White Shepherd Dog

Infobox Dogbreed


image_caption = A White Shepherd Dog.
name = White Shepherd Dog
altname = White German Shepherd Dog
Berger Blanc Suisse
nickname = WGSD
country = Germany
fcigroup = Shepherd Dog
fcisection = Shepherd Dog
fcinum = Shepherd Dog
fcistd = None
ukcgroup = Herding Dog

http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/8e32fcd1e716278885257049006a5e1e?OpenDocument The White German Shepherd Dog emerged from white coat lines of the German Shepherd Dog. It is only recognized as a breed by the United Kennel Club in the United States.

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. right|thumb|px:500">
Rittmeister Max Von Stephanitz December 1864 to April 1936

Information provided in early books on the German Shepherd Dog [cite book | last = Horowitz | first = George | title = The Alsation Wolf-Dog: Its origin, history, and working capabilities 2nd ed. | publisher = Our Dogs Publ. Co. | location = Manchester | year = 1927 ] [cite book | last = Willis | first = Malcolm | title = The German Shepherd Dog, Its History, Development, and Genetics | publisher = ARCO Pub. Co | location = New York | year = 1977 | isbn = 9780668040778 ] 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 "color coat" dogs that carried Greif's recessive gene for "white coats" to refine and expand the population of early German Shepherd Dogs [cite book | last = Rankin | first = Calumn | title = The All-White Progenitor: German Shepherd Dogs | publisher = Upfront Publishing | year = 2002 | isbn = 9781844260225 ] . 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 adopted the exclusively colored breed standard of the parent German breed club. Once adopted, breed club members were required to never intentionally breed dogs that carry the recessive gene for white coats. White coat German Shepherd dogs were barred from American Kennel club conformation dog ring events in the United States starting in 1968. White coat German Shepherd dogs may attend all other AKC events.

During the 1970’s, white dog fanciers in the United States formed their own "White German Shepherd Dog" breed clubs, breeding and showing their dogs at small specialty dog shows. By the late 1990’s a portion of fanciers decided to establish a new "American White Shepherd" breed standard and petitioned the American Kennel Club for breed recognition, separate and independent from the German Shepherd dog breed club’s control. The American Kennel Club has not granted recognition or registration for the American White Shepherd Dog breed, but breeders associated with the American White Shepherd Breed Club continue club activities and continue to negotiate with the AKC for breed recognition. The American Kennel Club continues registration of German Shepherd Dogs with white coats under its German Shepherd Dog breed registry.

Another separate faction of White Shepherd fanciers in the United States created another unique United White Shepherd breed line from the population of American White German Shepherd Dogs and petitioned the UKC or United Kennel Club for breed recognition. The UKC grant recognition of the White Shepherd Dog breed and now registers White Shepherd Dogs separately from German Shepherd Dogs with white coats. The United Kennel Club continues registration of German Shepherd Dogs with white coats under its German Shepherd Dog breed registry.

White German Shepherd Dogs can not be registered as White Shepherds and vice versa. American White Shepherd Dogs cannot not now register as United White Shepherd Dogs. United White Shepherd Dogs, American White Shepherd Dogs and White German Shepherd Dogs can not be registered with the FCI as White Swiss Shepherd (Berger Blanc Suisse) Dogs and vice versa. Breed clubs associated with each of these unique and separate breed lines maintain their own uniques breed standard for appearance and temperament. The breed "appearance" standard given below is only appropriate for the White Shepherd Dog breed line recognized by the UKC.

Appearance

The White Shepherd is a direct descendant of the German Shepherd Dog and the two breeds share common roots and are similar in appearance. However, the White Shepherd evolved from a continuous selection for a working companion dog with that exclusive color, beauty and elegance as seen both standing and in motion. His high degree of intelligence and sense of loyalty have allowed him to become one of the most versatile working dogs serving mankind [cite web
url = http://www.ukcdogs.com/RegistrationBreeds.htm
title = United Kennel Club Standard for White Shepherd Dog
accessdate = 2007-08-03
publisher = [http://www.awsaclub.com/standard.htm American White Shepherd Association] , [http://www.unitedwhiteshepherdclub.org United White Shepherd Club] , and [http://www.whiteshepherdclub.ca White Shepherd Club of Canada] ] .

White Shepherd Dog breed lines, recognized by the UKC, is a medium-sized, well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length, pure white coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The White Shepherd is solid without bulkiness and should be shown in lean, hard physical condition. The outline of the White Shepherd is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. When trotting, the White Shepherd moves with a long, efficient stride that is driven by a powerful forward thrust from the hindquarters. The rear leg, moving forward, swings under the foreleg and touches down in the place where the forefoot left an imprint. Gender differences are readily apparent.

The White Shepherd should be evaluated as an all-around working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they deviate from breed type; and how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work.

The head is proportional to the size of the dog. Males appear masculine without coarseness, and females feminine without being overly fine. The skull and muzzle are of equal length, parallel to one another, and joined at a moderate stop. There is little or no median furrow.

The White Shepherd has a weather-resistant double coat. The outer coat is medium length, dense, straight, harsh, and close lying. The undercoat is short, thick, and fine in texture. The body coat is never longer than 2½ inches. At the neck, the coat may be slightly longer and heavier, particularly in males. Ideal coat color is a pure white. Colors ranging from a very light cream to a light biscuit tan are acceptable but not preferred.

Dogs with noses not predominantly black is a disqualification.

The tail is set on low in a natural extension of the sloping croup. The tail extends at least to the hock joint and usually below.

It must be noted that appearance standard for United Kennel Club registered dogs is not the same as for other separate breed lines such as the American White Shepherd Dog, Canadian White Shepherd Dog, White German Shepherd Dog, or the FCI Internationally recognized Berger Blanc Suisse (White Swiss Shepherd) Dog. While all of these breed lines have a common genetic heritage with the white members of the German Shepherd Dog breed, they are each considered separate breeds which can not be cross registered between kennel clubs or interchangeably identified as the same breed. Each has its own breed appearance standard.

Temperament

The breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression. The ideal dog is self-confident and maintains a certain aloofness. It is eager and alert when needed, willing to serve in its capacity as a companion, guard, guide dog, herding dog, or whatever the circumstances may demand. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Any dog that exhibits unprovoked aggression and attempts to bite any person, dog or other animal must be disqualified and removed from any dog show event.

White German Shepherds are very loyal, very protective dogs. They are especially protective of those designated as 'pups'. These dogs enjoy running, playing fetch, or any activity with their 'family' or 'pack'. They are loving, and very good with children. These canines are very good companions if raised in a good home. They can learn various tricks (depending on the dog), but are usually intelligent animals. They can also live a very long time - 12-14 years.

Genetics

There are many misconceptions about white-coat German Shepherd Dogs and the gene that expresses for their coat color. Clarence C. Little's "The Inheritance of Coat Color in Dogs" hypothesized that dilution or partial albinism "ce", "ca" and "cch" alleles of the so called (C) gene caused the cream and white coat color variants in domestic dogs. Little's hypothesized partial albinism explanation for cream and white colored coats has been applied across most domestic dog breeds, including white coat dogs from German Shepherd breed lines, since Little first published his book.

However, comparative analysis of the dog genome and specific breed DNA sequences now shows that Little's hypothesized gene (C) color dilution explanation for cream and white colored coats is most likely not a relevant determinant of cream and white coats known to commonly occur in many dog breeds. Little's 1957-era partial albinism dilution explanation, as applied to explain domestic dog white and cream coat colors, can be replaced by the findings of modern genetic research.

Research has shown that a recessive "e" allele at the Extension (E) gene is at least partially responsible for cream and white coat color. The (E) gene, now identified as the Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene, is one of the two genes known to code for alleles that are absolutely fundamental to the formation of all German Shepherd Dog colored coat variations. When the recessive allele is inherited from each breeding pair parent, the e/e genotype offspring of certain breeds, including white coat dogs from German Shepherd breed lines, always have cream or white colored coats [cite journal
author=Schmutz SM, Berryere TG.
title = [http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/98/5/544 The Genetics of Cream Coat Color in Dogs]
journal = Journal of Heredity
date = July/August 2007
pmid = 17485734 ] [cite web
url = http://www.wsgenetics.info/coat_color.htm
title = The Genetics of Coat Color in the White (German/Swiss) Shepherd Dog
accessdate = 2007-11-19
last = Handley
first = M.
date = 2007-10-31
publisher = White Shepherd Genetics Project] .

White shepherds were once blamed for color dilution or paling for the entire breed because the recessive "e" allele of the MC1R (E) gene locus masks expression of alleles at other other gene loci that actually do code for lighter (often termed as diluted or pale) colors of silver, black and tan or liver. German breeders of the 1920s and 1930’s misinterpreted pale-colored offspring of white dogs as an undesirable “white” genetic trait. A colored dog paired with a white GSD always produces full colored puppies because the "e" allele is recessive.)

References

Further information

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* ISBN-10: B0006AUQOO
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* ISBN-10: B000TT1PTC
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External links

* [http://www.awsaclub.com/index2.htm American White Shepherd Association]
* [http://www.wsgenetics.org White Shepherd Health & Genetics Project]
* [http://www.whiteshepherdclub.ca White Shepherd Club of Canada]