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White German Shepherd dogs are exactly like their traditional German shepherd breed "cousins" with the exception of their color, which is usually a pure white. The white coat actually comes from a recessive gene; that gene was placed in the gene pool for the breed in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries in Germany, specifically for the breeding program that expanded and developed the breed originally. Horand von Grafath became the dog that provided the foundation for all German shepherd dog bloodlines. His grandfather, Greif, was actually a white herding-type dog.

The earliest German white herding dogs had a similar body shape and facial profile, including upright ears, as is typical White German Shepherd. The German white shepherd itself began to emerge in the early 20th century, as breeders carefully inbred lines to produce white coat dogs and to expand the number of German shepherd dogs available in general. In 1912, the first German shepherds were imported into the United States by Anne Tracy of New York; white puppies were born in the first litters.

Appearance

The White German Shepherd is a direct descendant of the traditional colored German shepherd dog. The White German Shepherd was specifically bred for its color, as well as for its characteristics of being a working companion dog with high intelligence, and an elegant, beautiful appearance both in stance and in motion.

To put it simply, the German shepherd in general is a strikingly beautiful dog already, but the white coat of the White German Shepherd make it perhaps even more beautiful. There are no colors or markings to distract, such that one simply notices the dog's proud stance and quiet but confident demeanor.

As might already be apparent, the White German Shepherd dog has the same athletic, muscular build as its colored German shepherd "cousin," with erect ears, long muzzles with what are usually black noses, and keenly intelligent eyes. These active, curious and hardworking dogs are medium sized dogs of good-sized, usually weighing between 77 to 88 pounds in adulthood.

Temperament

As with traditionally colored German shepherd dogs, German shepherds are very intelligent, courageous, alert and absolutely fearless. Among the things you notice about them most are their quiet confidence and competence. These dogs want to work, and in fact crave something to do. Because of that, they make excellent police and guard dogs, bomb or drug dogs, and service dogs. They are often used in the military and in police forces.

These dogs crave structure and discipline, and the best owner is one who will provide calm, quiet discipline, and will NOT treat them as "one of the family." Although White German Shepherds are indeed obedient, loyal, loving and brave, they need to be treated as a submissive member of the pack. They need strong leadership from the leader of their pack, meaning you, the owner. If they're not given such structure and discipline, they can actually sense that the owner is weaker than if they are and may try to take over as pack leader. Dogs that are not properly socialized and trained can become aggressive and dangerous, or, conversely, skittish and afraid. Even dogs that are skittish and afraid, however, can become dangerous, since a fearful dog will bite.

Because of that, the White German Shepherd needs to be trained from puppy hood on in a firm, consistent, stable manner. They do not do well with abusive or overly aggressive treatment, but calm, consistent, and firm discipline is not only welcome, but necessary.

Trained properly, White German Shepherds are cheerful, obedient, and very, very smart. They're also incredibly loyal to those they love, and unerringly brave and confident even in the face of danger. They make excellent guard dogs and service dogs, and a great family pets as well, even in families with children. Once they know they must protect those in their families they never stray from the job they've been set to do.

Again, the best behaved dogs will have a task to do, something they are charged with doing every day. They learn very quickly and can be shown something just a couple of times before they know how to do it. Because they are such hard workers and so focused, they don't distract easily once they're on task. Even with small children around, they rarely bark, only doing so if they sense someone they love is in danger.

Environment and best living conditions

As long as they get enough exercise, White German Shepherds can do well even an apartment settings. However, they absolutely must get vigorous exercise every day, and they are dogs that want something to "do." They are not simply content to sit and do nothing. Their keen intelligence makes them excellent dogs for various canine duties, and in fact they do best when they can actually have a job that has plenty of activity involved, such as that of a service dog. They also adore both physical and mental challenges, so teaching them new things as part of their job duties (or simply as a matter of course) is something they truly enjoy. Dogs that aren't properly stimulated both physically and mentally can actually become destructive.

Health problems

White German Shepherd dogs are actually quite hardy and healthy for this size breed, and live an average of 12 years. They are prone to joint diseases and disorders including hip and elbow dysplasia and degenerative joint disease. Particular to some lines of the White German Shepherd are autoimmune diseases like lupus; the White German Shepherd can also acquire congenital spinal disease. They may also suffer from malabsorption syndrome.

With notable about the White German Shepherd is that because they are such hardy, hardworking and noble dogs, you may not know something is wrong with your pet until he or she is very sick indeed. It's imperative to take your dog to the vet for regular checkups even when he or she appears fine. Doing so can help keep small problems from becoming bigger ones, and can catch serious disease early.

Grooming

White German Shepherd dogs are dogs that shed, sometimes extensively, especially in the spring. Long-haired dogs don't have an undercoat, with the hair stiff. They have a small amount of shed during all times of year, though, and require daily brushing. As with all dogs, they can be prone to fleas if exposed, and can have skin problems if bathed too often.

Disadvantages?

There are no actual disadvantages to the White German Shepherd dog, but there may be some things that make this a less than ideal pet for your particular situation. Don't get a White German Shepherd dog if you're gone a lot and won't be able to give it the attention and activity it needs. White German Shepherd dogs are not lap dogs by any means, although they certainly enjoy relaxing with their masters or mistresses at the end of a long, tiring day of activity that gives them a sense of purpose. You should also not get a White German Shepherd dog if you don't intend to be a firm but loving owner (not "friend"), and instead would enjoy a dog that will thrive on being coddled and babied.

Struggles with formal breed recognition

In 1933, the German white shepherd coat was actually a cause for disqualification after the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany came under Nazi control. In 1959, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America also chose to exclusively acknowledge the colored German shepherd dog, with white dogs being disqualified similar to what happened in Germany. Beginning in 1968, the American kennel club barred White-coated German shepherd dogs from competition in conformation events, but they can still compete in performance.

In the 1970s, White German Shepherd breed clubs begin to spring up across the United States and Canada, with shows specifically dedicated to the White German Shepherd upright throughout North America.

Since 1971, the White Shepherd Club of Canada has been focused on promoting and preserving the breed. Nonetheless, in 1998, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), White German Shepherds were officially disqualified from being part of the German shepherd breed standard. The White Shepherd Club of Canada continues to work toward having the White German Shepherd breed the fully recognized as a separate breed with the CKC.

In 1995, the American White Shepherd Association was created to promote, it can to protect the white shepherd breed in the United States. It has worked with the White Shepherd Club of Canada to both write and publish a new breed standard. It has petitioned the American Kennel Club for inclusion of the White German Shepherd breed as a separate pure breed, apart from the colored German shepherd dog, but this has not yet come to pass.

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