In German Shepherd Dogs the recessive gene for white coat hair was cast in the breed gene pool by the late 19th and early 20th century breeding program that developed and expanded the German Shepherd Dog breed in Germany.

A white herding dog named Greif was the grandfather of Horand von Grafrath, the dog acknowledged as the foundation of all contemporary German Shepherd Dog bloodlines. Rittmeister Max von Stephanitz December 1864 to April 1936 Information provided in early books on the German Shepherd Dog make mention of Greif and other white German herding dogs, with upright ears and a general body description that resembles modern German Shepherd Dogs, shown in Europe as early as 1882.

The early 20th century German Shepherd breeding program extensively line bred and inbred "color coat" dogs that carried Greif's recessive gene for "white coats" to refine and expand the population of early German Shepherd Dogs.

White coats were made a disqualification in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany breed standard in 1933 after the breed club came under the control of the German Nazi party that took over all aspects of German society in February 1933 when Hitler declared a state of emergency.

The German breed standard remained unchanged as German breeders repopulated the breed in the years after the conclusion of WWII.

In 1959 the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) adopted the exclusively colored breed standard of the parent German breed club. White-coated German Shepherd Dogs were officially barred from competition in the American Kennel Club conformation ring in the United States starting in 1968. AKC-registered white German Shepherd Dogs may still compete in performance events.

During the 1970s, white dog fanciers in the United States and Canada formed their own "White German Shepherd" breed clubs, breeding and showing their dogs at small specialty dog shows throughout North America. The White Shepherd Club of Canada (WSCC) has been dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the White Shepherd since 1971.

German Shepherd Neck Ties

Upgrade your wardrobe a custom tie from GSDsite.com! One-of-a-kind ties to match any suit, dress shirt, and occasion. Browse our stylish German Shepherd designs to wear in the office or on a night out in the town.

Who Should Wear a Medical ID?

That's a question we are asked each day at GSDsite.com and a question that you, at some point, may have asked yourself.  There are common misconceptions that by wearing a medical ID you are labeling yourself or bringing unwanted attention to your condition or diagnosis.  The truth is that medical Identification can be, and often times is, life saving. 

If you have been recently diagnosed with a medical condition, a quick diagnosis of your condition will lead to faster and more effective treatment.  Your medical ID bracelet or necklace will alert doctors, paramedics and school nurses of your medical history so that time is not wasted.

Who should wear a medical ID?  

If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition, have food or drug allergies or take medications, then you should wear a medical ID.  Any of the following conditions may alter the treatment you might normally receive. If you are a caregiver you should also wear a medical ID to alert emergency personnel of your loved one who needs attention. Let your medical identification jewelry speak for you when you can’t.

Here is a short list of conditions and people who should wear a medical ID bracelet or medical ID necklace.  If we left anything out of this list, please bring that to our attention by commenting on this post.

• Diabetes
• PTSD
• Heart Patients with Pacemakers, Heart Stents, Atrial Fibrillation, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Arrhythmia
• Hypertension
• Lympedema Alert
• Food Allergies including Peanut Allergy, Tree Nut Allergy, Gluton Intolerace including Celiacs Disease
• Allergy to Medications such as Penicillin Allergy, Sulfa Allergy, Morphine Allergy, Allergy to Contrast Dye, Bee Sting Allergy, Allergic to Cephalosporins
• Asthma
• On Blood Thinners, Von Willebrand's, Hemophilia
• Gastric Bypass Patient, Lap Band Patient
• Alzheimers, Memory Impaired
• Manic Depressive, Schizophrenia
• Hearing Impaired, Cochlear Implant, Sight Impaired
• Organ Transplant Patient, Organ Donor
• Hypothyroidism
• Adrenal Insufficiency
• Autism
• COPD, Seizure Disorder
• Epilepsy
• On Multiple Medications
• No MRI
• Any other Chronic Condition