Jobs Simply - What's your opinion of white German Shepherds?

What's your opinion of white German Shepherds?

I know a lot of people don't consider them true German Shepherds, because they cannot effectively do what German Shepherds were originally bred to do (guard and herd sheep; a white dog would look like a sheep from a distance). However, a lot of people think they can still be useful, especially in jobs where it is important that people be able to easily see the dog, i.e. guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, tracking dogs, etc. So, even though the white German Shepherd isn't a true German Shepherd, don't you think it should still be considered a legitimate breed? (Yes, I know the AKC doesn't consider the white German Shepherd a legitimate breed, but, considering what they've done to true German Shepherds, that's kind of a blessing.)

Public Comments

ive never seen a white german shepherd before !! you should be proud of ur dog. he's so rare and special. pls answer mine
No dog is worthless, to some maybe, but those people are very opinionated, which is fine, who cares what others think. I personally love them, my Wolf/GSD mix I had as a child was White & there was nothing "weak" about him. He was the best canine I have ever owned. I will remember him forever as one of the most loyal animals I've ever owned. A dog being white is nothing like a sickly runt with a higher risk for health concerns.
Oh, they consider them GSDs, but them being white is a fault. They are still GSDs. But the only place one should ever get a white GSD is from a shelter or rescue. Like Teacup dogs. They are poorly bred undersized dogs. The AKC will register a Teacup Poodle, but that's a fault and they aren't show worthy. Teacups and Tiny Toys are all grouped under the Toy Poodle category.
I didn't know they wernt considered true german shepherds, they consider White huskys, huskys and White horses, horses, they come out of the same dog, how dumb.
My aunt has one, and he is so sweet. Sometimes other pet owners around the block compare her dog to their own like, "Oh my dog is so fat, but yours is perfect!" If trained properly, they can be WONDERFUL companions! (Great dog choice by the way!)
I think it should be a separate breed. I see no difference between a white GSD and a black Samoyed - neither are allowed colors and early in the breed history they were selectively removed from the breeding plans -- the difference being that the early Samoyed breeders were ruthless in making certain their mis-marked or mis-colored dogs were removed from the gene-pool. Those who actively work GSDs have noted a difference in temperament between white GSDs and non-white dogs. People who work their dogs simply would not exclude an excellent working dog based solely on color ... a purple GSD can bring down a bad guy *IF* it has the temperament and the training for it. You can train a dog - you cannot change basic temperament. I understand there are breeders who do not and will not select against white, I believe it does the breed as a historical representation of what they were created to be a disservice. Just as I would believe it to be a disservice if someone began purposefully breeding Samoyeds to be anything other than their allowed colors of white, cream, all biscuit or biscuit & white. Edit: UKC regularly allows colors that are disqualifications by the breed's originators and the breed's country of origin breed standards. UKC *also* allows people to FULLY register (for breeding) dogs who were sold on AKC limited (non- breeding) registrations. Is it REALLY ok if .. say .. a Papillion breeder sells a Pap puppy on an AKC limited registration for the owner to go register it with the UKC and breed it??? The UKC used to be a reputable registry and kennel club. In my opinion, they've decided the almighty dollar is more important than maintaining high standards.
Haha, I hate when people say the white color is a disqualification...I simply laugh and say it's not (even though I know they're referding to AKC and I'm refering to UKC). I think as long as they a bred right, they can excel in performance events, herding, search and rescue, and tracking and guide dogs!
Unfortunately in Canada the white GSD is allowed in the show ring. I dont like them. They look like big mice.
Personally I think they are beautiful when well-conformed. The color is not AKC acceptable, but how often do you see GSDs working sheep these days? You are more likely to see them acting as police or protection dogs, seeing eye dogs, competing in obedience or agility, and color doesn't matter a bit if the dog is physically capable and mentally sound. I would never cull (kill) a puppy for color or mis-mark. And I do like the idea of making them a separate recognized breed. I think that would solve all the problems with white Shepherds.
I thought it was called the American White Shepherd.
I like them. I know they say all white animals usually are deaf. I don't know how true that is. My friend a good friend has always had 2 WGS (White German Sheperds) and is a real nut for them. They are great dogs and his dogs were always beautiful and I think he is on his 4th set of 2. He usually gets a Female and a Male. A big fan. I love all dogs...German Sheperds are smart. Even the white ones. Love them all.
I've never met a White GSD who was what I would consider sane and stable. Every single one I've ever met was quite neurotic. Perhaps, if I could see a good example of one, I might reconsider. Until then, I'm not sold.
I have a white German shepherd (shes in my pic) Shes not any different to the black and tans i have owned,she still has all the typical shepherd traits and temprement. She is also a great gaurd dog just the same as my black and tans. I dont think they should be outcast just because of their colour. German Shepherds great dogs to own
Some white shepherds actually are German Shepherds, and some are members of a relatively new breed, the White Shepherd. As others have mentioned, the color is a disqualifying fault according to the GSD standard. Responsible breeders breed to the standard, so they won't be producing white German Shepherds. However, because the white German Shepherds were never allowed in the show ring, they were not as affected by the over angulation that became a fad in the 80's an 90's and is just now starting to swing back to a more normal conformation. That over angulation isn't to the standard either. But back to the point. A typical white shepherd tends to be more of the old build. So they actually have begun to look different from modern show Shepherds. Anyway, they split off from the German Shepherd under the UKC. So in the AKC, if they are registered, then they are real German Shepherds. Under the UKC, they might be either German Shepherds or White Shepherds, even if they have close relatives who are registered with the other breed. I don't have a problem with creating a separate breed for white shepherds as it comes with a standard and breeders should now be breeding to that standard. It should improve the overall quality of white shepherds being produced, and we know they are going to be produced because they're popular with some people. They might as well be well bred for improved health if they're going to be bred at all. What really surprises me is the number of people who have seen a white shepherd, but never a black one. The white ones are disqualified (or were until they formed their own breed), but the black ones are perfectly fine by the GSD standard. They just aren't all that common because they're the result of a double recessive color gene.
Would a Dalmatian be a Dalmatian if it didn't have spots? How about a Lab that had patches like a Springer Spaniel? While not always as functional as other aspects of a dog's make-up like temperament, health, build, etc, color is a vital part of type and should be preserved along with other traits in order to be true to the breed.The color is a disqualification in the breed, like white boxers they should be spayed/neutered and placed in non-breeding homes. The white and other dilute colors are disqualifications due to their association not only with health deformities (deafness, blindess) but also for concerns over temperament that appeared with that color. The White German Shepherd "breed" is another issue, but until a REPUTABLE registry like the FCI recognizes them, or the German Shepherd Club or America (AKC) or the parent club in the home country of the origional breed (Germany) choose to change the standard, they are just incorrect GSDs.
Contrary to popular belief in YA, white GSD's DO have other issues other than being white. If a white GSD happens to appear in a litter because mother & father both had the genes, that's one thing. However, the majority of white shepherds come from breeders specifically targetting white. Anytime a breeder targets a particular "LOOK" as the priority, something else has to suffer. In the case of the white Shepherd....they were culled for years. When some dipstick decided it was a good idea to start breeding them (knowing that Americans would buy he because they LOOK cool), the gene pool to "tap" was very small. Inbreeding was rampant. Whites tend to have at very least 2 or 3 major behavioral issues. I've trained well over 100 in the last 30 years....as of yet, I have not had my hands on one with a stable temperament or sound nerves. Don't get me wrong...I think they LOOK cool too. Other than a Cool Look, they are useless.
They're useless...I'll dig the hole if somebody volunteers to push them in.