American White Shepherd
Narrated from: Dog BreedsExcept for his color the American White Shepherd looks like the German Shepherd. His snowy white fur is stiff and full. They are a fearless breed that is always alert and obedient. They are cheerful and protective over their human pack and their property. They are confident and extremely faithful. Even with a higher than normal learning ability but they need a calm, confident trainer to make sure they know they are not in charge. They grow very attached to their pack and want nothing more than to be with their family. They need people and do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. They are most often used as police dogs and they are perfectly suited to that job. They make wonderful pets but take heed; they need lots of exercise. They must be well socialized from the very beginning or they will become fearful of strangers. They have a strong instinct to protect, so you do not need to keep them away from people outside the family.
They are not for first time dog owners and they need a strong willed trainer that has the confidence to be the alpha at all times. Confidence and consistency is the key to raising a well-balanced American White Shepherd. A passive owner or trainer will quickly lose control over this breed because of the dog’s intelligence. If he is allowed to become bored he will be destructive. He must have a lot of exercise for his body and his mind. They are great workers and will do anything you want them too as long as you can convey what you want. When raised responsibly and trained well they are wonderful family dogs and will be good with other dogs. They need to have a job to do, and they will not disappoint. He will not do well if he is not busy. He must have an outlet for all of his energy. They can be used to herd sheep, to guard, and as guide dogs for the blind and deaf. They also perform excellent search and rescue work.
If he does not have a job, you may consider getting him involved in any of the hundreds of sporting events for dogs. They do very well in tracking, fly-ball, agility, disc, and in obedience trials. It is mandatory that you invest plenty of time in the American White Shepherd. He is a very popular family pet and they show very well in the ring. You can expect your White Shepherd to be between 22 and 26 inches in height and he can weigh as much as 85 pounds. His lifespan is approximately 12 to 15 years. Be sure to feed him as healthily as possible and make sure his exercise level is high to help avoid some of the more typical health problems. Unfortunately they have a history of health problems. Hip dysplasia is always a concern with larger breeds but this breed can also suffer from elbow dysplasia. They can also suffer from allergies and eye disease but on occasion they have been diagnosed with autoimmune diseases such as Lupus.
The American White Shepherd can live comfortably in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. A secure fence is recommended so he can run and burn energy, in addition to long walks. They love strenuous activities and they love any kind of challenge. You will need to invest quite a bit of time in the American White Shepherd dog to keep him healthy and happy. You will be able to tell if he is not getting sufficient exercise by his restlessness and will become very destructive.
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