White German Shepherd: https://www.anythinggermanshepherd.co...

For a long time, I believed White Shepherds to be genetic anomalies that were the result of intense inbreeding, and prone to disease.
The white German Shepherd is actually a color variation of the German Shepherd. However, since the American Kennel Club sanctioned shows disqualify white German Shepherds, proponents have established a separate set of standards and continue to run conformation shows based on their own breed clubs.
Feeling that the American Show lines are endangering the esteemed qualities of the GSD, White Shepherd breeders have in many cases established a distinct line.
The creator of German Shepherds, Max von Stephanitz, didn’t include color preferences in the breed standard, emphasizing that colors didn’t affect the working quality of the breed.
Farmers have also favored white German Shepherds since lightcolored dogs were easy to distinguish from dark sable wolves amongst their sheep.
But despite this, Nazi Germany began a systematic effort to eradicate the white GSD, as Germans were concerned about perceived genetic health issues linked to the lighter colors.
Thankfully, later advances in DNA research would prove that Germany's fears were unfounded, helping the White Shepherd gain a following in North America. However, even with growing popularity among Canadians and Americans, the AKC still bowed to foreign influence and disqualified the white coat color for the GSD conformation ring in 1968.
White German Shepherds have most of the characteristics typical of the breed, although the selection for white coats has led to subtle differences.
They typically have the selfconfidence and work ethic common in GSDs, and they can be aloof with strangers, but once they become familiar with someone, they’re usually cordial.
Not only should a White Shepherd have the ability to work, but it should visibly enjoy it, while showing focus and excellent execution.
White Shepherds usually don’t have the domeshaped skull typical of German Shepherds, and they also have brushlike tails that hang to their hocks and curve slightly upward when resting.
Their ears tend to be medium, triangular, and upright, and they normally have dark brown eyes and black noses, lips, and eye rims.
White Shepherds should not be confused with albino dogs, and similarly to the working East German and Czech lines, they’re only slightly longer than they are tall.
White Shepherds are marginally smaller than standard GSDs as males will stand 24 to 26 inches tall, while females will be 22 to 24 inches tall, and their weights will range from 60 to 85 pounds.
Probably in an effort to prevent some of the exaggerations seen in show lines, the White Shepherd standard has strict guidelines for certain angulations, and as a result their topline is only slightly sloping.
Like any German Shepherd, the White Shepherd has a double coat, where the outer part is short to medium in length and coarse, laying flat, and protecting the dog from wind, moisture, and UV rays. The undercoat will be dense, short, and soft, and they often have longer fur around the neck.
White Shepherd owners and show ring judges do prefer pure white dogs, however, White Shepherds can display a range of shades including:
Snow white (which is the most desired), Beige, Offwhite, and Cream.
This white color isn’t a dilution, it’s actually the expression of a recessive gene. White manifests because the recessive gene is a masking allele that prevents the expression of standard colors.
For example, a White Shepherd can be genetically black and tan, but the masking gene will make the dog appear white.
With this mind, White Shepherds are eligible for full papers indicating pedigree status, and still have most of the characteristic features of GSDs:
They shed moderately yearround and seasonally, require brushing two to three times per week, and need plenty of daily exercise and socialization.
These are versatile working dogs, wellsuited for many activities such as police work, search and rescue, and herding.


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