This article appeared in the March-April 2000 issue of Bloodlines

UKC gave us the opportunity for separate breed status. The name, White Shepherd, doesn't take away the origin or roots of our dogs as German Shepherds. Nothing will do that. What the new name gives us is the right to compete in Conformation and Top Ten events as the White Shepherd with the United Kennel Club. It allows us to showcase our whites so the dog fancy can see how sound, intelligent and versatile these white dogs really are. It is our hope that as more White German Shepherd Dog owners become aware of this new game to play, they will consider registering their dogs as White Shepherds. We have a lot of shows this year. Come out and play with us!

White Shepherd Obedience Dogs

When it comes to obedience work, Kyra and I did not enter the obedience ring until late 1999 and are only now working on her novice titles. So I asked competitors who had been there, done that, and really knew the ropes to share obedience experiences and training tips with us. Three of our more seasoned obedience competitors offered their comments. The three are Ronda Beaupre, Joe Jasinski, and Denise Mencke. Denise Mencke is mom to WGS/U-CH, U-UD Von Tasz' Jack of All Trades, UDX, TDI, HC, OFA (H&E). Denise and Jack have obtained UKC's highest level of obedience which involves directed jumping, hand signal work, scent discrimination, retrieves, and heeling. Denise wrote the following:

"When Judy asked me for a few words about obedience and my Jack, I said I'd be glad to contribute. My first thought is one you need to remember. All dogs have a sense of humor. It is very evident when you are in the obedience ring. Jack and I have learned a lot together. You'll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself and your dog when you embark on your own obedience adventure.

NOVICE OBEDIENCE: We first stepped into the formal obedience ring together at Cobo Hall in Michigan in 1995. I had already trained Hoofprint Bea UD, HC and thought I knew what I was getting into this time. The mistakes I made with her I didn't make with Jack - they were all new ones. Our turn came and went without any major hitches. I thought it went OK, but not great. To my surprise, we took 1st place in the Novice B Classes. I didn't know it until I saw Jack's "Grandmother" (Diana Updike) jumping up and down and yelling with excitement. Jack was 14 months old. We flew by novice. If there is anything I could convey at this point in their training it is to be CONSISTENT! If you ask your dog to do a behavior, whether it is sit, stay, down, come or anything else, be prepared to back it up. Never ask them to do something if you are unable to assure their compliance.

"OPEN OBEDIENCE: We moved up to Open pretty fast. Jack loved all the jumping. Dumbbell work was slow but steady. To this day, Open is his favorite class. When he's really happy, he tends to be a show off. At one trial in Boston, he decided I was walking too slowly, so, he did circles around me while barking. The crowd loved it. I wanted to crawl under the broad jump. At another trial I threw the dumbbell incorrectly and the judge went to get it but Jack decided he was going to beat her to it. Then, he wouldn't give it back. See what I mean about a sense of humor. (Both of us have one otherwise I wouldn't be caught dead in the ring.) Sits and downs out of sight have been pretty steady. I made sure in the beginning that there were no distractions. Then, after he understood the concept, I would add a reliable dog to the exercise, and then more distractions. I would never allow him to be put in a situation that was iffy.

"UTILITY: Utility has been hard on both of us. We are getting better at it but I still take things too seriously. Jack lets me know exactly where I stand on this point. At a German Shepherd Specialty show, he decided that the judge gave him such a nice rub down for the "stand for exam" he followed her and jumped up to give her kisses. The very next day he took HIT and HC. I've learned a lot from my boy like not to use food for go outs because if it's not there, he will sniff until he finds something. I don't bark commands at him or he will slow down. And, I always let him play before we go into the ring.

"I guess what I'd say in closing is to try as many matches as you can before showing formally. Have fun, use treats, play, and make a game of it. You will still have embarrassing moments in the ring, and it is frustrating. It makes you strive just a little harder and builds your confidence in your dog about what he can do - not that he will do it all the time, but I guess that's half the fun of it.

Lovingly,
Jack's human, Denise Mencke

Another of our serious competitors is Ronda Beaupre who told me she put a CDX title on three of her dogs 7 or 8 years ago and is now training again with her many White Shepherds. She is interested in seeing if things have changed much since then. She would show all three dogs in each of the four shows on one weekend. On many occasions her dogs didn't even get a warm-up and most times she asked total strangers to help by taking one of the dogs back in for sit and stay exercises. She says it's amazing they did as well as they did.

Obedience was such an important factor in Ronda's kennel that she said she is reinstating her offer to award a monetary sum to owners who put a title on their dog. We look forward to seeing Ronda in the ring.

Joe Jasinski and his wife, Lucille, are the owners of six German Shepherd Dogs (two whites) and one Basset Hound. Joe is a Provisional AKC Judge and has been involved in obedience with his dogs for many years. When WGS CH Hoofprint Emerald, Am/CN CD, CGC, TDI, FDCH, OFA (H&E) was ready to whelp her second litter, Joe was excited. He had big plans for his "pick" White Shepherd. With the help of Grandma Diana Updike, Joe selected the petite Emma. And what a choice it was! Emma qualified in her first four out of four shows with scores in the 190's. She was ranked 17th in Novice in 1999 by the GSDCA. She's now working in Open and since Joe registered her as a White Shepherd early this year, she is ready to make her debut in the UKC ring. When I asked Joe what he would say to obedience competitors, he said, "Start your training early. A good time is 10-12 weeks. Start on a carpeted table and work for about 5 minutes each day to train for attention and sits and downs. Socialization is very very important. Take puppy-training classes. Read Bernie Brown's book No Force Method of Dog Training and follow his training tips. Don't be in a hurry to take the leash off. And by all means, read the obedience regulations before showing your dog in the ring."

I don't want to leave this subject without mentioning a brand-new obedience competitor. If anyone is hesitant about getting started or feels too new at the obedience game, listen to what Becky Joyce accomplished with U-CD Crystal's Shining Star, HC, CGC, TDI, TT, CD, OFA (H&E) in their first-ever obedience experiences. She qualified at six trials in a row with six placements and two titles. She is now working on Open with Star and is preparing her new White Shepherd, Luna, for the Novice ring. Way to go Becky and Star!

The majority of White Shepherd owners are working on UKC obedience titles at their appropriate levels. We hope that those of you who have not yet started working your dog in obedience will be inspired by Denise, Joe, Ronda, and Becky. Let's take these dogs to their full potential not only in conformation but in obedience, agility, herding, tracking, flyball and all the other performance events that truly make them Total Dogs. They can do it all if we get out there and train them.

If anyone has any questions about White Shepherds, please feel free to contact any of the club officers. Denise Mencke, President, (516) 698-3803, Judy Huston, VP and Public Relations Chair (517) 546-3046, or Diana Updike, Secretary at (313) 794-8088 or e-mail whiteshepherd@yahoo.com.