Wolf-like in appearance with dense white fur, the White Swiss Shepherd is one of the most beautiful dogs out there. Both morphologically and phylogenetically it is essentially a white-coated German Shepherd.
Throughout its history the breed has received different names, including: American-Canadian Shepherd, White German Shepherd, American White Shepherd and White Shepherd; until finally it has ended up being called Swiss White Shepherd because the Swiss Canine Society was the first to recognize this breed as independent.
In this article on our site, we are going to tell you all about these calm, intelligent and faithful sheepdogs.
Origin of the White Swiss Sheepdog
In 1899 cavalry captain Max Emil Frederick von Stephanitz bought Hektor Linkrshein, the first dog registered as a German Shepherd. Hektor, who was later renamed Horand von Grafrath, had a white sheepdog named Greif for a grandfather.
Being descended from a white dog, Horand (or Hektor, as you prefer) passed on the genes for white fur to his offspring, even though he was not a white dog. Thus, the original German Shepherds could be dark, light, or white.
In the 1930s, however, the absurd idea arose in Germany that the white coat was characteristic of inferior German shepherds and that dogs with that coat degenerated the breed. This idea was based on the belief that white dogs were albinos and, consequently, had he alth problems that could be inherited by their offspring.
Albino dogs vs. white dogs
While albino dogs can have white fur, not all white dogs are albino, and the two should not be confused. Albino dogs do not have normal pigmentation, so their skin is usually pale pink and their eyes are very light and pale. White dogs that are not albino have darker colored eyes and skin, and do not usually have the he alth problems of albino dogs. That misconception led to the German Shepherd standard being edited, excluding white dogs. Consequently, white dogs were no longer used as breeders and puppies of that color were eliminated. After World War II, the white German shepherd was considered an aberration in Germany, but was still bred in the United States and Canada without presenting major he alth problems in the breed or "degenerate" dogs.
In the late 1950s, the American German Shepherd Club copied the German idea and removed white dogs from the official breed standard, so breeders of those dogs could only register them with the American Kennel Club, but not with the breed club. In the 1960s, an American breeder named Ágata Burch migrated to Switzerland with a white shepherd named Lobo. It was with Lobo, other dogs imported from the United States and a few from other European countries, that several Swiss fanciers began to breed these dogs and developed the breed in Europe.
Eventually, the Swiss Canine Society recognized the White Shepherd as an independent breed, under the name Swiss White Shepherd After various efforts and after presenting an impeccable stud book with eight pedigrees from different lines, this society managed to get the International Cinological Federation (FCI) to provisionally recognize the Swiss White Shepherd with standard No. 347.
Today the White Swiss Shepherd Dog is highly valued for various functions, from companionship to search and rescue work. Although the breed enjoys some popularity in Europe and North America, it is not as well known as its brother the German Shepherd. However, every day it has more fans around the world.
Physical Characteristics of the White Swiss Sheepdog
According to the FCI breed standard, the height at the withers is 60 to 66 centimeters for males and 55 to 61 centimeters for females. The ideal weight is 30 to 40 kilograms for males and 25 to 35 kilograms for females. The White Shepherd is a robust and muscular dog, but elegant and harmonious at the same time. Its body is elongated, with a ratio between length and height at the withers of 12:10. The withers are well raised, while the back is horizontal and the loins very muscular. The croup, long and medium wide, slopes gently towards the base of the tail. The thorax is oval, well developed at the back and with a marked forechest. However, the chest is not very wide. The flanks rise slightly to the level of the belly.
This dog's head is powerful, slim, finely molded and very well proportioned to the body. Although the naso-frontal depression is poorly marked, it is clearly visible. The nose is black, but the "snow nose" is accepted (totally or partially pink, or loses pigmentation at certain times, especially in winter). The lips are also black, thin and tightly pressed. The eyes of the White Swiss Shepherd are almond-shaped, oblique, and brown to dark brown in color. The large ears, set high and perfectly upright, are triangular, giving the dog the wolf-like appearance so characteristic of the breed.
This dog's tail is saber-shaped, set low and should reach at least to the hock. At rest, the dog wears it hanging down, although the distal third may be slightly curved upwards. During the action, the dog raises the tail, but not above the margin of the back.
The coat is one of the characteristics of this breed. It has a double coat, dense, medium or long, and well stretched. The undercoat is abundant, while the outer coat is coarse and smooth. The color should be white throughout the body.
White Swiss Sheepdog Character
In general, White Swiss Shepherds are intelligent and loyal dogs Their temperament can be somewhat nervous or shy, but when they are well trained and socialized, they adapt easily to different situations, so they can live in different places and under different conditions.
The socialization of puppies is very important since, due to their sheepdog nature, White Shepherds tend to be reserved and wary of strangers. They can even be very shy and become aggressive due to fear. They can also be aggressive towards other dogs of the same sex. However, when well socialized, these dogs can get along with strangers, dogs, and other animals. In addition, when they are well socialized they tend to get along very well with children and are very affectionate dogs with their families.
With good socialization and education, White Shepherds can be excellent pet dogs, either for families with children or for adults. Of course, interactions between dogs and children must always be supervised to avoid risky or abusive situations, either from the child to the dog or vice versa.
Care for the White Swiss Sheepdog
The coat is relatively easy to care for, requiring only brushing once or twice a week to keep it in excellent condition. It is not necessary to bathe these dogs very often, as this weakens the hair, and it should only be done when the dogs are dirty.
White Shepherds are generally inactive indoors, but they need a good daily dose of outdoor exercise to burn off their energy. They need at least two or three walks a day, plus some playtime. It is also good to train them in canine obedience and, if possible, give them the opportunity to practice a canine sport such as agility or schutzhund.
These dogs need company too. Being herding dogs, they evolved to live in contact with other animals, including humans. They don't need to be petted all the time, or spend every minute of the day with their owners, but they do need quality time with them every day. Although these dogs can live outside, they can also adapt well to apartment life, as long as they are given enough daily exercise. Of course, it is better if they live in a house with a garden and have access to it to exercise. Although they can adapt to living in highly populated areas, they do better in quieter areas with less stress.
Swiss White Sheepdog Education
White Swiss Shepherds are highly intelligent and They learn easily That is why dog training is easy with these dogs and it is possible to train them for different activities, as they are as versatile as German Shepherds. These dogs can respond well to different styles of training, but the best results are achieved with any positive training variant, such as clicker training.
Being relatively calm dogs, White Shepherds are not very likely to develop behavioral problems when properly socialized. However, it is important to provide them with enough exercise and company so that they do not get bored or develop anxiety. When they don't receive proper care, they can develop destructive habits.
White Swiss Sheepdog He alth
Despite being, on average, he althier than many other breeds of dogs, the White Swiss Shepherd has a predisposition to certain diseases. According to the United White Shepherd Club, common ailments in the breed include: allergies, dermatitis, gastric torsion, epilepsy, heart disease, and hip dysplasia. Less common diseases of the breed include Addison's disease, cataracts and hypertrophic osteodystrophy.
