What's the difference?
Your White Shepherd options
There is unfortunately but not unexpectedly a bit of confusion regarding the Berger Blanc Suisse (White Swiss Shepherd). Here's what you need to know as simply as possible :)....
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Shepherds can be found in three white forms:
- AKC German Shepherd Dog-White (WGSD)
- UKC White Shepherd ("Domestic")
- FCI Berger Blanc Suisse or White Swiss Shepherd ("Import")
How did we get here? Well, in 1889 German Captain Max von Stephanitz established the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) based on exceptional working qualities. These dogs could be a variety of colors, white included. However in the 1930s the governing German canine body decided that in the interests of standardization 'white' would no longer be permitted for registration or breeding.
The governing USA body, the American Kennel Club (AKC), continued to allow white GSD but in 1968 made 'white' a disqualification in the show ring. Unlike in Europe however, breeders could still register white stock as GSD and use in breeding.
As a result, white German Shepherds in Europe declined, while in the USA they were still appreciated by select breeders who began breeding white to white only. Hence developed the three separate paths below.
As white is still a recessive gene within the GSD breed, a white coat pup can still appear within a litter. These pups comply with GSD standards, and have the same body type (conformation) and temperament and recognition as colored GSDs, but cannot be shown in AKC conformation events.
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The governing German Shepherd bodies and GSD breeders do not support breed separation and consider other white shepherds to be GSD, as recognizing a breed difference has political and administrative implications and impact on existing breeders. Its this resistance that has created such a complicated climate for Swiss and White Shepherds within the USA.
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Under this guidance, AKC accepts registration of any white shepherd as GSD-White.
Breed registration organisation: UKC
Club and Show organisations: UKC, ARBA
Physical description: Standard
When white became a disqualification, those who sought to preserve the white color began breeding white to white litters over several generations. Breeders developed their own White Shepherd standard, aiming for a mellow temperament and even topline. Over several generations the White Shepherd emerged with clearly recognizable differences between the GSD-white and the new White Shepherd. These efforts were rewarded as in 1999 the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the White Shepherd as a separate breed from the GSD-white, due to proven body type and temperament differences consistent across White Shepherd litters.
To register with UKC as a White Shepherd a dog must have both parents registered as White Shepherds or present three generations of pedigree from a recognized White Shepherd organization:
- American White Shepherd Association
- Japan White Shepherd Dog Association (JWSA)
- FCI affiliated registries (either international or USA Federation Canine of Puerto Rico)
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As the Berger Blanc Suisse is a FCI recognized breed, the UKC accepts Berger Blanc Suisse as White Shepherds.
Berger Blanc Suisse
Breed registration organisation: FCI, (FCPR in USA)
Club and Show organisations: IABCA, ARBA, ICKC, ABBSC, WSSCA
Physical description: Standard
Can be registered as a UKC WS without penalty, but FCI considers registering with AKC as switching the breed.
In Europe, appreciation for white shepherds from America and Canada began to grow, and breeders began to develop a standard with which to identify the new breed (without resistance from the GSD community who had banished whites from their lines). In 1991 Switzerland approved the request to recognize the Berger Blanc Suisse breed and standard.
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In 2002, the governing European body, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), awarded provisional recognition of the breed, and formalized in 2011. Formal recognition of the breed closed the stud book, which meant only registered BBS could be used for breeding, thereby excluding all US and Canadian White Shepherds from that point forward.
So, what does it matter?
Do you want to show?
Do you want a German Shepherd with white fur? Or are you curious about this new breed?
Essentially, the BBS became it's own breed in Europe as breeders were free to pursue a new standard. For the rest of the world, white GSD were still permitted so it was harder to have a new standard accepted or acknowledged. This is why Berger Blanc Suisse (imports) should have consistency of type and temperament over several generations of the new standard, while White Shepherds (domestic) may have closer GSD influence, and GSD- White will be GSD.
As a future owner, your choice is up to you. Research the temperaments and look of each type carefully, and, if you can, do meet and greets to see differences in each. What you should know is that Apex Shepherds are FCI Berger Blanc Suisse dogs and will only have FCI registrations (in the USA this means registering with the FCPR- Federation Canine of Puerto Rico, a club that is recognized by the FCI). Each type of white shepherd has it's own standard and showing opportunities. Once familiar with each breed, you will see obvious differences, and the BBS is what we were drawn to for their mellow nature, sociability, appealing structure, family compatibility and loyalty and astounding intellect. When choosing the Berger Blanc Suisse (import) we were not considering the breed as a GSD variant but a separate breed entirely, and are focused only on breeding FCI standard BBS dogs and education. While we work with like minded UKC White Shepherd (domestic) breeders to establish clear goals and agendas, as many were part of the original Berger Blanc Suisse stock, we will not register with UKC until GSD organizations acknowledge clear separation as this to us is confusing and allows for messy pedigrees for the uninitiated but (and this is important) this only matters if it matters to you as a prospective owner. The overriding factors are universal: does your breeder conduct breeding health checks, do they guarantee the health of your pup, can you get a good sense of what temperaments the litter will have etc. Whichever type you choose be an educated buyer and be sure to do your own due diligence :).
Still confused? Take a look at this blog, from a CA breeder, which is the best summary I’ve read.