The pure white coats of the White Swiss German Shepherd are impressive and eye-catching compared to the colors of the standard German Shepherd coats.
This article focuses on the characteristics, history and lifestyle of the Swiss White German Shepherd , compared to the standard colors of the breed.
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Characteristics
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Origin and history of the Swiss White German Shepherd
The white shepherd Swiss are originating from European farms which were valued for their loyalty and obedience and herding dog . Their white fur blended with that of sheep, making it easier for farmers to spot wolves and coyotes.
The Swiss white shepherd dogs are direct descendants of the German Shepherd Max Von Stephanitz . Howard, the first German Shepherd, had a direct grandfather named Greif von Sparwasser, a white German Shepherd, which makes the recessive gene always present in modern German Shepherds of all colors.
These descendants of Howard were eventually brought to Canada and the United States.
Official recognition
White fur has been considered a fault since the 1930s and is not yet recognized or accepted as a type of German Shepherd. The White Swiss German Shepherd recognition timeline looks something like this:
1930: Only black and brown German Shepherds were accepted by the German Shepherds Club of Germany. This continued during World War II. White German Shepherds were also discriminated against by the German Shepherds Club of America.
1968: White German Shepherds were banned from conformation shows with the American Kennel Club.
1969: The White German Shepherd Club of America was formed while the Canadian Kennel Club allowed white shepherds at their shows.
1991: Recognized as a White Swiss German Shepherd.
1995: The American White Shepherds Association created and joined the White Shepherds Club of Canada to apply for recognition from the American Kennel Club.
1998: The Canadian Kennel Club prohibited White Swiss Shepherds from participating in shaping events.
1999: White Swiss German Shepherds are finally recognized by the United Kennel Club.
2003: It is recognized as an independent breed by the FCI since 2003 as a White Swiss German Shepherd.
What Causes White Skin?
The white coat of a white German shepherd is caused by a recessive gene that masks the standard solid black color of the coat. This gene is always present in all German Shepherds. The white coat, however, does not mean that the dog is albino.
Albino animals have a lack of melanin, which allows blood vessels to show through the skin. This makes an albino animal’s skin, eyes, nails, and scales appear pink. White German Shepherds are not lacking in melanin, they just have a lighter coat.
A White Swiss German Shepherd will produce white puppies only if both parents are white shepherds. The offspring of a non-white shepherd can produce a white puppy depending on whether the other parent is also a carrier of the recessive gene.
Are White Swiss German Shepherds rare?
Yes, as White Swiss German Shepherd puppies are only produced if both parents carry the recessive gene. What is even rarer is a White German Shepherd with a long coat.
Are White Swiss German Shepherds aggressive?
They have the same temperament as the typical German Shepherd, which means that they only become aggressive if provoked, feel the need to protect themselves, or if they are mistreated.
The Swiss white shepherd dogs have their herd. They love their families and will especially protect the young children in their pack.
If they feel that someone in their pack is being seriously threatened, they can become aggressive.
Are White Swiss German Shepherds expensive?
As they are a rare White German Shepherd color, breeders often charge more for white puppies. A puppy with a good bloodline and health certificates could cost between $ 750 and $ 1,500.
Beware of puppy mill breeders who charge high prices for abused and unhealthy puppies.
Is the Swiss White German Shepherd a good pet?
Yes, if they live the right lifestyle with the right family dynamics. The White German Shepherd needs active families who love nature. They need a family with time dedicated to training.
White Shepherds make great family pets for children. They are affectionate dogs that patiently care for and play with children of all ages.
Since White Shepherds are large breed dogs, they need room to move and be active. Small apartments may not be ideal. Backyard houses are more ideal. But as long as you take this breed out for daily walks, you will have enough exercise to keep you happy.
Does white fur affect hearing or other health problems?
Not at all. There are no genetic disorders connected with white fur. Max Von Stephanitz states in the book “The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Image” that “the coloring of the dog has no meaning for service.”
What does a Swiss White German Shepherd look like?
The White Swiss German Shepherd is a large breed of dog with lean, muscular bodies. They have a black nose perched on the end of a long snout. Their eyes are almond-shaped and a rich shade of brown. Their ears are erect, alert and triangular.
The coat of a white shepherd is pure white or soft cream. Most of the time their coat is a weather resistant double coat. The top layer of hair is straight, waterproof and lean to the touch. The undercoat is short, incredibly soft and acts as an insulator from heat and cold.
What size it has?
Males grow to be 30 to 41 kg, on average. They stand between 24 “and 26” at the shoulder.
Females weigh between 27 and 34 kg while standing between 56 and 61 cm at the shoulder.
How long does it live?
Between 10 and 14 years. In extreme cases, a white shepherd can die at age 7 or at 16.
With an excellent exercise routine, a proper diet, and regular check-ups, a German White Shepherd will likely live longer.
What is the temperament of the White German Shepherd?
The temperament of a Swiss White German Shepherd is no different than a standard colored German Shepherd. White Shepherds have a calm disposition but react accordingly to protect their herd. They can only become aggressive if provoked or abused.
White Swiss Shepherds are often aloof and observant when strangers are around. They watch over their family. They are not afraid to protect young children if necessary.
White Shepherds are playful, fun-loving, and friendly. Between naps, they often play with a tennis ball, a tug-string, or a Frisbee.
Keep in mind that white shepherds (all shepherds, actually) are very vocal. They can be trained to bark with them, but they usually complain, moan, complain, or how to “talk” to you. Your home will not be silent with a pastor. But they love to be with you and talk to you. It is their way of communicating with you.
How Much Exercise Does a White Shepherd Need?
White Shepherds are very active. They need at least an hour of brisk activity each day. If you can’t get your dog to run every day, a daily walking mile is a good minimum goal.
White Shepherds love to walk, run, search, pull, and play with other dogs. They love advanced activities like agility, jumping, herding, and obedience training.
With a little extra work, some dogs can even learn to walk or run on a treadmill. Teaching the treadmill is great for rainy, extremely hot, and extremely cold days.
In general, White German Shepherds thrive on physical and mental stimulation.
How should a white German shepherd be trained?
White German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and eager to please. They will quickly pick up on your instruction and make every effort to do what you ask them to do. German Shepherds are ranked among the 3 most intelligent dogs in the world.
Commands are important in training as well as proper manners, but socialization is a tremendously important and often overlooked part of training. German Shepherds can be cautious and sometimes defensive around unfamiliar people or dogs. Exposing your dog to as many dogs, people, and situations as possible creates a dog that is comfortable and confident wherever he goes.
My most recommended training method for White German Shepherds is Positive Reinforcement. It is a training method used by world-renowned service dog schools. Positive Reinforcement shows the dog the actions or behaviors that we want. It also redirects unwanted actions or behaviors towards what we do want.
If you are unsure how to train your White Shepherd, a local professional dog trainer can be a lifesaver. They know everything there is to know about dog training. They will know how to teach you to train your dog. Both you and your puppy will benefit!
How should you groom a white shepherd?
Most White German Shepherds have a double coat: a skinny, weather-resistant outer coat and a soft, insulating inner coat. Due to this double coat, all German Shepherds must be brushed daily to control shedding. Personally, I recommend a wire bristle brush that combs through each hair. Doing this avoids tangles, too.
Every spring and fall, White German Shepherds lose their undercoats. They will see the hair tumblers rolling on the ground. To help keep this super loss to a minimum, I recommend using an undercoat comb that penetrates deep into the loose hair of your undercoat.
You should only bathe your White German Shepherd with shampoo and conditioner if he gets very dirty, such as if he rolls in a mud puddle and cannot be brushed. Make sure to use shampoo and conditioner specifically for dogs. Human hair products can dry out a dog’s skin and cause a rash or itchiness.
If your White German Shepherd doesn’t chew toys very often, you might consider brushing his teeth once or twice a week. Most German Shepherds chew on toys, so you shouldn’t worry too much about this. But keep an eye out for tartar or talk to your vet about toothpaste for dogs.
Toenails can be a problem for White German Shepherds. If you spend a lot of time running or walking outside, your nails are likely to wear out and fall short naturally. If not, your nails can grow too long and cause pain when walking. Invest in a good pair of nail clippers to keep them handy. If your dog hates nail clippers like mine, I have found that a nail file works wonders. It may tickle their fingers, but there is no high-pitched crunch to scare them off.
Although White German Shepherds have straight ears, they are still prone to ear infections. Check your ear canals periodically for discharge or swelling. Use a cotton makeup pad to clean them. Talk to your vet about washing the ears if necessary.
Are there any common health problems with White German Shepherds?
No matter the color of your skin, there are a number of common health problems associated with German Shepherds:
Hip Dysplasia: The ball joint and hip socket does not form properly and causes the joints to rub instead of sliding smoothly.
Obesity: Overeating and lack of exercise can lead to drastic weight gain. An overweight white German shepherd is more likely to have arthritis or hip dysplasia.
Von Willebrand disease: A blood disease caused by a deficiency of adhesive glycoprotein in the blood necessary for the normal attachment of platelets.
Skin problems: Frequent itching and dry skin often due to allergies.
Panosteitis: “Growing pains” is a temporary condition in young dogs characterized by pain, lameness and lameness affecting the long bones of the dog’s legs.
Digestive problems: Sensitive stomach requiring special diets and low stress lifestyles.
Heart disease: Watch for symptoms of slowing down (especially noticeable in such an active breed), coughing, and rapid breathing (more than 35 breaths per minute at rest).
Cancer: Watch out for unexplained lumps and bumps, lameness, dark sores, swollen lymph nodes, wounds that won’t heal, gastrointestinal problems, sudden weakness or collapse, labored breathing, leakage inexplicable weight and lethargy.
Epilepsy: Recurrent seizures, some long and some short.
Bloating: The stomach fills with gas and puts pressure on the diaphragm, making it difficult for the dog to breathe. The stomach can also twist, causing shock and sudden death.
What vaccines do White German Shepherds need?
Vaccines protect dogs from lethal and contagious diseases. For a long and healthy life, it is best for a dog to stick to a vaccination schedule. Talk to your vet about the recommended vaccination schedule.
Flea and tick treatment is not technically a vaccine, but it is something that keeps your dog safe from insect bites and Lyme disease. You can choose between oils, necklaces or pills to prevent fleas and ticks from attaching to your shepherd.
What Food Do White German Shepherds Need?
Being very active dogs, White German Shepherds need up to 2,200 calories each day. That works out to about 3 to 5 cups of food, depending on your dog’s weight and activity level.
Feeding your dog smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding strenuous activity reduces the risk of bloat.
White Shepherds need a high level of protein and fat in their food with moderate carbohydrates.
Healthy little treats can be good for a White Shepherd, in moderation. Avoid feeding your dog too much “human food.” They can grow to expect more from your food than their own, which can lead to weight gain. Table scraps should be given in moderation.
How much will it cost to have a Swiss White German Shepherd?
Having a dog is not cheap. Buying a White Swiss German Shepherd puppy is not cheap at all. Breeders can charge between $ 750 and $ 1,500. The initial cost of supplies could be around $ 500. Annual medical costs could be around $ 500, while annual non-medical costs could be as high as $ 1,000.
If you are lucky enough to find a white German shepherd at a rescue shelter or adoption organization, you could spend as little as $ 150 to $ 250 on adoption fees.
Is a Swiss White German Shepherd the Right Dog for You?
If you are active and like the outdoors, you might be a good candidate for a White German Shepherd. If you walk or run every day, you will be a great friend.
Kids? No problem. Shepherds are kind, loving, and protective of children. They are loving and kind.
White German Shepherds are not made to be tied up outside all day. They stick to their people and want to be with them all the time.
This breed may not be suitable for people with no experience in owning a large, strong dog. It may also not be suitable for people with allergies to dandruff.
conclusion
As you can see, White Swiss German Shepherds are highly intelligent, fun-loving and loyal dogs. They are a rare color from the German Shepherd family, which makes them very special.
What are your experiences with White German Shepherds? What do you hope to learn from owning a Swiss White German Shepherd ?
We would love to hear your stories and questions! Thank you for reading!
I love the animals. Reading and writing about them, their customs, their peculiarities or the attention they require is exciting, and I also believe that it makes us better people. I share articles that solve the questions that dog caregivers face on a daily basis.