At the current time, there is much controversy over the so-called White Doberman. Originally, I believed all the REALLY BAD STUFF that I had been told about them, since it came primarily from the D.P.C.A. (Doberman Pinscher Club of America), the Parent Club of the breed.

The D.P.C.A. has instituted "Operation White-Out", a presumably educational campaign to educate the public about the White Doberman. Unfortunately, their Facts consist mostly of the opinions of their members as far as anything actually being wrong with these dogs.

AND... The D.P.C.A. has intentionally attempted to DECIEVE both the A.K.C. and the general public about these dogs! Check out "Debunking the D.P.C.A."!

Before going any further, here are some FACTS about these dogs that I don’t think anyone will dispute;

1. "White" Dobermans are not actually white. They are any shade of cream to Ivory, with WHITE markings and blue eyes.
2. They are not albinos in the truest sense of the word, although they do exhibit some albinoid characteristics. (A true albino in unpigmented. White Dobermans do have pigment, but they have a reduced amount of pigment. They do not look white due to a lack of pigment as is the case with a true albino; they look white because they have white pigment.)
3. Many white Dobermans do not have the proper Doberman temperament, due to excessive inbreeding done by those caring more about producing dogs they can sell for alot of money more than they care about the happiness and well-being of the person paying for the dog, or about breeding for a Proper Doberman temperament. These are unscrupulous people that should not be breeding dogs or any other animals. White Dobermans with proper temperaments do exist.
4. White is considered an unaccepted color in the breed, and white Dobermans are not allowed to be shown in the A.K.C. breed ring. (There are OTHER registries that do allow for whites to be shown in conformation!) They can be competed in any and all other A.K.C. dog-events!!! (Including the Canine Good Citizenship Program, Obedience, Tracking, Schutzhund, Ring Sport, Flyball, Agility, Temperament Testing Program, etc.)
5. White Dobermans are not exempt from the health problems affecting Dobermans of any other color variety.
6. The D.P.C.A. claims white to be an undesirable color because these dogs were originally used as night guards and can be too easily seen in the dark. Fawns are accepted, and some whites are actually darker than some fawns! Additionally, as "Working Dogs," Dobermans are used for tracking and rescue work, and in these situations, there are definite benefits to being able to see them in the dark!

The D.P.C.A. and many other anti-white Doberman activists maintain that these dogs suffer severe temperament and health problems not seen in the Black, red, blue or fawn members of the breed.

In looking at this logically, rather than emotionally, it seems obvious to me that the temperament failings of many white Dobermans have nothing to do with their color. The inbreeding done to keep the color at the expense of the more important traits (that make this breed what it is) is what is at fault here! It is the fault of the breeders, and not a function of the color of the dogs!

The D.P.C.A. maintains that " The original purpose of our breed was that of a working sentry dog to accompany their masters on their rounds at night. White is readily seen, thereby destroying the element of surprise and impairing the dog's ability to do it's work." This is a fallacy. The job of a sentry is to sound an alarm. Reguardless of the color of a sentry dog, the enemy would have to approach and overcome both the man and the dog simultaneously in order to prevent the job of the sentry from being performed. Additionally, sentry duty is not just a night time job. If anyone believes that camoflague of a sentry dog is of such importance that dark colored Dogs should be used at night, then perhaps they would also believe that whites would be preferable in the daytime, especially in snowy conditions, and that fawn Dobermans should be used in desert conditions, or on beaches.

As for the health issues, it has been claimed that white Dobermans are photosensitive/photophobic because some squint in bright sunlight. Well, hey, all you blue-eyed humans out there - Do you squint in bright sunlight? Does this cause you pain? These claims have been countered by "pro-white Doberman" people by having their dogs CERF certified. CERF certification verifies normal vision and occular structure, as well as that no retinal disease exists. It does not indicate a lack of photosensitivity/photophobia. However, a thorough eye exam from a qualified veterinary opthamologist can prove that a dog is not photosensitive/photophobic, and appropriate veterinary documentation can be provided. There was, at one time, concern that white Dobermans may be deaf, but BAER testing by "pro-whiters" has proven this not to be the case.

There are claims being made that White Dobermans are more prone to sunburn and skin cancer than Dobermans of other colors. I have repeatedly requested and searched for DOCUMENTATION of this, but so far, I have been unable to locate any. Let me also point out here that I live in GEORGIA. My Dobermans are indoor/outdoor, mostly outdoor, and we have NEVER had a white with sunburn, cancer, or any other sun or light related problem.

Many of the "Pro-white Doberman" people claim that the whites are healthier than Dobermans of other colors - not actually because of their color, but because responsible breeders of white Dobermans are using Health as a basis for their breeding programs. They feel that since they can’t breed for the show ring, they might as well bred for something that will make their dogs better and more desirable. The D.P.C.A. (or at least some of their members) maintain(s) that since these dogs can not be shown, why breed them? (And why would anyone want them?)

Less than 2% (I have also been told less than 1%, but I am going to play it safe here, okay-) of all purebred dogs are ever shown, but people keep them! People keep mixed breeds as well, and love them for themselves - not because of their pedigree. MOST people do not show their dogs. Many, (if not most) breeds have unacceptable colors, but only the white Dobermans are being met with unyeilding bias and predjudice due to their color. Why would anybody want them? This, to me, is an absurd question! People want all sorts of things. If someone wants a Doberman, they should be allowed to have one of any color they choose without being condemned for their choice!

People own and love many "unacceptable" colors of many different breeds of dogs! Some examples of this are white German Shepherd Dogs, Red Rottweilers, Blue Weimeraners, Particolor(or phantom) Poodles, Color-headed Shelties (color-headed collies are okay), Boston and Merle Great Danes, and many, many others. People want them. That’s what matters, so it is up to the breeders to produce GOOD ones - Healthy, stable White Dobermans, exactly the same as any other HEALTHY, STABLE DOBERMAN OF AN ACCEPTABLE COLOR.

I am of the opinion that before taking anyone’s word on whether or not these Dobermans are inferior for any reason, GO SEE SOME!!! Ask the owner what (if any) genetic health screening their dogs have been through and ask to SEE the DOCUMENTATION! Ask for their Veterinarian’s telephone number, call the vet, and ask about the dogs! These are good things to do before purchasing ANY dog! Most veterinarians like dogs, not for their breed, color, cash value, or liklihood of obtaining a championship, but just for themselves. Veterinarians are not likely to be biased either for or against White Dobermans. Ask them about the Health issues. They will know more than D.P.C.A. members, many of whom have never even seen a white Doberman (but who are doing everything in their power to eliminate this color from the Doberman gene pool).

Should you own a white Doberman? I don't know, should you? Do you want a Doberman? Do you think the white Dobes are as pretty as the other colors? Prettier? Did you do your homework and ask your vet about the health issues affecting the breed? Are you comfortable owning a dog some believe to be inferior? If the answers to these questions are "Yes!" then perhaps you should own a white Doberman!

There are at least 3 white Dobermans (Mousethatroared von Ernest CD, Kasper Blanco Schnepp CD and Warrior's Magic CD I beleive are their names - I only know one of them personally - with obedience titles and I don't know how many white-factoreds. On 9/21/02, CH Murray's Maximum Security CGC, a w/f Black/rust male, became the first (NKC) CH w/f! H was bred by Carol Bamburger and is owned by Gina Aubrey.

Below is a list of White, White-factored and non-factored "Z" designated Dobermans bred by Whispering Woods Kennel and/or owned by Whispering Woods Kennel.

~*~Phantom's Starlight TT CGC (Star) vWD Carrier, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. w/f Black/rust female born 8/3/93. Sire; Phantom's Buckin' The Blues Dam; Patches Star Schaliko

~*~Phantom's Wish Upon A Star CGC (Jojo) vWD Carrier, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. w/f Black/rust female born 8/3/93. Sire; Phantom's Buckin' The Blues Dam; Patches Star Schaliko

~*~Phantom's Southern Belle CGC (Bella) vWD Clear, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. Fawn/rust female born 7/14/94 Sire; Zack XXXVII Dam; Phantom's Starbright

~*~Phantom's Ragtime White TT CGC (Krystle) Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. White female born 7/27/94. Sire; Phantom's Ragtime Solo Dam; Phantom's Wish upon A Star

~*~Phantom's Scrimshaw OFA CHS CERF CGC (Shawn) Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. White male born 7/27/94. Sire; Phantom's Ragtime Solo Dam; Phantom's Wish upon A Star

~*~Phantom's Prodigy BH TT CGC, OFA (Drizzt) vWD Carrier, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. White male born 1/31/95. Sire; Krystal Palace's Darango Dam; Phantom's Wish Upon A Star

~*~Phantom's U.S. Blues TT CGC, OFA (Flint) vWD Carrier, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. w/f Blue/rust male born 12/6/95. Sire; Iceman's Renegade Warrior Dam; Phantom's Sugar And Spice

~*~Phantom's Weisserblitzen CGC (Blitzy) White female born 4/12/96. Sire; Krystal Palace's Cameo Dam; Phantom's Wish Upon A Star

~*~Phantom's Dark Magician CGC, OFA (Magic) vWD Carrier, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. w/f Black/rust male born 4/1/97. Sire; Krystal Palace's Cameo Dam; Phantom's Starlight TT CGC

~*~Phantom's April Fool NA BAD (Rilla) w/f red/rust female born 4/1/97. Sire; Krystal Palace's Cameo Dam; Phantom's Starlight TT CGC Owned by Ruthie Miller

~*~Phantom's Traveling Man CGC, OFA (Travis) vWD carrier, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. Black/rust male born 8/21/97. Sire; Drachen's A Fool 'N' My Money CGC Dam; Phantom's Wish Upon A Star

~*~Phantom's Midnight Thunder CGC (Thunder) Black/rust male born 8/21/97. Sire; Drachen's A Fool 'N' My Money CGC Dam; Phantom's Wish Upon A Star

~*~Phantom's Flaxen Lass CGC (Flaxen) vWD Carrier, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. White female born 10/4/97. Sire; Krystal Palace's Cameo Dam; Phantom's Starlight TT CGC

~*~Phantom's Midnight Blue CGC (Blue) w/f Blue/rust female born 10/25/98. Sire; Phantom's Pink Floyd Brewer Dam; Phantom's Southern Belle CGC

~*~Phantom's Blueprint CGC (Blueprint) w/f Blue/rust male born 9/21/99. Sire; Phantom's Winter Solstice, OFA Dam; Phantom's Southern Belle CGC

~*~Phantom's Midieval Adventure CGC (Joust) White male born 6/22/99 Sire; Phantom's Prodigy BH TT CGC, OGA Dam; Phantom's Dobie Girl v Natac

~*~Phantom's Lasting Impression CGC (Image) White male born 5/21/00 Sire; Phantom's Alaska Ice Storm Dam; Phantom's Alaska Glacier Ice

~*~Alaska's Earthquake CGC ('Quake) White male born 6/20/99 Sire; Phantom's U.S. Blues CGC TT, OFA Dam; Phantom's Alaska Glacier Ice

~*~Phantom's Silver Belle CGC (Belle) White female born 1/28/01 Sire; Alaska's Earthquake CGC Dam; Phantom's Southern Cameo

~*~Phantom's Mateo Ki CGC (Mateo) White male born 3/28/99 Sire; Krystal Palace's Cameo Dam; Phantom's Dreams Come True

~*~Phantom's Cicily Sky CGC, (Cicily) vWD carrier, CERF, MSU Thyroid normal White female born 8/20/00 Sire; Phantom's Blueprint CGC, OFA Dam: Phantom's Ragtime White CGC TT

~*~Phantom's Dreams Come True CGC (Copper) vWD clear, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. W/f Black/rust female born 8/21/97. Sire; Drachen's A Fool 'N' My Money CGC Dam; Phantom's Wish Upon A Star CGC

~*~Phantom's Ice Dancer CGC, (Flurry) vWD clear, Thyroid normal T3, T4 and TSH. White female born 3/28/99 Sire; Krystal Palace's Cameo Dam; Phantom's Dreams Come True CGC

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