Berger Blanc Suisse
- Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs ( without Swiss Cattle Dogs)
- Section 1: Sheepdogs
- Without working trial
Switzerland
White German Shepherd
Males: 60-66 cm Female: 55-61 cm
Dogs: 30-40 kg Female: 25-35 kg
The Berger Blanc Suisse ( White Swiss Shepherd ) is recognized by the FCI Swiss breed (FCI Group 1, Section 1, Standard No. 347 ).
Origin and History
Shepherds as working dogs of the shepherds
The origin of all German Shepherd breeds were working dogs of the shepherd. These dogs were often the color white, so that one could distinguish them in the dark from predators. Shepherds need a weather-resistant, reliably working and resilient dog. By selection on such traits developed over time rather uniform assessed, docile flock of dogs.
Background: White German Shepherds
In the 1880s, Baron von Knigge had the White German Shepherd Cross, which was bought by the breeder Friedrich saving water and mated with the female Lotte. From this connection came the bitch Lene, which was mated with Castor, from which on 1 January 1895 the male Hector Linksrhein fell. This dog was registered in 1899 under the name of Count Horand Rath with the number SZ1 in the Stud Book of the Association for German Shepherd Dogs. Horand and his litter brother Luchs saving water were now preferably used as a stud dog, being among their descendants appeared white puppies that were also recorded in the stud book. Known representatives were among others Berno of the Seewiese and Hektor von Schwaben.
In 1933, the color white was removed from the breed standard of the German Shepherd. Reason was that they blamed him all hereditary defects in the breed, such as HD, ED, blindness and deafness, infertility and general Lebensuntüchtigkeit; Stephanitz also supported in his last years this opinion. White Shepherds were thus rare in Europe. 1968 banned in the U.S., the German Shepherd Club of America further breeding with white dogs. White from then on was also in the U.S. for the German Shepherd Dog as a false color, and white puppies should be killed immediately after birth.
White Shepherds: The emergence of a new breed
Some white shepherd dogs, however, were exported to the U.S. and to Canada and created there a breeding base, which is ultimately due to the current population in Europe. The popularity of this new breed grew rapidly in the United States and Canada. There they were called White German Shepherd ( White German Shepherd ). However, the large breed clubs American Kennel Club (AKC ) and Canadian Kennel Club ( CKC ) did not recognize them as a separate breed.
In the 1970s, the white shepherd dog came back to Europe, first to Switzerland. Agatha Burch brought her dog Lobo, born in 1966 from the U.S. to Switzerland. This dog can be regarded as the progenitor of the breed in Switzerland. Registered from compounds with this, in Switzerland, dogs, and other import dogs from the USA and Canada, the white shepherd dogs have gradually spread across Europe and has been cultivated among themselves. The dogs were held in June 1991 in Switzerland as a new breed with the appendix of the Swiss Stud Book (LOS ).
International Recognition
The population of white shepherd dogs, especially in Germany, Switzerland, Holland, France, Austria and Sweden rose sharply after 1991, and it was an attempt by the recognition as a separate breed by the FCI started. Due to the opposition of the Association for German Shepherd Dogs, who saw a wrong color of his own race in the White German Shepherd, recognition, however delayed.
In 2001, the Swiss Canine Society ( SKG) agreed to provide the necessary for the international recognition application to the FCI. The fact that Switzerland was the first country ever to document eight independent lines, also led to the fact that Switzerland is entered in the standard as the country of origin of the White Shepherd dog and the name Berger Blanc Suisse was set with. The provisional international recognition by the FCI made on January 1, 2003, the final approval on July 4, 2011.
Description
The White Swiss Shepherd Dog is an elegant yet powerfully built families, accompanying and working dog. He is of medium size, slightly stretched, well muscled, the bones dry and the overall structure fixed. The height at withers in males 60-65 cm, females at 55-60 cm. The head of the body must be adapted and wedge- shaped, scissor completely well set with 42 teeth, erect ears and of medium size. The top line extends from the neck over the high withers and the straight back to the slightly sloping croup. The back is moderately long, firm, strong and well muscled. Both pre-and hindquarters should be well muscled and sufficiently angled to allow an expansive movement. The outer coat can be stock or stock long -haired, with sufficient undercoat must be present.
He must be balanced by nature, steady, be confident, uninhibited and benign. Aggressiveness is also rejected as anxiety. White Shepherds are intelligent and willing to learn and therefore suitable for almost all dog sports. You are problems with regard to the daily care, but demanding in terms of the necessary welfare and employment, to be offered to them.
Depending on the ambitions of the handler and disposition of the dog training example, in obedience, tracking, protection and agility can be done. In Austria there are white shepherd dogs that have proven themselves as avalanche dogs.
Use
Family and companion dog, guard dog, working dog, protection and working dog and guide dog and rescue dog.