I just don't get it!

[Konotashi]

I don't understand this.

There are people fighting for white German shepherds to become a separate breed, but they're German shepherds!

And also, I read that panda German shepherd people want them to be a separate breed also. They're GSDs!

I don't get it - why do people with color variants of the GSD want them to become a whole separate breed?

[Chicagocanine]

Originally Posted by Konotashi

I don't get it - why do people with color variants of the GSD want them to become a whole separate breed?

I think it is partly because a lot of GSD people complain about these colors and do not want them to be bred (or want them in their lines) and partly because they can't be titled in conformation as a GSD.

[aubie]

I don't see a problem with them being classified as a seperate breed as they do with cockers--by color. They're the same breed but to be AKC shown they would just be differintiated by color. They do this with coat type and the weiner dogs. It would be a way to allow the whites in shows but keeping the "standard" safe.

[Betty]

Even though AKC allows them to be registered they can not compete in the show ring. Disqualifying fault.

I have no problem with them being a seperate breed.

[arycrest]

Originally Posted by aubie

I don't see a problem with them being classified as a seperate breed as they do with cockers--by color. They're the same breed but to be AKC shown they would just be differintiated by color. They do this with coat type and the weiner dogs. It would be a way to allow the whites in shows but keeping the "standard" safe.

This isn't quite true. Cockers aren't considered a separate breed by color, they're considered a variety of the same breed separated by color. While it's not changing those breeds already divided by varieties, it's my understanding that AKC no longer allows the variety division within the same breed.

It's true a lot of fanciers would like to see the WGSD as a separate breed, there are a lot of other fanciers who don't want breed separation, they want to stay in the GSD breed.

[Chicagocanine]

Originally Posted by arycrest

This isn't quite true. Cockers aren't considered a separate breed by color, they're considered a variety of the same breed separated by color. While it's not changing those breeds already divided by varieties, it's my understanding that AKC no longer allows the variety division within the same breed.

What about the Belgians? The AKC considered them to be separate breeds by color/coat.

[selzer]

My worry about them being a separate breed is that it will completely limit their gene pool.

Does anyone do black GSDs? I mean all black dogs in the past 4 or more generations? Are you concerned about inbreeding, recessive issues, breeding away from certain issues?

No, I do not want a white dog in my pedigree. There is one up in Arwen's line, but to me it suggests someone breeding dogs that have a disqualifying fault. Do they contribute to white toes and giant white spashes on the chest, or is that a separate gene? Frankly, I do not want to see a white pup in my litter. If I get one, I will raise it and sell it, but it is not something I would want to see, like blues or livers.

A good dog cannot be a bad color, but I like dogs with markings.

That said, I would rather the AKC drop the white dog disqualifier, than whites going off as a separate breed. Just my opinion. It keeps the gene pool larger for the whites. I mean, people breeding sables and b&ts are not going to be concerned about whites being a separate breed as it would affect their program.

But then, what would one do who has a white grandsire, and has a litter of black and tan pups and a white one in there. Do they have to apply for a separate registry?

[FuryanGoddess]

A weird and random question, but are whites more aggressive?

The guy that sells me my dog food, who says he's grown up w/ GSD's and had many as an adult, keeps saying how great it is that I bring Zeva around and socilize her. I mentioned that her Gfather was a white, *did not see him but this is what I'm told. Dad was b and T, Mom B and R and Gfather white.

He said that they are more aggressive so have to do even more socialization w/ her.

I have a hard time finding this true, but... I wanted to put it out there as a question.

[selzer]

I think that whites got really popular for a while, and some unscrupulous breeders were breeding for the color without regards to temperament, and it can be seen in some lines.

But it is in some of the rest of the colors as well. On the whole, are they more aggressive than the other colors? I do not know. The couple that I have seen were aggressive, but that does not mean that they came from people who cared about the breed.

[Elaine]

I can see them becoming a separate breed because their body type has changed so radically from standard - whatever that is anymore. They are very different from the AKC type and the workingline and the German showline dog. I would not want this color removed from a disqualifying fault unless they return to being just a color and not a different type.