Berger Blanc Suisse vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Berger Blanc Suisse is also referred to as the White Swiss Shepherd. The dog shares the same ancestry with the German Shepherd. The beautiful white dog from Switzerland, is closely related to the White Shepherd. Both breeds are descended from the German Shepherd breed.

It was in 1967 that a certain Agatha Burch brought a White German Shepherd with her to Switzerland and also importing a female white German Shepherd from the UK. It was these 2 dogs who were believed to be the first breeding dogs for the Berger Blanc Suisse. After a number of years, the breed was officially recognized in July 2011. In the USA and Canada, these White Shepherd dogs have been accepted as a distinct breed.

Originally known as Rodbury Terriers or Rothbury’s Lambs, and renowned for looking like a lamb, the Bedlington Terrier was bred in the village of Bedlington in Northumberland. They’ve had other names too and were also known as ‘gypsy dogs’ and this is because gypsies used them to hunt.

The Bedlington Terrier Club was established in 1875 and the National Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in England in 1877. The breed has links with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. When you look at the slightly arched back, it could also be related to the Whippet. They have been crossed with Whippets to get that speed, and feisty character.

Good Looks

The medium-sized, well muscled Berger Blanc Suisse looks so much like the popular German Shepherd, and apart from its white coat, it has much the same physical standards. The females are about 55–61cm in height while the males are 60–66cm in height. The dogs dense, medium-length double coat tends to be slightly wavy but straight is more common. He has a long bushy tail.

The Berger Blanc Suisse is somewhat longer than it is tall, but like the German Shepherd, it also has erect ears. In contrast to the white coat, the nose is black and the dog had dark, alert eyes.

Temperament

This is an intelligent, confident dog and if you buy a puppy, of which the average litter size is 8, you will need to provide training and socialization to ensure he doesn't act totally independently and behave in a manner not pleasing to you. Once he is trained and socialized, he makes a wonderful pet and is social, playful and gentle. He is loyal and devoted to his human family, wanting to protect them. He is good around children and other pets in the home.

Lamb-Like in Looks but the Heart of a Lion

Don’t let their lamb-like appearance fool you – the Bedlington Terrier is a plucky dog who has some amazing speeds when it comes to swimming and running. This is an intelligent dog too and every bit a Terrier in spirit. Their tenacity has seen them being used in dog fighting as well.

The Look

The Bedlington Terrier stands at about 41cm in height and weighs between 8 – 10kg. Muscular, with a deep chest, graceful and lithe, not only does he look like a lamb but the dog’s expression is gentle too with bright deep-set eyes. When it comes to his coat, the dogs have blue, sandy or liver color coats and the coat has tan markings in some areas.

The coat is shaggy and is made up of hard- and soft hair that will need to be regularly trimmed. Known as a hypoallergenic breed, the coat is also described as thick and linty. The ears are floppy with rounded tips, and are thin and velvety in texture with a small silky tassel at the tip. The longish tail is set low and tapers down to a point.

When you first set eyes on the Berger Blanc Suisse or White Shepherd, you can see that this is a strong, well-muscled, energetic dog, full of life and intelligent too. Add to that the fact that he is beautiful to look at.

Your Berger Blanc Suisse dog is gentle and loyal with his own human family and will be somewhat wary of strangers. This dog is balanced, good-natured, friendly and affectionate and he just loves spending time with his family, being a good watch dog as well. He’s got so much going for him – good looks, a great personality, he is loyal, loving, strong, healthy and he’ll make one hang of a pet.

You can’t miss the Bedlington Terrier – he has a striking resemblance to a lamb. The curly coat is interesting too – a mix of hard- and soft hair. He is friendly, loyal and devoted to his human family and is known to be a brave, courageous, feisty dog with the inclination to bark more. Socialization and training can change this though. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home. He isn’t aggressive but if taunted, he can put up a good fight.

This is a dog that can adapt to his surroundings so he slots in well to both city- and country living. Wherever he lives, he will need adequate exercise.

The present-day Bedlington Terrier, inducted by the American Kennel Club in 1967, is not a lamb by any means, and by choosing to have him as your pet, you’ll be amazed at his wonderful qualities that make him such in ideal companion.

Your White Swiss Shepherd is a healthy, energetic, strong dog, but even so when you find him lethargic and listless, you want to get him to the vet for a check-up. It is always a good idea to be alert to common dog illnesses so that you know what to look out for in your dog.

Bloat

A common problem with dogs. The dog becomes restless and the abdomen is often enlarged. Get your dog to the doctor immediately.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

This is a developmental defect of the hip and elbow joints and you’ll notice your pet battling to rise again after lying down.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease of the nervous system where the hind legs and feet drag. Sometimes the dog loses control over the bladder.

Bedlington Terriers are a healthy breed, but just like other dogs, they are prone to some common dog illnesses. You can always ensure that your Bedlington reaches his 12 – 14 years of age lifespan by ensuring his vaccines are kept up to date, that he is fed excellent food and fresh water, he is exercised and that he is loved and cherished. Also, if you’re looking to buy a Bedlington, find a reputable breeder.

Some common health issues to look out for in your Bedlington Terrier include -

Hip dysplasia
Different eye diseases
Hypothyroidism
Copper storage hepatopathy or Liver Disease – this is a disease which can be inherited and where large amounts of copper accumulate in the tissues of the liver. The result is inflammation and cell damage and this can lead to liver failure and even death. Abdominal swelling, jaundice and weight loss are symptoms to watch for with this disease.

High Quality Food

Apart from your Berger Blanc Suisse puppy need an excellent quality puppy food 4 times a day, as he gets older you will need to adjust his food to suit his high energy needs. Once your pet reaches a year of age you will know whether he requires one or two helpings of food a day. You can feed him a top quality commercial manufactured food or you can make your own home-made food for him which includes meat, rice and vegetables.

You want to make 100% sure he is getting the correct dosage of minerals and vitamins to ensure good health. To keep his eyes bright and his nose wet, include some raw meat into his diet as well. Make sure that he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Lots of Exercise

Remember that your Berger Blanc Suisse is a working dog and he will need plenty of exercise. Apart from taking him on long walks, you can throw balls for him, buy rope toys for him and give him some rough and tumble. He is an intelligent breed and he will require some games that give him mental stimulation too.

Grooming

Check regularly for fleas and ticks. You’ll pick this up with brushing his beautiful coat. Frequent brushing will help keep your dog clean and also remove all those loose hairs. Your White Swiss Shepherd Dog is a moderate, but constant shedder as well as being a heavy seasonal shedder so you will need to give him a good brush at least twice a week.

Exercise and Training

The Bedlington Terrier is a lively, cheerful companion at home and is somewhat more relaxed than other terrier breeds. Affectionate and loyal, he just loves to spend time with his human family. He’ll love to be your companion on a walk and he gets delighted when you’re ready to play ball games with him. He makes a great friend for children too, and even though he makes a good watchdog, he will welcome any visitors you have. When trained and socialized he becomes an obedient, well behaved member of the family.

Grooming

The Bedlington coat sheds a little but the rough coat will need to be trimmed regularly and the coat brushed twice a week to ensure no tangling and to remove loose hairs. Also, regular cleaning of teeth and ears can help ensure that harmful bacteria doesn’t build up, ensuring the overall health of your dog.