Article from 1973
This article appeared in the 1973 April, May, June issue of the American Shepherd Club, Int's "Shepherd's Din."
NOTE: The references to the American Shepherd Club, the White German Shepherd Club, or the White German Shepherd Club of America are not related to
the American White Shepherd Association. (Our club was formed in 1995.) These clubs are now named the White German Shepherd Dog Club,
International, Inc. (WGSDCII).
White German Shepherd
By Gail Finkeldei
The
eighty-four-year-old
controversy
dividing
white
German
Shepherds
from
their
dark
cousins
is
shaping
up
for
a
showdown
between
owners
of
the
breeds.
The
powerful
German
Shepherd
Dog
Club
of
America
is
actively
campaigning
to
bar
registration
of
the
whites
while
the
American
Shepherd
Club,
International (formerly the White American Shepherd Club) is mounting its own campaign for equalization of the breeds.
Breeders
of
dark
German
Shepherds
argue
that
the
white
German
Shepherd
is
a
degenerate
animal
that
weakens
the
German
Shepherd
population
and
deteriorates the quality of the breed.
This
feeling
is
expressed
by
Mr.
D.W.
Hadsell,
president
of
the
GSDCA
(German
Shepherd
Club
of
America),
who
said,
"The
position
of
the
club
on
this
question
is
embodied
in
the
official
standard
of
the
breed
-
'a
white
dog
or
a
dog
with
a
nose
that
is
not
predominately
black,
must
be
disqualified.'
The
standard
is
not
capricious,
vague
or
ambiguous.
On
the
contrary,
it
is
quite
specific
and
the
result
of
the
experience
of
many
knowledgeable
Shepherdists
over the years.
"It
has
thusly
been
established
and
accepted
that
loss
of
pigment
in
our
breed
is
genetically
associated
with
degeneration
and
eventual
loss
of
many
other
breed characteristics that are desirable and necessary to maintain and improve the utilitarian functions of the German Shepherd Dog.
"It
has
not
been
contended
that
the
phenotype
of
each
individual
white
specimen
necessarily
displays
the
lack
of
all
those
other
desirable
characteristics.
Rather,
the
white
(or
those
seriously
lacking
in
pigment)
is
physical
evidence
of
genetic
ingredients
that
will
lead
to
degeneration
in
subsequent
generations
if not already fully demonstrated in such an individual."
Breeders
of
whites
say
this
is
opinion
and
not
based
on
proven
fact,
and
therefore
is
totally
unfounded
and
untrue.
Those
who
ostracize
the
whites
have
had
no
experience
with
them,
condemning
merely
on
hearsay
Mrs.
Dorothy
Watkins,
president
of
the
American
Shepherd
Club,
Int.,
states:
"The
white
German
Shepherd is not a misfit. They existed before von Stephanitz, the 'breed standard' or the GSDCA.
"We
do
not
wish
to
rid
the
world
of
dark
Shepherds,
as
they
would
like
to
do
to
us,
but
wish
to
live
in
harmony
with
them.
We
certainly
have
no
intention
of
destroying
our
dogs
to
satisfy
the
aims
of
the
misguided
GSDCA,
nor
do
we
intend
to
stop
breeding
these
beautiful
dogs
simply
because
someone
long
ago
decided he liked a dark coloration better than white.
"We
have
seen
many
gorgeous
dark
German
Shepherds;
and
we
have
seen
many
who
were
certainly
no
credit
to
that
breed.
The
situation
is
exactly
the
same
with
white
Shepherds.
There
are
many
magnificent
whites,
and
we
are
surely
aware
that
there
are
some
who
are
far
from
our
standards.
However,
we
wish to point out that this situation is not peculiar to our breed, but exists in every known breed of dog.
"It
is
the
responsibility
of
each
breed
club
to
try
to
educate
the
breeder,
as
well
as
the
public-at-large
to
the
proper
standards
of
the
particular
breed.
We
are
doing
our
utmost
to
carry
out
our
part
in
this
endeavor
and
would
like
to
suggest
that
time
might
be
better
spent
on
the
part
of
the
GSDCA
if
it
would
do the same for its own breed. In other words - sweep your own doorstep clean first!"
The Controversy
The
seeds
of
controversy
were
first
sown
when
Max
von
Stephanitz,
recognized
as
the
father
of
the
breed,
began
a
crusade
in
1889
to
standardize
the
Shepherd.
In
doing
so,
he
culled
the
litters
to
achieve
the
color
and
temperament
he
desired
-
the
black-and-tan
Shepherd.
Although
white
Shepherds
were
present,
they
found
disfavor
with
von
Stephanitz,
who
said,
"I
am
not
in
favor
of
a
uniform
color;
it
does
not
suit
our
dog
whose
coat
requires
some
variation
in
color
to
avoid
producing
the
impression
of
flatness."
Thus,
the
opinion
of
one
man
quite
possibly
shaped
the
future
of
the
German
Shepherd
Dog.
Rittmeister
Stephanitz
appointed
himself
voice
of
the
SV
(Verin
Fer
Deutshe
Shaferhund,
the
German
Shepherd
Dog
Club
of
Germany)
a
position
to
which
he adhered until his death in 1936. Shepherd breeders obeyed, without question, his dictatorial edicts in matters pertaining to the breed.
In
1913
the
German
Shepherd
Dog
Club
of
America
was
established
and
adopted
the
standard
set
by
von
Stephanitz
and
his
Verin.
White
in
Shepherds
was
still preferred by some who disagreed with the GSDCA and continued to breed for white.
Through
the
years
the
accusations
against
the
white
German
Shepherd
have
grown
to
include
such
concepts
as
white
in
the
German
Shepherd
breed
is
a
sign
of
degeneracy
and
results
in
undesirable
characteristics
such
as
albinism,
blindness,
deafness,
bad
temperament,
skin
diseases
and
general
unsoundness. And it also charged that the white Shepherd is responsible for "fading color" in the breed.
Dr.
Peter
Neufeld
of
Glendosa
Research
Center,
answered
this
charge
by
referring
to
This
Is
The
German
Shepherd
by
Goldbecker
and
Hart.
(Note:
Dr.
Peter
Lorenz
Neufeld,
a
well-known
counselor-biology
teacher
in
Manitoba
and
in
North
Dakota
schools
for
thirteen
years,
is
now
a
counseling-research
psychologist
and
writer.
He
holds
three
Canadian
bachelor
degrees,
an
American
Masters,
and
has
just
received
a
British
doctorate.
He
is
an
active
member
of
the
Canadian
Kennel
Club,
Canadian
Guidance
and
Counseling
Association,
Canadian
Mental
Health
Association
and
honorary
member
of
the
White
German
Shepherd
Club
of
America.
Dr.
Neufeld
researched
the
white
German
Shepherd
for
ten
years,
during
which
time
he
wrote
the
book
The
Invincible
White
Shepherd.)
Quoting,
he
says,
"In
Shepherds
it
has
been
established
that
several
alleles
of
the
albino
series
are
present
in
the
breed.
The
danger
of
paling
color
(which
German
writers
on
the
breed
describe
as
a
sign
of
degeneracy)
does
not
come
through
the
dark-eyed,
dark-nosed,
white
dog,
since,
if
bred
to
dogs
homozygous
for
rich
pigmentation,
the
resulting
progeny
will
be
either
white
or
normal
colors.
The
cream,
or
pale
cream,
and
pale
grey
Shepherd is the dog that contributes to color paling (Grey-Agouti), as does dilute blue.
Blindness
does
run
with
albinism,
but
according
to
Dr.
Leon
Whitney,
the
dark-eyed
white
dog
such
as
the
white
German
Shepherd
is
a
completely
different
series from the albino gene. This theory is expressed by Dr. Whitney in How To Breed Dogs.
"Breeding
studies
were
made
at
the
center
which
proved
the
white
Shepherd's
innocence
in
the
'fading
color'
charge,
as
well
as
dispelling
the
other
accusations.
"The
simple
method
used
for
predicting
possible
types
of
offspring
to
result
from
the
matings
was
by
use
of
the
Punnett
Square.
After
stating
the
meaning
of
the
letters
representing
each
gene
we
write
the
genetic
makeup
of
the
parent
generation
and
establish
what
genes
each
parent
will
carry,
keeping
in
mind
one
parent
is
male
and
the
other
female.
Common
practice
is
to
write
genes
carried
by
sperm
on
top
and
those
by
eggs
on
the
side,
use
capital
to
denote
dominance
and
small
letters
to
designate
recessiveness.
Color-crossing
examples
encountered
most
frequently
in
Shepherd
breeding
are:
T
=
black
and tan, dominant; w = dark-point white, recessive; am = partial albino.
Example 1. Predicting results of crossing a pure dominant with a pure recessive factor.
All pups will be black and tan in color like the father, genetically in the heterozygous (hybrid) stage.
Example 2. Predicting results of crossing a pure dominant with the same kind of pure dominant. The goal of many dark Shepherd breeders.
All pups will be black and tan in appearance like the father and mother, genetically in the homozygous stage, like both parents.
Example 3. Predicting results of crossing a pure recessive with same kind of pure recessive. The goal of white Shepherd breeders.
Sperm
T
Tw
T
w
Tw
Tw
w
Tw
Sperm
T
TT
TT
T
T
TT
TT
T
Egg
Egg
Sperm
Sperm
Sperm
Egg
Egg T
w
Egg
w
w
w
T
TT
Tw
ww
ww
w
ww
ww
w
Tw
ww
All pups will be dark-point white like the father and mother, genetically in the homozygous stage like both parents.
Example 4. Predicting results of crossing a hybrid with the same kind of hybrid. Many white Shepherds have such breedings in their pedigrees.
Approximately seventy-five percent of the pups will be black and tan, fifty percent being in heterozygous stage and twenty-five percent homozygous;
twenty-five percent will be dark-point white.
Example 5. Predicting results where dominance is not complete. Both parents were tan with greyish-black saddle or markings.
T
am
T
T
Tam
am
am
Tamam
About twenty-five percent will be homozygous black and tan; twenty-five percent will be partial (mutant) albino; fifty percent will be like their parents,
commonly referred as 'fading' or 'washed-out' color in which black and tan is not completely dominant over the albino gene.
Sperm
Egg w
am
w
ww
wam
am
wam
amam
Both
parents
were
dark-point
white
with
winter
'snow-nose'
type.
About
twenty-five
percent
will
be
homozygous
dark-point
white;
twenty-five
percent
will
be
partial
(mutant)
albino;
50
percent
will
be
like
their
parents,
which
in
central
North
America
is
a
dark-point
white
in
summer,
'snow-nose'
in
winter
and
a kind of blend in fall and spring.
"The
preceding
five
heredity
examples
have
been
verified
numerous
times
at
Glendosa
Research
Center,"
stated
Dr.
Neufeld.
"
"The
first
and
fourth
examples
were
deliberately
employed
to
improve
a
white
strain.
The
fifth
one
creates
most
difficulties
for
both
dark
and
white
Shepherd
breeders.
The
first
square
in
that
example
illustrates
the
dilemma
of
dark
Shepherd
breeders,
one
which
they
hope
to
solve
by
using
white
Shepherds
as
scapegoats.
The
other square illustrates the problem of some breeders of whites, one which can readily be solved but if ignored could create many difficulties some day.
"Most
genetists
distinguish
between
albino
genes
and
white
genes.
Although
white
genes
in
animals
are
often
recessive
to
dark
(as
albino
genes
seem
to
be),
many
are
not,
e.g.,
black
is
recessive
to
white
in
cats
and
sheep.
Genetically,
unlike
albino
genes,
white
genes
in
dogs
do
not
possess
various
multiple
forms. Nor do they produce day-blindness, greater susceptibility to diseases, piebald or pale sandy yellowish coat color.
"The
two
well-known
American
geneticists,
George
and
Muriel
Beadle
appropriately
classify
albinism
as
a
metabolic
disease.
Dark-point
white
genes
in
Shepherds,
it
would
seem,
are
somewhat
like
the
white
hair
genes
common
among
Norwegians
and
Swedes
who
possess
white
hair
but
darker
pigmented
eyes
and
skin.
This
is
not
albinoidism,
nor
is
it
partial
albinism.
It
may
come
as
a
shock
to
most
dark
Shepherd
breeders
that
the
beautiful
white
chest
marking
of
their
dogs,
so
popular
in
the
show
rings,
is
most
likely
the
result
of
partial
albinism.
Goldbecker
and
Hart,
who
quote
Grey-Agouti,
take
a
similar
position as do Burns and Fraser.
"I
believe
Burns
and
Fraser
summarize
well
the
color
genetics
situation
in
white
German
Shepherds
when
they
say,
'The
pure
white
seems
to
be
perfectly
normal
constitutionally,
and
it
is
quite
probable
that
the
gene
causing
white
coloration
is
not
really
one
of
the
albino
series.'
Ten
years
of
research
with
the
white gene, dark color and mutant albino genes have convinced me it's not part of the albino series at all!
"Further,
as
Burns
and
Fraser,
Goldbecker
and
Hart,
Dodge
and
Rine,
countless
other
breeders
and
geneticists
have
pointed
out
and
I
have
verified
repeatedly the dark-point white gene does not contribute to color paling in dark Shepherds while white albino genes do."
The Opposition
Opposition
has
risen
to
such
heights
in
the
last
few
years
that
pressure
from
the
German
Shepherd
Dog
Club
has
swayed
many
from
the
white
German
Shepherd.
The
AKC
has
ruled
against
the
white
Shepherd
being
shown
in
the
show
rings,
but
still
permits
registration.
In
Germany,
all
white
puppies
in
a
litter
are
destroyed.
If
they
do
manage
to
escape
death
they
are
still
excluded
from
dog
shows,
obedience
trials
and
registration
in
the
S.V.
Standards
in
Canada
remain so ambiguous regarding albinos that show judges have free rein to discourage all white dogs from competing in shows.
The
Royal
Canadian
Mounted
Police,
which
originally
utilized
white
German
Shepherds
in
their
breeding
and
training
program,
now
consider
the
breed
unsuitable
because
"white
hairs
don't
go
well
on
dark
blue
pants
and
they
make
too
good
a
target
at
night."
This
is
much
the
same
answer
received
from
guide dog institutes that were queried.
The
Seeing
Eye,
Morristown,
New
Jersey:
"By
and
large,
blind
people
feel
that
white
dogs
are
too
conspicuous
and
a
deviation
from
the
norm.
We
find
that
the
average
person
wants
a
good-looking
specimen
of
whatever
breed
is
assigned
to
him,
and
he
wants
a
dog
that
he
can
keep
clean
without
too
much
effort. There is also the matter of loose white hairs on a blue suit or dress, which would make a white dog of any breed less desirable in guide work."
Guide
Dogs
For
The
Blind,
San
Rafael,
California:
"We
do
not
now
use
the
white
German
Shepherd
Dog
in
our
training
program.
When
we
first
started,
we
depended
to
a
large
extent
upon
donated
stock
and
did
accept
a
number
of
whites.
We
successfully
trained
a
small
number
of
them.
However,
in
comparison
with
the
standard
type,
the
percentage
of
graduated
whites
was
poor.
In
fact,
although
the
ones
we
graduated
were
successful,
the
overall
percentage was so poor that it was decided not to continue using them. We have not used white Shepherds for the past fifteen years.
"Other
additional
factors
went
into
this
decision.
We
are
supported
by
a
large
number
of
dog
clubs
as
well
as
a
public
that
is
aware
of
the
controversy.
With
this
support
we
have
been
able
to
build
a
good
reputation
in
the
quality
of
our
dogs,
both
in
ability
and
appearance.
If
we
were
to
issue
a
white
German
Shepherd
to
one
of
our
blind
students,
not
only
would
we
lose
the
support
from
our
AKC
oriented
groups
but
adverse
comments
directed
toward
that
student
about
his
dog
would
tend
to
make
him
lose
faith
in
it.
All
aspects
considered,
we
prefer
to
abide
by
AKC
regulations
and
standards,
and
have
used
those guidelines in our breeding program."
One
school,
however,
does
accept
white
German
Shepherds
and
has
for
years.
Leader
Dogs
For
The
Blind
in
Michigan
finds
them
equally
satisfactory
to
the
dark
variety.
Mr.
George
Drew's
Wholgeboren
Kennels
has
supplied
this
school
with
dogs
for
years
and
is
fast
becoming
distinguished
for
quality
white
German
Shepherd
guide
dogs.
Mr.
Brew,
who
has
raised
German
Shepherd
Dogs
for
twenty
years,
will
enter
the
first
all
white
German
Shepherd
dog
sled
racing team in the 1976 Olympics.
Many
enthusiastic
boosters
of
the
white
Shepherd
were
once
anti-white.
Such
is
the
case
of
Sgt.
Bryan
Anthony
of
the
London,
Ontario
Police
Department.
"I
was
not
aware
Prince
was
white
when
I
came
to
check
the
volunteer
for
the
Canine
Section.
My
immediate
reaction,
the
result
of
twenty
years
of
training
and
handling
police
dogs
in
Britain,
was
to
walk
away
from
a
white
German
Shepherd.
But
I
decided
the
dog
at
least
deserved
a
chance.
After
a
great
deal
of
examining
I
put
aside
the
prejudice
of
many
years.
This
dog
seemed
to
possess
the
qualities
of
intelligence,
aggressiveness
and
strength
that
are required for police dog training. Prince was one of two dogs selected out of sixty, the other being a standard Shepherd.
"The
white
Shepherd
seemed
to
know
exactly
what
was
expected
of
him
and
performed
beautifully.
It
was
no
surprise
when
he
graduated
at
the
head
of
his
class.
Prince's
specialty
is
property
search,
and
with
his
nose
to
the
ground
he
has
helped
solve
many
cases.
Prince
has
made
a
believer
out
of
me.
I
just hope he can open the eyes of others who think whites are inferior!"
Another
white
Shepherd
police
dog,
Flash,
and
his
handler
P.C.
Stokes
have
made
news
for
the
Jersey,
Channel
Islands
Police
Department.
Flash
has
been
a prominent figure in the arrest of armed suspects.
German
Shepherds,
the
U.S.
Air
Force
found,
have
an
intelligence
quotient
comparable
to
a
seven-year-old
child;
capacity
to
learn
about
one
hundred
commands;
a
bite
equal
to
700
pounds
per
square
inch
of
pressure;
sense
of
smell
approximately
forty
times
and
hearing
twenty
times
as
strong
as
that
of
humans.
This
world-renowned
force
proved
that
white
Shepherds
were
in
no
way
inferior,
in
either
temperament
or
conformation,
to
standard
Shepherds.
A
questionnaire
was
submitted
to
a
sampling
of
German
Shepherd
breeders,
trainers,
owners,
veterinarians,
and
veterinary
medical
schools
across
the
country
to
get
their
reaction
to
the
white
German
Shepherd
controversy.
Space
does
not
permit
the
publication
of
all
the
replies,
but
the
following
give
a
general breakdown of opinions.
The questions were:
Have you ever owned or trained a white German Shepherd?
What action would be taken if a white Shepherd was born in your kennel?
Do you feel the white German Shepherd is inferior?
What facts verify your answer?
Do you know of any specific studies that have proven the white Shepherd inferior to the standard Shepherd?
Dog Trainers
"I
am
presently
preparing
my
white
Shepherd
for
a
new
TV
series.
The
problem
the
whites
are
facing
reminds
me
of
the
experience
I
had
with
the
Collie
breeders when Lassie first appeared.
"These
breeders
were
adamantly
opposed
to
the
white
blaze
on
Lassie's
face.
We
had
quite
a
battle
going.
But
eventually,
because
of
Lassie's
growing
popularity the blaze was begrudgingly accepted. Today very few people are aware this problem ever existed.
"This
whole
mess
is
ridiculous.
If
the
people
opposed
to
the
white
Shepherd
would
just
give
it
a
chance
they'd
find
no
difference
from
the
dark
Shepherd.
I'm speaking from years of experience training dogs, there's nothing degenerate about the white Shepherd!"
Rudd Weatherwax, dog trainer for motion pictures and television.
"I
find
that
the
German
Shepherd
is
one
of
the
smartest
dogs
to
train
and
color
makes
no
difference
in
their
brains!
I
own
several
white
Shepherds
and
they are very intelligent!"
Frank Inn, animal trainer for motion pictures and television
"I have owned and trained white and dark German Shepherds for twenty-seven years. The difference lies in the individual animal, not the coat color.
"One thing I will not abide is cruelty to animals and in my opinion destruction of a white Shepherd because of its color is criminal.
"My
'White
Shadow'
line
has
appeared
in
many
motion
pictures
and
have
Pasty
awards
to
attest
to
their
intelligence.
This
line
can
be
traced
back
to
the
Hapsburg
of
Austria.
If
white
Shepherds
are
supposed
to
be
inferior,
shouldn't
one
have
been
degenerate
after
all
these
years?
Well
they
haven't
and
they're not!"
Dorothy Crider, actress, breeder and dog trainer for motion pictures and TV.
German Shepherd Owners and Breeders
"We
do
not
breed
for
color,
but
are
only
interested
in
strong
pigmented
dogs.
We
have
never
owned
a
white
German
Shepherd
nor
have
we
trained
one.
It
is almost impossible that our lines would produce a white dog, but mutations do occur. Such a white pup would be destroyed immediately
"I
not
only
feel
but
know
that
a
white
Shepherd
is
inferior.
I
have
never
seen
an
outstanding
white
or
even
one
of
average
quality.
I
know
of
no
white
Shepherd
champion
of
ROM
sire.
This
in
itself
should
be
proof
that
they
are
inferior,
because
only
recently
have
whites
been
excluded
from
the
show
ring.
When you breed only for one quality such as white color you have to sacrifice other qualities and are therefore only breeding inferiors.
"Apparently there are studies but I cannot give you facts as this would require research and I do not want to waste my time on the whites anyway."
G.H. Liedtke, Vom Rhein German Shepherds, Pacomima, California
"We
breed
black
and
tans
and
sables
and
have
never
had
any
experience
with
white
German
Shepherds.
Any
white
puppy
born
in
our
kennels
would
be
humanely
put
to
sleep.
As
far
as
light
tans
and
silvers
go,
we
do
realize
the
importance
of
good
pigmentation
and
if
such
signs
are
evidence
of
poor
pigmentation, then we would alter them and place them in good homes as pets.
"We
do
feel
that
whites
are
inferior.
This
is
based
on
personal
observations
that
no
white
which
I
have
ever
seen
has
had
the
balance
of
a
good,
well-bred
dog. They have not appeared proportionate or with good rear angulation or with a proper movement and gait."
Dahlar Kennels, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
"We
breed
only
standard
Shepherds.
Unlike
the
standards
for
most
breeds,
which
are
concerned
simply
with
what
the
fanciers
look
upon
as
beauty,
every
word of the German Shepherd Dog standard is there for the dual purpose of the utility of the dog as well as its beauty.
"White
is
not
discarded
just
on
someone's
whim.
After
many
years
of
study
with
both
white
and
colored
dogs
the
whites
proved
to
be
inferior
as
working
animals
to
their
colored
brothers.
Genes,
unfortunately,
do
not
stand
alone
and
white
seems
to
be
linked
with
other
undesirable
characteristics.
We
have
to
use
these
facts
to
improve
the
breed,
not
disregard
them.
The
controversy
on
whites
boils
down
to
one
thing:
do
you
want
a
real
German
Shepherd
or
just
a shell?
"I'm
sure
you're
aware
of
the
work
being
done
to
prevent
whites
from
being
registered.
If
the
breeders
of
whites
are
so
sure
they
have
quality
animals,
why
don’t
they
go
out
and
prove
it
on
their
dogs'
own
merit
rather
than
hanging
on
the
coattails
of
the
German
Shepherd
worthy
of
the
name.
We
would
welcome the withdrawal from our breed!"
Danlyn German Shepherds, Burbank, California
"I
have
owned
and
trained
all
colors
of
German
Shepherds
and
do
not
consider
the
whites
inferior.
The
whites
do
not
contribute
to
paling
color
in
the
breed
as charged by the dark breeders, but rather the light silver and tan.
"In
a
recent
issue
of
the
German
Shepherd
Review
I
counted
five
of
these
light
colored
dogs,
all
winners
at
shows.
These
dogs
are
put
in
the
show
ring
constantly even though their pigmentation is bad. The whites which will not cause paling color are disqualified.
"I
breed
white
German
Shepherds
knowing
full
well
that
the
GSDCA
considers
it
a
disqualifying
fault,
but
that
does
not
mean
that
I
breed
them
for
the
money
as
they
say,
as
there
is
no
money
in
breeding.
It
costs
just
as
much
to
raise
a
litter
of
whites
as
it
does
for
a
litter
of
darks.
I
also
study
genetics,
pedigrees and know what the faults in my dogs are so I may work to improve them in breeding."
Loretta Ouelette, Terryville, Connecticut
"We
raise
dark
German
Shepherds
but
I
have
owned
and
trained
a
white
as
well.
I
can
see
no
inferiority
whatsoever.
Any
white
pup
born
in
our
kennels
would be welcomed and raised on the same basis as the dark."
Amerbrit Kennels, Uniondale, New York
"We
breed
only
dark
Shepherds
and
have
had
no
experience
with
white.
I
definitely
feel
the
whites
are
inferior
and
would
destroy
any
white
pup
born
in
this kennel."
Oak Glen Kennels, Temple City, California
"I
have
been
breeding
both
dark
and
white
German
Shepherds
for
eleven
years
and
find
no
difference
in
their
temperament.
I
believe
these
people
that
are against whites should get one and compare it with their dark dogs before condemning them!"
K-T Kennels, Bridgeport, New York
Veterinary Medical Schools
"We know of no experimental evidence showing differences between white and dark German Shepherds in any respect."
University of California, Davis, California
Most veterinary medical schools, veterinarians and veterinary associations were not informed or wished to remain out of any controversy.
Future Of The White German Shepherd
In
the
early
'60s
a
group
of
concerned
persons
in
the
Sacramento,
California
area
organized
the
White
German
Shepherd
Dog
Club
of
America.
This
group
accepted
the
standards
of
the
GSDCA
as
approved
by
the
AKC
in
1943
(GSDCA
standards
have
been
changed
since
that
time)
with
four
slight
modifications regarding color and height.
It
was
hoped
that
the
formation
of
this
club
would
alleviate
pressure
on
the
owner
of
white
dogs.
This
however,
was
not
the
case.
The
GSDCA
became
more insistent that the white dog should be eliminated completely and, as stated previously, appears to be campaigning to bar their registration.
This
excerpt
from
an
article
by
Maureen
Yentzen
seems
to
express
the
feelings
of
the
dark
Shepherd
breeders.
"The
whites
seem
to
be
proliferating
in
all
areas these days due to the mercenary breeders who are promoting them.
"Breeders
of
whites
and
other
disallowed
colors
are
surely
sabotaging
our
breed
and
breaking
its
laws
as
the
bad
citizen
breaks
his
country's
laws.
And
they
are
doing
it
for
purely
mercenary
reasons
-
the
buck.
I'm
quite
sure
the
breeders
of
whites
have
discovered
that
there
is
a
market
for
their
undesirable product.
"This
evil
will
not
correct
itself
in
the
near
future.
There
is
only
one
cure.
Our
parent
club
should
ban
white
puppies
from
being
registered
with
the
AKC.
They will then have no monetary value and will not be a temptation to the mercenary breeder."
In its struggle for survival, the white German Shepherd may be forced to abandon its old name to achieve new status with a totally different breed name.
As
Dr.
Peter
Neufeld
states,
"With
the
current
situation
in
West
Germany,
America
and
to
a
degree
in
Canada,
the
present
name
of
white
German
Shepherd
should be changed and immediate steps taken to register this unique variety as a distinct, new breed.
"Retaining
German
as
part
of
the
name
(and
I
say
this
being
partially
of
German
national
origin
myself)
is
obviously
asinine.
I'm
also
convinced
registering
this strain as a separate breed would solve many problems it now faces; show ring, discrimination, and registration in West Germany.
"Numerous
precedents
exist
in
other
breeds
for
such
registration.
The
Bull
Terriers
were
just
as
adamant
that
their
dogs
should
be
white,
and
the
people
breeding
brindles
-
because
they
preferred
these
colors
-
went
on
to
form
their
own
breed,
the
Staffordshire
Terrier.
The
same
thing
came
about
with
the
Belgian Sheepdog, who branched out into the Belgian Tervuren.
"There's
no
doubt
at
this
point
the
white
Shepherds
now
have
sufficient
favorable
genes
in
their
gene
pool
on
this
continent
to
continue
on
their
own
as
a
unique and valuable breed."
At
a
recent
annual
meeting
of
the
White
German
Shepherd
Club
it
was
voted
that
the
club's
name
be
changed
to
American
Shepherd
Club,
International.
"This
measure
is
an
effort
to
achieve
new
status
for
the
white
Shepherd
under
a
new
breed
name
not
linked
with
such
controversy,"
stated
Dorothy
Watkins, the club president.
"Our
club
was
advised
by
an
AKC
representative
that
nay
reference
to
color
in
a
breed
name
would
be
unacceptable.
This
same
representative
also
told
us
that
the
GSDCA
would
never
stand
for
the
word
'German'
to
be
used
as
a
part
of
our
name.
Therefore,
we
dropped
both
the
'White'
and
the
'German'
and
went
to
a
new
breed
name.
Among
other
reasons
for
choosing
'American'
Shepherd
was
the
intention
that
the
word
American
would
encompass
not
just
the United States but the entire American continent. We have chapters in Mexico and Canada.
"As
to
when
we
expect
the
name
change
to
take
effect,
I
imagine
it
is
going
to
be
a
long
hard
fight
of
several
years.
The
name
'American
Shepherd'
may
not be the final name with which we achieve separate breed status, but we had to start somewhere," concluded Mrs. Watkins.
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