I believe (and I could be wrong) that white shepherds were DQ'd because they didn't stand out enough while herding a flock of sheep. The gene has been around since the beginning of the breed, and I think I read that whites are not more prone to health problems, so long as they have black pigment- their skin should be black, in other words. I do wish that there were working line white German Shepherds. I wonder if you could introduce the gene back into working lines? No doubt American x Working would be an absolute disaster, at least for a few generations, but it would be a shame to loose the color, IMO.

Do you think maybe, because the gene is recessive, that it might still exist in working lines? Maybe if you scoured Europe you could find a white pup in a working litter somewhere.

 Quote: alexandra neufeld

I believe (and I could be wrong) that white shepherds were DQ'd because they didn't stand out enough while herding a flock of sheep.

I don't know for sure either, but that definitely makes sense. I need to drag out "The German Shepherd Dog in Words and Pictures" to see if the white coloring issue is mentioned - just out of curiosity.

Beth

Just adding this info, I found it interesting.
"No breeder today would ever dream of breeding a pure-white strain, as it is common knowledge that he would be damaging both himself and the breed." "The Technique of Breeding Better Dogs" Dr. Dieter Fleig. "The coloring matter found in the coat and skin of mammals is due to a pigment called melanin. Melanin in the Great Pyrenees, acts to turn the skin black in those areas where pigmentation is required ( eyelids, eye rims, lips, nose and palate ), and to impart the necessary color to the coat patches as well." "There is unquestionably a correlation, although a general one, between a well-marked blaireau Great Pyrenees and one which also carries black pigmentation. Therefore, the value of the blaireau dogs, in the mind of a breeder, further enhanced by his reputation for producing well-pigmented offspring." "When all-white dogs are mated to all-white bitches, there is a grave danger that pigmentation will break down. If this is carried for several generations, missing pigment is almost a certainty. In addition, one approaches the problem of albinism, including deafness and impaired vision." "Breeding an all-white to a blaireu is the safest and best method to use for the typical mating. About half the puppies will be blaireau and the others white. The marked pups will usually have even patches of color on the head, often a patch at the base of the tail and perhaps an occasional spot on the body." "The New Complete GREAT PYRENEES" Paul Strang.