White Shepherds have medium-length, thick coats that are white in color. (This breed is closely related to the German Shepherd, and the white coat color stems from a genetic anomaly in the standard German Shepherd's DNA.) Overall, White Shepherd grooming is a moderate task, mostly consisting of frequent brushing due to heavy shedding. See below for details on coat maintenance and optional haircuts.
White Shepherds are direct descendants of standard German Shepherds, and thus have basically the same grooming needs. Sometimes called the White German Shepherd, grooming requirements for this breed are moderate. Though their coats don't tend to mat or tangle much, they shed a good bit year-round (and profusely during the twice-yearly shedding seasons), so they'll need brushing 4-5 times per week, if not daily. They only require baths every 3-4 months (or if they get particularly dirty or stinky), as bathing a dog of this breed too frequently will remove the water-repellent oils from its coat. And many owners give their White Shepherds shorter Puppy Cuts during the warmer months to help the dog stay cool.
The best brush to use on White Shepherds is a slicker brush; having a good shedding rake on hand is a good idea as well. Brush your WS frequently, using the slicker brush to go over the coat section by section in the direction of hair growth. Once or twice a week, use the rake in the same fashion. (During shedding season, you'll want to brush daily and rake 2-3 times per week.) If you're following the brushing with a bath: make sure to use an all-natural canine shampoo, as the human kind can irritate a dog's skin. Lather and rinse well, towel-dry, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.
For haircuts: WS owners often give their dogs Puppy Cuts, which sees the coats shaved to 1½-2 inches all over. The cut can easily be done at home, but it's a good idea to take your WS to a professional groomer at least once; the groomer can demonstrate how to do the cut yourself, and provide additional tips on grooming the dog in general.
This breed (unlike the standard German Shepherd, whose coat will visibly change color if shaved), is okay with a clipped coat. Owners have often shaved their White German Shepherd into a Puppy Cut to keep it cool in the summer.
To give the cut yourself, you'll need high-quality clippers with a #7F blade and a #10 or #15 attachment comb. Use the clippers to go over the coat slowly in the direction of hair growth. As you clip, make sure the clipper blade doesn't get too hot and burn the dog's skin. (You can test the blade temperature by lightly touching it against your forearm every minute or two; if it's hot to the touch, pause for a bit to let the blade cool.)
A Puppy Cut may take a bit of practice (along with some cleanup when you're done), but your dog will love it!
See the complete guide on how to care for White Shepherds.
Go to the Previous Page
