Type the name of the breed you're looking for below
[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!
Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
[fbcomments]
White Shepherd
| Other Names | White German Shepherd Dog, American White Shepherd, White Canadian Shepherd |
| Nicknames | WS, WGSD |
| Country of Origin | Canada/ United States/ Germany |
| Weight | 77 - 85 lbs. (35 – 40 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 24 - 26 in. (60 – 65 cm) Females: 22 - 24 in. (55 – 60 cm) |
| Coat | The White Shepherd has a weather-resistant double coat. The outer coat is dense, straight, harsh, and close lying. The undercoat is short, thick, and fine in texture. At the neck, the coat may be slightly longer and heavier, particularly in males. |
| Colour | Ideal coat color is a pure white. Colors ranging from a very light cream to a light biscuit tan are acceptable but not preferred. |
| Litter Size | 7 - 8 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | In German Shepherd Dogs the recessive gene for white coat hair was cast in the breed gene pool by the late 19th and early 20th century breeding program that developed and expanded the German Shepherd Dog breed in Germany. A white herding dog named Greif was the grandfather of Horand von Grafrath, the dog acknowledged as the foundation of all contemporary German Shepherd Dog bloodlines. Information provided in early books on the German Shepherd Dog make mention of Greif and other white German herding dogs, with upright ears and a general body description that resembles modern German Shepherd Dogs, shown in Europe as early as 1882. The early 20th century German Shepherd breeding program extensively line bred and inbred "colour coat" dogs that carried Greif's recessive gene for "white coats" to refine and expand the population of early German Shepherd Dogs. White coats were made a disqualification in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany breed standard in 1933 after the breed club came under the control of the German Nazi party that took over all aspects of German society in February 1933 when Hitler declared a state of emergency. The German breed standard remained unchanged as German breeders repopulated the breed in the years after the conclusion of WWII. In 1959 the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) adopted the exclusively colored breed standard of the parent German breed club. White-coated German Shepherd Dogs were officially barred from competition in the American Kennel Club conformation ring in the United States starting in 1968. AKC-registered white German Shepherd Dogs may still compete in performance events. During 1969, white dog fanciers in the United States and Canada formed their own "White German Shepherd" breed clubs, breeding and showing their dogs at small specialty dog shows throughout North America. The White Shepherd Club of Canada (WSCC) has been dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the White Shepherd since 1971. Originally formed as a Chapter of the White German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the club was renamed White Shepherd Club of Canada in 1973. Its first conformation show was held that year with 8 dogs entered and 25 people in attendance. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) is incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act, a federal statute under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, which is the governing body that sets down recognition and standards for all pure animal breeds. For a long time, Agriculture Canada had protected white German Shepherds from the many attempts by the German Shepherd Dog Club of Canada to have white dogs disqualified from the CKC conformation ring, as had long been the case in the USA. Some brave members of WSCC had shown in the CKC breed rings and had even accumulated points toward their dogs' CKC Championships. That all changed in 1998, when the color white was officially disqualified from the CKC German Shepherd breed standard. Disappointed but undeterred, the WSCC continues to work toward full breed recognition of the White Shepherd as a separate breed with the CKC. The club hosts shows several times a year, often in combination with the American White Shepherd Association. Event dates and locations are published in the club's newsletter and on its web site. In September 1995, a small group of fanciers of the white-coated German Shepherd Dog established the American White Shepherd Association (AWSA), a new club to advance, promote and protect the White Shepherd breed in the United States. In cooperation with the White Shepherd Club of Canada, AWSA wrote and published a new breed standard, and eventually petitioned the American Kennel Club for full recognition as a unique pure breed, separate from and independent of the German Shepherd Dog. As of this writing, AKC has not granted recognition or registration for the White Shepherd breed, but the breeders, fanciers and members of AWSA carry on with independently-held club activities as well as running and maintaining the private club registry. AWSA continues to negotiate with the AKC for breed recognition as well as with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) for breed separation. Until such time as GSDCA can be persuaded to grant official release of the white dogs, AKC must continue to register all white German Shepherd Dogs born from two AKC-registered German Shepherd parents as German Shepherd Dogs. In 1999, a group of AWSA members organized and established the United White Shepherd Club (UWSC) as a United Kennel Club affiliated parent club. They immediately petitioned for a new White Shepherd breed classification within UKC. The United Kennel Club accepted the UWSC's petition and created a new and separate White Shepherd breed conformation standard and registry. The White Shepherd breed was officially recognized by UKC on April 14, 1999. Today, United Kennel Club recognizes both the White Shepherd breed standard as well as the original German Shepherd Dog breed conformation standard where white and coloured dogs continue to be considered together as one breed. Neither UKC- nor AWSA-registered White Shepherds can be registered as FCI White Swiss Shepherd Dogs (Berger Blanc Suisse). Breed clubs associated with each of these unique breed lines maintain their own breed standards for appearance and temperament. The breed "appearance" standard given below is appropriate to the UKC-registered White Shepherd Dog and, with a few very minor changes - mostly in wording and layout - to the written standard of the AWSA club as well. No matter which country they hail from, White Shepherds excel in performance events such as competition obedience and rally obedience, tracking, flyball and agility. Many fine dogs have also earned titles in herding, proving that the herding instinct and ability has been retained in this versatile breed. |
| Personality | White Shepherds are courageous, keen, alert and fearless. They are cheerful, obedient and eager to learn. Tranquil, confident, serious and clever, White Shepherds are extremely faithful and brave. They will not think twice about giving their lives for their human pack. They have a high learning ability. White Shepherds love to be close to their families, but can be wary of strangers. This breed needs its people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time. They only bark when they feel it is necessary. Often used as police dogs, the White Shepherd has a very strong protective instinct, and is extremely loyal to its handler. Socialized this breed well starting at puppyhood. Aggression and attacks on people are due to poor handling and training. Problems arise when an owner allows the dog to believe he is pack leader over humans and/or does not give the dog the mental and physical daily exercise it needs to be stable. This breed needs owners who are naturally authoritative over the dog in a calm, but firm, confident and consistent way. A stable, well-adjusted and trained dog is for the most part generally good with other pets and excellent with children in the family. They must be firmly trained in obedience from an early age. White Shepherds that have passive owners and/or whose instincts are not being met can become timid, skittish and may be prone to fear biting and develop a guarding issue. They should be trained and socialized from an early age. White Shepherds will not listen if they sense that they are stronger minded than their owner, however they will also not respond well to harsh discipline. Owners need to have an air of natural authority to their demeanor. Do not treat this dog as if he were human. Learn canine instincts and treat the dog accordingly. White Shepherds are one of the smartest and most trainable breeds. With this highly skilled working dog comes a drive to have a job and a task in life and a consistent pack leader to show it guidance. They need somewhere to channel their mental and physical energy. This is not a breed that will be happy simply lying around your living room or locked out in the backyard. The breed is so intelligent and learns so readily that it has been used as a sheepdog, guard dog, in police work, as a guide for the blind, in search and rescue service and in the military. The White Shepherd also excels in many other dog activities including schutzhund, tracking, obedience, agility, flyball and ring sport. His fine nose can sniff out drugs and intruders, and can alert handlers to the presence of underground mines in time to avoid detonation, or gas leaks in a pipes buried 15 feet underground. The White Shepherd is also a popular show and family companion. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Some of the diseases that have been found in this breed are hip and elbow dysplasia (be sure both parents have their hips certified as OFA good); malabsorbtion syndrome; degenerative joint disease (including osteochondritis); megaesophagus; pannus and other forms of eye disease (not commonly seen); bloat; allergies (food, fleas or airborne); other skin or coat problems and missing teeth. Some lines of Whites are having problems with illnesses such as Lupus and/or other forms of autoimmune diseases, as well as Congenital Spinal Disease. At this point in time, autoimmune problems are fairly rare in the breed. |
| Grooming | This breed sheds bits of hair constantly and is a seasonally heavy shedder. They should be brushed daily or you will have hair all over your home. Bathe only when necessary; over bathing can cause skin irritation from oil depletion. Check ears and trim claws regularly. |
| Exercise | White Shepherds love strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for these dogs are very intelligent and crave a good challenge. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you when you bicycle. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Most Shepherds love to play ball or Frisbee. Ten to fifteen minutes of fetching along with daily pack walks will tire your dog out quite nicely as well as give him a sense of purpose. Whether it is ball chasing, Frisbee catching, obedience training, participation in a canine playgroup or just taking long walks/jogs, you must be willing to provide some form of daily, constructive exercise. The daily exercise must always include daily walks/jogs to satisfy the dog’s migration instinct. If under-exercised and/or not mentally challenged, this breed can become restless and destructive. Does best with a job to do. |
| Other Considerations | White Shepherds will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with at least a large yard. In popular culture; In the 2008 Disney animated film Bolt, the design of the main character, Bolt (character) is heavily inspired by the White Shepherd Dog. In the survival horror video game Haunting Ground ("Demento" in Japan), one of the main characters is a White Shepherd named Hewie. In the 1993 motion picture "Amos and Andrew" featured a white shepherd named Rommell, played by Rambo. The 1987 motion picture The Lost Boys features a White Shepherd called Thorn, owned by the character Max. Samuel Fuller's acclaimed 1982 motion picture White Dog features a White Shepherd that has been trained to attack and kill people with black skin. Jack LaLanne, popular fitness "guru" had white shepherd dogs that appeared on his TV show. Russell Brand has a white shepherd that appeared in an interview on the Jonathan Ross Show, January 2014. Fantasy author Neil Gaiman has two white German Shepherds, Cabal and Lola. Jennifer Aniston has a white shepherd called Dolly. Famous actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks also has a white shepherd named Monty. Pop singer and actress Miley Cyrus has a white shepherd named Mate (note that she also appeared in Bolt as the owner of the title character). Carolyn Perry also has a White German Shepherd with the French name of Gigi In the television series, Game of Thrones, a White German Shepherd is cast as the runt of a Direwolf litter In Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series, Odd's companion for many books is a White German Shepherd named Boo. Ukrainian author Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky's impressionist novella Intermezzo includes characters of "Three White Shepherds" as metaphorical images of Nobility, Gendarmerie and Peasantry. In Jonathan Mayberry's Joe Ledger series Cpt Ledger's dog is a White German Shepherd named Ghost. In the first season (1955–56) of The Mickey Mouse Club, a White German Shepherd is featured in the serial "Corky and White Shadow" starring Darlene Gillespie as Corky. The 1971 TV show Longstreet, starring James Franciscus as a blind attorney, featured a White German Shepherd guide dog named Pax. |
