This article appeared in the Nov-Dec 1999 issue of Bloodlines

In August of this year, the officers of the United White Shepherd Club (Provisional Parent Club for the newly designated WHITE SHEPHERD breed) met with United Kennel Club staff to determine the necessary steps for compliance with UKC requirements.   Requirements included 1) a request to all multi-breed clubs that we be added to their upcoming events, 2) setting a date for the Rules and Regulations Seminar, and 3) submitting an article for each and every issue of Bloodlines Magazine.  This article is a “progress report” as well as an opportunity to share some background information about our new separate breed status.  It also allows us to acknowledge some of the dogs and their owners who have paved the way to this milestone.

Background Information – Why a New Breed?

For over 30 years after the AKC disqualification and the more recent CKC disqualification of the color white in the German Shepherd breed, dedicated white-coated German Shepherd Dog owners and breeders did everything possible to regain acceptance with these kennel clubs.  They worked to get AKC to drop the disqualification and accept their dogs in the breed ring, and to keep their CKC registered dogs in the Conformation ring.  The truth soon became apparent.  If we remained German Shepherd Dogs, we were destined to remain a disqualifying fault in their respective breed rings.   Additionally, in Germany and many other European countries, the white-coated GSD is no longer in existence because they have been eliminated from the gene pool.

 Many of our white GSD’s look more like the old style shepherd without the extreme sloping topline and rear angulation of the modern German Shepherd Dog.  Since our whites have been typically bred with like color – white to white – a separate and distinct breed has resulted.  We feel our whites are a true descendent of the original German Shepherd Dog.  Notably, this concept of a new breed has already been acknowledged in many foreign countries.  They have been recognizing and registering the White Shepherd, as it’s own distinct and separate breed from the GSD, for many years.  Also, many of these European White Shepherds were originally registered as AKC or CKC German Shepherd Dogs and imported from the United States and Canada.

Recognition of the White Shepherd

An enthusiastic group of people came together with the primary goal of getting these beautiful dogs recognized as a separate breed here in the United States and Canada.  This group approached the United Kennel Club with their goal.  UKC agreed to give us separate breed status if we met certain criteria within a specified time period.  We went to work, we met the criteria, and we achieved separate breed status for the White Shepherd.

 Even before we approached UKC in late 1997, 19 year-old Michelle Koons decided to try for the Total Dog award by showing Luger in the UKC conformation ring for the first time and by trying for an obedience leg.  She showed Luger and walked away with a Best of Winners and a 193 in Novice A.  She showed us we could win.  The following January, Diana Updike and Judy Huston made their entrance into the UKC ring.  Diana’s “Polo” became the first white GSD Champion in UKC history.  A few months later, Judy Huston’s, “Kyra,” became the first white Grand Champion in UKC history.  We’ve had a lot of fun with many wins in the GSD breed ring. 

Our Own Ring

The excitement is building for WHITE SHEPHERD owners as we approach the new Millennium. For the very first time we will have our own ring with a major North American kennel club  -- the United Kennel Club – in which to showcase our beautiful dogs.  This came to pass in the Spring of 1999 when white German Shepherd owners were contacted by UKC with the official notice of the new breed status and the invitation to change their dogs from a GSD to a White Shepherd if they choose to do so.  Deadline date to make the change is April 15, 2000.  Flyers have been mailed to all multi-breed clubs inviting them to include the White Shepherd in their upcoming shows effective January 1, 2000 and beyond.

White Shepherd Shows

The following clubs have added the White Shepherd to their 2000 calendar.  If your club is including them, please notify us.  We want to fill our calendars with White Shepherd shows!

A-K9’s in Pennsylvania

Dog Enthusiasts of Western Michigan in Kalamazoo

Michigan American Pit Bull Terrier Club

Ohio Toy Fox Terrier Club in Wapakoneta

Puget Sound K-9’s in Olympia, Washington

Wisconsin Toy Fox Terrier Club

Acknowledging UKC White Champions

We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the owners and their dogs that have forged the way for showing this new breed with the United Kennel Club.  Most, if not all, of the following Champions will change their status to White Shepherds and begin competing for these titles all over again beginning January 1, 2000.  For the record:

The first white GSD Champion:

U-CH Von Tasz Classic “Polo” owned by Diana Updike

The first white GSD Grand Champion & The first white GSD to earn U-AGI and U-AGII Agility titles:  (Unofficial)

                AWSA/WSCC/U-AGI&II GR CH Crystal’s Lady in Red HIC, CGC, TDI, TT, DSA, NA, PDX, WETT OFA (H&E) Cardiac, Thyroid, vWF 65% “Kyra” owned by Judy & Dick Huston

The first white GSD to take a Best in Show:

                U-CH Royal Alumina of Windy Acres HIC “Ali” owned by Ed Rhoads

The first white GSD to receive the Total Dog Award:

                WSCC/BIMBS U-CH U-CD Crystal’s Li’l Pistol Von Tasz AM/CN CD, ONYX, WETT, DSA, NA, NAJ, HIC, CGC, OFA (H&E) vWF 88% “Luger” owned by Michelle Koons

The first white GSD to earn a Utility Dog title & The first GSD of any color to earn both a UD and a Championship.

               WGS/U-CH U-UD Von Tasz’ Jack of All Trades, UDX, TDI, HC, OFA, (H&E) "Jack” owned by Denise Mencke (Total Dog Award received at Premier in June 1999)

The first white German Shepherd Dogs to make the list of Top Ten Qualifiers for 1998:

No. 3                UKC/AWSA/WGSDCI/WSCC CH Reeves Royal Angus Von Tasz CDX, TT, HC, CGC, OFA (H&E) Ex. “Angus” owned by Jean Reeves (Currently ranked #4)

No. 7                WSCC/BIMBS/U-CD, U-CH Crystal’s Li’l Pistol Von Tasz AM/CN CD, ONYX, WETT, HC, CGC, DSA, NA, NAJ, OFA (H&E), vWF 88% “Luger” owned by Michelle Koons

No. 10     U-CH Royal Alumina of Windy Acres “Ali” owned by Ed Rhoads

Other white GSD UKC Champions of Record:

UKC/AWSA/WSCC CH Royal Kountry Magnolia CGC, OFA owned by Jean Reeves

U-CD CH Wytecliff Sebastian Kobalt owned by Ed Rhoads

CH Jazmond Crystals Hovind, TT, CGC, OFA  (H&E) Ex. owned by Pam Hovind

CH Third Time’s Acharm Von Jamin owned by Nancy De Garmo

CH Be A Dog’s Brash and Sassy owned by Nancy De Garmo

CH Stellar’s Stafford Sage CGC, OFA Prelim. 92% vWF owned by Christina Tanner

UKC/WSCC CH Royal Sierra of Tumbledown CD, CGC, OFA (H&E) owned by Jean Reeves

CH Royal Sir Issacs IQ CGC owned by Jean Reeves

CH Rocco of Klotz Kountry owned by Terry and Mark Klotz

U-CD CH Moonshadows Starburst CD, CGC, OFA owned by Miranda Reeves

CH Klotz Kountry Carmilin

CH Wytecliff Royal Crimson Ruby CGC, OFA (H&E) owned by Jean Reeves

CH Royal Crowning of BeaDog owned by Denise Mencke

We also want to acknowledge Doug and Stephanie Wynn for campaigning their soon to be champion  Royal Samson,  and Margaret Stafford with her soon to be champions Stafford Pet Spike, Stafford Pet Spring, and Stafford Pet Arkle.  You’re almost there guys!
 

Rules and Regulations Seminar

The United White Shepherd Club tentatively plans to hold it’s Rules and Regulations Seminar in conjunction with the Dog Enthusiasts of Western Michigan’s March shows.  Exact date and location of the seminar will be announced in the near future.

Summary

The officers of the United White Shepherd Club hope that many more clubs will include us in their upcoming events.   It is our strong desire that all owners of White Shepherds take a look at the growing list of dogs already out there being shown and come out and join us.

If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this breed to your club’s upcoming events, please contact UKC Multi-Breed Field Operations.  If you have questions regarding the White Shepherd, kindly direct any inquires to:  United White Shepherd Club, Diana L. Updike (Secretary), 15020 Kipke, Redford, MI. 48239 or call (313) 794-8088 or e-mail whiteshepherd@yahoo.com. 

                                                                                                By Judy Huston

                                                                                              Vice President, UWSC,

                                                                                                Public Relations Chair

                                                                                                (517) 546-3046

                                                                                                judyh@ismi.net