports. The American-Canadian White Shepherd requires a lot of physical exercise to stay in shape. Representatives of this breed can master not only basic commands, but also quite complex tricks. They love active games.

White Swiss Shepherds will happily accept any kind of outdoor activity: mushroom picking, fishing, picnicking, relaxing by the river. They swim well and love water.

The level of intelligence is very high. They are quite trainable. They easily remember new information. Mental load – exercises for the development of intelligence – are extremely necessary.

They are calm towards other animals. These shepherds can live in the same house with cats, rodents, birds. Especially if the pets grew up together.

White Swiss Shepherds are not prone to aggression. A well-trained dog behaves calmly and reservedly both at home and during a walk. Some individuals even exhibit timidity and fearfulness. That is why early socialization is extremely important for representatives of this breed.

It is impossible to call the animals completely silent. White Swiss Shepherds can make a noise when the situation requires it. In addition, dogs are able to “grow” or “mumble” something under their breath, thus expressing their attitude to the situation.

Upbringing

Any breed of dog needs education and training. This will help the owner to react to the situation in time: for example, not to allow the animal to pick up garbage, chase cats, etc. A well-trained dog immediately reacts to the owner’s command, listens to him in everything.

You can start training your puppy from the first days of its appearance in your home. At first, this will involve learning very simple skills: getting used to its nickname , its own dishes, collar and leash.

It is recommended to choose a simple name for your pet, it is better if the word is short and consists of one or two syllables. This will make it easier for the dog to remember. If the animal was taken from a nursery and already has a name, but a long one, then you can come up with an abbreviation for it.

The house should be prepared for the puppy’s arrival in advance. It is better to remove small objects from the dog’s field of vision, raise the cords of electrical appliances higher, and exclude poisonous houseplants from the dog’s access.

Be sure to buy dishes, a collar, a leash , and a bed for your dog . Toys are also very important. However, you should understand that toys for children are not suitable for dogs. After all, they are made of unsuitable materials. Special dog toys are made of molded rubber, which is very difficult to chew. They are completely safe for the animal’s health, a piece will not fall off, and the dog will not swallow it.

Be prepared for the fact that while the baby is learning to go to the toilet outside, he will do it at home. A puppy at the age of 3-4 months does not yet understand that he needs to defecate in one place. Therefore, it is better to place diapers throughout the apartment. Gradually, he will begin to go to the toilet in a specially designated place, and then he will learn to hold it until the next time he goes for a walk.

Rewards are an important element of any training.

Receiving treats motivates the dog to carry out the owner’s orders. It is not recommended to use human food that is harmful to the pet as treats: sweets, sausages, salami, etc. It is better to buy ready-made treats for this, which are produced by a wide variety of brands. Such food does not contain many calories and will not harm the dog’s health.

Training is not only about learning commands. This concept is much broader. It includes establishing boundaries of acceptable behavior for the animal. Every owner will have their own boundaries. For example, one dog owner may consider it normal for the dog to sleep with him, while another may not.

You need to accustom your puppy to acceptable behavior right away. If you don’t want to let him on your bed, then it’s important to voice the prohibition when he’s a puppy and not allow any indulgences. “No” should be categorical. You won’t be able to let your puppy sleep with you a couple of times and then suddenly start forbidding him to do so. The dog simply won’t be able to understand what behavior is required of him.

Care and maintenance

A large dog like the White Swiss Shepherd is more suitable for keeping in a private home with its own walking area than in an apartment building.

Perhaps the snow-white fur of the animal requires the most careful care . Long-haired individuals need to be combed more often – 2-3 times a week. Shepherds with short hair – a little less often. During periods of active shedding, the procedure may need to be done daily. It is recommended to purchase a special brush for combing.

Regular brushing will prevent the formation of tangles that are difficult to untangle later.

It is not advisable to bathe a dog too often. It is better to bathe 1-2 times a month. You need to buy special dog shampoos for bathing. Regular human shampoos are not suitable for this, as they contain a composition that can irritate the dog’s skin.

When washing, it is important to constantly ensure that the shampoo does not get into the animal’s eyes, nose, or ears. The water should be at the right temperature – 37-39 degrees.

The bathing procedure itself is simple: first, you need to wet the fur, then apply shampoo and distribute it over the body. It is better to wash off the foam using a shower. You should not use a very strong water pressure.

Before using any shampoo or conditioner, be sure to read the instructions and follow them carefully.

The dog’s claws need to be trimmed as they grow. This procedure is usually required once every two weeks. It can be done either independently or in a grooming salon.

After each walk, the animal’s paws are examined for dirt, sand, and foreign objects. If a wound is found on the skin of the paws, it must be treated with an antiseptic.

In summer, in dry weather, you don’t need to wash your paws. It will be enough to wipe them with a napkin. In autumn and winter, wash them with warm water. In winter, soap is a must, as it helps remove chemical reagents and salt from the animal’s skin, which are sprinkled on city roads to prevent ice.

Teeth are cleaned daily. For this purpose, veterinary toothpastes and special brushes are purchased. This procedure helps prevent the occurrence of unpleasant odor, gum inflammation, caries, tartar and plaque.

To wipe your eyes, you can buy special products – lotions or drops. The main thing is to carefully study their composition. They should not contain antibiotics.

For each eye, you need to take a new cotton pad. It is not recommended to use cotton wool for wiping, as its consistency is very uneven: a piece of cotton wool will remain on the skin, get into the eye and cause irritation.

To clean the ears, special veterinary products – lotions – are also purchased.

It is necessary to accustom the animal to grooming from a very early age. It is important to be patient and not to shout at the dog if it initially reacts badly to such manipulations. Gradually, it will get used to it and will behave completely calmly.

White Swiss Shepherd Nutrition Tips

An improper diet inevitably leads to health problems. These include digestive disorders, weight gain, and much more.

Each owner must choose one of the possible feeding options for their dog: natural or industrial diet. Each of them has its own characteristics.

Only a specialist – a nutritionist or a veterinarian – should be involved in drawing up a nutrition plan. Only a professional will be able to take into account all the needs of a particular dog, taking into account age, activity level, health.

Special diets are developed, for example, for pets with certain diseases – allergies , sensitive digestion , etc.

Natural products are a nutrition option that is considered quite complex. In this case, a specialist will develop a feeding scheme for the owner, which will clearly indicate how many calories, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates the dog needs per day. The owner will have to calculate their content in a specific portion on their own. This is a difficult process, especially if you have never had experience in such calculations before.

Ready-made industrial rations are the simplest option. In this case, the dog breeder will only need to buy a package of the recommended food and give the pet a certain amount daily. No calculations will need to be made. They have already been made by the specialists who made the ready-made ration . Such food is completely ready for consumption.

Industrial rations are dry and wet. In addition, there are complete and incomplete feeds. The former contain all the necessary substances, including vitamins and minerals. If you feed the latter, vitamin and mineral complexes will need to be purchased separately.

Young individuals eat more often than adults. Puppies eat 3 to 5 times a day. Closer to a year, they begin to be transferred to the “adult” feeding regime – 2 times a day.

A large dog like the White Swiss Shepherd is prone to gastric torsion. It occurs if you feed your pet only once a day. It can also occur when the dog does active physical exercise after eating. To prevent the disease, it is recommended to feed it at least 2 times a day and let it rest after eating.

Since dogs are carnivores, protein is very important for them. They should consume it the most. Carbohydrates are also necessary, but usually much less.

The feeding regime should not be violated. Feed your pet daily at the same time. The food bowl is removed immediately. The water container remains available throughout the day. The dog can drink as much as it wants, there are no restrictions.

Never forget that there are a number of products that are considered extremely harmful for dogs. Do not give raw meat and fish. They may contain parasite eggs . Eating raw meat is fraught with the appearance of worms.

Chocolate is also extremely harmful. Theobromine, which is part of chocolate, is poisonous for pets. Its consumption can provoke hepatitis or pancreatitis. Keep these products out of the reach of your dog.

Health

White shepherds are quite healthy animals. They are not even prone to diseases that are considered typical for other white breeds. For example, they are not diagnosed with deafness or vision problems.

The only thing that can appear in these dogs is an allergy to individual components of the food. If you suspect that your pet has such a problem, it is recommended to visit a specialist, take the necessary tests to find out the cause. If it turns out that it is really an allergy, the doctor will most likely advise changing the diet.

Hip dysplasia is less common in this breed than, for example, in German Shepherds.

To keep your pet healthy, do not forget about vaccinations , medical examinations and timely treatment for external and internal parasites.

Who is this breed suitable for?

This breed is suitable for people who dreamed of a dog:

• Active and sporty;
• With beautiful white fur;
• Large size;
• With a docile, gentle character;
• With good guard instinct.

• Not ready to get a dog that doesn’t handle loneliness well;
• Don’t have enough free time to work with the animal;
• They lead an inactive lifestyle and are homebodies.

White Swiss Shepherds are very active dogs that need the same kind of owner. They will happily accompany their owner on a run, bike ride, etc. They love going out into nature and mushroom picking.

This breed is suitable for both single people and those with large families. The main thing is that the White Swiss Shepherd is provided with regular physical and mental exercise, and the living space of the house is not too small.
Famous Owners
The Rockefeller family, the richest people in the world, kept several snow-white shepherds.

How to choose a puppy

Before purchasing a dog of any breed, it is important to study the literature about it, to get acquainted with the standard. Only when you learn how American-Canadian White Shepherds behave, how to properly care for them, what conditions they require, you will understand whether you can provide the animal with everything it needs.

Buying a puppy is a responsible step. It is important to understand that the dog will become a full-fledged member of the family for a long period of time. You need to work with it, train it, take it to the doctor for checkups, vaccinations, and treatments for parasites if necessary.

White Swiss Shepherds are a breed that is not very popular today. There are not many breeders of these dogs in our country.

You can buy a puppy either from a private specialist or from a kennel.

The best option is to contact a single-breed kennel. In this case, the dog breeder buys a dog with documents, with parasite treatments and vaccinations corresponding to the age.

Do not hesitate to talk to the breeder, ask him questions. Professional specialists are always ready to make contact. They provide buyers with their phone number so that they can call them for consultations. They will always be happy to help, answer questions about the breed’s maintenance, its health, etc.

It is imperative to visit the premises where the breeder keeps the puppies and their mother.
The cleanliness of this room can tell you how well the specialist treats his charges. Ask what the babies and their mother are fed.

Examine the puppy itself. Feel its paws, belly, and fur. A healthy dog cannot be thin or emaciated, its eyes are clear, and its fur is thick, without bald spots. Babies, as a rule, are always quite well-fed.

If the White Swiss Shepherd’s personality is very important to you, then observe the behavior of the puppies before choosing one.

A timid baby who is afraid to approach guests will most likely be the same in adulthood. Perhaps, timidity will eventually develop into fear, and therefore into aggressive behavior of the animal. It is better to choose a dog that reacts calmly to people, approaches, sniffs the person, tries to play with him.

Kennels put a brand on their charges. It can be located on the ear or in the groin. The brand is an identification code that allows you to determine in which kennel the baby was born. The code is always indicated in the dog’s documents.

Ask the breeder to show you the puppy’s parents. This will help you understand what the dog will look like when it grows up. Ask about the health of the baby’s ancestors, whether they were sick with anything.

Personal experience of owners

We studied the reviews of the owners of this breed and came to the conclusion that they consider their pets:

• Smart and loyal;
• Very beautiful;
• Good-natured, completely non-aggressive;
• Real nannies for children;
• Able to live in the same house with other animals.

Dog breeders are sure that this breed can be purchased both for living indoors and outdoors. Thick, double fur will not allow the dog to freeze even in the most severe frost.

White Swiss Shepherds are excellent guard dogs. They will never let a stranger into the house if they have been told to guard the territory.

The coat requires care. To prevent the hair from being all over the apartment or house, the dog needs to be combed regularly. It is better to use a special slicker brush for this.

White Swiss Shepherds love children. They behave tolerantly with them. They love active games.

As owners note, shepherds need regular physical exercise. You can take the dog out into nature, walk with it in the forest. These animals love to relax outside the city with the family.