Hm HD eh Well I had a BC from working parents(with good hips)who had severe HD & a GSD from a generations show dogs of good hips who had perfect hips & conformed to the breed standard & who was not"white"(just the opposite in fact he produced real all blacks-not black sables) He is the top dog on this page

The incidence of poor hips is much higher in litters from high scoring or untested parents & TBH I am surprised that a "white"occurred in a litter from German bloodlined show dogs

As for the tests done on Service dogs all they do is X ray them for HD they do not score the dogs & as long as the hips look ok they use the dogs(this is from personal knowledge)they do no other tests at all & only the dogs used in demonstration teams have to have good temperaments Lots of the worst temperamented GSDs are in the Forces as patrol dogs-dogs trained to attack intruders on sight

My BC with bad hips did agility BTW

As to all show dogs being nervy I sugeest you go to the next UK Sieger Show where dogs are tested the same as they are in Gemany & nervous dogs are out of the door PDQ

Now dogs shown at the English type shows do tend to have weak temperaments(I'm being polite here)

i had a BIS at one of the UK shows actually try to attack my Cavalier(who weighs in at all of 15 lbs)& also myself The only reason i wasn't badly bitten & my JD killed was the dog was wearing a muzzle !!!!!!!!!!! He later won the CC & BIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This dog was pure English breeding BTW

My point was that the colour has nothing specifically to do with health tests.


Just goes to show that even with all the best will in the world, breeding is still not an exact science and is no guarantee of what will be born. Helps greatly, yes, but is not 100% and I doubt it ever will be.


Any purpose bred [ military / police etc ], are, or should be, subject to the same tests as any breeders should carry out.
Those from rescue are not as rigorously tested but they do have to be checked for being ok to work, not to breed from. A haemophiliac dog would not be suitable to work for obvious reasons for instance, and something like poor hips and / or elbows, on an x-ray does discount them.
Those reading the x-rays have to know their stuff as much if not more, [ imo ], than those rating hip scores on a panel as they know the work and physical stresses involved for the dogs.

The White I mentioned is one which also goes to schools etc for demo`s and spends a lot of time being surrounded and petted by the kids. I guess he passes on temperament then - but I would`nt want to meet him working his `proper` job if I were doing something I should`nt


You have mentioned that before.
If he was ok for agility, thats great. I`m very strict on it at our club. I`m assuming you mean he had bad scores but that his hips were not problematic despite that ??

I did`nt say `all show dogs`
I said ``which seem far more common these days``

Thats what I was talking about [ and was being equally polite ].

And thats the sort of thing which is detrimental to the breed, [ though not knowing how much of the behaviour of that dog was nurture - or lack of - rather than `nature` ], which is what I was trying to get across but perhaps did not put very well.

The overall point is, a dogs colour is not indicative of physical health [ a pointer to deafness in some breeds but that is well known when relevent ], and its not indicative of temperament.

The relevence to health and temperament, [ where genetics are involved as opposed to training / experiences etc ], is about what breeders are putting together and what health screening has [ or has`nt...] been done, irrespective of breed OR colour.

The info I was give a few years ago was that whites couldn't be shown as the colour is not welcomed by the KC. I white GSD breeder I knew many years ago, did infact breed his dogs to breed standard (although not colour)

I stand corrected if this info is wrong.

If you want a white GSD go ahead and get one .. it is your money paying for it, it is you and your family that will love & train it, feed it stay up nights if it is sick etc etc...

Regardless of what breed you get you will encounter "purist" who vehemently(sp) oppose anything other than KC standards..
Personally I would thoroughly check the breeders out .. decide what you are looking for from a breeder, level of testing they carry out , history etc
People may breed white GSD deliberately.. personally I don't think it makes them "dodgy" they are breeding for the traits.. they and others.. like, a happy healthy white pup is no different from any other colour...
Just My opinion
Hope you find your dream pup

Rachel

hiya i have found a really good place that i like the look of, if anyone can PM me so i can send you the link will you look at it for me please? just to give me your opinion would mean alot thanks!!

Go for your white if it is truely what you want......I like Blues and I know your dilema. What I would do is to not buy from anyone saying they are rare or making them different from the rest. The ideal would be to come across a litter of pups from a reputable breeder who has carried out all health tests necessary who happens to have a white. That is in an ideal world and would be the perfect solution. Though it may be hard to come across a white that way. So long as health and temprament is your main focus and the breeder is reputable I don't see a problem.

Hiya thanks! if a place said this (i think it sounds good?) would this be a positive?:

(it wont copy & paste so im typing by hand.... please forgive my spelling mistakes!)

Pups are wormed at: 2-4-6-8- weeks,
KC reg, KC 5 generation pedigree

Endorsements R & X can be disscussed (whats this???)
Puppy contract
Well socialised people/dogs/ horsess
Parents hip scored or x rayed

tests on puppys to see who they would suit.

pups will be taught basic commands to help with training
Guidance throughout yr dogs life

take back any dog which the owner can not keep anymore and they will find a home for it.

obviously theres loadssssssss more on the website, but i just wanted to see what anyone thought of this bit?

It all sounds very responsible, it doesn't cost anything to contact and talk to these people (apart from a phone call).
Give them a call. Go with your gut feelings.

hiya thanks!! i have contacted them and the lady seems very nice who i spoke to, she said she will only let pups go to vetted homes and she would like to ask me lots of questions!!! which of course i said was fine, shes 4 hours away from me, so im not going to do a visit this year, as obviosuly we arent looking until next year but she said she will update me.............. but i do really like the look of it, they dont just breed they do shows with there dogs & agilty shows and things so so far it sounds positve, i read comments from people who have brought from there to, sooooo i hope it goes sok!

The only thing missing is the male being haemophilia tested, if not I'd walk away. Eyes should be tested too I think?

Here's a link to health testing recommended by the KC

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/down...healthreqs.pdf

And in answer to your question - no you sholdn't feel guilty for wanting a white GSD. I wanted a black and white English Springer and waited over a year to get her from the kennel I liked. Breed standard or not as long as your pups parents are adequately health tested you should hold your head high!