Education Archives - White Swiss Shepherd Puppies for Sale

Should I get a male or female White Swiss Shepherd ?

Male vs. Female White Swiss Shepherd: Which Berger Blanc Suisse Gender Is Right for You?

Choosing between a male or female White Swiss Shepherd puppy is one of the most common questions among future Berger Blanc Suisse owners — and the answer isn’t always black and white.

White Swiss Shepherd Temperament: Male vs. Female Differences

In general, male White Swiss Shepherds tend to be more independent, outgoing towards strangers, playful, and more territorial. Female Berger Blanc Suisse dogs are more commonly known to be intense, loyal, sensitive, and deeply devoted to their owner. However, this doesn’t always hold true. Every White Swiss Shepherd is foremost an individual!

Understanding Your Berger Blanc Suisse’s Personality

Temperament and behavior in White Swiss Shepherds are shaped by a combination of genetics, socialization, training, and environment — not just gender. For every theory about male versus female Berger Blanc Suisse traits, you’ll find plenty of dogs that defy the stereotype.

White Swiss Shepherd Size Differences Between Males and Females

Size is one distinction that tends to be more consistent in the Berger Blanc Suisse breeds: Males are generally larger, weighing 80-100 pounds, and stronger than females. Female White Swiss Shepherds usually weigh between 55-75 pounds.

Size can matter when it comes to handling your White Swiss Shepherd, though a well-trained dog is manageable regardless of gender.

Practical Considerations for White Swiss Shepherd Ownership

An intact female White Swiss Shepherd will come into heat twice a year, which requires careful management until she is old enough to get spayed. Male Berger Blanc Suisse dogs lift their legs to mark their territories, and potty breaks might take longer as they investigate and mark various spots.

If you Already Have a Dog at Home

Even though this gentle and sociable breed does well with same-gender companions, adding an opposite sex White Swiss Shepherd is often ideal. Opposite-sex pairs frequently become bonded companions with fewer same-gender disputes.

Choosing the Right White Swiss Shepherd Gender for Your Family

At the end of the day, the best choice between a male or female Berger Blanc Suisse depends on you and your specific expectations. If you’re still unsure about which White Swiss Shepherd gender suits your lifestyle, the most helpful step is speaking with your breeder who knows their puppies’ individual temperaments best.

At Dances with Wolves Ranch, we work closely with each family to understand their needs and match them with the White Swiss Shepherd puppy whose temperament best fits their situation. Whether you choose a male or female Berger Blanc Suisse, you’ll be welcoming a loyal, intelligent, and beautiful companion into your home.

How to Introduce Your White Swiss Shepherd to Other Dogs

Introducing your Berger Blanc Suisse aka White Swiss Shepherd to other dogs should be done thoughtfully. Doing it right can make all the difference by establishing a good pattern of interaction with other dogs and it will also prevent them from having a bad or dangerous experience.

3 Tips for Your White Swiss Shepherd

Let’s start with what to avoid.

The typical scenario we’ve all witnessed involves both dogs straining at their leashes, eager to meet. This approach is stressful for the dogs and often ends in misinterpretation and possible confrontation. If you’ve spent time around dogs and their owners, you’ve likely seen this scenario play out with less than ideal results.

#1 – Don’t Introduce Dogs at the End of a Leash

#2 – Take the Dogs on a Walk

So, what’s the right approach?

Each dog should walk beside their calm and assertive pack leader – that’s you. Initially, they should walk on opposite sides of their handlers to prevent direct contact. Owners should maintain a relaxed demeanor, focusing on the path ahead rather than fixating on their dogs. The duration of the walk is important; it allows the dogs to work off their adrenaline and excitement and to acclimate to each other’s scent and behavior, gradually lowering their energy levels and increasing comfort with the new pack dynamic. Essentially, they’re getting to know each other while getting their questions answered.

#3 – Initiate Calm Introductions

Once the dogs have walked together peacefully and seem at ease in each other’s presence, it’s time for them to greet each other calmly. Let them sniff each other and, if they seem comfortable, perhaps lie down near each other as the owners engage in conversation.

Set Your Dog Up for Success

By following this structured routine, you’re providing both dogs with the best chance to recognize you as their pack leader and to acquaint themselves with each other peacefully. This approach fosters a positive environment for learning and appropriate behavior in future encounters.

Check Out Our Available White Swiss Shepherd Dogs and Puppies!

Should I Take My White Swiss Shepherd Puppy to a Dog Park?

In theory, dog parks sound great! Who doesn’t like seeing their dog playing happily with other dogs and getting exercise? Unfortunately, as good as it sounds, the potential for a good experience outweighs the great risk of dog parks.

Risks of Dog Parks Worth Considering

#1 – Risk from an aggressive or poorly behaved dog: Sooner or later, most friendly dogs who go to a dog park will be attacked, bullied, or cornered by another dog, and this experience can affect them for the rest of their lives, especially if they are young. Dogs who have such experiences tend to have anxiety leash reactivity and can develop aggressive or antisocial behavior themselves.

#2 – Risk of disease and parasites: The other risk with dog parks is disease. Given how busy and active dog parks tend to be, there will be a high concentration of potential diseases (distemper, parvo, kennel cough) and parasites (worms, giardia, fleas). While vaccinations and treatments can prevent problems, we simply consider disease risk as another excellent reason to avoid dog parks.

You Can Still Socialize Your Puppy

If you want your dog to have healthy and safe playtime with other dogs, arrange to meet friends with well-socialized and friendly dogs. Start a playgroup and meet in an open space or park not reserved for a dog park.

Looking for a White Swiss Shepherd puppy to join your family?

Check Out Our Available Berger Blanc Suisse Dogs and Puppies!

Therapy Dog vs Service Dog – What Are the Differences?

White Swiss Shepherd dogs are bred to have the perfect disposition to serve humans in many different capacities. Because so many of our puppies leave our home to become service or therapy dogs, we often get the question,

“What is the difference between a service dog and a therapy dog?”

What is a Service Dog?

A service dog is specifically trained to serve one person, their owner. They are trained to be extremely in tune with the needs, mood, and health of the person they are serving. Because their focus is to aid just that one person, they are specifically disciplined to ignore other people and surroundings.

Most service dogs will (but legally do not have to) be wearing some sort of vest or collar to indicate that they are on duty and should not be petted or distracted from their job.

Service dogs can be trained for many different scenarios. Puppies from Dances With Wolves Ranch (DWWR) have gone on to aid people in wheelchairs, used as stability dogs, to warn owners of oncoming seizures, and as diabetes-alert dogs.

You may also hear the term “emotional support animal” which refers to a category of service dog that aids those with mental afflictions. DWWR dogs have helped owners with PTSD, anxiety, and even fear of flying on planes. A good service dog will silently do its job; focusing on the owner alone and ignoring all other people, animals, and distractions.

What Is A Therapy Dog?

Therapy dogs, on the other hand, undergo a different type of training. These dogs are certified with a handler as a pair and trained to serve others. They are supposed to be attentive and friendly, visiting and providing comfort and companionship for others (visiting schools, elderly homes, trauma centers etc).

Many DWWR dogs in our breeding program are registered therapy dogs and have served reassuring patients in hospitals and encouraging children to learn to read at the library. Unlike a service dog, anyone is welcome to pet and interact with a therapy dog. They are not usually specialized for one task but instead are simply bred and trained to be friendly, calm, and comforting to everyone they interact with.

While service and therapy dogs have different purposes and training, what they have in common is their calm, confident, and non-conflict disposition. Both service and therapy dogs need to love people, get along with other animals, be non-aggressive or dominant, and be sensitive to human emotions. This is why many Berger Blanc Suisse dogs make the perfect service and therapy dogs. They are highly intelligent, easy to train, thrive to please, and are gentle dogs who are very in tune with human moods and health cues. So, whether you’re looking for a service dog to serve you, or a therapy dog to serve everyone, Berger Blanc Suisse is the perfect choice.
Interested in adopting a Berger Blanc Suisse for service or therapy purposes? At DWWR, we take special care to set our puppies up for success!