The Doberman Pinscher Club of America

OPERATION: "WHITE OUT"

STOPPING THE EXPANDING
GENE POOL OF
ALBINISTIC "WHITE" DOBERMANS

1

WHAT IS A "WHITE" DOBERMAN?

A "White" or Albinistic Doberman has a genetic fault that masks the pigment of our four normal colors. It is a recessive gene which, when expressed, greatly reduces the number of pigment granules (melanocytes) in hair, skin and eyes. This gives the appearance of a light cream base coat with dead white markings. They always have translucent blue eyes with pink noses, eye rims and foot pads. They are TYROSINASE POSITIVE ALBINOS.

Geneticists and examining veterinarians have determined that these dogs suffer from a deleterious form of partial albinism. The greatly reduced pigment in skin and eyes causes marked photosensitivity (squint or shut eyes in sunlight) and increased risk of solar skin damage including cancer. PHOTOSENSITIVITY IS A HANDICAP FOR A WORKING BREED.

The AKC is registering dogs displaying a trait never previously described in our breed's history as pure bred. Since the recognition of Dobermans as a distinct breed, our Standard has always sought to eliminate even a small spot of white on the chest.

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 its' work.

The DPCA will not give up this important part of our breed's heritage. We cannot allow the intrusion of a trait that is so adverse to the Standard of our breed in both appearance and functionality.

2

A PARENT CLUB'S RESPONSIBILITY

Allowing the albinistic trait to spread is a serious threat to the genetic integrity of the entire Doberman breed. The DPCA has an obligation to educate its members, breeders and Doberman fanciers in general to preserve and protect the Breed for the future.

The DPCA must prevent the breeders of "white" Dobermans from further contaminating our gene pool. Do not let the promoters of "white" Dobermans fool you. Our breed is not improved by this practice. Ethical breeders do not intentionally breed for disqualifying faults.

Breeders of disqualified Dobermans would like to lead the public to believe that their dogs are miraculously free of health problems. This is a fallacy. They have used the distant bloodlines of ethical breeders in a desperate attempt to improve the temperament, health, and conformation of their poor quality animals. The original animals were indiscriminately inbred to Shebah (the first AKC registered "white" Doberman, 1979) solely for her unique color.

As much as breeders of "white" Dobermans would have these genetic aberrations appear harmless, the danger lies with the colored littermates. The prospect of having to cull 'whites' from our litters has been unheard of in the history of our breed. When the novelty has worn off, DPCA members will be left to clean up the yet unpredictable genetic problems forced on ethical breeders. If we are cautious now, "white" will not become a new feature of our breed.

3

BUY AND BREED ONLY "Z" FREE

AKC agrees to implement a tracking system using a "Z" in the registration number thus helping breeders and buyers identify carriers of the albinistic trait. A trait that is the result of having a "white" parent or an ancestor tracing directly to Shebah's parents. This information helps to segregate the gene pools by aiding in the identification of puppies, stud dogs and brood bitches that are free of the deleterious gene.

Buyers are cautioned against the "Z" on the AKC blue slip when they are considering buying a puppy. A "Z" in the litter number will identify puppies that could potentially produce a litter containing "white".

Breeders will now have a simple way of excluding this trait from their breeding program. Ethical breeders are expected to use this information with each planned litter.

The "Z" coding is not retroactive and will be assigned to affected litters in the coming year. There will be a "lag" time of about eight years in which there will be breeding animals that do not carry the "Z" in their AKC registration number, yet are potential carriers.

AKC has addressed this concern by providing identification lists to the DPCA for its use in monitoring the interim registrations.

The list will be sorted both by AKC number and by name of the dog.

All breeders must check this list to be sure they are not breeding or buying a Doberman with the albinistic trait. In addition, it is wise to verify a dog's registration number with an AKC certified pedigree. Vigilance is crucial during this interim period to slow the expanding gene pool of albinistic Dobermans.

The number of AKC registrations of "white" Dobermans has nearly doubled every year since 1990. Only you can help stop this proliferation.

4

THE DPCA'S POLICY ON "WHITE" DOBERMANS

After investigation, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America has determined that the albinistic trait is deleterious to the breed and should be considered a disqualifying genetic fault as described in the Doberman Pinscher Club of America's Standard* and Code of Ethics**.

  • We discourage breeders from allowing this trait to spread and recommend the following:
  • White specimens, the parents of whites and the litter mates of whites SHOULD NOT BE BRED.
  • All of these dogs should be spayed or neutered.
  • None of these dogs should be registered.
  • If registration is allowed for these dogs, it should be limited.

*The AKC Standard for Doberman Pinschers allows only Black, Red, Blue and Fawn (Isabella) colors with Rust markings. Any other color is a Disqualifying Fault.

**The DPCA Code of Ethics: No bitch will be bred more than once a year, nor prior to one and one half (1 1/2) years of age, nor after eight (8) years of age and should be in good health and free from communicable diseases and disqualifying genetic faults.

No bitch will be bred for commercial reason. All bitches will be bred with the intention of that particular breeding improving the breed.


1996 PEC COMMITTEE
Janet Van Wormer, Chairperson
Judith Bingham, Member
Gudi Molinari, Member

This pamphlet may be photocopied in its entirety.
Prepared for the DPCA by the Public Education Committee. 1996


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