Although Malcolm Willis in his book History of the German Shepherd Dog Breed, Copyright 1991, states on page 3 that “Apparently German sheepdogs were first established at Hannover in 1882. One was a grey-and-white male called Kirass (born 1878) and the other a white male called Greif (born 1879).” there is no proof that this is the dog Greif (Sparwasser), and no proof that Greif (Sparwasser) was white, therefore I have removed the picture of a white dog that was previously displayed here.
I found that same picture in The German Shepherd Dog in Word & Picture by v. Stephanitz, copyright 1925, English Edition on page 127. Underneath is written Fig. 103. White smooth haired shepherd dog from North Germany. In the German Shepherd Dog by Capt. V. Stephanitz 8th Revised and Enlarged Edition,copyright 1950 that picture has been removed from that section of the book and I could not find it anywhere in that book

There are books, that are available even in US, through Library Exchange, that provide info as recorded by Max Von Stephanitz  himself. Names are: Zuchtbuch (registration of litters) and Körbuch (Breed Surveys). There he describes the creation of the breed, including the dogs that were essential and  their photos and descriptions, including the Grief, who was white colored. 
It also describes that there were 2 areas where WGS were especially respected and important, and those were in the herding and at the Austro-Hungarian Court, since there they were considered  noble.

Invention of inferiority of WGS happened in 1934, under Nazi politics of inventing superior and inferior groups within the same species. Similar to racism, apartheid, etc.... Ask someone who knows the history of Nazi Germany to explain it to you. 

In US in 1968, political atmosphere was similar: defenders of racism saw inferior and superior beings everywhere, including amongst the German Shepherds. 

In order to feel good about themselves, uneducated, un-skilled, un-cultered, and unwise, continue to stick to the racism, since belonging to self-declared superior group is the only achievement they have in life... 

Interestingly, due to the WGS Gene Project, their rarity and highly controlled breeding practices, WGSD are in many respect healthier then non-whites and will continue to develop as such. On the other hand, non-whites are suffering from more deformities, and due to uncontrolled parenting, continue expansion of breed specific illnesses. 

 



 

maybe this link will help clear up the doubt...      http://www.beleza.dk/history.html
 

I think white was forbidden before then, but don't know much detail. It was not a NAZI thing. However, von Stephanitz did express some disdain for white/light dogs as "too visible at night" to hide from intruders onto farms, while at the same time constantly harping on ability as more important than anything to do with looks.

You may be interested in this 1913 dog descended from Greif, through Horand, of course.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/497921.html

"Hektor’s and Luch's maternal grandfather was a white-coated German herding dog named Greif von Sparwasser, whelped in Friedrich Sparwasser's Frankfort kennel in 1879. George Horowitz, renowned English Judge, German Shepherd (Alsatian) columnist, author and historian documents the background of Hektor Linksrhein (a.k.a. Horand von Grafrath) in his 1923 book, “The Alsatian Wolf-Dog.” In his book Horowitz documents that the white-coated herding dog named Greif von Sparwasser, born in 1879, was presented at the 1882 and 1887 Hanover Dog Shows."

Nonetheless, the picture in the pdb is a 1906 photo of one of Greif Sparwasser's progeny (a few generations removed) as there is no pic of Greif himself. I suppose this was meant to give us a best guess.

Note that Horand's grandsire Greif was sixteen years his senior! Average breeding age of sire and grandsire was eight (8) years old. If we stuck to an old-sire rule, we'd probably increase the longevity of the breed in a few generations.

Trying to boost the (capitalized?) white German Shepherd fancy?

I don't recall if it was Greif, but DEFINITELY 1 of the major dogs behind the breed (i.e., ancestor of Horand or so forth) Max mentioned as WHITE. Like it or not. And if the caption itself says the dog pictured may in fact be 1 of Greif's offspring - where does that leave you? THERE WERE WHITE DOGS, as there were long-haired dogs (Russ v d Krone) and many varieties. It's the truth.

And how does having "parents unknown" (that's true of ALL the original dogs; you have to start somewhere), or that the dog wasn't registered, mean the dog was not white?

This is not a photo of Greif (Sparwasser)

The caption of the photo reads

This is a photograph of a White German Shepherd from a German newspaper from 1906. The name of this newspaper is unknown, also is the name of the dog. Looking at the date, there is a real possibility that the dog may be Russian or Greiffa, one of Greif's daughters.

Why is it put under Greif ?????

I dislike History being played around with !!!

Greif was NOT a WHITE DOG
In fact he is stated in the SV Studbook as parents UNKNOWN

Who is the dog pictured ?????


He was not registered and Max V Stephanitz wrote in his book this fact
and there was No Photo in his book

Some one is trying to claim this animal to booster the White Shepherd Fancy.

Please stick to facts