Dog Breed

White Shepherd

Braniac
Primary image of White Shepherd dog breed
Full Name
White Shepherd
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Life Span
12 - 14 years
Weight
60 - 85 pounds
Description

Self-confidence, Aloof, Fearless, Alert, Companionable, Eager

Origin
United States of America
Germany
Bred For
Herding
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the White Shepherd good with children?

    Yes, the White Shepherd is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the White Shepherd naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the White Shepherd friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the White Shepherd is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the White Shepherd is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the White Shepherd friendly with other dogs?

    The White Shepherd is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the White Shepherd like to cuddle?

    The White Shepherd appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the White Shepherd like to play?

    The White Shepherd is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the White Shepherd make a good service dog?

    The White Shepherd is a common service dog. The White Shepherd is smart, dedicated, and patient. However, despite the White Shepherd being an excellent breed for service work, they must pass through an extensive training period and only some will be up for a life dedicated to service work.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the White Shepherd good for first-time owners?

    The White Shepherd is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the White Shepherd be trained?

    The White Shepherd can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The White Shepherd is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the White Shepherd shed a lot?

    The White Shepherd sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the White Shepherd easy to groom?

    The White Shepherd requires a good amount of grooming work. It is possible to do it yourself, but you need to plan on dedicating weekly grooming sessions at the minimum.
    Exercise Need

    Does the White Shepherd need a lot of exercise?

    The White Shepherd has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the White Shepherd?

    The White Shepherd is one of the smartest dog breeds. Having a very smart dog is fun, but it is also demanding- they require mental challenge and stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the White Shepherd bark? Does the White Shepherd bark too much?

    The White Shepherd barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The White Shepherd will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the White Shepherd a good guard dog?

    The White Shepherd can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the White Shepherd good at staying alone? Is the White Shepherd independent?

    The White Shepherd is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the White Shepherd a good apartment dog?

    The White Shepherd is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the White Shepherd?

    The White Shepherd is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the White Shepherd tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a White Shepherd?

    The White Shepherd can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the White Shepherd tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a White Shepherd?

    The White Shepherd can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the White Shepherd try to run away?

    The White Shepherd does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the White Shepherd a healthy dog? The health of a White Shepherd should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The White Shepherd is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the White Shepherd?

    The White Shepherd has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the White Shepherd into your home. Can you give your White Shepherd enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the White Shepherd drool?

    The White Shepherd drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the White Shepherd have a large prey drive? Does the White Shepherd like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The White Shepherd has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the White Shepherd atheltic?

    The White Shepherd is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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  • Secondary image of White Shepherd dog breed
  • Secondary image of White Shepherd dog breed
  • Secondary image of White Shepherd dog breed
  • Secondary image of White Shepherd dog breed

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  1. Herding
  2. Shepherd / Sheepdog
  3. White Shepherd
The White Shepherd is a purebred dog that belongs to the Shepherd / Sheepdog sub group, which falls under the larger Herding dog breed group.
Herding group: The Herding group dogs all share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. They have traditionally been raised on farms to help herd and protect valuable livestock. They are intelligent, and have been bred to treat each day like they have a "job" they must do. Their innate herding ability is such a big part of who they are, that they are known to even "herd" their owners, children, or other small dogs. Some can seem stubborn and even obsessed with their herding, since they take it seriously! They have high expectations, and must be stimulated mentally just as much as physically. The reward to these "high expectations" is that they can be trained very well, and are oftentimes used in competitions. Certain breeds such as the well known German Shepard are also used by Police forces, because of their discipline, intelligence, and ability to be trained.
Shepherd / Sheepdog sub-group: Shepherd dogs are the super performers of the dog world. For many generations they have served their owners by performing their job of helping in the farm- guarding, protecting, and herding. Shepherds were bred based off intelligence and temperament, and willingness to serve their families. Today they are excellent family dogs, but also excel as military service animals, emotional therapy dogs, and in competitive obedience competitions. They are highly trainable and intelligent, but that does not necessarily mean they are an easy dog or optimal for first time owners. With this potential comes greater responsibility from the owner. They need a firm owner who is willing to stimulate them both physically and mentally from an early age. They need a leader. If they have one, you will be rewarded with one of the friendliest and most intelligent dogs in the World.

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