White German Shepherd Dog Alliance of Victoria

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Discrimination of Whites / Recognition / Acceptance

SAME BREED, DIFFERENT NAMES AROUND THE WORLD: White Shepherd, White German Shepherd Dog, American White Shepherd, American Canadian White Shepherd, White Swiss Shepherd Dog, Berger Blanc Suisse, Witte Herder.

Confusing isn’t it? Not really, they are the same breed originating directly from purebred German Shepherd Dogs.

Discrimination of Whites

Many excuses were used as to why the colour was not acceptable in the GSD breed, such as health and temperament problems and albinism – all of which were untrue. In 1959, the ‘Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunden’ decided to prohibit whites from the breeding program. The standard was amended to “dogs with more than 50% white and albinos are disqualified”.

From the Australian National Kennel Council – German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard (adopted in Australia 01/01/1994)

COLOUR - Black with reddish tan, tan, gold to light grey markings.  All black, and all grey; in greys with dark shadings, black saddle and mask.  Unobtrusive, small white markings on chest as well as very light colour on insides of legs permissible but not desirable.  The nose must be black in all colour types.  Lacking mask, light to piercing eyes, as well as whitish markings on chest and inner sides of legs, light nails and red tip of tail are to be rated as lacking in pigment.  The undercoat is of a light grey toning.  The colour white is not permitted.

White German Shepherd acceptance (United States, Canada, United Kingdom)

The American Kennel Club (USA), Canadian Kennel Club (Canada) and Kennel Club (England) continue to fully register them as German Shepherd Dogs. They may enter any American Kennel Club (AKC) event other than conformation. If they would like to be shown in conformation, they can do so through their own breed clubs.

The 2^nd largest canine registry in America, the United Kennel Club recognised whites as a separate breed to German Shepherds and were therefore eligible also for conformation as of January 1^st 2000.

European countries accepting whites as a “new” breed

Purebred White German Shepherds in many European countries overseas have (and are being) recognised as a “new” breed, called the “White Swiss Shepherd Dog” or “Berger Blanc Suisse”. Many overseas kennel clubs registered white German Shepherds into the new breed, providing they had sufficient generations of white dogs in their pedigree and also comply with the Breed Standard. Dogs that were registered as white German Shepherds were simply transferred to the new registration.

White German Shepherd acceptance in Australia

At the current point in time, the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) refuses to register whites on the main register and allow them to be bred from. Registrations from white stock ceased in 1995. In 2005, the ANKC resolved not to issue main register papers for dogs whose colours are disqualifications within breed standards (ANKC regulations Part 6, The Register & Registration 6.2). This means in all breeds accepted by the ANKC, colours that are not acceptable in the show ring, will only be issued limited register pedigree papers.

We have lobbied the ANKC for many years to also have whites registered. For decades, white fanciers in Australia and overseas have lobbied for equality for their whites. All efforts proved unsuccessful and whites cannot be shown in conformation alongside coloured German Shepherds within kennel clubs.

The ANKC advises that Australian white bloodlines are NOT a separate breed to the German Shepherd Dog. Only imported dogs who are officially registered as White Swiss Shepherd Dogs overseas, will be eligible for main registration as White Swiss Shepherd Dogs. Anyone claiming to own a “White Swiss Shepherd Dog” in Australia, must have an imported White Swiss Shepherd Dog with an FCI or ANKC affiliate kennel club pedigree. ALL Australian whites residing in Australia are considered German Shepherd Dogs of white coat colour and are NOT White Swiss Shepherd Dogs.