White German Shepherd Dog Training

German shepherds are graceful, powerful dogs. They were bred in Germany as hunting dogs, and have since become highly prized as both pets and working dogs. They are intelligent and easily trained, through working with white German shepherds requires some additional care.

  1. History

    • The German shepherd breed began in Germany, where Max von Stephanitz presented it in 1899. The dogs came to the USA in 1907, where they were used for film roles and service positions. They are now commonly trained as police dogs for K9 positions. Their strength, intelligence and background make them ideally suited for this training. White German shepherds are a natural strain of German shepherds, and are considered to be purebred.

    White German Shepherds

    • White German shepherds "look almost exactly like German shepherd[s] except for color," according to the Dog Breed Info Center. They have a thick, stark white coat made of rough fur and never display any color. They may grow to 22 to 26 inches in height and weigh up to 85 pounds. They are sturdy and dependable, as the breed standard dictates.

    Personality

    • Max von Stephanitz bred German shepherds to have "firmness of nerves, attentiveness, unschockability, tractability, watchfulness ... courage, fighting tenacity and hardness." The dogs are bright, loyal and clever, which makes training them a straightforward and rewarding experience.

    Training

    • White German shepherds are lively and enjoy the challenge of training. Training is best started young, when the dog is small and tractable. All white German shepherds should start their training with obedience commands and behavioral training, which will make them easier to handle as either pets or service dogs. Dogs that are destined for police work receive specialized training for attack, rescue, and bomb and drug detection.

    Considerations

    • White dogs have naturally lighter skin and so require some careful precautions. Spending too much time in the sun can cause sunburn despite a dog's coat, so owners are advise to use sunscreen on any exposed skin. Pink skin is also more sensitive to toxins, pests and allergies. Many white German shepherds experience skin conditions that don't affect standard German shepherds.