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Thread: White Shepherds

  1. #1

    White Shepherds

    Ever since the White Shepherd topic came up in teh White Boxer thread I thought about making a seperate thread for teh White Shepherd. Where people can ask questions and discuss this beautiful breed.



    So here is some info that I have taken from my White Shepherd History page of my website: http://giftofgracekennels.com/id18.html

    The color white is one of the original colors of the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). Max Von Stephanitz, the person who created the GSD breed, owned several white German Shepherds. Hektor, the first registered German Shepherd Dog grandsire, Greif, was white. Ann Tracy's Stoneihurst Edmond, who was whelped in March 27, 1917, was the first registered white German Shepherd Dog who was born and bred in the United States.

    The white color became a disqualification in the GSD Standard by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America over 40 years ago. Before that time the white German Shepherd Dog also competed in conformation events along side its colored counterparts.

    The White Shepherd can still be registered with the AKC as German Shepherd Dogs but because of the color disqualification, they can not be shown in the AKC conformation ring. Which is one of hte main reasons White Shepherd fanciers wish for breed seperation. So that we can enjoy the same rights that the colored German Shepherd Dog fanciers enjoy.

    There are many falsehoods that still exist today about the genetics of the white gene in the White Shepherd. Some like to say it is an albino trait or that it causes deafness or blindness. Other say it is the cause of fading or health problems. All this has been proven to be untrue. Many of the falsehoods about the White Shepherd happened before modern genetics research. Even though these rumors have been proven to be false, the rumors have been hard to correct.

    The falsehoods about the White Shepherds and the gene that causes their coat color are many. First White Shepherds are NOT albinos. Albinos have no pigment and usually pink eyes. The White Shepherds have brown eyes and black pigment on their noses, mouth, paw pads, eye rims,sometimes a black dusting in their ears and sometimes have darker skin and nails.

    Color paling was another rumor that has since been proven false. The white gene is a masking gene, not a dilute gene (such as liver and blue). A masking gene hides the real color and pattern of the dog. A White Shepherd can be any color found in the German Shepherd Dog like black, black and tan, black and red, black and silver, black and cream, blue, liver, sable, saddled and bi-colored. The only time dilution could occur is when a White Shepherd is masking a diluted color like blue or liver. The white gene is a recessive gene. The only thing the gene expresses is coat color. It does not cause poor health, temperament or any other.

    In the 1960's, the white color became a disqualifying fault in the German Shepherd Dog standard determined by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. Before this happened, the white German Shepherd Dog was able to compete with its "colored" counterparts in the AKC conformation ring. The White Shepherd can still be registered as a German Shepherd Dog by the AKC and can still participate in AKC performance events.

    For over 30 years, white German Shepherd Dog fanciers worked to change the German Shepherd Dog standard to allow them to once again show in the AKC conformation ring. This has not worked. And shows very little chance of actually coming about. Hence the reason for breed seperation.

    In the UKC the White Shepherd can compete as a German Shepherd Dog or a White Shepherd. The White Shepherd has also succeeded in becoming a seperate breed with the FCI as well.

    White Shepherds can perform in and excel at AKC performance events like obedience, tracking, agility, flyball and herding trials. White Shepherds can be police dogs, bomb detection dogs, drug sniffing dogs, and Search and Rescue dogs just to list a few. They are also great family pets, service dogs, farm dogs, therapy dogs, and they have also apeared in many movies and tv shows. The ablities of these dogs have no end.


    So lets get this discussion rolling.
    Nicole

  2. #2
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    Great thread Nicole.
    I was lucky enuff to be asked to Judge the WS nationals.And I saw some great looking White Shepherds there.
    Here is the AWSA standard
    White Shepherd Breed Standard
    AWSA Membership Approved October 12, 2002
    PREAMBLE
    The White Shepherd is a direct descendent of the German Shepherd Dog and the two breeds share common roots and are similar in appearance. However, the White Shepherd evolved from a continuous selection for a working companion dog with that exclusive color, beauty and elegance as seen both standing and in motion. His high degree of intelligence and sense of loyalty have allowed him to become one of the most versatile working dogs serving mankind.
    GENERAL APPEARANCE
    The White Shepherd is a well developed and balanced animal with the look of intelligence, energy and purpose in life. It should have a regal appearance with secondary sex characteristics being distinctive. The dog should be somewhat longer than tall, with smooth curves rather than sharp angles. Extremes of anything distort type and are to be strongly discouraged. This is a herding dog that must have the agility, freedom of movement and endurance to do the work required of it. When gaiting, the dog should move smoothly, with all parts working in harmony. Overall balance, strength, and firmness of movement is to be given more emphasis than a sidegait showing a flying trot. Staying true to type is defined by the following word picture and this diagram.

    SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
    Body Proportion -- The dog is somewhat longer than tall -- the ideal ratio of length to height being 10 to 8.8. E.g., 28.4 inches (72.1 cm) long to 25 inches (63.5 cm) high. Body length is measured from the prosternum to the point of the buttocks. Height is measured from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the ground. Ideal height and weight is 25 inches (63.5 cm) and roughly 75-85 pounds (34-39 kgms) for males, and 23 inches (58.4 cm) and about 60-70 pounds (27-32 kgms) for bitches. Acceptable range of height is about 1 inch (3 cm) in either direction of the ideal. Any dog that is so over or undersize as to be outside of the acceptable range is highly objectionable and should be faulted.
    HEAD
    Proportionate in size to the body. Males should show masculinity without coarseness; bitches should show femininity without being over-refined. Both sexes should exhibit a look of intelligence and nobility. Skull -- Viewed from the top, the skull is wedge-shaped, clean cut and strong. When viewed from the side, the topline of the skull should parallel that of the top of the muzzle and there should be a moderate stop. There should be no tendency toward an overly long, narrow or Collie-like head. Insufficient stop or a round or domed skull is faulty. Muzzle -- The muzzle is strong and dry and the lips fit tightly over the well-developed jaws. The nose should be black. Viewed from above, the muzzle appears wider at the stop than at the tip and there should be no tendency toward cheekiness. A snipy muzzle or a receding lower jaw is faulty. Eyes -- Brown, dark for preference. The eye rims should be black. The expression is keen and intelligent, yet composed. The eyes are medium sized, almond shaped, and set a little obliquely. Round or protruding eyes are faulty. Blue or pink eyes disqualify a dog. Ears - Size in proportion to the rest of the head. The ears are moderately pointed and open toward the front. They are carried erect when at attention. The ideal carriage is one at which the center lines of the ears, from the front, are parallel and perpendicular both to each other and to the ground. Soft ears spoil the desired noble and alert expression and are faulty. Cropped or hanging ears are a disqualifying fault. Teeth -- 20 upper and 22 lower; a full mouth is preferred. Dogs missing more than one premolar should be faulted. Broken teeth are not considered a fault. The teeth meet in a close scissors bite. A level bite is faulty. An overshot bite is a severe fault. A dog exhibiting an undershot mouth must be disqualified.
    NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
    Neck -- Length is proportionate to the size of the head. The neck is strong, muscular and dry. Except when at attention or excited, the typical carriage of the head is forward rather than up, particularly in motion. A ewe neck or one that is too short or throaty is faulty. Topline -- The withers should be higher than and slightly sloping into the back. There should be no evidence of a dip behind the wither, nor should the topline itself sag or roach from the wither to the croup. Body -- Solid without bulkiness. The White Shepherd should be shown in lean, hard physical condition. Chest -- The forechest is well filled and the prosternum is prominent. The chest is deep with the brisket reaching to the elbows. A shelly chest is objectionable. Depth of chest should be approximately 48 to 50 percent of the total height of the dog. Ribs -- The ribs are long, well sprung, and are carried well back. The shape of the chest is important. It must never be so wide or round as to interfere with the action of the elbows and the forelegs. Neither must it be so flat as to cause the elbows to pinch in. Underline -- Only moderately tucked up in the flank -- never like that of a Greyhound. The abdomen is firmly held and never paunchy. Back -- The back is short, straight and strongly developed. Loin -- Viewed from the top, broad and strong. From the side, the loin is relatively short and blends smoothly into the back. Croup -- Long and gradually sloping, flowing smoothly into a low set tail. In the ideal dog, the croup slopes gently away at an approximate angle of 23° from the horizontal. Too level or flat a croup prevents proper functioning of the hindquarter, which must be able to reach well under the body. A steep croup also limits the action of the hindquarter. Tail -- Bushy, with the last vertebrae extended at least to the hock joint and usually below. At rest, it hangs straight down or in a slight saber-like curve. Even in excitement, the dog should never lift its tail higher than right angles to the backline. The tail is important. The dog uses its tail like a rudder enabling it to keep its balance while being able to turn instantly. In motion, the ideal carriage of the tail is at or slightly below the natural extension of the topline. It is permissible for a dog to carry its tail a bit higher, although the tendency toward a gay tail spoils the overall outline of the dog. A dog with a too short tail or a docked tail must be disqualified.
    FOREQUARTERS
    Shoulders -- The shoulder blade, or scapula, should be long and well laid back, the ideal angle being about 35° from the vertical. Shoulder layback is estimated by taking a line from the uppermost tip of the scapula to the point of the shoulder (where the scapula meets the humerus) to the ground. Lay-on is flat against the body, with the upper ends fairly close together, forming the point of the wither. Shoulder and upper arm are well muscled but never loaded. The upper arm (humerus) is almost equal in length to the scapula. In the ideal dog, a 102° angle is formed by imaginary lines connecting the point of the elbow with the forward-most point of the shoulder joint and with the highest point of the scapula. This angulation permits the proper maximum forward extension of the foreleg in the working shepherd dog. Faults in the shoulder assembly include: loose or loaded shoulders (bulging muscle pads), a pushed forward shoulder assembly, not enough length in the humerus and a scapula that is too short or steeply set. Forelegs -- The forelegs are straight and parallel with each other. Lower leg bones are oval in shape. Bone substantial but not excessive. Elbows are well held in with no tendency to turn in or out. The point of the elbow lies roughly in a vertical line under the point of wither. Pasterns -- Strong and springy with the ideal angle being about 25° from the vertical.
    FEET
    Short and compact, toes held closely together and well arched. Pads are thick and tough affording the dog protection over rough terrain. Dewclaws appearing on the rear legs should be removed, those on the front legs may be removed but are usually left on. Nails should be short. Faults in running gear include: terrier-like feet, hare feet, thin pads or splayed feet.
    HINDQUARTERS
    The whole of the rear assembly somewhat mirrors that of the front. In length and angulation, the scapula and the pelvis roughly equal each other, and the slant of the lower thigh bones roughly approximate that of the pelvis and of the humerus. The pelvis lies tilted backward at an approximate angle of 35° from the horizontal. Whether standing four-square or firmly and naturally with one rear leg extended behind the pelvis, the femur drops almost vertically from the hip socket, forming an approximate 125° angle with the pelvis. The upper and lower thigh bones are all roughly the same length. The thighs themselves, both upper and lower, are broad and heavily muscled. The stifle is well bent; its angulation must never be so steep that the dog’s hocks lie directly under any part of the croup or pelvis. In a correctly angulated dog that is standing in a natural three-point stance (show pose), an imaginary line dropped plumb from the point of the buttocks would land roughly 2 inches (5 cm) in front of the dog’s extended hind foot. Stifles that are too straight or overly long are faulty. The hock joints are strong and the hocks themselves, relative to the rest of the rear assembly, are short, clean and perpendicular to the ground. Whether in motion or at rest, there is no tendency for the hocks to turn in or out. From the rear, the hindlegs drop straight and parallel to each other and the feet point straight ahead.
    MOVEMENT
    Soundness is of paramount importance. Capability of quick and sudden movement is essential. The action is free, supple and tireless with the dog covering the most amount of ground with the minimum number of steps, all of the parts working together in harmony. From the side, the hindquarters drive forward with the hindfoot reaching far under the body to take firm hold of the ground. The powerful backward thrust is transmitted through a firm back to the front end, where the shoulder opens to the fullest extent possible and the foot reaches out toward the nose. The entire motion lifts the dog’s body slightly and carries it forward. The feet track close to the ground on both forward reach and backward push. At full trot, the back must remain firm, level, and free of roll, whip, or roach. At the extended trot, the dog may appear to overreach, with the hind foot passing to either side of the front foot. This is not faulty unless it causes the dog to move in a crab-like fashion. From both front or rear, the action is that of a single track. From the front, the legs move inward toward a center line under the body in a straight column of support from the point of shoulder to the pad. From the rear, the legs track inward toward a center line in a straight column of support from the hip to the pad. Moving close is faulty. Sidegait, coming and going are equally important and movement front and rear are not to be overlooked in favor of sidegait. Incorrect structure will be revealed in the moving animal. Flaws in gait such as weaving or interfering, paddling, flipping the front paws, weakness at the elbows, stiltiness, moving cow or bow-hocked or in a hackney fashion are highly objectionable and must be regarded as serious faults.
    COAT
    The White Shepherd has a weather-resistant double coat. The outer coat is medium length, dense, straight, harsh and close lying. The undercoat is short, thick and fine in texture. The head and ears are covered with a smooth, somewhat softer hair while the hair covering the legs and paws is more harsh-textured. At the neck, the coat is slightly longer and heavier. A male may carry a thicker ruff than a female. The back of the legs has a slightly longer covering of hair and there is considerably more hair on the breeches and the underside of the tail. Both a short coat and a long coat are equally acceptable. An open coat is faulty.
    COLOR
    The coat color is white as defined by the breed’s name and the ideal is pure white. Other coat markings that range from a very pale cream to a light biscuit tan are acceptable, but not preferred. It is important to note that when judging the White Shepherd, temperament, overall quality and movement are to be considered more important than coat color alone. Pigment -- Skin color is pink to gray with gray being preferred. The nose, lips and eye rims should be fully pigmented and black in color. A snow nose is acceptable but is not preferred. Deficiency of pigment is objectionable and dogs exhibiting faded or spotty pigmentation on nose, eye rims or lips should be faulted. Dogs exhibiting the total lack of pigment in the above named areas indicating possible albinism or those that definitely exhibit albinism (such as dogs with blue or pink eyes) must be disqualified.
    TEMPERAMENT
    The White Shepherd has a distinct personality marked by a direct, but not hostile expression of self-confidence. It is poised but when the situation demands, it should be eager and alert, ready to serve in any capacity such as companion, watch dog or service dog. To his inherent aptitude as a guardian of flocks should be an added protectiveness of the person and property of his family. With those he knows well, he should be open and friendly. With strangers, he should be observant and may be somewhat aloof but never apprehensive. Timidity, shrinking behind the handler, lack of confidence or any other display of poor character or aggression are severe faults. Dogs displaying such pronounced character flaws should be excused from the ring. Any dog that attempts to bite the judge must be disqualified.
    FAULTS
    Any deviation from these listed specifications is a fault. In determining whether a fault is minor, serious or major, these two factors should be used as a guide:
    1. The extent to which it deviates from breed type.
    2. The extent to which such deviation would actually affect the working ability of the dog.
    DISQUALIFICATIONS
    • Blue or pink eyes
    • Cropped or hanging ears
    • Undershot bite
    • Tails that are too short or docked
    • Total lack of pigment on the nose, eye rims or lips or dogs that exhibit definite signs of albinism
    • Monorchids or cryptorchids
    • Any dog that has been surgically or cosmetically altered
    • Any dog that attempts to bite the judge

  3. #3
    Thanks rutylr. I wish I could have been there. Next year we are hoping to atend a few shows in teh summer. By then I will have Sheena and hopefully one of her pups to compete with.
    Nicole

  4. #4
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    Sheena should do well,and if you keep a puppy that ends up looking like her you should kick some WS butt.

  5. #5
    lol We hope too. lol. We are hoping to keep a female. That is if she ever gets bred. This little lady of mine is really making us wait. Every cycle she had except for one she came into heat right on teh exact day. 4 months and 15 days. Last heat she had she was a day late. Well this is the heat we planned to breed her. So guess what. She is really making us wait. She was due to come into heat on teh 27th of October. We are still waiting. lol. Of all teh times to chose to make mom wait. Of cours eit had to be when we want to breed her. Ahh well. It will happen. Just got to be patient.
    Nicole

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    Very good thread! The whites have seperate requirements .. thank you..

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    Did I miss something? Did someone decide that German Shepherds that are white are recognized as a breed of it's own somewhere?

    Seems to me that according to the German Shepherd Club of America, all white dogs are not only undesireable but are to be immediately dismissed from the ring. This would indicate that any all white puppies born should be altered to prevent any future accidental breedings and if a bitch whelps more then one puppy with more then one stud should be altered.

    Calling a white shepherd a seperate breed is kind of like me telling you that long haired rottweilers are a new breed. It is just wrong and to treat them like anything beyond the genetic throwback that they are is dishonest.

  8. #8
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    White GSD's have been around for ever,and they use to be allowed to show.Then someone got a bug up their but and decieded they did not like them and had the standard changed to diss allow them from showing.
    The White Shepherd is built different from the German shepherd and they are also called White Swiss Shepherd Dog or Berger Blanc Suisse.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by rutylr
    White GSD's have been around for ever,and they use to be allowed to show.Then someone got a bug up their but and decieded they did not like them and had the standard changed to diss allow them from showing.
    The White Shepherd is built different from the German shepherd and they are also called White Swiss Shepherd Dog or Berger Blanc Suisse.
    I must be missing something in the translation. Did some digging and came up with this:

    The Weisser Schweizer Schäferhund, or Berger Blanc Suisse, more commonly known as the White Swiss Shepherd, was often considered a mutation of the German Shepherd, until recently when it was finally considered a separate breed after years of campaigning from White Shepherd enthusiasts. Currently, this breed is only recognised by the FCI and the UKC, but more efforts are being made to give the breed worldwide recognition as a separate and distinct breed from the

  10. #10
    I can't get over how gorgeous Sheena is

  11. #11
    LilacDragon - White Shepherds have always been a part of the GSD. They were even shown along side their colored counterparts for many many years. Even one of the most famous GSD fanciers in America owned and bred whites.

    This is Geraldine Dodge with her white Shepherds and her Colored Shepherds


    It wasn't until the 1960s where it became a fault so they could not be shown with the AKC. Until then they did show with their colored counterparts. For the CanKC they were able to compete next to their colored counterparts till 1995. No white is not a genetic flaw. No white is not the cause of genetic health problems. The White Shepherd is just that. A White GSD. It has no more or no less health problems then a standard GSD. If you read my first post it explains all this. There is no reason what so ever to cull whites(whether by altering them or killing them) that are born just because they are white.

    GSD breeders who are agianst whites for the reasons you stated need to do more study on the history of their breed and also more study into the genetic research that has been done to prove that the wives tails about the whites are just that. Wives tails. Just like other breeds have seperated into others because of size(poodles) or coat types(dachsunds) the white is looking to do teh same so they can once agian take their rightful place in teh conformation ring.

    Zoomer - Thank you so much
    Nicole

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by LilacDragon
    Did I miss something? Did someone decide that German Shepherds that are white are recognized as a breed of it's own somewhere?

    Seems to me that according to the German Shepherd Club of America, all white dogs are not only undesireable but are to be immediately dismissed from the ring. This would indicate that any all white puppies born should be altered to prevent any future accidental breedings and if a bitch whelps more then one puppy with more then one stud should be altered.

    Calling a white shepherd a seperate breed is kind of like me telling you that long haired rottweilers are a new breed. It is just wrong and to treat them like anything beyond the genetic throwback that they are is dishonest.
    Actually not quite- the white shepherd does have its own club and considered a rare breed by AKC standards.. Like the Leonberger is etc. It is coming close to being accepted in the AKC as a seperate breed based on color. Like how we do the two Belgium varieties or Cockers as well..
    Additionally- last I heard they are going to also soon to be admiting the "red and white setter" which actually is a Irish Setter in other countries, but here the Irish has to be red..
    The purpose of a "breed" is to be able to established standards and reproduce that standard. That is why designer breeds arent going anywhere- each puppy is widely different, and without registration on the papers to prove they really are whatever they are, people are basically spending 10 times the money they would than if they just went to a shelter and got the same mix.

  13. #13
    I sooo know what you mean about the designer breeds. lol
    Nicole

  14. #14
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    sad isnt it..

  15. #15
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    I do have a question about a foster that my friend is holding for me.

    Do you think he is a White German Shepherd Mix or a Husky Mix? He's about a year old.



    Sorry but I thought I'd ask you since you know the breed.
    "To all the dogs I've loved before...Who traveled in & out my door...I'm glad you came along...I dedicate this song to all the dogs I've loved before"

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