Complete Guide To The White Swiss Shepherd

Are you considering buying a charming White Swiss Shepherd? If your answer is yes, then you might have landed at just the right place. Before you adopt this little furry baby, there are some things you should learn about the White Swiss Shepherd breed. So, let’s get started.

This luscious breed originated from Switzerland. Historically they are the descendants of American white shepherds that are imported to Switzerland. Plus, don’t get it confused with the white German shepherds, both of them have some distinct features. Shepherds are a working breed.

Von Staphanitz, a German captain, was the first to breed a German shepherd dog. And later on, this gave rise to other breeds of shepherds, including the white swiss shepherds, in 1931. Initially, White-coloured German Shepherds were not allowed for registration in their native country Germany.

A white swiss shepherd sitting in the sunlight

However, as the white coat gained popularity in the United States and Canada, the white-coloured German Shepherds organisation was founded. And finally, in 1966, an American white shepherd dog born and imported to Switzerland was the first dog to promote the White Swiss Shepherd. 

It was in 2002 when The FCI granted provisional breed status to this White swiss shepherd, which evolved into a whole breed status in 2011. And in 2017, It was officially recognised by the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom.

You may have seen shepherds being stout and aggressive all the time. However, this breed is somehow different. It has a down to earth personality along with a powerful physique.

A white swiss shepherd is considered shy and gentle, which is the most probable reason you will never see any of them alongside military personnel. However, it does bark when some stranger shows up into your driveway but will later get curled up into its den and let you handle the rest.

Quick Facts About White Swiss Shepherd:

TRAITSDETAILS
Life expectancy 12 years
Size Medium-sized
Height Male: 60–66 cm
Female: 55–61 cm
WeightMale: 30-40 Kg
Female: 25-35 Kg
Energy level High
HypoallergenicNo
Grooming levelMedium
Shedding High Shredder

Appearance

According to the Federation Cynologique International White Swiss Shepherds are just way too loved by everyone because of their lovey-dovey nature. And even children are huge fans of them.

As they belong to the shepherd family, you can expect them to be huge, ranging from medium to large. They have this appearance that is just precisely similar to shepherds, along with pointed ears. 

A Swiss Shepherd lying on the snow

They are well-muscled and have this wolf-shaped forehead and a subtle muzzle. This breed has these beautiful brown colored almond-shaped eyes that look breathtakingly beautiful compared to the white coat.

Icy Color 

If you are going to adopt this dog, you have to keep in mind that it comes in white color only. As the name indicates, it is a white swiss shepherd that means that any other color, whether tan or black, will not belong to this breed.

Their shiny white coat may seem as if it is a woolen little furry buddy with legs. Besides, the white is not as white as you may think. It is a sort of white that has pigments in it and is not something that lacks melanin or what we call milky white.

Swiss Shepherd’s Coat

You can have the White Swiss Shepherd in two coat lengths: one in medium and the other in long. Both of them have a dense double coat with a bushy tail that might be slightly wavy. And you might not be surprised to learn that it has a long and medium coat so that it will be shedding hair all season.

The undercoat has a delicate texture and is short, thick, and thick. Besides, the coat may be significantly longer and heavier at the neck, especially in males. The hair is slightly longer on the front than on the back of the legs. 

However, you must consider the hair length according to your country’s kennel club.

Personality Traits 

If you have just adopted a new white swiss shepherd into your family, you might be worried why he is so aloof and not so active. You just don’t have to worry about this. White Swiss Shepherds are a bit shy in the beginning and may tend to get along better with training. Besides, they are not as aggressive as their fellow German shepherds. they are loyal, caring, and friendly buddies. They are just perfect to have curled around your feet after a tiring day.

A White Swiss Shepherd standing on the wooden floor

Child Friendly

They are aloof buddies, and you can easily leave them alone with your kids. White Swiss Shepherds love to be around kids and protect them. They will play along with them and be way too excited when around them.

Sociable with Other Pets

We can never stop praising the friendly nature of this breed. They are intelligent and adaptable to any kind of situation. As they are sociable, they will get along well with your family pets. At times it may show some signs of being aloof due to the presence of unknown dogs, but you can always treat them with good training.

For First Time Owners

If you are going to adopt a white Swiss shepherd as your first-ever dog, then we have good news for you. White Swiss shepherds are easy to train, and most of the time, they will get along with you when you take it for a walk. Being withdrawn from strangers is one of its traits, but you can solve this problem with good initial socialization.

Apartment Friendly

If you live in an apartment and are thinking of adopting a White Swiss Shepherd, you might have to shift somewhere else. White Swiss Shepherds are known for their loud vocal abilities. They speak through the language of barking and may often bark while playing or when excited, which may not be tolerated by your neighbors; therefore, the breed isn’t suitable for apartment life.

Intelligence

The White Swiss Shepherd Dog is brilliant. They can learn whatever you try to teach them as they have a strong desire to learn. Remember that loyalty is what makes the bond between you and your dog stronger, which will, in turn, help you train him better.

Barking Restraint

Being the social dog, the White Swiss Shepherds are not as loud as their fellow German shepherds. they might often bark if some stranger is approaching you or while they have a run. Apart from this, you will never get to notice them bark unusually and disturb the peace around them. For this reason, you can accommodate them in a family. The more people they have to interact with, the happier they are.

White Swiss Shepherd Temperament and Instincts

White Swiss Shepherds have some rare extinct. They are not hostile like other dogs. You might be surprised to know that this cutie is outgoing and calm most of the time. Besides, it has this obedient nature that aids you in training it just the way you want it. 

They are just loving buddies and love to be around everyone, especially kids. If you are a stranger, it may give you a tough time at first. To overcome his mild dislike of strangers, he needs to begin his schooling as soon as possible.

He is the dog you never have to worry about whether your guests will be afraid of him or his brawling.

Prey Drive

As the white swiss shepherd belongs to the family of shepherds, you need to remind yourself that they have huge muscle build-up and can catch anything thrown towards them. However, the thing about them which might shock you is that they can never be your perfect guard dog. They will surely notify you whenever something unusual happens, but they are never going to attack anyone.

How to Care For a White Swiss Shepherd

If you are just new to adopting a dog, then let us clarify that looking after your dog is not about bathing it daily. If you want your White Swiss Shephard to be healthy for a longer time, then you have to take care of it thoroughly. Read further to know some of the steps you need to consider while looking after your paw buddy.

A ma standing with white swiss shepherd

Grooming and Shedding

As discussed before, the coat of the white swiss shepherd somehow tends to shed throughout every season. Being a double-coated dog with lots of furs, you need to groom your pup from time to time so he will look the best.

If, for instance, your White Swiss Shepherd is properly groomed and brushed 3-4 times a week, it will shed less fur. And this way, you can avoid hairball surprises at your home

Diet and Feeding

To keep your white swiss shepherd healthy, administer him with a high-quality carnivorous diet as every other dog. Make sure to read the label and ensure that it requires is low in absorbed carbs. Try to search for some good dry dog food that is low in carbohydrates.

Activity and Exercise Requirements

White Swiss Shepherds are energetic dogs, and you need to take them for regular exercise or a walk to keep them active. As often lack of exercise may make them dull, and they may end up acting aggressive.

How to Train Them?

They are sensitive dogs, and often you have to opt for reward-based training. Like you can reward them for each time they do something good, you can begin with early socialization training with them. As they are quick to respond and adapt, you will train them in no time. And when trained appropriately, they may become your family’s companion for life.

A White Swiss Shepherd sitting in the field

Health Problems

White Swiss Shepherds are usually a healthy breed. However, most of the diseases it may develop can be associated with its breed. As being tall and enormous, they may often be susceptible to bloating. Some other diseases may include hip and elbow dysplasia, which is caused due to the abnormal growth of hips or elbows, causing severe pain. Also, they may go through Degenerative Myelopathy that may sometimes make them immobile and eventually lead to paralysis.

Daily Routine for a Happy White Swiss Shepherd

If you are a new puppy owner, you may have difficulty maintaining your puppy’s routine. However, with patience, you will gradually train your White Swiss Shepherd to be the good boy. The everyday routine can be summed up below.

Give your puppy an early morning potty training. And then a walk for 30 minutes.

As soon as your little piece of fur is done with potty, you can give him his breakfast

Have your puppy go for potty and then again for lunch.

Another potty break!

Give your pup the last meal and then potty time!

Is It The Right Dog For You?

White Swiss Shepherds have been long known for their sweet and loving nature. So, if you are thinking to welcome a new member into your family, then the white swiss shepherd can be your ultimate buddy. They are not hostile and are just way too sensitive about their owners. However, do remember the aftercare factors mentioned above before you go for a white swiss shepherd.

Should You Buy Or Adopt A White Swiss Shepherd?

Now comes the point of whether you must adopt a puppy or purchase one. The answer to this depends upon the reason you are going to have a dog. Suppose you are going to have a dog for your family, then you can adopt one but if you want a white Swiss puppy, you can go for a breeder too.

But if you like to take part in dog races and tournaments, it is best to purchase one from a good breeder. Expect to be paying around $1200 to $1400 for a puppy. However, the price may vary if there are any special features.

Facts and FAQs about the White Swiss Shepherd

White Swiss Shepherds are different from German shepherds in terms of their temperaments. They are calm, timid and may often act as if they are shy. They may need to have proper training if they have to come along with strangers or someone new.

White Swiss Shepherds belong to the breed of shepherds who loves to communicate and be vocal at times. They are friendly and often express their emotions by barking aloud while playing or expressing love for the owner. 

White Swiss Shepherds are the friendliest breed of dogs. They are shy and may need some training to get along with the family members. Besides, they have been long known for maintaining a good relationship with children, so you know which dog to go for your little ones.

White Swiss Shepherds are less aggressive and tend to be joyous most of the time. They love to play around or just curl up in their world. Because of its friendly nature, you can leave it alone, even around kids. However, if left alone for way too long, it may develop separation anxiety.

White Swiss Shepherds are timid and shy and may bark if a stranger approaches you. However, they are not for protection as they are less aggressive. So, if you need a good pal to spend your time with, then this dog breed might be the best for you. 

White Swiss Shepherd has this distinct clean look and warm presence. This breed is long known for being eager to learn, exceptionally clever, and exceedingly affectionate. And along with proper social training, they can become your best friend.

A White swiss Shepherd is not hypoallergenic. It tends to shed a lot during the season. You might expect to discover hairs floating through the air or accumulating on your floors or furniture. For reducing the shedding, you must brush them regularly using a slicker brush, metal comb, and de-shedder. 

White Swiss Shepherd Facts and Figures Summary

Appearance

  • Medium muscled, tall 
  • Active and intelligent
  • Almond-shaped eyes
  • Strong jaws

How to care

  • Brush their fur 3-4 times a week
  • Have 30-40 minutes of regular exercise

Health Problems

  • Bloating
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Degenerative myelopathy

Temperament

  • Reserved
  • Easily trained
  • Not aggressive
  • Loyal 
  • Watchful

Personality traits

  • Playful
  • Child friendly
  • Shy to strangers
  • Unhappy when alone

How to train

  • Begin training at an early stage
  • Use reward reinforcement
  • Be gentle

Daily Routine

  • Potty break
  • Walk
  • Breakfast time
  • Potty time
  • Lunchtime
  • Potty break
  • Dinner 
  • Potty time