At a glance the quick version
FCI standard figures.
Coat and looks how to spot one
double coat, medium-length or long
A strong, well-muscled shepherd of medium to large size with pricked ears and a slightly elongated, elegant frame. It comes in a medium-length or a long coat, both with a thick undercoat under straight, hard outer hair, and the coat is always white.13
Personality what they are like
A cheerful, even-natured dog that loves being busy and learns readily. It is devoted to its family, often forming an especially close bond with one person, is more open with strangers than many shepherds, and will still alert its household to anything unusual.14
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Plan on more than two hours of activity a day plus training or games that keep its mind occupied.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush the medium coat about once a week and the long coat about twice a week; the breed sheds a good deal.4
Home where they are happiest
Does best with experienced owners and plenty of space, ideally with rural walking on the doorstep.4
Company who they like around
Strongly people-oriented and happiest included in family life; early socialisation and reward-based training suit it well.4
The story where it all began
White shepherd dogs bred in North America were brought to Switzerland from the early 1970s, starting with an American male called Lobo born in 1966. Swiss breeders developed them further, the Swiss stud book took them in 1991, and the FCI accepted the breed provisionally in 2002 and fully in 2011.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The whole Swiss breed traces back to one American dog, Lobo, born on 5 March 1966.1
- 2
The FCI standard's official language is French, which is why the breed's formal name is Berger Blanc Suisse.2
- 3
Its herding ability is described as similar to that of the German Shepherd.3
- 4
The standard prefers dark skin under the all-white coat.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 347, Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs, without working trial; provisional 26 Nov 2002, definitive 7 Apr 2011.2
- Swiss Kennel Club (SKG)
- Entered in the appendix of the Swiss Stud Book in June 1991.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral Group, Import Register.4
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Recognised in 2017.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a White Swiss Shepherd Dog. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 347 Berger Blanc Suisse fci.beused for history, size, weight, coat, colour, temperament
- FCI nomenclature: Berger Blanc Suisse fci.beused for recognition dates, group
- White Swiss Shepherd Dog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history, recognition, fun facts
- Purina UK - Swiss White Shepherd purina.co.ukused for lifespan, exercise, grooming, Kennel Club group, habitat
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.