Longevity
Life expectancy
Its usual lifespan is between 10 and 14 years. A suitable diet, regular activity without excess during growth, maintaining a healthy weight and preventive veterinary follow-up promote a long and active life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
It is a dog with a rather solid build, well suited to activity and outings. Its robustness nevertheless remains average due to joint and genetic predispositions to monitor. The quality of the selection of breeding dogs and the screenings carried out in breeding have an important influence on the individual risk.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Increased vigilance is recommended during growth and throughout life. Lameness, stiffness, persistent digestive disorders, visual abnormalities, progressive weakness of the limbs or unusual reactions to a medication warrant a prompt veterinary consultation.
Hip dysplasia: Poor congruence of the joint can lead to pain, lameness and osteoarthritis, with an increased risk due to overweight or unsuitable exertion during growth.
Elbow dysplasia: This joint developmental disorder can cause lameness of the forelimbs and early osteoarthritis.
MDR1 drug sensitivity: A genetic mutation can make certain medications toxic, sometimes at very low doses, hence the value of screening and systematically informing the veterinarian.
Progressive retinal atrophy: This hereditary degenerative disease of the retina causes a progressive decline in vision that can lead to blindness.
Degenerative myelopathy: This progressive neurological disorder can cause weakness and then loss of coordination of the hind limbs in older dogs.
von Willebrand disease: This hereditary clotting disorder can present with prolonged or spontaneous bleeding.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus: Like other large dogs, it may be exposed to this digestive emergency characterized by a swollen abdomen, unproductive retching, and sudden lethargy.
Allergies: Skin or digestive reactions may occur and require identifying the trigger with the veterinarian.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its dense undercoat gives it good resistance to cold. It tolerates heat more moderately and must then have fresh water, shade and outings during the least hot hours. Intense exertion should be avoided during periods of high temperature, even if its white coat absorbs less solar radiation than a dark coat.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Its high activity level helps limit weight gain, but the ration must remain adjusted to age, size, neutering and actual expenditure. The ribs must remain palpable without being protruding. Regular weighing and taking treats into account prevent overweight, which would increase the load on the hips and elbows.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the hips, elbows, eyes and MDR1 sensitivity screened.
- Report potential MDR1 sensitivity before any prescription.
- Maintain a healthy weight to protect the joints.
- Limit jumping and repetitive efforts during growth.
- Brush the teeth and check the ears and eyes each week.
- Ensure regular parasite prevention.
Vaccination
White Swiss Shepherd Dog vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a White Swiss Shepherd Dog need? Like all dogs, White Swiss Shepherd Dogs should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial White Swiss Shepherd Dog vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult White Swiss Shepherd Dog booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your White Swiss Shepherd Dog need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy White Swiss Shepherd Dog
Before breeding, it is recommended to check the hips and elbows, to carry out an ophthalmological examination and to discuss with the veterinarian the available genetic tests, notably for MDR1 sensitivity, degenerative myelopathy and certain hereditary diseases. Routine follow-up also includes examination of the teeth, ears, eyes and locomotion.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
