If you’re looking for an energetic, go-getting dog partner, you might have met your match in the White Swiss Shepherd Dog. This pure white beauty is a high energy working dog that thrives on a busy family life which they’re firmly at the heart of. Known for their loyalty and protectiveness, White Swiss Shepherds are happiest when they’re active with their family. Running, hiking, playing - they love it all. This is a dog that doesn’t have an off switch and who does best with a pet parent that’s at home with them most of the day.
White Swiss Shepherd Dog Facts
The White Swiss Shepherd Dog comes from (you guessed it), Switzerland where it’s called the Berger Blanc Suisse. Closely related to the German Shepherd and sharing a lot of the same traits (like loyalty, protectiveness and intelligence), White Swiss Shepherds are more mellow and less high strung.
- Breed Group: Herding
- Height: Female: 53-61cm; Male: 58-66cm
- Weight: Female: 25-35kg; Male: 30-40kg
- Life Span: 12-13 years
- Coat: Long, double
- Colour: White
What Does a White Swiss Shepherd Dog Look Like?
The White Swiss Shepherd Dog looks a little like an Arctic fox, but a lot bigger! This is thanks to its beautiful, medium or long double white coat. As the name tells you, it also looks like a German Shepherd dog. Medium to large, a White Swiss Shepherd Dog is a powerful, muscular dog - all the better for herding with. It has a deep chest and its back legs taper into a slope, just like the German Shepherd. A White Swiss Shepherd Dog has a long, bushy tail that normally hangs loosely down until they’re excited, when it springs upwards.
White Swiss Shepherd Dogs have long, wolf-like heads, with dark almond-shaped eyes and a black nose and lips which contrast against their pure white coat. Their heads are topped off with large, triangular ears which normally perch upright on their head.
White Swiss Shepherd
White Swiss Shepherd Dog Temperament: Loud and Lively
With their protective, alert and energetic natures plus their intelligence, White Swiss Shepherd Dogs are born watch dogs. Always on the watch for strangers, both people and pups, nothing escapes a White Swiss Shepherd Dog’s attention. But White Swiss Shepherd Dogs are more mellow and easygoing than their relative, the German Shepherd.
They’re also more people-focused and clingy to their families. A White Swiss Shepherd Dog thrives on human attention and loves to be at the heart of family life. This is a dog that will earn a place at the centre of your pack. If they’re left alone inside or outside, the White Swiss Shepherd Dog will be very upset and make sure you (and your neighbours) know all about it. As a very vocal dog, White Swiss Shepherd Dogs do best with pet parents who will be at home with them most of the time.
White Swiss Shepherd Dogs aren’t known for being great at making new friends, but they can happily accept dogs and other pets into their family pack, as long as they’ve been well socialised first. With strangers, even a well socialised White Swiss Shepherd Dog will be standoffish and reserved at first and can take some time to warm up. White Swiss Shepherd Dogs are good with children, due to their kind and protective natures. However, because they’re large, powerful, energetic dogs, they should be watched at all times with small children as it’s easy for them to get knocked over in the excitement.
Keeping White Swiss Shepherd Dogs Healthy: 4 Issues to Watch Out For
White Swiss Shepherd Dogs can live up to 13 years. Preventative care, like regular vet checks, can help them lead long, happy lives.
Bloat
Like all deep-chested dogs, White Swiss Shepherds are at risk of bloat. This is a very dangerous condition that causes their stomach to fill with gas before it twists on itself, cutting off the blood to vital organs. Without urgent medical care, it can be fatal. Signs of bloat include excessive panting, pacing, a sore or distended abdomen, and retching without vomiting. If you spot any of these, take them to the vet immediately. Avoiding exercising your dog 30 minutes before and after food can help prevent bloat.
Back Issues
German Shepherds are prone to developing 2 back conditions: degenerative spinal stenosis and degenerative myelopathy. This means White Swiss Shepherds, as a close relation, can be too. Degenerative spinal stenosis affects the spinal cord of the dog, causing nerve damage and pain. Symptoms include difficulty getting up from the ground and climbing stairs, pain in their hind end (they might yelp when touched), losing control of their bladder and bowels, and being unable to lift or wag their tail. There are a range of treatments including rest, medication and surgery.
Degenerative myelopathy is similar but is progressive and incurable. Affecting the spinal cord nerves, it causes a gradual loss of mobility and feelings in the limbs. It usually starts as paralysis in the hind limbs, before moving to the fore limbs. Although it’s not painful for dogs, it can seriously impact their quality of life.
Both of these conditions are inherited and responsible breeders should screen for them.
Eye Issues
Progressive retinal atrophy (or PRA) causes a White Swiss Shepherd’s retina to degenerate, which leads to vision loss or blindness. It can be difficult to spot as most dogs can easily cope with minor sight changes. The first signs might be your dog’s unwillingness to go out at night or in poorly lit areas, or bumping into furniture. Although there’s no treatment or cure for PRA, most dogs adapt well to blindness and live long, happy lives. PRA is an inherited condition so ensure your breeder screens for it. Regular vet check ups will also let you monitor your White Swiss Shepherd’s eye health.
Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a bleeding disorder. It’s caused by a lack of a protein that helps platelets stick together when your dog’s bleeding. Without this protein, a White Swiss Shepherd Dog may bleed uncontrollably, leading to heavy blood loss and even death. It’s unlikely you’ll know your White Swiss Shepherd has vWD until they get injured, give birth or have surgery.
Caring for Your White Swiss Shepherd Dog
It takes a bit of work to look as lovely as the White Swiss Shepherd Dog! Plus, these are high energy dogs so expect to lace up your trainers (a lot).
Grooming
White Swiss Shepherd Dogs shed a lot, year-round. But they’re especially prone to heavy shedding as the seasons change. During spring and autumn, they lose (or ‘blow’) their thick undercoat and you can expect white fur to coat pretty much everything.
When it’s not shedding season, brush them 2 to 3 times a week with a soft brush to help loosen any dead hair and remove any dirt. When it’s shedding season, you might need to invest in a grooming rake which will help get rid of all the loose undercoat. You might also need a de-shedding tool.
Because their coat is waterproof, bathing a White Swiss Shepherd Dog too often isn’t recommended. It can irritate their skin and coat. Aim for a bath every 2 months or so. If they get muddy in between baths, let them dry and then give them a thorough brush. That should keep their white coat looking clean, even moreso if you opt for a Brightening/Whitening Shampoo.
Clip or trim their nails every 3 weeks to keep them comfortable and check their ears weekly for any dirt or debris build up. Using gentle ear cleaning wipes can help keep their ears clean. Finally, brush their teeth every day to stop tartar and plaque forming for a healthy mouth and gums.
Nutrition
White Swiss Shepherd Dogs aren’t known for being fussy eaters and should happily eat quality commercial dog food. Make sure it’s tailored to their life stage: puppy, adult or senior. As a busy, active dog it’s important that they get enough energy to fuel their lifestyle but not too much that they get overweight, which can lead to a range of health issues.
Keep an eye on how many treats they’re getting every day too - treat calories count towards their daily intake.
Exercise
Bred to be working dogs, White Swiss Shepherd Dogs need to be busy and active, always. Give them a job to do and they’ll be even happier. Think taking dirty washing to the machine or carrying the groceries home.
To keep your White Swiss Shepherd Dog happy and healthy, they need 1 to 2 hours of moderate exercise every single day, come rain or shine. They thrive on-lead long runs, fast walks, and outdoor play with balls or interactive toys.
Without a regular outlet for their energy, White Swiss Shepherds can become noisy, hyperactive and destructive which isn’t good for them, you or your home.
Training
White Swiss Shepherds are really trainable dogs. This is thanks to their breeding as working dogs, and their intelligence. But their trainability depends on whether they recognise your dominance. You need to be a confident and assertive trainer to earn your White Swiss Shepherd’s respect and loyalty and handle their strong personality.
Harsh training methods don’t work with White Swiss Shepherd Dogs. Their stubborn streak will kick in and they’ll refuse to cooperate if they feel like their efforts are being underappreciated. Instead, opt for positive reinforcement where they’re rewarded with praise, treats and playtime with favourite toys when they display the behaviour you ask of them. Keep training consistent and interesting to maintain their enthusiasm and attention. Reach out to a professional dog trainer if you need help training your White Swiss Shepherd.
Although early socialisation is important for all dogs, it’s especially important for White Swiss Shepherds who need to be properly introduced to new people and pups. Even well-socialised White Swiss Shepherds are observant and a bit aloof with new people.
Enrol them in puppy school where they can be safely exposed to a wide range of experiences. This will help build their confidence and their manners. Neighbourhood strolls where your White Swiss Shepherd can meet other people and well-behaved dogs are also a great idea.