A White Shepherd Primer

Jean Reeves & Dale Malony

Mar. 15, 2004

History – The origin of the White Shepherd

The present day “White Shepherd” was extracted from the German Shepherd Dog developed by Max Von Stephanitz in the late 1800's and early 1900's. He built the breed by combining a variety of European herding dogs, of which at least one was white.  As the keepers of the breed later began to establish a more consistent type of dog, they also sought to eliminate certain genetic characteristics such as extremes in size, hanging ears, and long hair.  In 1933, the GSD breed standard was changed by the SV, faulting the white coat, and disallowing registration of white German Shepherds in Germany or any other national kennel club adhering to SV rules.

In the years after World War 2, white coated German Shepherds were gradually eliminated from registered bloodlines in most of Europe, but the changes to the GSD breed standard that designated the white coat as a fault in Germany were not put into effect in North America by the GSDCA until 1959. In 1967 white German Shepherds were disqualified from conformation events, but still permitted to be registered with the AKC and CKC, just as any other GSD.  By the time the standards were changed, the white coated German Shepherd had developed it's own dedicated community in America and efforts to exterminate whites failed.

The number of whites has continued to increase even though the color was declared a fault in the GSD breed standard here in the US. Several clubs were formed by breeders and lovers of White Shepherds to develop and promote them independent of the GSDCA. One of their initial goals was to seek full acceptance by the GSDCA as a variety of German Shepherd until it became sadly too obvious that the GSDCA would never acknowledge the white coated GSD as an equal. The majority of White Shepherd fanciers have since turned their efforts to seek independent breed status, and in 1999 the United Kennel Club recognized the White Shepherd as a separate and distinct breed of herding dog in America.

Since the early 1970’s many whites have been exported back to Europe, where a strong community of White Shepherd lovers grew to become well organized. In December of 2002, the Federation Cynalogue International (FCI - the governing body for most foreign kennel club organizations) also officially recognized the White Shepherd as an independent breed. At present, the AKC in America and CKC in Canada may be the only registries left in the world that do not recognize the White Shepherd as an independent breed.

Read more about White Shepherd history at the following link: http://www.awsaclub.com/history/pastpresent.htm

Independent development of the White Shepherd.

When the GSD became extremely popular throughout the world, several unplanned forces led to a wide variety of German Shepherd types. Breeding for show ring fancies in America created dogs that are not as true to the original standard, and working temperament has not been a priority in such lines. Popularity in any breed also often means that breeders produce dogs to meet market demand with no other goal than to produce salable puppies. Such puppies will often be unsound in terms of temperament, health, structure or measures of the breed standard.

Though the White Shepherd certainly is not as popular as its counterparts, many have also suffered from poor breeding practices. Once the white coat was declared a fault, most serious show and working breeders quit breeding white coated dogs. The majority since have been bred as pets by people with no knowledge of proper breeding goals and methods. Unfortunately there are many whites today that have been bred by amateurs and cannot be expected to look or act like a White Shepherd ought. These should be avoided.

One very good effect of exclusion of the White Shepherd from the mainstream GSD community has been on its structure. The few remaining serious breeders did not follow the slope-back fad of the American show lines. The typical White Shepherd structure much resembles the type of the 1960's. Indeed, this is truly a benefit, as breeders of both German working lines and American show lines are beginning to look back to that structure type, and some are selecting to turn in that direction of a more upright dog.

Bernd von Lierberg:

An excellent example of structure in 1967

Royal Von Tasz Classic: an excellent example

of modern White Shepherd structure

Temperament of the White Shepherd

Temperament consists of everything from instincts to personality to drives. Anyone experienced with White Shepherds will tell you that, while many of them may look alike, no two are the same. They each have their own personalities and characteristics. Each is a unique individual, though they should all share a common thread that unites them within the breed.

The purpose of the breed must be examined in order to understand these dogs. They are designed to be loyal to their owners, eager to work and to please, to be leery of strangers. They should all have a natural instinct, desire and ability to do almost anything that is asked of them. They should be able to herd, guard, track, cart, and baby sit the children in any one given day. Even though the majority of these jobs will never be asked of the family companion, the temperament for diversity should still be strong.

White Shepherds most often will be aloof to strangers. This is a normal characteristic of the breed. Shyness and aggression are not normal and should not be perpetuated. White Shepherds are not and should not be quick to become best friends with people they have just met. It takes some time to earn the respect, trust and love of one of these dogs.

Indeed, these are all traits that are true of any properly bred German Shepherd. The only temperament difference between a properly breed working GSD and a properly bred White Shepherd may be the drive that some trainers want to see in a police patrol dog. It is probably true that White Shepherds lack “fight drive” as defined by such trainers. This is a temperament trait that White Shepherd breeders have not selected for and likely never will, as many owners wouldn't know how to handle it.

Natural Instincts of the Breed

The German Shepherd/White Shepherd was originally bred to be a total working dog. They should be able to fill the need of any farm, ranch, stable, or police job that needs to be done. The dogs selected to create the breed were of strong character, instinct and ability. Though years of family life and reduced selection for working abilities have often softened some of these features, the natural instincts are still present in most of the White Shepherd bloodlines maintained by serious breeders.

White Shepherds of today will never see a sheep. Most will never be asked to fend off an intruder. They will not be needed to track a person, pull a cart, or run for miles. However, if the need should arise, the dogs should be able to perform these tasks like their ancestors have. They are working dogs, and their owners need to account for this fact by providing them activities to stimulate their minds and their bodies.

White Shepherds need plenty of exercise and a job to do, and this does not consist of a brisk walk for one block and then back home again. Exercise for a White Shepherd should be a full out run with many jumps, turns and bursts of speed for at least fifteen to thirty minutes a couple times a day. Without enough exercise and stimulation of their minds, these dogs will often develop behavioral problems that can be a challenge to correct. Agility, flyball, tracking and obedience events are organized activities that are stimulating and rewarding to do with your dog. But they will be more than happy to just chase a friend or fetch a ball thrown 100 times into a pond.

Obedience training is a must. White Shepherds have a natural willingness to please their owners and a need to learn. However, they are a strong willed dog that will take over the leadership role of the family if no one else is going to take charge. They are good sized dogs that will be hard to control without a mutual understanding developed through working together with you, their leader.

The Medium Size Dog

The White Shepherd/German Shepherd was created as a medium size breed. The standard calls for a male that is about 75 to 85 pounds and is between 24 to 26 inches at the withers. A female should be 65 to 75 pounds and 22 to 24 inches at the withers. This size and weight is large enough to withstand the rigors of any working job that they are asked to do, yet not so large that they tire easily or are clumsy in movement or jumping.

Extremely large dogs are very popular at this time, however they have more difficulties in performing tasks that the breed was intended for and no professional breeder intentionally selects for them. They also are more likely to break down or age prematurely if they are not structurally sound because of the extra size and weight that they carry. Dogs of proper size according to the breed standard are best suited for the diverse tasks it was originally bred to perform.

Pigment

Pigmentation in the White Shepherd describes the amount of color that is seen in the nose, lip, eye rim, foot pad and skin areas. Black pigmentation is preferred, though many variations can be seen in the breed. Liver coloration as well as snow nose (dark colored noses that tend to fade in the winter months) is quite common in the breed. While differences in pigmentation color has little effect on the dogs abilities to work, perform tasks, or live a healthy life, lack of any pigmentation should be carefully avoided.

Coat color and type

There are also many variations of coat color and type within the White Shepherd, ranging from bright white to a very rust color. While the standard calls for a whiter coat color if all other characteristics are equal, structure, movement, temperament and health should all be considered before looking at coat color.

White is considered a masking gene that simply covers what would otherwise be a darker colored dog. Therefore, if a dog carries genes for certain strong colors such as red, it is more likely to have rust colored markings on the white coat. White Shepherds that descend from black dogs or sables are known to have brighter white coats.

Coat type is another variable in the White Shepherd. The coat length may be anywhere from and inch to several inches in length. It is generally a double type coat, with softer undercoat and a harder, longer outer coat that will help to insulate and shed water. Here in the US, the shorter coat is much more popular, though in the European countries, the long coat is often preferred. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it is without argument that a shorter, fully double coat is more weather resistant and easier to care for.

Generally the double-coated White Shepherd is a very easy to keep dog. They do shed somewhat throughout the year, and very heavily in early spring and late summer, but with regular brushing or blowing out, shedding can be controlled. In the shorter coated types, dirt and mud generally will fall off with slight brushing and the need to bathe is minimal. One appreciate benefit of their white coat is you can see when they are dirty and brush it out before it's spread though the household. The stiff guard hairs of the double coat create stunning “self-cleaning” quality, and even a muddy dog will turn white again once dried and allowed to roll around a bit. Just be sure this is done in a kennel of mud-room.

What Every White Shepherd Needs

If you were to ask your White Shepherd “what do you need to be happy?” the number one response would be to be near their owners. They greatly need to be part of the family pack, and separation often causes stress and anxiety in a White Shepherd.

This article has already covered the need for exercise, training, and giving your dog a job to do, but mentioning it these again will not be time wasted. White Shepherds definitely need the opportunity to run, burn off energy and play with their owners. They need mental stimulation and they need to know what their rank is within the family pack – don't let it be #1. And remember - a tired dog is a happy dog!

Next on their list of needs is security, part of which is ready access to a diet of a good quality food, a tasty treat on occasion. They need a dry place to sleep that is sufficiently protected from the elements, however they don't need coddled and are quite happy in cold weather. A fenced yard not only keeps your dog securely confined and secure from outsiders, but it defines the dog's sense of territory and will give you peace of mind.

A dog crate is also a very good idea for your White Shepherd. They make ideal places to sit in while in the car and provide a good place to go when they need a little time to themselves with a few things of their own, such as a favorite toy or chew bone. White Shepherds are strong chewers, and especially need their own things to chew while they are growing. They can eat through a chair, the carpet or make a hole in the wall while you are taking a shower. A crate will keep them secure, happy and out of trouble when someone cannot be watching them. If you are happy, they will be happy also.

No breed of dog is a perfect fit for everyone, and this holds true for White Shepherds, but few breeds can offer such diversity, usefulness, enjoyment, ease of training and care. Once you have shared your life with a White Shepherd, living without one can be difficult. They are all individuals, but share a common bond within the breed and with their human companions.