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White Swiss Shepherd Dog

Also called Berger Blanc Suisse, Weisser Schweizer Schäferhund, Pastore Svizzero Bianco, Swiss White Shepherd

Recognised breedFCI group 1Short profile

From Switzerland, from white shepherd dogs imported from North America in the 1970s.123

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male30 to 40 kg13
Weight, female25 to 35 kg13
Height, male58 to 66 cm13
Height, female53 to 61 cm13
Lifespan10 to 12 years4
Sizelarge

FCI standard figures.

lively and balanced
attentive and easy to train
friendly and devoted to its people
14

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

Colourswhite14

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. 1

    The whole Swiss breed traces back to one American dog, Lobo, born on 5 March 1966.1

  2. 2

    The FCI standard's official language is French, which is why the breed's formal name is Berger Blanc Suisse.2

  3. 3

    Its herding ability is described as similar to that of the German Shepherd.3

  4. 4

    The standard prefers dark skin under the all-white coat.3

Where the name comes from the story behind it

The breed is named 'White Swiss Shepherd Dog' (Berger Blanc Suisse) because it originated from white German Shepherd dogs imported to Switzerland, where it was developed as a separate breed and officially recognized by the FCI in 2011.5

Famous ones stars of the breed

Name ideas for your new friend

LunaAuroraBlizzardSnowyAlpineNevadaGlacierYukiBiancaFrostAspenCrystal

A day in the life told by a White Swiss Shepherd Dog

I wake as the first light touches my white coat. My human stirs, and I tap a paw, time to start our day. We crunch through the frosty field, and I chase the scent of pine and wild thyme. At home, I rest my head on their knee while they work, ready to fetch a dropped pen. Afternoon brings a game: I circle the garden, proud guardian of every stick and leaf. Evening, we walk under the stars, and I walk close, tail high. I curl at their feet, one ear up, one dream away.

A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.

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 a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a White Swiss Shepherd Dog. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Simple Carrot Crunchies

Carrots are low in calories and high in fibre, making them a crunchy, satisfying treat that won't pile on the pounds.

You need

  • 1 large carrot, washed and peeled

How

  1. Cut the carrot into thin, bite-sized sticks or rounds.
  2. Steam or boil the carrot pieces for 5–7 minutes until just tender, or serve raw for extra crunch.
  3. Allow to cool completely before offering to your dog.

How much: Give 2–3 small pieces per day for a medium-sized dog, adjusting for your dog's size and daily calorie allowance.

Recipe from The Kennel Club

Pumpkin & Yoghurt Pup-Cup

Pumpkin is packed with fibre and vitamins, helping dogs feel full without extra calories, and low-fat yoghurt keeps it light.

You need

  • 1 cooking pumpkin
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat yoghurt
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat whipping cream
  • Cinnamon, to sprinkle

How

  1. Peel the pumpkin and remove all seeds.
  2. Cut the flesh into small pieces and steam for 15 minutes until soft.
  3. Mash the cooked pumpkin until smooth and let it cool completely.
  4. Mix 1 tablespoon of the mashed pumpkin with the yoghurt.
  5. Spoon the mixture into a small paper cup.
  6. Whip the cream until soft peaks form and spoon it on top of the yoghurt mixture.
  7. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon over the cream.

How much: One pup-cup is plenty for a medium-sized dog as an occasional treat. Adjust portion size for smaller or larger dogs.

Recipe from Dogs Trust

Homemade Dog Biscuits (Chicken & Rice)

A simple, tasty treat made from gentle ingredients that are easy on sensitive stomachs, perfect for rewarding without upset.

You need

  • 1 egg
  • 170g boiled chicken breast
  • 100g cooked plain rice
  • 60ml chicken stock (homemade or no added salt)
  • 680g plain flour (adjust as needed for consistency)

How

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Blitz the boiled chicken, cooked rice, and chicken stock in a blender until smooth.
  3. Transfer to a bowl, add the egg and flour, and mix well.
  4. Dust a clean surface with flour, turn out the dough, and knead until no longer sticky.
  5. Roll dough to about 1cm thickness and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
  6. Place on the tray and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
  7. Cool completely before serving.

How much: 1–2 biscuits as an occasional treat for a medium-sized healthy dog. Adjust for your dog's size, age, and activity level.

Recipe from Blue Cross

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my White Swiss Shepherd Dog, and at what times?

Feed your adult White Swiss Shepherd at least two meals a day, ideally at the same times each morning and evening. Puppies need three to four smaller meals. Splitting the daily ration helps keep their digestion steady.7

What should a White Swiss Shepherd Dog eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Offer a high-quality dog food suited to their age and size. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. Always check with your vet for the best diet plan.8

How often should I bathe a White Swiss Shepherd Dog?

A bath every 10 weeks or so keeps their white coat fresh, but you can bathe more often if they get dirty. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests bathing about every 70 days. Use a gentle dog shampoo to protect their double coat.9 Pet Wiki plan

How often does a White Swiss Shepherd Dog need brushing?

Brush a medium coat about once a week and a long coat about twice a week. Furry Diary's plan recommends brushing every three days, and daily during heavy shedding. This helps manage their generous shedding and keeps the coat healthy.4 Pet Wiki plan

How do I trim a White Swiss Shepherd Dog's nails, and how often?

Trim nails every four weeks or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick to avoid pain. Furry Diary's plan suggests a monthly trim as a good starting point.9 Pet Wiki plan

How much exercise does a White Swiss Shepherd Dog need?

This energetic breed needs more than two hours of activity daily, plus training or games to keep their mind busy. Furry Diary's plan includes daily walks and play. They thrive with plenty of space and rural walks nearby.4 Pet Wiki plan

How do I look after a White Swiss Shepherd Dog's teeth and ears?

Brush their teeth two to three times a week using a dog-safe toothpaste; daily is ideal. Check ears every two weeks and clean gently without pushing anything into the ear canal. Furry Diary's plan suggests ear checks every 14 days.9 Pet Wiki plan

How long does a White Swiss Shepherd Dog live?

A White Swiss Shepherd Dog typically lives between 10 and 12 years. With good care, regular vet visits, and a loving home, they can enjoy a full, happy life.4

Is a White Swiss Shepherd Dog good with children and other pets?

Yes, they are devoted to their family and generally get along well with children and other pets when properly socialised from an early age. They are more open with strangers than many shepherds, but early training helps build confidence.14

Can a White Swiss Shepherd Dog be left alone?

This breed is strongly people-oriented and prefers to be included in family life. They may struggle with long periods alone, so early training and gradual alone time can help. They do best with experienced owners who can provide plenty of company.4

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.

  1. FCI Standard No. 347 Berger Blanc Suisse fci.beused for history, size, weight, coat, colour, temperament
  2. FCI nomenclature: Berger Blanc Suisse fci.beused for recognition dates, group
  3. White Swiss Shepherd Dog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history, recognition, fun facts
  4. Purina UK - Swiss White Shepherd purina.co.ukused for lifespan, exercise, grooming, Kennel Club group, habitat
  5. fci.be fci.be
  6. dogsnz.org.nz dogsnz.org.nz
  7. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  8. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  9. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.