By Gail Finkeldei

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.

"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.