White Swiss Shepherd

The White Swiss Shepherd Dog is the white German Shepherd, recognised as a breed in its own right by Switzerland after the colour was excluded from the German standard.

History

White shepherds existed in the founding German Shepherd stock, but the colour was disqualified in Germany from the 1930s. The dogs survived in North America and were re-exported to Switzerland, which registered them as a separate breed in the 1990s — a breed created by a colour ban rather than by a job.

Temperament

The breed is known for being attentive, sensitive and closely bonded to its family, generally softer and less sharp than the working German Shepherd lines. It is watchful without being reactive and dislikes harsh handling.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work, and responds well to reward-based training. The double coat sheds heavily and needs regular brushing.

Health

Known tendencies include hip and elbow dysplasia and, in some lines, degenerative myelopathy. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.