Berger Blanc Suisse

Are you looking for a snowy white, cuddle-sized buddy in the name of a pet dog? We know the Berger Blanc Suisse, aka White Swiss Shepherd, would be the perfect match for you!

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about this magnificent dog breed. We have everything from their personality and temperament to their grooming and training needs!

Overview

Origin of the Berger Blanc Suisse

Close relatives of the German Shepherds, Berger Blanc Suisse, originated in the 20th century in the snowy colonies of Switzerland. Due to their ancestral history and snowy white appearance, they are called by another name- White Swiss Shepherd. These dogs were known for their versatility in herding and search & rescue jobs. 

Their evolution made them stronger and the Berger Blanc Suisse we know today. Known for their temperament and adaptability, these dogs gained popularity among the natives and dog enthusiasts, which is why efforts were made to preserve their species. 

Appearance of the Berger Blanc Suisse

Every dog has specific characteristics which set them apart from other breeds. In the case of these fluffy buddies, here are the details of their appearance and physical characteristics:

1. Size and body

The Berger Blanc Suisse dog breed is a medium to large-sized dog. They are typically 24-26 inches tall and weigh about 55-88 pounds. Generally, females are smaller in size than males. Their bodies are well-proportioned and balanced. Berger Blanc Suisse is strongly built and has a thick, furry tail. All their features together make them look sturdy and graceful. 

2. Coat

As these dogs had to live in harsh weather conditions, nature gave them a beautiful white coat. It is a double coat that is dense and harsh to the touch but has a warm and soft undercoat. As for the colors, it’s pretty basic! Berger Blanc Suisse has a striking white, snowy fur coat, black nose, eyes, and inner ears. These colors make them look even cuter and admirable for dog owners. 

3. Other features

Moreover, White Swiss Shepherds have erect ears, and most times, they look highly alert. Their overall appearance is very approachable, and shall not intimidate anyone unless White Swiss Shepherds are pissed at them.

Personality and Temperament

Before adopting any dog, you should know them inside out! So here are the temperament and personality traits of the White Swiss Shepherd, aka Berger Blanc Suisse, so you can see if it’s a match!

1. Gentle

This dog breed is adored for its gentle and calm temperament. They are not the ones to create drama or be a part of unnecessary dog fights. Yep, they may sit aloof and judge silently, but jokes aside, they have high motherly instincts. If you have children in the house, these dogs gel very well with kids and love to spend time with them playing or fetching.

2. Energetic

The Berger Blanc Suisse dog breed can be super active and energetic. If you adopt them, you might have to make peace with compromising your sleep or personal time. They cannot sit idle unless they are tired. Often, to release their energy, Berger Blanc Suisse can bark or howl. It can be a problematic dog behavior if not fixed on time with proper obedience training.

3. Affectionate

You can add Berger Blanc Suisse to the list if you want a family dog. They can adapt well to families and other dogs if you give them socialization training at an early age. They are versatile and love to be around families who are active with them and play around with them. 

4. Not aggressive, but protective

Often, the protective nature of the Berger Blanc Suisse dog breed can translate to aggression. But this dog breed usually only shows aggression when some dog tries to trespass their territory or if they sense a threat to themselves or their owners. Otherwise, if your dog shows unnecessary aggression, it can be fixed with behavioral training.

5. Hooman pleasers

Another personality trait of the White Swiss Shepherd is that they are people pleasers. This means they love to impress their owners and follow instructions to reach their expectations. Such qualities make them a perfect breed to train, as they can catch on quickly to the commands and learnings.

Got a dog date? No worries, Berger Blanc Suisse will always be white on time!

Grooming Needs of the Berger Blanc Suisse

Berger Blanc Suisse or White Swiss Shepherds are moderate maintenance when it comes to grooming. We mean their grooming needs are not as high as Afghan Hounds, but they are also not as low as that of Azawakhs. Gather all the dog supplies as here are the basic requirements of the White Swiss Shepherd dog breed to look clean and hygienic:

1. Brushing

Brushing them at least twice weekly would be best because they have a thick and dense double coat. It can be extended to 2-3 times a week depending on the amount of shedding and coat health. White Swiss Shepherds are not hypoallergenic, meaning you must brush them more during shedding seasons. Matting is not a problem with them, but keeping the long fur detangled and healthy.

2. Bathing

Surprisingly, the bathing needs of Berger Blanc Suisse are very low. You only need to give them warm bathing sessions about once in 2-3 months. Their coarse outer coat is dust resistant and does not need regular water baths or cleaning. However, bathing off-schedule will not be harmful if they look visibly dirty or smell awful. 

Also, before you bathe them, you can slather them in coconut oil. This will help keep their coat luscious and shiny, as coconut has all the antioxidants to fight skin infections and dullness.

3. Cleaning

Last but not least, you must never forget to clean these furry babies with a damp cotton cloth. It is essential to clean areas like ears, eyes, paws, and wrinkles to ensure no build-up of ear wax, eye boogers, or dirt. In the longer term, these can lead to skin problems and infections in the White Swiss Shepherd dog breed.

Training Essentials of Berger Blanc Suisse

The good news is that even though White Swiss Shepherds are pretty big-size dogs with high nutritional needs, their training requirements are pretty basic. You only need to make about 1 hour a day of rigorous training to keep them active and in their spirit. So, apart from agility and training classes, here are the activities you can do every day with the Berger Blanc Suisse dog breed:

1. Obedience training

The first and most important thing is to teach them how to respond to commands. This is also a part of positive reinforcement as you can guide and motivate Berger Blanc Suisse to follow the instructions. The commands can be as simple as “sit” or “run” or as complex as “sit pretty” or “spin.” 

2. Daily walks and leash training

Daily walks are another “must-do” for everyday training of the White Swiss Shepherds. Dog walking is a beneficial activity that prepares the dog for further training and keeps them disciplined. The best way to make walks more productive for your dog is to include leash training as well! Also, even after they are fully trained, you should not take them outdoors without a leash. 

Note: Never pull too hard on the leash, as it can hurt your dog.

3. Socialization training

What does one do when their child is super shy, vulnerable, and might end up being super paranoid and underconfident? You teach them to socialize! White Swiss Shepherds can be pretty shy and conservative by nature; it is the owner’s responsibility to help them socialize.

Early socialization is essential as it will help these dogs to adapt well into their adulthood and not think of everyone as a threat. You can take them to neighborhood dog parties, dog dates, or groups for this. 

Final Thoughts

If you are a first-time dog owner, the Berger Blanc Suisse dog breed may or may not be ideal for you. The training and grooming is a tiring job and may not be suitable for inexperienced dog owners as you will need to make efforts for these dogs’ socialization, nutrition, and grooming. Also, the White Swiss Shepherds thrive on an active lifestyle, for which financial stability is equally important. 

Frequently Asked Questions