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Breed Status in Australia This page is for information and educational purposes only and to educate the public about the status of the breed, roles and procedures of the clubs that support them. This information is copyright and is not to be forwarded, copied, reproduced or published without express permission from the WGSDAV. What is the breed ACTUALLY called? White Shepherd, White German Shepherd Dog, Berger Blanc Suisse or White Swiss Shepherd Dog? There are several people breeding White German Shepherd Dogs, White Swiss Shepherd Dogs or White Shepherds. This confuses so many people and prospective puppy buyers, as it is just not clear what the breed is, or what the correct name should be. There is no such breed existing or recognised in Australia as the White Shepherd. Sometimes, people use the name White Shepherd as a generic name that is quick to describe the dog. Only imports with Export Pedigrees carrying the stamp of the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) are to be referred to as White Swiss Shepherd Dogs (translation: Berger Blanc Suisse). The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) ceased registrations of litters of white German Shepherds in 1995, even though there was no official ruling at that time for them to do as such. In 2005, they made it a rule not to issue Main Register pedigree papers for dogs whose colours are disqualifications within breed standards (ANKC regulations Part 6, The Register & Registration 6.2). This means, in ALL BREEDS accepted by the ANKC, colours that are not acceptable in the show ring/Breed Standards, will only be issued limited register pedigree papers, which means they cannot be bred with and offspring registered.  If a white is born in a litter of registered coloured dogs, they may be registered on the Limited Register. White fanciers have lobbied the ANKC for about 20 years now to also have whites in Australia treated equally and also for breed separation (both which have proved continuously unsuccessful). The ANKC have ruled that whites bred in Australia from Australian stock are NOT a separate breed to the German Shepherd Dog, nor are to be called White Swiss Shepherd Dogs. These dogs must also fulfil further registration rules, which can be found on the ANKC website. Anyone claiming to own a White Swiss Shepherd Dog in Australia, must have an imported White Swiss Shepherd Dog with an FCI or ANKC affiliate kennel club pedigree with no dogs in the pedigree being registered as German Shepherd Dogs. For a direct Breed Standard comparison between the (White) German Shepherd Dog and the White Swiss Shepherd Dog, click here There is no official Parent Breed Club for White Swiss Shepherd Dogs, nor will one be accepted, due to the lack of ANKC registered numbers within the breed. There are currently only four White Swiss Shepherd Dogs registered with the ANKC in Australia.