Practical guidance for raising a White Swiss Shepherd puppy in Thailand.
White Swiss Shepherds bond fast, and they can be vocal when they feel alone or unsure. It is normal for a puppy to whine or howl at night for the first 3 days. This usually settles once they understand the routine and feel secure.
Keep the first 72 hours calm and consistent: same sleeping spot, same toilet spot, predictable meal times, and no snacks. Snacks often create picky eaters early.
White Swiss Shepherds grow quickly and tend to burn a lot of energy, so a consistent routine matters. We start with 3 meals per day when they are young, then move to 2 meals per day as they get older.
Our preference is premium dry food in the morning and raw food in the evening. We usually add a little water to dry food to improve hydration and make it easier to eat.
A good raw approach is built around raw muscle meat, plus a sensible amount of organs (for example liver), and optional appropriately sized raw bones (never cooked, and only under supervision). We also include small portions of green vegetables (for example broccoli, spinach, cucumber) and carrots.
We add salmon oil in an appropriate dose to support skin and coat.
For raw feeding, common starting points are puppies: around 5-8% of body weight per day and adults: around 2-3% per day, then adjust based on body condition.
For dry food, start with the package guideline and fine-tune based on your dog's condition.
White Swiss Shepherds mature slowly. We usually start transitioning toward adult intake around 12 months, but many continue developing until 18 months, so reduce portions gradually over 3-6 weeks, never overnight. Adjust in small steps (around 50 g for raw, or 5-10% for dry food), then hold for 1-2 weeks before changing again.
Treats are still food. Snacks have calories, so keep snacks minimal during growth and count them as part of the daily intake, otherwise weight gain creeps up over time.
If feeding raw, keep it clean and food-safe: store it properly, use separate utensils, and avoid cross-contamination with cooked food.
Dogs must not eat chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions (and large amounts of garlic), xylitol, macadamia nuts, alcohol, or cooked bones.
In Thailand, we do not give straight tap water. We use filtered (RO) or bottled water for drinking. Fresh water stays available all day, and bowls are washed daily.
White Swiss Shepherds need active cooling in Thailand: shade, strong airflow (fan or AC), and exercise mainly in the morning or evening.
Thailand has year-round mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks, and heartworm is present. Prevention is non-negotiable because the diseases are serious.
We recommend a monthly all-in-one preventative for fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworm prevention. We commonly use NexGard Spectra.
Thailand is rabies-endemic, so rabies vaccination is essential. We recommend an annual vet review for core vaccines (DHPP and Rabies), with boosters per your vet's schedule and local requirements.
Keep a vaccination card and update it after every vet visit.
Hard surfaces can create elbow pressure points. In light-colored dogs this often appears as brown elbows, then can become calluses and permanent scarring. Prevention is easier than repair.
Do not worry if your dog is not sleeping the whole time in the crate. Quiet resting still matters. Young puppies may need toilet breaks at first, but with routine they usually settle quickly into your schedule.
White Swiss Shepherds are often sensitive. Harsh correction, yelling, or punishment can create fear and long-term anxiety, so we recommend reward-based training with calm consistency.
Focus on early basics: name, come, sit, down, leave it, and place. Keep sessions short and frequent. For biting or mouthiness, redirect to a chew or toy and briefly pause play if teeth hit skin.
Use a well-fitted harness first. Puppies can panic and slip a collar, so a harness is safer until leash behavior is calm and reliable. Transition to a flat collar later if you prefer.
Avoid aversive tools such as prong or pinch collars, choke chains, and e-collars.
Puppies need frequent short sessions and should not be overworked while growing. Adults need daily physical exercise and mental work such as obedience, sniffing games, and food puzzles.
White Swiss Shepherds have a double coat and shed year-round, with 2 heavy shedding periods per year.
We usually only bathe once the coat starts to blow or feels greasy or dusty. You can bathe more often if needed, but always use a proper dog shampoo, never human shampoo. Rinse very well and dry properly, this is important because it prevents skin irritation, hot spots, and trapped moisture that causes infections.
Brush more during shedding periods. A simple routine works: quick brush-outs most days during heavy shedding, then reduce once it calms down. This helps remove loose undercoat and keeps the coat from matting.
Trim nails when they extend beyond the paw. Dogs that walk regularly on harder surfaces often wear nails down naturally, but you still need to check them.
In a humid climate like Thailand we suggest checking ears regularly and cleaning gently when they look dirty or smell off.
We do not brush teeth daily. Instead, we rely on safe chewing to help keep teeth cleaner. Examples: large raw meaty bones (supervised), bully sticks, and durable dental chews sized for large breeds.
Expected adult size based on the FCI breed standard.
Height: 58-66 cm at the shoulder
Weight: 30-40 kg
Height: 53-61 cm at the shoulder
Weight: 25-35 kg
Because your dog has a pedigree, you can participate in dog shows. If you are interested, contact us and we can point you to a reputable show trainer and explain the next steps.
Legal Kennel Name: Siam White Shepherds.
269 Moo 7, Chang Talut, Lom Sak, Phetchabun, Thailand
facebook.com/siam.white.shepherds
+66 91-838-0526
© Siam White Shepherds. All Rights Reserved.
Kennel established 2024
6. Socialization
Socialization builds a calm, confident dog in new situations. If it is skipped or delayed, many dogs later become fearful, reactive, or anxious around everyday triggers.
Our puppies are well-socialized at our place with humans and other dogs in a controlled environment. They are used to handling and normal daily home activity.
They usually have less exposure to city stimuli like cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and heavier traffic. Introduce these gradually after they go home: start at a safe distance, keep sessions short, pair with treats, and only move closer when the puppy stays relaxed.