German Shepherds are heavy shedders but are White German Shepherds any different?
If you’re thinking about getting a White German Shepherd, you’re probably wondering how much these dogs shed.
The White German Shepherd is a variety of German Shepherd but it is recognised as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club.
For White German Shepherd enthusiasts who are allergic to dogs, we’ll also touch upon whether these pale-coated dogs are hypoallergenic.
We’ll hear from Lumi’s owner Alyssa (@lumi_thewgsd) and Ghost’s owner Ash (@ghostwhitegsd) and they’ll shed more light on the White German Shepherd.
So with the introduction complete, let’s first take a look at whether White German Shepherds are hypoallergenic.
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Are White German Shepherds Hypoallergenic?
White German Shepherd (Photo: Adobe Stock)
First things first, there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog despite what you may read online.
For example, even dog breeds or hybrid dogs that don’t shed much or produce little dander can still trigger a person’s allergies through their salvia or urine.
Having said that, the American Kennel Club recognises that some dogs are more hypoallergenic than other canines. Here’s what the organization writes on their website:
The truth is, there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs, dog breeds, or mixed-breeds, but there are many dog breeds that are less allergenic for people with dog allergies. Dander, which is attached to pet hair, is what causes most dog allergies in people, and these dog breeds have a non-shedding coat that produces less dander.
According to the National Institute of Health, between 10 and 20 per cent of the US population is allergic to dogs!
While the AKC list 19 dog breeds that they consider to be hypoallergenic, the German Shepherd isn’t one of them. So it’s probably safe to assume that White German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic!
Do White German Shepherds Shed?
Lumi the White German Shepherd (Photo: lumi_thewgsd / Instagram)
White German Shepherds have a double coat that will shed all year round and blow out twice a year at the changing of the seasons. Their double coat is of medium-length consisting of a dense, harsh, and close-lying outer coat with a softer undercoat.
Before we take a closer look at their shedding, let’s see what the United Kennel Club has to say about the White German Shepherd’s coat.
The White Shepherd has a weather-resistant double coat. The outer coat is dense, straight, harsh, and close lying. The undercoat is short, thick, and fine in texture. At the neck, the coat may be slightly longer and heavier, particularly in males. The hair on the back of the legs is slightly longer than on the front. The coat on the rump and underside of the tail is longer and thicker than the body coat. The head and ears are covered with a smooth, somewhat softer hair while the hair covering the legs and paws has a harsher texture.
Alyssa confirmed that White German Shepherds 100 per cent shed – so be prepared for a lot of hair!
100%! My favorite saying is “German Shepherds only shed once a year… for 365 days”.
Ash, who owns a White German Shepherd called Ghost, provided an insight into shedding season with these elegant dogs.
The only thing that is worse [than the shedding] is that the fur is white! It stands out so much on your clothes, regular grooming and brushing is usually the best way to keep on top of it.
White German Shepherds Grooming
Lumi the White German Shepherd (Photo: lumi_thewgsd / Instagram)
White German Shepherds will require regular grooming to keep their coat looking and feeling healthy. This could be a con if you don’t have time to dedicate to grooming your White GSD! By brushing your White German Shepherd regularly, you’ll be able to remove dead hair, debris and dirt. Their coat is relatively simple to groom considering their hair is straight.
The AKC offer the following advice for German Shepherd owners on their website.
The breed is easy to maintain, usually requiring just a quick brushing every few days or so to help remove loose hairs, but they do shed more profusely once or twice a year. During these periods, more frequent brushing will help control the amount of hair that ends up around the house and on the furniture.
Ash added that White German Shepherd owners might want to think about getting their dog professionally groomed before Spring hits!
I recommend, at the beginning of spring, to get your pooch groomed professionally. It just makes dealing with the fur a lot easier in the shedding season.
Alyssa recommended getting your White German Shepherd familiar with the groomer as early as possible!
Typically, German Shepherds don’t need to be professionally groomed. However, it’s always a good idea to get your dog familiar with a groomer so that you can take them in for deshedding (when you end up drowning in hair) or for a long haired dog (like Lumi), if they ever get tangles or mattes that are beyond your home skills to brush out. Just know brushing consistently and a really good vacuum will be your best friends.
How Often Should You Bathe A White German Shepherds?
While White German Shepherds won’t need regular baths, they’ll benefit from a wash from time to time. If your White German Shepherds get particularly dirty on a walk, it’s a good idea to wash the dirt out of their coat. The AKC offers the following advice where German Shepherds are concerned:
The German Shepherd only needs an occasional bath.
White German Shepherds Care
White German Shepherd (Photo: Adobe Stock)
It’s a good idea to check their ears for infection as well as their eyes. White German Shepherds will also need their nails trimmed. The AKC explains why this is important:
It is important to trim or grind his nails every month if they are not worn down naturally, as overly long nails can cause pain and structural issues.
Anything Else To Consider
Ghost the White German Shepherd (Photo: ghostwhitegsd / Instagram)
Ash explained one particular issue that she’s encountered with Ghost that White German Shepherd owners will need to consider.
One thing they do not warn you about the White German Shepherd is the “brown elbow issue” This is caused by the way they lay down, if the dog is laying on hard surfaces like concrete or wood the fur tends to rub and die or something – I’m not entirely sure what it is but I found the best way is to keep an eye on the elbows and brush the fur there as well so the dirt does not build up. Sometimes the fur can grow back, other times the elbow becomes a little bald patch which can scab if it gets hurt.
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
Ghost the White German Shepherd (Photo: ghostwhitegsd / Instagram)
We’ve reached the end of our feature on White German Shepherd shedding.
They’re moderate shedders so you should invest in a good brush and a reliable vacuum to help stay on top of the fur.
White German Shepherds will require regular grooming and maybe even an occasional visit to the groomers which is something you may need to budget for when considering the costs of owning one of these beautiful dogs!
