What did the lifting of selective pressure on physical traits lead to in independent white lines barred from AKC/SV shows?
Answer
Minor conformational differences might become more pronounced over time.
When white dogs were barred from participation and exhibition in AKC and SV shows, the constant selective pressure imposed by those unified aesthetic standards was lifted specifically for the independent white lines. While the core structure should ideally align with the GSD framework, removing the color-based disqualification allowed these independent lines to prioritize other factors, such as health or working aptitude. Over decades of separate breeding, this shift in selection focus can result in minor conformational differences becoming more pronounced compared to the strictly regulated show lines.
Related Questions
What common misconception about the White German Shepherd coat color is explicitly denied regarding pigment?What was the primary valuation criteria for Early German Shepherd Dogs established by Captain Max von Stephanitz?How is the white coat color in the White German Shepherd genetically defined?Approximately when did the German Shepherd Dog Club (SV) begin actively discouraging the breeding of white dogs in Germany?Which organization cemented the divergence by formally recognizing the White Shepherd as a separate variety?What typically remains intact regarding the temperament of dogs in the white lines of the German Shepherd?What is the registration status today for white offspring produced by two standard-colored parents registered with the AKC?What did the lifting of selective pressure on physical traits lead to in independent white lines barred from AKC/SV shows?What philosophical difference in breeding goals reinforces the evolution into two distinct tracks for the white gene carriers?How is the historical context best described regarding the White German Shepherd's current status?