Past, Present, and Future

Introduction

History in the Making: Effective May 1, 1999, the United Kennel Club recognizes the White German Shepherd as a separate breed known as the White Shepherd.

The following excerpt is taken from the May-June 1999 issue of Bloodlines Magazine, the official publication of the United Kennel Club. "Kalamazoo, Michigan: April 14, 1999: The United Kennel Club announces the recognition of the White Shepherd. The White Shepherd is a breed that has developed in the past 40 years by breeders dedicated to preserving the traditional German Shepherd Dog structure and the striking white color that was disqualified by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America in 1968."

This accomplishment is the result of hard work and dedication by the American White Shepherd Association’s (AWSA) Breed Recognition Committee, and other AWSA members, but this is only the beginning. AWSA members and other devotees of the White Shepherd continue to work toward the goal of worldwide recognition of this beautiful dog.

In an attempt to understand why and how the white German Shepherd Dog was disqualified from the Show Ring, Julie Good, Conformation Chair of the AWSA Club, has done extensive research and gathered relevant historical information from old German Shepherd Dog Reviews (circa 1952-1976) and other newsletters. We need to understand the past so we can move from our present divided status as 1) separate breed with the UKC; 2) disqualifying fault unable to show in the Breed Ring with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC); 3) rare breed with FORB, ARBA, the Canadian Rarities and other rare breed clubs, to a future where all clubs are united for a breed apart: the White Shepherd.

Some of the Most-Asked Questions

The "history lesson" begins with the following questions often posed to White Shepherd owners and for which there were no accurate answers before now:

In what year did the White Coat become a disqualification in the German Shepherd Dog?

According to the information written in the old Reviews, the date was 1959 — not 1968 as most-often quoted. It was written in the GSDCA Standard as follows: "Predominantly white dogs and albinos are disqualified." Under Disqualifying Faults it is written: "Predominant white color (50% or more)."

Is the standard from 1959 a translation of the Verein fur Deutsch Schaferhunde (SV) standard perhaps?

The GSDCA Standard has never been the same as the SV Standard.

Was the standard officially adopted by the membership of the GSDCA?

Yes, it was officially adopted by the GSDCA membership in 1959. The votes were 306 for, 110 against. Note: there were 719 members according to the minutes of the Annual Meeting of 1959. The annual meeting was held October 3, 1959 in Audubon, PA with 58 members present.

Some Of The Early Problems In The German Shepherd

Color Paling

Color paling is the fading, if you will, of colors. For example, whites were commonly bred to coloreds during the 1940s and 1950s. Beautiful dogs were produced, but, as we worked our way through the Reviews we noticed that the colors became lighter, saddles began to disappear, lighter sables and silvers were appearing. At that time probably 90% of the German Shepherds in America were Recessive White, with a few exceptions being the German imports. Obviously the GSDCA and the notable breeders of that era noticed the color paling, and in an effort to improve their lines and the richness of color, began importing dogs from Germany circa 1957-1959.

After seeing this research with my own eyes I noticed the changes in the color patterns and fully understood why the GSDCA had to deal with the issue. And the way they dealt with it was to disqualify any dog with more than 50% white. The new standard specifically called for dark rich colors. Of course, you must also understand that many breeders of that time actively crossbred colors; white to colored and vice-versa and you can already guess they were not happy over this new standard. Prior to its actual passage, it is reported that some 7,000 signatures had been presented to GSDCA in protest of the change. The signatures were not considered, since the majority of those signing the protest were not members of GSDCA. As stated previously, the membership at that time was only 719.

The GSDCA Board and many top breeders at that time are to be commended for their courage and dedication to the breed as the decision they made was not easy for any of them. Most had recessive white dogs but they apparently realized that if the breed was to survive with rich dark colors, and if color paling was to be eliminated, there was only one decision to be made. And they made it

Pigment

Even today people often confuse pigment with color paling. Pigment is skin, eyes, toe nails, etc., and color paling has to do with coat color only.

Prior to the new standard, you could see in the dogs (and read articles and judging critiques) that pigment in the German Shepherd was becoming a problem. Toenails were not always black now, some noses were developing what is now all too often referred to as Snow Noses, skin and the inside of ears were becoming pink, and gums were showing signs of some pink.

Attempts at Solutions Are Followed by More Problems

Breeders began importing vast numbers of dogs from Germany. Our research indicated that the ratio of German to American dogs in the 1960s was about 8 to 1-- eight German imports to every American dog. Breeders were desperate to save their breed and were willing to do what ever it took to do so. And, if that meant breeding outside, so be it.

For example: As reprinted in the June 1960 Review, Maureen Yentzen, a genealogist and German Shepherd fancier, said in her article "Dilutes" - Browns - Whites": "A great majority of 'Normal Colored' dogs which figure in dilute pedigrees are not black and rich tans but are black and silvers and black and creams [Note from Julie: these come from white recessives]. These varieties are so very popular that they have been bred extensively with little attention to gradual loss of pigment in their descendants. There is a great deal of evidence to prove that they are responsible for much of the dilution.... The off-colors are due to recessive genes, and they could become so strongly entrenched in the various bloodlines that an average of 25% of every litter could be off-colored." (Note from Julie: the
standard said "strong rich colors" were preferred.)

Hip Dysplasia and "Blues"

After the importation of the many dogs from Germany, it is obvious that color and pigment did improve in the German Shepherd. But all wasn't rosy. When you correct one problem you may inherit others, and that is exactly what happened. German Shepherds in vast numbers were developing Hip Dysplasia (which contributed to the beginnings of the Orthopedic Animal Foundation OFA). In support, the GSDCA sponsored the OFA with a grant of $5,000. Then another new problem popped up -- the Blue coat colored German Shepherd.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, breeders were noticing the color paling in their dogs and began importing great numbers of German Shepherds from Germany. Breeders began noticing such things as blues and an increase in Hip Dysplasia.

One can in no way place "blame" on the German imports for the blue dogs. There was a blue (or at least we are told that he was blue) who finished his Championship and was advertised in the June 1955 Review,
Ch. Gernda's Ludwig (Blue Boy). Then another was finished by the name of Ch. Hoobin's Gray Boy who was the subject of much discussion in the Letters To The Editor section of both the March 1965 and January 1965 GSDCA Review. It is obvious, however, that the color blue had increased following the importation of dogs from Germany. Now the question is, was the introduction of the German lines solely responsible for the blues? That is a question perhaps a geneticist would have to answer. But Maureen Yentzen, (who authored an entire series of articles on color and genetics for the Review during this period in the 1960s), indicated that the blue gene was a dilute and also contributed to color paling and that it was from the solid black gene.

Perhaps some of the increase in blue was a matter of the combination of the German and American lines. My research doesn't provide that exact information, but most are probably aware that blue still exists in today's German Shepherds and many popular lines do carry this trait. One thing that breeders must consider today as they plan their breedings is the exact genetics of their dogs. When planning breedings they must be completely honest about coat color and pigment and always try to breed to improve their bloodlines. All is fair in love, war and the show ring, however, when you are discussing breeding, complete honesty must prevail.

Hip Dysplasia is a subject that continues to haunt breeders of not only German Shepherds but other large breeds as well. As you recall, the GSDCA helped establish the OFA and even funded the OFA with a grant of $5,000 in 1967. In that same time period the SV indicated that "There was no Hip Dysplasia in the German Dogs." However, the increase in HD in the United States was on a rapid rise. In 1967 the OFA reported that the first 48 radiographs they received were rated as follows: 14 certified, 13 near normal (which we would assume to be Fair today), and 21 dysplastic.

An argument could be made that, prior to 1967, we had no records with which to compare. However, if dysplasia had been a tremendous problem in the 1950s, certainly breeders would have noticed lame dogs. The next report from OFA indicated: 100 radiographs submitted and the results were 37 Certified, 21 Near Normal (Fair) and 42 dysplastic

Additional Problems in German Shepherd Dogs

According to the judge's critiques of the time, other problems in the German Shepherds included: Missing teeth in great numbers and frequency; temperament which is still a big issue among breeders and judges; movement, referring to the "coming and going" (gaiting) of the dogs was deteriorating; and dogs were not tracking correctly. Side gait was apparently remaining good, and in some cases even improving, according to the judges.

The 1967 Standard Revision: The Individual Disqualification

The GSDCA revised the Standard in 1967 to individually disqualify the white-coated German Shepherd Dog. The results of the vote by the membership of the GSDCA were as follows: 643 in favor, 186 opposed. The ballots for this Standard change were mailed to the membership on October 16^th and the ballots were tabulated on the 17^th of November 1967.

An interesting note from a letter the President of the GSDCA of 1967 sent to the American Kennel Club about the discussion of the Standard at the annual meeting (Oct 27^th, 1959):

"A lively discussion took place on various individuals’ objections to specific points in the new standard… The discussion centered around the original motion made by Mr. Harold Sands, and this motion, after several amendments and changes resulted in the following motion:

‘That the revised Standard which was sent to the membership to be voted upon by mail in October, 1967, be held in abeyance until such time as a ‘Blue Ribbon’ committee of knowledgeable people can make a study of the same and report back to the membership by mail.’

"The vote on this motion was 45 in favor, 26 opposed, and 24 members abstained from voting.

"The board of directors agreed unanimously that a simple majority vote by a small portion of our total membership could not hold in abeyance the vote in process…"

The 1967 GSDCA Standard was passed and the white-coated German Shepherd Dog was disqualified from the show ring. The Standard was published by the GSDCA in the June 1968 Review and by the AKC in the July 1968 Gazette.

Important Historical Facts

Let’s reiterate a few of the important historical facts:

1) In 1959 the GSDCA membership approved a new standard that disqualified any dog with 50% or more white.

2) The 1959 Standard posed a problem for judges. According to various articles by Lloyd C. Brackett, The confusion among judges could only be solved by "a complete disqualification of the white-coated dog". (The Case Against the White German Shepherd.)

3) On October 17, 1967 the GSDCA mailed to the membership of 1,123 (according to the membership booklet of 1966) ballots to change the standard to one that would individually disqualify the white dog and remove the 50% provision. The proposed Standard passed on November 17^th, 1967.

4) Following the approval of the new 1967 Standard which, once and for all, disqualified the white-coated dog, it appears that those involved with them continued to form their own color specific club and to discontinue any association with the GSDCA -- even to the extent that the group called their dogs not German Shepherds but American Shepherds. According to research, it appears that the majority of owners of white dogs were not members of the GSDCA.

5) Another interesting note from the period is that of the OFA. In a booklet published by GSDCA which shows the recording of the dogs certified by OFA through December 1970, we quote, "The parent club would like to point out that with such a small number of dogs certified there is real danger in over-emphasizing hips in one's breeding program. The German Shepherd dog must be regarded as a complete entity...the breeder should not be swayed by the current emphasis on hips...An exclusive concentration of any one facet may achieve it's effect at the expense of some other attributes."

Today that statement would probably be met with much argument and protest, however, it does show us that through research, opinions do change. What may or may not have seemed important in one generation can become important to another in the future. Today we find much discussion regarding many areas such as pigment, color, hips, elbows, temperament and other genetic problems/assets. It will be very interesting to see what future reporters have to write about the research we conduct today. The future will tell the story.

Conclusion

We hope that after reading the above information you will have a better grasp of the whole "color" issue, the disqualification of the whites, and why it was justified. After this research, it is understandable why the colored breeders of the German Shepherd Dog did not want to continue to breed the whites to their dogs. Therefore, it would seem logical for White Shepherd fanciers to pursue complete breed separation from the German Shepherd Dog and to attain recognition by the separate registration agencies.

This information is the product of many hours' research. GSDCA Reviews dated 1952-1976 were reviewed completely (cover to cover including all board meetings & annual meetings), and newsletters of White German Shepherd Dog Club of America (renamed the White German Shepherd Dog Club International), AWSA and others.

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