The White German Shepherd is known for its plush white coat, its athletic body and its high intelligence. This unique dog is bred from German Shepherds and carries many of the same characteristics, yet it also carries the recessive black furred coat gene.

So, as long as you don’t mind a bit of extra time spent grooming, you’ll still get a loving and loyal German Shepherd as your trusty companion.

Read on below to find out more about this special breed of dog and whether they could be the right pup for you.

White German Shepherd History

A dog that was strong, healthy and intelligent, with erect ears, a medium-length weatherproof coat, an outgoing, friendly nature, high trainability and disciplined.

They found Hector, considered the father of the German Shepherd dog. Hector carried recessive white genes. With Hector as the foundation dog, other dogs were bred for various reasons. One factor that was enhanced was the white coat.

Many of the early herdsmen preferred the white coat, as it was easier to distinguish the dogs from darker European wolves. For this purpose, breeds such as the Great Pyrenees, the Kuvasz and the Police Tatra Mountain Dog were introduced.

The most concerted effort to develop a pure strain of white German Shepherds prior to the 1900’s was in Alsace-Lorraine in Austria by the powerful Royal House of Hapsburg.

It seems the Queen of Hapsburg, as the story tells, wanted white German Shepherds to go with their white gowns and the magnificent Lipizzan horses. 1912 Anne Tracy of New York imported the first German Shepherds into the United States.

White puppies appeared immediately in the first litters. 1917 The American Kennel Club registered the first white German Shepherds atae New York kennel.

1921 Von Stephanitz published his book on “The German Shepherd Dog,” which included a photo of a celebrated white German Shepherd dog, Berno V.D., who was a direct descendant of Hector.

Breed Origin of White German Shepherd

1917 The American Kennel Club registered the first white German Shepherds at a New York kennel. 1921 – Von Stephanitz published his book on “The German Shepherd Dog,” which included a photo of a celebrated white German Shepherd dog, Berno V.D., who was a direct descendant of Hector.

Unfortunately, the white German Shepherd is not recognized by the AKC because the white color does not meet the American Kennel Club’s breed standard for a German Shepherd.

However, this doesn’t stop the white German Shepherd dog from being bred and they are recognized as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club.

 

Characteristics of the White German Shepherd

White German Shepherds have many of the same characteristics as other German Shepherds.

As puppies, they are born in litters of around five to ten puppies and can cost anywhere between $750 and $1000.

Appearance

As far as appearance, white German Shepherds are typically solid white with a medium-length coat, although a light cream color is also acceptable.

These dogs are not albinos. Albino dogs have no pigment, giving them almost translucent skin and pink or blue eyes; other than that, they are completely white.

White German Shepherds typically have pink or black skin, gold or brown eyes and a dark nose. Dogs with white coats conceal their normal colors due to a recessive gene.

A white German Shepherd can produce standard offspring. A male should be approximately 24″-26″ tall at the shoulder, with the females 22”-24.” A typical dog should weigh between 75-85 pounds, with the female weighing 60-70 pounds.

Coat

There are two types of coats for the White German Shepherd: short coats and long coats. If your White German Shepherd has a long coat, it will typically be much larger than other German Shepherds in the breed.

The fur is thick and straight and does require quite a bit of grooming, although we will go into more detail about that below.

When they are puppies, their coat is normally super fluffy. It does become more coarse as they get older, but their ears remain fluffy.

Their coat is also a double-coat which helps add protection against harsh winds or rain.

Color

The White German Shepherd Of course, the coat color of the White German Shepherd is white! This is what makes them stand out and are an unusual breed.

The white coat recessive gene only impacts fur color and does not have any effect on their skin or eye pigment.

This makes identifying a white German Shepherd very simple and also closely resembles their wolf ancestors.

In every other aspect, they mirror the appearance of a standard tan German Shepherd with the same dark brown eyes.

Temperament

The white shepherd is a very intelligent, courageous and fearless dog. The White German Shepherd, as are all German Shepherds, is known for their loyalty. They are very protective and make excellent guard dogs or watchdogs.

They are also extremely loyal and love being around people, which makes them an excellent family dog as well as an excellent working dog.

Because they are quite protective, socialization does need to take place otherwise they can become aggressive around people they don’t know and try to protect you.

They may also bark at strangers, but this is just because they are trying to protect you!

A white shepherd is an active dog and needs to be mentally stimulated. As we mentioned above, they are originally a working dog and love to be outside running and playing.

They don’t like to be left alone and don’t like to be cooped up in a small apartment, and can become bored and destructive.

Lifespan

The life expectancy of a white German Shepherd is relatively long. They can live for about 10 to 14 years.

White German Shepherd Of Health Issues

Perianal Fistula

This disease is similar to Crohn’s disease in humans. It is most commonly recognized when dogs have bloody stool and diarrhea. Typically, they will lick the anal area. You will most likely find messy bedding to be an issue as well.

Infection in this area is caused by the nerves, which results in a painful experience for the animal. The placement of the tail on these animals is in large part due to this disease. Studies show that dietary changes, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease are all a result of this disease.

Megaesophagus

This occurs when the esophagus, which is where we transport food to the stomach, is no longer able to pass food through the entire digestive process.

In German Shepherds, we see the megaesophagus as a congenital problem. Dogs that are affected by this show signs of vomiting and regurgitating their food when they are forced to consume a solid diet.

The dogs appear malnourished and smaller than their counterparts. Managing dogs with this disease is lifelong. It involves a constant liquid diet as well as frequent feeding. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease.

Hip Dysplasia

This happens when the hip joint does not fit properly into the hip socket and causes instability in the animal.

Abnormalities are seen in the ball or the socket, or both. Abnormal wear is a result of chronic laxity and ultimately leads to osteoarthritis.

The genetic correlation between breeds with this disease is strong. Only the German Shepherd dog has shown improvements for dysplasia even though breeding programs have reduced this in all breeds.

This disease is extremely painful for animals. Testing and breeding are the only ways to mitigate the occurrence of this genetic disorder. Management of this disease requires lifetime pain and activity management of the animal.

Osteoarthritis

This is not a direct result of hip dysplasia; however, middle-aged and older dogs tend to be affected by this disorder, which is seen as very common.

This disease can come as a result of injury or normal wear and tear on more active dogs. The pain resulting from this disease could be in the spine and be less noticeable.

Often owners feel that their dog is merely slowing down, but a visit to your veterinarian is most likely able to reveal the truth about what is happening.

Sometimes this can be temporarily managed through medication.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease that is a recessive genetic disorder. It is a neurological disease affecting middle-aged or older dogs.

It is difficult to distinguish this disease from other spinal cord issues like intervertebral disc issues.

The genetic cause is usually positively identified after death by an analysis of spinal cord tissue. These dogs will experience weakness in their rear limbs that is progressive and eventually leads to paralysis.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia tends to affect larger dogs. Its root cause is genetics, and it especially affects German Shepherds that have a long line of poorly bred ancestors.

Mild cases will get progressively worsening with time and make it extremely uncomfortable for the dog to walk. It is one of the most common German Shepherd health issues.

Typically, owners will make sure that this disease is not prevalent in their dog’s lineage before beginning the breeding cycle.

There is little that can be done besides providing the dog with the right nutrition and keeping its joints lubricated.

Bloating _Gastric Dilation-Volvulu

This typically happens when the dog eats too much too quickly, then immediately follows the meal with intense physical exercise.

Like when humans do this, the dog experiences gas build up in the stomach. After struggling with the gas, the dog goes into shock and struggles to breathe.

If your pet is attempting to vomit without anything coming out of its mouth, it could be very serious, and you should talk to your vet.

In order to prevent this, you should make sure that your dog does not eat too quickly and all at once. Smaller meals throughout the day could have a much healthier impact on the digestive tract of the dog versus one large meal.

Avoiding strenuous activity after eating will also contribute to this effort in preventing bloating.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is an issue that we see most commonly in humans, but it’s also prevalent in dogs. Ironically, German Shepherds are typically trained to be seizure-detecting dogs, but they too could acquire the disorder.

Epilepsy in dogs is a genetic disorder that happens to be incurable. Medications are the only route that allows this ailment to be managed in these animals.

Dogs won’t be aware that they have these conditions, so it is the responsibility of the owner to watch for them. It is especially imperative for dogs with this condition to live stress-free, happy, comfortable lives.

Events like kennel club shows can trigger seizures in the dog resulting in epilepsy, so keeping these animals strictly as pets is advisable.

 

White German Shepherd Of Daily Life

Now that you know all about the characteristics and traits of this unique German Shepherd breed, it is time to take a look at what daily life with them is like.

In this article we look at what to feed this big breed, how much exercise they need, and how to groom such a large breed. It comes as no surprise that this is a high maintenance dog breed, but they are worth it!

Food and Diet of White German Shepherd

The most suitable diet for German Shepherds is a high-quality, protein-rich diet consisting of 18-22% protein. Dogs can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, all dogs must ensure they have the right balance of protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber for optimum health.

• The nutrients your German Shepherd needs.
• The foods your German Shepherd can and can’t eat.
• The various types of dog foods, including their pros and cons.
• Here’s how much you should feed your German Shepherd?

Experts recommend that a White German Shepherd should eat around 1500 calories a day, which is around 3 cups of food. As a puppy, they should be fed three times a day which can then be decreased to two meals a day as an adult.

However, if you have a busy schedule, you can only eat one meal a day.

Exercise

It is not a surprise that this breed of white dog is very active and has high exercise needs. As a working dog and a breed that is often used as a police dog, they need lots of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy.

You should ensure that you are exercising your German Shepherd for 60 to 90 minutes a day. This includes walks, playing and mental games.

Your doggie will want a lot of yard, so they will not be getting the exercise they need if you live in a small apartment.

Without adequate exercise, they can develop unwanted and destructive behaviors due to frustration and boredom.

Family Compatibility

A white shepherd makes an excellent family dog. Because they are so loyal, they will want to protect you from anything harmful, which makes them an excellent guard dog.

However, you will need to train them from a young age to understand that not everything is a threat, otherwise they may well bark for hours!

We mentioned above how much exercise a German Shepherd needs. As a working dog, they need lots of physical and mental stimulation, so they are the most ideal pet for those who are outside a lot.

They’re also the perfect hiking or running companion and will do well in a very active family environment because of their high energy.

Because they are a large dog, they also need a substantial amount of space. This includes a backyard for them to run around in.

Your German Shepherd will not thrive in a small apartment as they will feel like they are being cooped up and may begin to exhibit destructive behaviors.

This breed does have a naturally high prey drive, so you will need to take care when introducing them to children for the first time.

That being said, when socialized properly, White German Shepherds love children and will even take your children under their wing.

The older your dog is, the harder it will be to introduce them to new things and people, but it still can be done. They also get on very well with other family pets, so there will be no issues there and they will become a loved family member.

Training of White German Shepherd

The white German Shepherd is a very intelligent dog and is therefore very easy to train. Their ease of training means that they make an excellent family dog as well as a dog for couples or individuals.

You should train them from a very young age and always use positive reinforcement. This can include verbal praise and yummy treats to show them that they are doing a good job.

German Shepherds can be quite stubborn, so you should never punish them or scold them. They’ll also do a lot better if you give them a lot of time to exercise before you decide to conduct a training session.

They are great detectives too, so hiding treats and getting them to sniff the treats out makes a fun game to play!

Grooming

Unfortunately, your White German Shepherd will shed all year round. This is because their coat is so thick. One way to minimize sheds is to ensure that you brush them at least two to three times a week.

It is not necessary to bathe often.

Only when they look dirty. Brushing their teeth is very critical to prevent dental decay and gum disease, although you can give them dental chews every day to help keep their teeth clean.

One way to ensure that grooming your German Shepherd is not a traumatic experience for them is to begin grooming them at a young age.

This will show them that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Canclusion

White German Shepherds are a loyal and friendly dog. Genetically no different from a tan German Shepherd, these pups are just as protective and love being around you.

Excellent working dogs. Your German dog will make a great guard dog as well as a cuddly companion to lay on the couch with.

Although their grooming and exercise needs are high, these fluffy animals are certainly worth it and we know you’d love to have one in your life.

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