The German shepherd dog (GSD) has been an AKC recognized breed in the US since 1908. It is one of the most loyal, intelligent and courageous dogs in the canine family. They are large, agile, muscular dogs of noble character. While they are caring and gentle family dogs, they also need a purpose in life to stimulate their minds and bodies. According to the AKC breed standard, “The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility - difficult to define, but unmistakable when present.”
If you look at the AKC summary of GSD breed traits and characteristics (link below), you'll see why they have been one of the most popular breeds in the US for decades.
The following is a link to the German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard from AKC and from FCI (German Bred GSDs):
- /files/1264307/The AKC German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard
- https://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/166g01-en.pdf
The following site has a nice history of the long coated GSD.
Here is a great site submitted by Kira who was researching the breed with her class at the library:
Alex Vom Airmont performing the "courage test" on his way to achieving his Lifetime Breed Survey title
What is a Long Coat?
Flint “Bear” Starry Night
A long coat GSD is the result of a recessive gene pair, similar to humans with blue eyes. The trait was originally considered a fault because of the committee overseeing the breed standard and selective breeding almost eliminated the trait from the breed.
The AKC breed standard has the following standard for coat. “Coat: The ideal dog has a double coat of medium length. The outer coat should be as dense as possible, hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. A slightly wavy outer coat, often of wiry texture, is permissible. The head, including the inner ear and foreface, and the legs and paws are covered with short hair, and the neck with longer and thicker hair. The rear of the forelegs and hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the pastern and hock, respectively. Faults in coat include soft, silky, too long outer coat, woolly, curly, and open coat.”
The international FCI standard is recognized by the SV which is the German organization that guides German-line dogs. In Europe, you cannot breed a stock ("normal" or “short”) coated GSD to a long coated GSD. While Starry Night GSDs are from German lines, they are bred in the United States and breeding a long coat to a stock coat is allowed by the AKC. This practice greatly increases the gene pool, and enables us to focus on elements of the breed that we want to improve like health, longevity, and structure…not just color or length of coat.
The easiest way to distinguish a long coat GSD is to look for the tell-tale long hair in and behind the ears, between the toes and around the “skirt” area.
What is a Long Coat?
Abagail vom Sternennacht
Coat Maintenance
Is a long coat harder to maintain? Sometimes. The most difficult part of maintaining the coat is in late summer when tall grasses have lots of seed pods “burrs” that grab onto the coat as they run through. A couple of passes with a slicker brush can usually keep it in check and prevent it from becoming matted. What we find is that stock coat GSD's have hair that tends to stick into furniture or fabrics, while the long hair tends to lay on fabrics and floors. It's actually easier to vacuum.
All GSD's “blow their coat” twice per year. The easiest strategy is to take them to a groomer during these natural shedding phases because they can quickly and easily remove the undercoat with a blower on a cool setting and a brush or comb. It's worth it because that hair never ends up in the vacuum cleaner. You can do this yourself, but I always do this outside! In our house, dirt from lots of paws leaves a much bigger mess than hair! Muddy Mats or other door mats are highly recommended.
FCI GSD Standard
Double Coat (read "Stock Coat") and long double coat (Read "Long Coat")
These photos show stacked German Shepherd Dogs and demonstrates the difference between a stock coat and the long coated GSDs. Note the longer hair on the ears, the mane and the back of the legs.