Oldsarge,

You are absolutely right about white tigers having a genetic defect - albinism - which maks them white. But they are not crippled in any other way probably because the Maharajas of Rewa who bred them always took care to cross them with normal tigers. Every litter would have some white and some normal tigers. After the Indian kingdoms and Privy Purses and Previleges were abolished the whole process of breeding these beautiful animals was taken over by the Indian government and several zoos in India breed them.

Best wishes and good hunting!