The White Swiss Shepherd is physically similar to the German Shepherd except for the color.
History of the breed
The history of the White Swiss Shepherd began in Germany around 1890. A man named Max Von Stephanitz had in mind to create the ideal shepherd dog. He succeeded in creating German Shepherds, but the white color was no longer allowed once the standard was established. It was not uncommon to get an immaculate puppy, but breeders kept their existence secret.
The White Swiss Shepherd did not appear officially in Germany until 1980. Breeders’ clubs appeared little by little throughout the world, but the breed was not officially standardized until January 2003. Switzerland had then asked to be granted the “paternity” of this breed.
Physical characteristics
Its hair: double, it can be long or of average length.
Its color : entirely white.
Its head : skull not very bulging, stop not very marked and truffle of average size.
Its ears : set high and parallel, they are well erected. The tips go towards the front.
Eyes : medium size and almond shaped. Their color is brown more or less dark.
Its body: the musculature is impressive although the whole is perfectly harmonious. The back is horizontal.
Its tail: attached low, it can go down under the hock. It is very bushy and is presented in the form of saber.
Behavior with others
The White Swiss Shepherd is a dog that is very attached to its owners. Very gentle, curious by nature, he can be very attentive to the activities of crafts and gardening as he likes to experiment with new games. Very intelligent, aggressiveness is not part of its character, which makes it a very good pet for young children. Its only weak point is that it does not like to be alone. He needs a lot of affection and human presence. He can also make a good guard dog.
Training
The White Swiss Shepherd is moderately docile. It must be trained firmly but gently because of its extreme sensitivity. The sooner he is used to a situation, the faster he will adapt to it. He must therefore become familiar with the habits of the household (rhythm of life, meal times, etc.) very early on so as not to feel abandoned. He certainly needs affection, but it is preferable not to show him an excessive interest. He would risk becoming too attached and would have a hard time supporting the absences (even short) of his masters. Adapted to work, the White Swiss Shepherd can fulfill many useful functions (patrol dog, anti-drug, anti-explosive, etc.)
Living conditions
The White Swiss Shepherd knows how to adapt to all situations, as long as he is near his masters. He needs to be physically active with real walks 2 to 3 times a day. A garden or a yard satisfies him but he likes to let off steam in the country. The apartment alone all day is absolutely excluded for this breed.
Health
The White Swiss Shepherd, which can live up to 14 years, is a very strong breed. Sometimes subject to diarrhea, it can also have hip dysplasia. Its concern would be rather emotional because it can be hyper attached to its owners. Be sure to protect him from ticks and fleas without interruption.
This breed of dog may have a genetic defect MDR1, which means that it is sensitive to medication. Some medications can be dangerous, even deadly, so it is imperative to discuss this with a veterinarian.
Care and hygiene
The White Swiss Shepherd requires only a minimum of daily care. Being a calm dog, it does not require many outings. Its maintenance is quite easy. It has 2 moults per year and these periods last between 3 weeks and one month each.
The white hairs of the White Swiss Shepherd are self-cleaning. Daily brushing is recommended, especially during the moulting period. However, washing should not be done more than twice a year.
Teeth should be brushed regularly to eliminate tartar buildup and bacterial growth. His eyes and ears should be checked frequently, at least once a week, to prevent possible infections. Finally, if they don’t wear out naturally, nails should be trimmed regularly. If they are too long, they may cause pain and problems in moving around. As dogs’ nails contain blood vessels, it is recommended to ask a veterinarian for advice to avoid any risk of accident.
Food
A quality food is necessary for the White Swiss Shepherd. The food must be rich in animal proteins and more or less low in assimilable carbohydrates.
Physical activity
The White Swiss Shepherd appreciates the outdoors. The walks will be preferably regular, but not necessarily long.