Banffy Haus German Shepherds

         

       

         

         

German shepherd puppies are born with one of three coats, within the same litter, stock hair, long stock hair ("plush coat" with some undercoat) and long hair (no undercoat). On average, about 25% of litters are "coated" (one of the second two coat lengths), although pure long hairs (the third length) are more rare. As I said before, the gene is recessive and therefore both the bitch and the stud must carry the gene for the litter to have "coated" progeny. You can go to the "links" page for some good articles on "coated" puppies. In fact, there is some good evidence that in general these "coated" puppies tend to grow up to have better hips, SHED LESS, have more gentle temperaments, are bigger boned, and have just as high drives as their shorter coat litter mates. They are prevalent as police service dogs in Germany. They are known to more patient family dogs and superb protection animals. Both can be fully registered AKC German Shepherds. Max Von Stephanitz, the breed creator, favored short coats as the theory is the coarse shorter outer coat helps the shepherd in cold and wet weather. However, many argue that these were the true precursors to the modern GSD. They argue that the breed standard has tended to favor short over long (referred to as coated) GSDs. And many consider the coated a more striking, handsome dog to look at. (See article by Ed Frawley by clicking Leerburg