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2009/ 2010 sees the 24th anniversary of The 'White & Long Coat Shepherd Society' with members throughout the UK and as far a field as France, Germany and Australia. White Shepherd clubs exist in Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Holland, Germany, Australia, and, of course, Great Britain. It is as well to point out that 'whites' are true GSDs, are registered with the Kennel Club and differ from their 'coloured' cousins in colour only. It should be also noted that it has been clearly established that the white GSD does not carry any genetic defects which can be attributed to its colour and that the white gene, and the albino gene are completely separate. White is a naturally occurring colour for GSDs dating back to the inception of the breed as we know it at the beginning of the 20th century and whites do occur from time to time in coloured litters. It is worth making the point that although the breed standard is anti white, it does state that coat colour is of minor importance and in no way impairs a dogs ability to work.
In this country white and long coat GSDs are used by the police, prison service, armed forces, search and rescue and guide dogs for the blind. They are also used as P.A.T dogs (Pets As Therapy) who are proved to be of sound temperament visiting patients in hospices and residential homes. WALCSS accepts all coat types of both white and coloured GSDs and one of its main priorities is breeding sound dogs.
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