Turnspit Dog vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison

Berger Blanc Suisse is originated from Switzerland but Turnspit Dog is originated from United Kingdom. Berger Blanc Suisse may grow 36 cm / 15 inches higher than Turnspit Dog. Berger Blanc Suisse may weigh 26 kg / 58 pounds more than Turnspit Dog. Berger Blanc Suisse may live 3 years less than Turnspit Dog. Berger Blanc Suisse may have more litter size than Turnspit Dog. Berger Blanc Suisse requires Moderate Maintenance. But Turnspit Dog requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
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Switzerland
United Kingdom
Height Male:
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
Height Female:
55 - 61 cm
21 - 25 inches
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
1 - 4
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
White Swiss Shepherd Dog, Snowy Shepherd
Vernepator cur, kitchen dog
Colors Available:
White
White, gray or black., reddish-brown
Coat:
varies from short to medium
Shortish
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

berger blanc suisseThe 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.

It is amazing that this small dog’s popularity comes from him being used in the kitchens to roast meat. The British enjoyed eating their meat which they roasted on a fire.

These dogs were essentially regarded as a tool – a means to an end, and when kitchens were modernized, they were no longer needed, and they became extinct.

Referred to as the kitchen dog or cooking dog, the first mention of these little dogs was made in 1576. By 1850 the dogs had become scarce and by 1900 it seemed as though there were none left.

Description

Good Looks

berger blanc suisse puppy - descriptionThe 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.

The Turnspit was a small long-bodied dog, standing at between 20 to 30cm in height and probably weighed anything between 9 and 14kg in height.

The legs were somewhat crooked or bandy and Edward Jesse, who wrote ‘Anecdote of Dogs’ in 1846 described them as ugly dogs with a miserable look to them. That was probably due to him having to fit into the hamster-like wheel contraption that turned the meat being roasted in the kitchens.

They were low-bodied dogs, similar to a Dachshund or a Corgi with short, stocky legs, short floppy ears, and a short coat. The long tail curled over its back. It is believed that the coats were white, reddish-brown, gray or black.

Temperament:

The dog was certainly feisty, energetic and hard-working with not much being written about his temperament. He was a working dog, but given the chance, he would no doubt have been loving and loyal, longing for the chance just to be part of a human family and to be loved.

Characteristics

berger blanc suisse dog - characteristicsWhen 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.

The Turnspit dog had a tough life, but would no doubt have made a wonderful little pet had he just been allowed to be a companion dog.

When he was no longer needed, he was discarded.

Make sure that when you buy a dog, you don't just put him in your backyard and forget about him. Give him the love and care he deserves.

Health Problems

berger blanc suisse puppies - health problemsYour 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.

The health and lifespan of a dog is influenced by quite a few things such as food, care, love, exercise and the type of breed it is. Generally smaller dogs live longer than big dogs, and mixed breed dogs live longer than pure breeds.

The Turnspit dog, if he had received the proper care, could have lived to between 10 and 15 years of age.

Some of the health issues facing small dogs like these would include -

Hypoglycemia:

Stress can bring on a sudden drop in blood sugar. The Turnspit had reason to be stressed, working hard in horrible conditions. Dogs become weak and lethargic and can scarcely maintain an even gait. A sudden drop in blood sugar can cause a small dog to go into a fatal coma.

Pancreatitis:

This ailment seems to occur more often with smaller dogs. The pancreas becomes inflamed and your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration. Pancreatitis can come about because of trauma, metabolic disorders or infection.

Caring The Pet

High Quality Food

berger blanc suisse dogs - caringApart 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.

A dog is man's best friend, but the Turnspit was essentially just a working dog and most likely didn’t receive the proper care he deserved.

Small dogs like these would have had basic needs. Their owners would have had to pay attention to the dog's health, because he needed to work.

We look at ways in which a small dog like the Turnspit should have been cared for -

Diet:

One wonders if the Turnspit was allowed to eat any of the roast meat he worked so hard on to get ready. Every dog should have a regular meal.

Most adult dogs should be fed 2 meals of kibble a day. If the Turnspit wasn’t extinct he would have required a high quality ‘small dog breed’ commercial dog food. Home-made food would also be a requirement – some boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Dogs want and appreciate simple, wholesome foods that won’t upset their digestive systems.

Along with good food, dogs need cool, fresh water constantly available to stay healthy.

Provide your dog with a warm dry, quiet, comfortable place to sleep.

Make sure he gets to the veterinarian if he is sick, but also for his vaccines to prevent him from getting some of the worst dog diseases there are.

Spay or neuter your dog if you don’t intend to breed your dog,

Groom your small dog regularly. The Turnspit had a shortish coat and would have required a brush twice a week. Other grooming procedures for a small dog like the Turnspit would have been keeping his nails trimmed and checking the inside of his ears and his mouth for ear infections and dental disease.

Exercise for a small dog is important – walks and ball games.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Turnspit Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Turnspit Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  8. Turnspit Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Turnspit Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
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  16. Turnspit Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
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  26. Berger Blanc Suisse vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Berger Blanc Suisse vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Berger Blanc Suisse vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Berger Blanc Suisse vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Berger Blanc Suisse vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Berger Blanc Suisse vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison