History of the White Swiss Shepherd

NeverendingDog Project

Preservation of the White Swiss Shepherd

BREED PROFILE (FCI STANDARD)

The White Swiss Shepherd is a medium-sized, well-muscled dog with a distinctive short, middle or long coat. They possess erect ears, a double coat that exudes an elongated appearance, and a medium-strength bone structure, characterized by elegant and harmonious lines.

The temperament of the White Swiss Shepherd is lively and balanced, exhibiting a strong affinity for action and an aptitude for training. They are known for their friendly nature and eagerness to engage in companionship.

The White Swiss Shepherd exhibits exceptional social adaptability and is very affectionate towards its owner. It never displays fear or aggression without provocation or challenge. A versatile and easy-to-train working and sporting dog, it possesses an all-round talent in various disciplines. Due to its wonderful social adaptability, the White Swiss Shepherd is adept at integrating seamlessly into diverse social gatherings and environments.

Official version: In the United States of America and Canada, White Shepherds were gradually recognized as a distinct breed. The initial specimens of this breed were early imports to Switzerland in the 1970s. Notably, the American male “Lobo” was born on March 5, 1966, and is considered the progenitor of the breed in Switzerland. The descendants of this male, registered in the Swiss Dog Breed Book (LOS) and other dogs originating from the United States and Canada, gradually interbred. Consequently, a substantial pool of purebred White Shepherds emerged, spanning several generations throughout Europe.

Original version: In the United States of America and Canada, White Shepherds were officially registered as German Shepherd Dogs in the color white. The first specimens of this breed were imported into Switzerland in the early 1970s. The American male became “Lobo White Burch,” born on March 5, 1966, as an AKC registered German White Shepherd. This male is regarded as the progenitor of the breed in Switzerland.

The White Swiss Shepherd breed in Switzerland can be traced back to a male dog. The descendants of this male, including those with the English, German White Shepherd bitch “White Lilac of Blinkbonny,” were registered in the Swiss Dog Studbook as the Swiss White Shepherd. White German Shepherd Dogs with AKC or CKC registration from the USA and Canada gradually merged with the registration in Switzerland of originally German White Shepherd Sheepdogs. From some of these dogs, a large file of offspring registered as purebred (Swiss) White Sheepdogs was distributed about several generations of White Sheepdogs throughout Europe.

In 1989, the Swiss association, the ‘Gesellschaft Weisse Schäferhunde Schweiz’ (GWS), was founded. In 1991, this association was included in the Swiss Kennel Club (SKG). The dogs are now registered by the SKG in a special register and are also admitted to all national shows and dog sports. This is the first step towards recognition by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Following Switzerland, the Board of Directors decided in 1993 to include the White Shepherd in the FCI.

In 2002 FCI recognized the breed that was officially denominated "White Swiss Shepherd" as provisional, and in 2011 they were accepted by the FCI on a definitive basis. While WWS still are descendants from 100% German shepherd lines, the breed standard is different in relation to conformation and temperament.

For more detailed history of the WSS breed I gladly refer to the website of a fellow breeder