We had a white GSD growing up, and he was wonderful. As far as I know, there aren't any differences, other than you have to be careful to get your pup from a good breeder, as it's my understanding that since white is a recessive gene, breeders must do more in-breeding to continue getting white dogs. But I may be wrong - I think Keith Larson is one of the people on this board with a gorgeous white GSD (Starbuck). I'm sure he (and others) will know more about them that I do.
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
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Loc: Idaho
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The biggest difference ( and this is a broad generalization ) is that white GSD's were bred specifically for color - and when you aim to breed for just one trait, a breeder will often breed dogs that otherwise may have not have been good enough to bred.
Hence you'll see a higher degree ( often *much* higher ) of undesireable traits pop up. You can see this illustrated in the GSD's bred only for size also, those "giant" types tend to have a much higher degree of health and temperament problems.
Basically, tight breeding to bring out a single trait at the expense of all others is asking for big trouble.
Reg: 01-12-2008
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Loc: High Desert, California
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Thanks, everyone. I was just curious. I didn't know if there were white gsds because something was genetically wrong or not. Is it the same for the all black gsds?
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
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Loc: Idaho
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Quote: Connie Sutherland
Quote: Will Rambeau
Basically, tight breeding to bring out a single trait at the expense of all others is asking for big trouble.
Especially an appearance trait, I would venture to guess.... ?
I think that breeding for any trait at the expense of a sound dog is a one-way ticket to a problem.....often a horrible problem. Just look at what breeders have done to so many breeds that have basically become non-functional for their original intended purpose to suit some whim.
The dog is man's oldest companion and has been by our side for probably 20,000 years. We've shaped and fashioned him into a useful companion but in the past 100 years it's fallen into the pits of Hell.
The health problems that some dogs suffer from just for appreance should have been cause enough to take those original breeders out back and horse-whip them.
There have been white dogs since the very beginning of the breed. In the late 50's the parent club decided that the whites were causing the other colors to pale out and moved to disqualify the white dogs. In ways it has been both a good and bad thing. You don't find whites with the ugly rears of the show Shepherds but often they don't seem to have any working ability but then you can find that in poorly bred dogs of any color. There are a few clubs dedicated to the whites that are trying to get them recognized as a variety of GSD, or as a different breed so they can be shown in conformation as well.
Michele McAtee Webboard User Reg: 02-05-2006
Posts: 1121
Loc: Iowa City, Iowa
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Quote: Keith Larson
I hazard to say that 98% of the world doesn’t need and can’t handle a “working” dog.
Keith, I am honored to be among your statical 2%!!!
My last GSD (PUREBRED, heH!) MoJo, had a very interesting pedigree. Mama was imported from Germany...SchH titles up to III, IPO, six generations back...Dad was a showline here in the states, Covy Tucker Hill american showlines ch on Grandpas line and on Grandmas line, all white shepherds! All but one black one 6 generations back. MoJo was, needless to say, a well rounded PUREBRED dog!!!
I did find an interesting link in his pedigree, one which threw me into the Rin-Tin-Tin website, as his ggggma or something was shared with one of the Rin-Tin dogs...breeder of the White GSD's from Canada...JoAnne? with the Hoofprint dogs...
The genetic link Keith provided is an interesting one too. A lot of historical content on the white shepherd if you do some research. It has been said the first GSD's sire was a white shepherd...I read that on a website in my delvings into my last dog's pedigree. Do not know the truth in this statement.
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