It is a well known fact that the color white has been part of the German Shepherd Dog since its creation. It is also a historical fact that the GSD's foundation dog, Horand von Grafrath (owned by Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the breed), was grandsired by a white-coated dog. Von Stephanitz's based his findings of the White GSD on the genetics of the times. He felt the White GSD carried a lack of pigmentation and genetic problems (which has been disproved in modern times). He also was quoted as saying a dog's working ability should be the primary concern and color a very secondary feature. The German SV (German Shepherd Club of Germany) followed Von Stephanitz's beliefs and in 1933 made the White GSD a disqualification. In the 1960's, the SV banned the White German Shepherd completely. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America, as part of the SV ban, disqualified the White GSD from the conformation ring in 1968. Promoters of the White GSD formed The White German Shepherd Dog Club International shortly before the disqualification of the White. The White German Shepherd Dog Club International adopted a standard for the breed very similar to the GSD standard and started hosting their own conformation events in order to maintain breeding quality dogs. Not much has changed from 1968. The 1990's brought two other White GSD clubs to the breed. The White German Shepherd Dog Club of America have similar beliefs to the WGSDCI in that they believe the white coated GSD is indeed a GSD. The American White Shepherd Association was formed in order to promote the White GSD as a separate breed. Nobody knows what the future holds for the White German Shepherd...
The White German Shepherd has a long, complex history filled with bias and misfortune. For too long these beautiful dogs have been seen as "second rate" to their colored counterparts. There are so many misunderstandings, wrong information, and rumors associated with the white coated German Shepherd Dog. I will try to dispell these misconceptions here.
White German Shepherds have bad temperments FACT: White German Shepherds DO NOT have bad temperments as a whole (there are always some bad seeds in all breeds). White German Shepherd Breeders strive to produce dogs with good temperments by not just breeding for looks but for brains also. I have never met a White German Shepherd I didn't like
White German Shepherds are not recognized by the AKC FACT: The White German Shepherd is indeed recognized by the AKC. They are AKC registrable as German Shepherd Dogs color White.
White German Shepherds cannot compete in AKC events This is only partially true. Whites can participate in AKC obedience, agility, etc. The only event they can not participate in is conformation (hence, why you never see a White at Westminster) due to the fact the German Shepherd Dog Club of America has made the White coat color a disqualifying fault in Conformation (We are STILL trying to understand why, since they have never been able to provide White owners with a reason that doesn't suggest bias or that is not base on misconceptions). Whites can be shown in the The White German Shepherd Dog Club International, The White German Shepherd Dog Club of America, The American White Shepherd Association, The American Rare Breed Association, United Kennel Club, and the Canine Kennel Club.
White German Shepherds cannot be used as police dogs, service dogs, or in search and rescue FACT: White German Shepherds can be used in any service oriented job. I know of White GSD's that are K-9's, training in search and rescue, and doing drug detection. There isn't anything this versitale breed can't do!!!
Please let me know if you have heard of any other misconceptions and I will add them to this page!!!
Information on this page was gathered from various GSD books including "Der Duetsche Schaferhund In Wort Und Bild" by Rittmeister Max Von Stephanitz, "The Total German Shepherd Dog" by Fred Lanting, and "The Alsatian Wolf-Dog" written by George Horowitz.