Reviews about Different Dog Coat Types

Different Dog Coat Types

Just as the structure and outline of dogs varies, so does the coat, and in many cases a coat is a dog's crowning glory. A well groomed coat in good condition is not only a pleasure to look at - it also makes a dog feel more comfortable and less prone to skin complaints
and external parasites.

DOG COAT VARIATIONS
An interesting aspect of coats is that they vary so much and what is a correct coat color or texture in one breed may be totally unacceptable in another. The reason behind this usually lies in the function of the breed, but fashion has also played an important part.

DOUBLE COATS
Many breeds of dog actually have two coats, an outer coat and an undercoat This is generally termed a double coat but can also be correctly termed a two-ply coat. The undercoat is usually short, soft and dense, or moderately so. It acts as a protective layer against water and the elements while also being a support for the outer coat. Some dogs, particularly those which come from cold climates, do not shed then-coats so the undercoat gets thick and matted if it is not regularly groomed out.

The outer coat is generally longer and of a harder or harsher texture but there are numerous variations on this theme breeds such as the long-coated Lhasa Apso, the shaggy-coated Old English Sheepdog, the wiry-coated Welsh Terrier and the Hungarian Puli with , its corded coat are all breeds with double coats.

SINGLE COATS
Breeds such as the Italian Greyhound and Maltese which have no undercoat are termed single-coated. So it is not only smooth-coated breeds which have no undercoat.

DOG COAT TEXTURES
Crinkly, harsh and wiry coats are described as 'broken', a term applied to many dogs in the Terrier Group. In texture it rather resembles coconut matting but when reaching its maximum length it softens and needs to be removed, preferably by hand-stripping. When such coats have reached their maximum length, the outer coat is said to have 'blown', meaning that it has softened. In order to allow the new, harsh coat to grow in, the old coat needs to be removed at this point, often by hand-plucking.

Some coats are described as bear-like, meaning that they consist of a harsh outer jacket, usually 7.5—15 cm (3—6 in) in length, with a short, woolly undercoat which is 2.5—5 cm (1—2 in) long. Other coats may have a dense mane, sometimes called a shawl, of what is usually fairly coarse hair around the shoulder. This is often more prominent in dogs than in bitches.

Curly coats are typical of breeds such as the Curly-coated Retriever and the Irish Water Spaniel. In such breeds the curly coat is created by a mass of thick, tight curls which rather resemble astrakhan. Because of this the coat traps air and, in doing so, protects the dog against both water and cold.

Breeds with stand-off coats have a long, heavy, harsh jacket comprised of hair which stands out from the skin, rather than lying flat against it. In most cases such a coat is supported by a dense undercoat of shorter, soft hair. Breeds with coats of this type include the Keeshond and Pomeranian. Some breeds have long coats, others are called smooth-coated and both are fairly self-explanatory. An Afghan Hound is obviously a long-coated breed, whilst dogs like the Manchester Terrier and the Bull Terrier have smooth coats. The term 'taut coat' actually applies to a coat on a sleek, tightly stretched skin, which has absolutely no wrinkles, folds or creases.

There are rather special coats on some breeds, such as that of the Shar Pei, in which the short, bristly coat should be harsh to the touch. Many might say a longer coat looks more glamorous, but a coat of the correct texture is necessary to maintain true breed type. Other breeds need a longer 'standoff' coat, a heavy, harsh jacket which stands out from the body as opposed to lying flat against the skin.

Corded coats such as those found on the Hungarian Puli and Komondor are created by the natural intertwining of both the top coat and the undercoat. These cords can vary in width from quite narrow to broad, but they should always be distinct from one another and should never be matted or joined. It is important to realise that breeds with corded coats are in need of constant attention so that the coat remain corded and do not become tangled or matted.

Other variations include the limy, soft, downy coat typical of the Bedlington Terrier, and the Bergamasco's extraordinary long, abundant coat, which tends to form into strands or loose mats. The crisp coat of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is called a 'pily' coat. It comprises a dense, harsh outercoat and a soft, very close innercoat which is almost fur-like. Certain breeds have varied coat textures, creating different types within the breed, as seen in the Dachshund, a breed with three coat types