White Swiss Shepherds are among the most beautiful dog breeds in the world. Known as Berger Blanc Suisse in French, Pastore Svizzero Bianco in Italian, and Weisser Schweizer Schäferhund in German. The White Swiss Shepherd is a close relative of the German Shepherd.
White Swiss Shepherds were first bred in Germany in the late 1800s by Von Stephanitz, a captain who bred the first German Shepherd that produced other Shepherd breeds. White Swiss Shepherds come in only cream or white. These dogs are not well-suited for heat; they do not do well in the tropics.
The White Swiss Shepherds were not always pure white until a Swiss man decided to start an only-white dogs breeding program. This was when the name became established, and all Swiss Shepherds were either white or cream-colored.
White Swiss Shepherd
White Swiss Shepherds are powerful medium-sized, muscular dogs with erect, pointed ears. They have a double coat, which can be long or medium length; their coat is always white. This breed has an elongated rectangular outline; it has a wolf-like head that is wedge-shaped.
The eyes of the White Swiss Shepherds are almond-shaped with a dark brown color, the eyelids, lips, and nasal cartilage have a black pigmentation in contrast to the white color of the dog coat. White Swiss Shepherds have long and strong necks and back, a deep, narrow chest extended to the back, giving it a large capacity.
The abdomen of the White Swiss Shepherds is lean and well tucked; its bushy, long tail is often positioned like a saber but can be raised when the dog’s attention is provoked. White Swiss Shepherds are very energetic, highly intelligent, and vigilant dogs; it is almost impossible for anything to escape their attention.
Although White Swiss Shepherds can be less edgy than German Shepherds, they still make excellent guard dogs. They are great family dogs and love to be the center of attraction in a family; they do not fare well when left alone for a long time, they tend to experience separation anxiety.
A club was founded in 2014, The White Swiss Shepherd Club of America, to develop improved White Swiss Shepherds with the ones imported. The offspring would then be exported to the world; the offspring would be strong enough to survive in any climate, unlike the parents.
White Swiss Shepherds were not accepted as a distinctive breed in the United States of America and Canada until the 1960s. In 1991, the White Swiss Shepherd was recognized as an official dog breed and added to the Swiss Stud Book. The Kennel Club of the UK officially recognized the White Swiss Shepherd in 2017.
White Swiss Shepherds are known to shed often, so their coats must be brushed at least two or three times weekly, and if possible, daily. Bathing White Swiss Shepherds is not encouraged, as it can be unhealthy for their coat and skin. However, you can wash them when necessary.
As often as you brush the coat of your White Swiss Shepherd, you must also brush its teeth to prevent the accumulation of tartar and bacteria, in addition to keeping its teeth white and breath fresh. It is best to brush your dog’s teeth about two to three times weekly using dog toothpaste; avoid using human toothpaste.
How Big Do White Swiss Shepherds Get?
Most Shepherd breeds are the same height, with slight differences; the same goes for their weight. Being a family, they are bound to have various similarities. Male White Swiss Shepherds are about 24 to 26 inches in height and weigh between 66 to 88 pounds.
Female White Swiss Shepherds weigh about 55 to 77 inches and can grow to a height of 22 to 24 inches. As a result of how big White Swiss Shepherds can get, they are not ideally suited for apartment living; they require a large space to exercise and run around; this is important for their health.
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Are White Swiss Shepherds Aggressive?
There have been a series of comparisons between White Swiss Shepherds and German Shepherds. White Swiss Shepherds are generally gentle and more relaxed than German Shepherds; they are neither aggressive nor outgoing. They hardly display aggressive behaviors, and if they do, it results from skittishness or timidity.
The best way to prevent a White Swiss Shepherd from becoming aggressive is to train it properly from a young age and teach it to socialize early. A White Swiss Shepherd will be aggressive when intimidated or threatened. Different things can make a dog feel threatened, including people, children, and other pets. However, if the dog has learned to socialize, it will hardly feel threatened.
Are White Swiss Shepherds Good Dogs?
White Swiss Shepherds are great dogs to own; they have a gentle temperament but still make great guard dogs. They are versatile, friendly, lively, and alert dogs. White Swiss Shepherds are easy to train, and they have a desire to learn; they crave training and love to solve puzzles.
Although White Swiss Shepherds are sensitive, they are malleable. As long as the time and attention needed to train them properly are available, they can be trained to perform various tasks, including search and rescue, or serve as police dogs. White Swiss Shepherds have a life expectancy of about 12 to 14 years.
Do White Swiss Shepherds Bark A Lot?
White Swiss Shepherds do not bark except when necessary; however, they tend to bark a lot because they are very alert and take notice of everything. Their muscular build heightens this; they have a booming bark that is impossible to ignore. White Swiss Shepherds also have enhanced hearing abilities, so when they hear strange noises, they bark to alert their owners and scare off what they spot.
How Much Is A White Swiss Shepherd?
White Swiss Shepherds are expensive dogs to own, so if you want to purchase one, you should first check in any local dog shelters around you. White Swiss Shepherds are in high demand, so you can check with a breeder if you do not find any in a local dog shelter. The average cost of a White Swiss Shepherd is between $1500 to $3000+.
It is important to check the history of the puppy’s parents before you buy the dog, especially the medical history. White Swiss Shepherds are prone to a couple of health issues, and it would not be cool to purchase a dog that falls sick easily.
Common Health Issues Of White Swiss Shepherds
You need to know the health issues associated with White Swiss Shepherds before purchasing them. This will keep you prepared, and you will know the right things to do to prevent them.
Allergies
White Swiss Shepherds have a lot of skin allergies and food intolerances; they are extremely sensitive to diet changes. The symptoms of the allergies can be itching, skin redness, diarrhea, and vomiting. You need to know what your dog is allergic to and keep those things away.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
White Swiss Shepherds can have a reduced ability to digest nutrients when there is a decrease in enzyme secretion in the pancreas. So, your dog may be eating a large deal but will have a poor coat and foul-smelling feces, amongst other symptoms. The best way to treat this is by giving the dog supplemental vitamins and enzymes.
Other health issues are elbow dysplasia, megaesophagus, hemophilia, epilepsy, cruciate ligament rupture, and hip dysplasia.
Final Thoughts
If you want to own a Shepherd breed but do not want a German Shepherd, you should go for a White Swiss Shepherd. They are excellent Shepherds and have similar qualities as a German Shepherd, but more relaxed, calm, intelligent, and alert. They also make great family dogs.
Learn More: Mini Goldendoodles & Sheepadoodles
Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
