The White Swiss Shepherd dog should not be confused with the white "German Shepherd" or "White Shepherd" (which are also German Shepherd dogs). The White Swiss Shepherd dog is a distinct breed with its own confirmation and is officially recognised by the Federation Cynologique Internationale and the Australian National Kennel Council. Important differences between these breeds lie in the confirmation and the functional purpose of the dogs.
Important propotions inlcude:
These proportions ensure that this breed retains the form that is required to meet the function.
The White Swiss Shepherd dog's function is that of herding, and protection of the flock and owner, which requires efficient trotting ability and endurance.
The "depth of chest index" is designed to ensure the forelegs are long enough to provide the endurance, speed and trotting capability. Shorter leg proportions may provide additional strength and balance as required by guarding dogs such as German Shepherds, or fighting dogs such as Mastiffs but are not essential to the function of the White Swiss Shepherd and will affect the dogs ability to perform its tasks.
The White Swiss Shepherd requires adequate balance between leg length to height (both fore and aft) to provide the spring required for quickly transforming a crouch to trot or gallop, as the situation requires.
The body index and forechest index ensure a moderately long rectangular shape: body length (from the point of shoulder to point of buttock) to height at withers =10:8. This proportion is referred to as 'body index' or the proportion 'length of body/height at withers'.
The White Swiss Shepherd has either a long or medium, brilliant pure white coat contrasting with solid black skin pigmentation on nose, lips and eye rims. The medium length coat is dense, slightly wavy, close-lying double coat and long double coat; abundant undercoat covered with hard, straight protection hair; face, ears and front of legs are covered with shorter hair; at the neck and the back of the legs the coat is slightly longer.