Privacy Policy: Your email address is 100% safe.
We don't spam and hate it as much as you do :-) You can also unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time.
Subscribe to The FREE White German Shepherd Training Course to learn how you can easily turn your unruly and disobedient White GSD into a loving, friendly companion. Step-by-step tips for puppy housebreaking, dog obedience training and stopping bad behavior.
Sign Up
Sign Up
White German Shepherd: Temperament, Exercise, Health (American White Shepherd)
About White German Shepherd
Country of Origin, History of White German Shepherds
The White Shepherd is descended from the German Shepherd Dog. The gene that makes them white is a natural allele in the total color genetic makeup. This has been chosen and bred for so that there is little mixing of dog breeds or lines. They are pure in the United States just as they are in Europe and in Canada.
White German Shepherd Tools
Breed Selector Tool - is the White German Shepherd the right breed for you?
Is the White German Shepherd the right breed for you and your family?
Find out by using our Free Dog Breed Selector Tool
Check Your White German Shepherd's Learning Style
Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your White German Shepherd's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper White German Shepherd training methods.
Is your White German Shepherd dominating over you?
Does your White German Shepherd bark unnecessarily? Does your White German Shepherd come to you when you call? Download a FREE Report on Dog Dominance for you and your White German Shepherd and learn how to control your dog.
Do you make these mistakes with your White German Shepherd?
Are you inadvertently snow-balling bad behavior in your White German Shepherd? Evaluate your Dog Training Style from our Free Tool and learn how best to deal with your dog.
White German Shepherd Calorie Calculator
Do you know how many calories your White German Shepherd needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our White German Shepherd Calorie Calculator.
A General Appearance of the Dog
White Shepherds look just like normal German Shepherds except that they are totally white. White Shepherd Dogs are well-proportioned, muscular yet trim dogs with pricked (stand up) ears. It is agile and quick. The noble-looking White Shepherd is well-balanced, longer than it is tall. He has almond-shaped eyes with a lively, intelligent expression. His bushy tail hangs down.
The White Shepherd is a trotting dog who moves smoothly and rhythmically, covering a lot of ground quickly. Its stride is long, quick, and easy. The hindquarters seem to deliver a power thrust that propels the front end forward. The dog can easily spring from its hindquarters, jumping up or forward to quite a distance.
Coat Color
The White Shepherd is totally white or cream colored.
Coat Type
There are three coat types: rough (relatively short with undercoat), long rough (longer with undercoat), and long-haired (without undercoat).
The White Shepherd Dog coat is relatively short with an obvious undercoat. This is quite waterproof. Some dogs are born with long coats which usually, though not always, are devoid of undercoat. Such coats are more difficult to groom, but many pet owners seem to like the long-coated version. The normal coat is dominant to the long version, so there are three kinds of coat: normal, normal but carrying the long coat gene, and long. About 10% of the pups are born long-coated.
Height
Males: 24-26 inches
Females: 22-24 inches
Weight: 75-90 lbs
Free White German Shepherd Training Secrets
Free Course on White German Shepherd Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
White German Shepherd Personality Traits
Temperament
The Spanish Water Dog is an extremely intelligent, fearless, ever-active, strong, attentive, happy and well balanced versatile working dog with strong herding, hunting and guardian instincts. It is a devoted companion. It is reserved, not shy, with strangers. They can be protective and territorial.
Are they suited to families with kids?
Most of them are good with children and other animals if properly socialized.
White German Shepherd Activity Level
How Active is the Breed?
The White Shepherd is very active throughout his life; however, he is fairly quiet when indoors. He will need daily exercise and some activity to keep his mind busy. Some kind of daily, active exercise is necessary. Many enjoy catching balls or Frisbees®.
How Much Exercise Does the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?
White Shepherd puppies will be pretty rambunctious. Outdoor play and some training (like obedience) will help to keep his body and mind busy. He will enjoy a brisk, long walk each day – or, after he is a year old, he can job or go with you when you bike or rollerblade. If he is underexercised, he will become destructive (especially as a youngster).
Grooming
All three coat types are shed throughout the year with heavy shedding in spring and fall. Weekly brushing is a must with daily brushing during the spring and fall.
Free White German Shepherd Training Secrets
Free Course on White German Shepherd Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Health and Care
Genetic Problems
Hereditary diseases include hip and elbow dysplasia (OFA certification of good on both parents is essential), blood disorders, digestive problems, malabsorption syndrome, degenerative joint disease, epilepsy, chronic eczema, eye inflammation, skin and coat problems and allergies. Autoimmune diseases like Lupus are beginning to show up in White Shepherds.
Unfortunately some breeders are offering shy and nervous Alsatians for sale. These dogs should be avoided at all costs as they can be dangerous.
Breeding the Dog and any Cautions
You will want to have your dog’s hips and elbows certified before breeding.
Litter Size: 8 – 10 puppies are common for White Shepherds.
Life Span: The life span of the White Shepherd is about 12 years.
National Breed Clubs
National Breed Clubs
US – American White Shepherd Association –
www.awsaclub.com
Other Recognition: WGSDCV, FCI, UKC, NKC, AWSA, APRI, WSSDCA
The White Shepherd is registered as a White Shepherd with the American White Shepherd Association (AWSA) and the United Kennel Club (UKC).
The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes it as a Berger Blanc Swiss, the same name the White Swiss Shepherd Dog Club of Australia (WSSDCA) uses. Other clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) do not recognize the White Shepherd as a separate breed and call the white color a disqualification.
Group: Herding Group
AKC Popularity Ranking: Not recognized by AKC
Also Known As: American White Shepherd, Canadian White Shepherd, Berger Blanc Swiss
Train Your White German Shepherd To Listen To You
Get Instant Access to Your Training Now - For Free
Sign up for our Free White German Shepherd Mini Course to have a housebroken, obedient dog that happily comes to you every time you call.
You'll learn new commands to obedience-train your dog as well as how to housebreak your dog in 6 days or less.
You'll also learn how to eliminate bad habits like barking, nipping or biting, jumping, or pulling on the leash.Here's just s small fraction of what else you'll learn in the course:
How to lead and think like a pack dog - the new psychology.
3 dangerous mistakes that most White GSD owners make when they are trying to potty train their dogs.
The 2 main reasons why your dog barks excessively and how to control its excessive barking.
How to obedience train your White German Shepherd to permanently end behavioral problems like Jumping, Aggression, Pulling on Leash.
A surprisingly easy way to teach your dog cool new tricks.
How to improve your dog's lifespan and keep it from getting overly heavy with a healthy and nutritious diet.
Getting Pro help fast - how to get access to our expert trainers when you need them most.
One hidden psychological trigger that all White German Shepherds have... that practically allows you to "analyze" and "control" your dog's every action.
Priority access to the free online seminars conducted by our training experts.
Whereas other dog training related web sites and books offer generic information for dogs in general, ours is the ONLY web site that offers White GSD information specifically, from a renowned panel of experts - because as you probably know, White GSDs have their own special training requirements that other dogs don't have.
What Other Dog Owners Say…
Our Free Courses
Dog Obedience TrainingDog Housetraining
Stop Dog Barking
Stop Dog Biting
HomeMade Dog food
Dog Grooming
Adopting A Dog
Read More
PureBred Dog BreedsMixed Dog Breeds
Dog Groups
Training Small Dog Breeds
Training Medium Dog Breeds
Training Large Dog Breeds
Exercising Your Dog
Dog Health
More Articles
Dog Grooming Needs
Our Tribute