Dogs with a double coat often require more grooming and coat maintenance than dogs with single-layer coats. Understanding your dog’s coat, along with all the other aspects mentioned, will help you tick all the boxes in proper German Shepherd care. How do you know if your dog is double-coated?
To tell if your German Shepherds has a double coat, look closely, and examine the hairs. A dog with a shiny outer layer and a duller, fluffy layer underneath, closer to the skin, is likely to have a double coat. In general, the German Shepherd dog breed is known to have a thick double-layer coat, but not all.
Continue reading to find out more ways to tell what coat your German Shepherd has and how to properly care for it.
Are German Shepherds’ Coats Double-Coated?
Classically, the German Shepherd breed is known to have a double coat; however, some do have single coats.
German Shepherds with a single coat are considered to carry a genetic defect. Their coats still have an undercoat, just not a thick enough one to consider it a double coat.
There are many variations to this special breed’s coat, including color differences, length differences, and coat thickness.
Color
Many people don’t know that German Shepherds come in many colors other than the traditional black and tan coat color. Other coat colors of this breed include:
- Bi-color
- Fully black
- Fully white
- Sable
- Blue
- Liver
- Panda
Most of these other colors are a lot rarer and are generally less desirable for show dogs.
Length
The most common coat appearance for a German Shepherd is a medium length, black and tan coat.
Much like the coat color, the coat length and thickness can vary as well, including long, thicker coats, medium-length plush coats, and short-haired coats.
Appearance
A German Shepherd coat is almost always fairly straight, with a coarse outer coat. Long-haired dogs can appear smoother than the medium-length or short-haired coats.
It is possible for German Shepherds to have variations in coat due to genetics. If your German Shepherd has wavy or more curly hair, you can learn more about it in this article: “Why Does My German Shepherd Have Curly Hair?”
Signs Of A Double Coat
Telling whether your dog has a double coat is easy and requires close manual examination of the coat.
A double coat, when parted with the fingers, has two very different-looking hair types. There is a smooth, thick-haired outer-layer called the guard coat, and a thick, fluffy under-layer called the undercoat.
Another way to tell whether your dog has a double coat is to examine shed hair from your dog.
Look closely at the shed hair to see if there are two different types of hair present. A double coat will have some fluffier tufts with a few single, more wire-like hairs.
Shedding in itself is a sign of a double coat, as double coats thicken out over winter and thin out, or shed, during the spring.
The Undercoat
The undercoat of a dog’s hair is what gives away that it has a double coat. Single-layered coats don’t have an under layer.
As mentioned above, the undercoat is made up of a thick, fluffy layer of fur growing beneath the guard coat.
The hairs that make up the undercoat are much finer than the outer layer. There are many more of them, together forming the fluffy appearance and texture.
The Guard Coat
The guard coat is the protective layer of hair covering the undercoat, and this layer protects the undercoat and skin from dirt and water, being naturally water-resistant.
Why Do Some Dogs Have Double Coats?
Double coats are a result of breeding, associated with colder climates or areas that snow. For example, German Shepherds originated from Germany, which is known to have very cold winters.
A double coat is designed to insulate a dog’s temperature, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Of course, with a thick, fluffy coat, it is hard to believe that a dog from a cooler climate area won’t get hot in the summer months. These coats are naturally self-regulating, so there’s no need to worry.
The undercoat is the main insulator. When dogs with a double-coat shed, the hair that comes off is predominantly the fluffy undercoat. In the spring, this fluff comes off in tufts and leaves a lot of mess.
The shedding helps your dog stay cool for the warmer temperatures to come. The under-coat grows back for the winter, and you will notice your dog’s coat thickening in appearance.
How To Care For Your German Shepherd’s Coat
Any dog with a double-coat requires a lot of coat maintenance, including daily brushing, detangling of mats, and proper washing. (Source)
Substantial coat maintenance not only keeps your dog happy and comfortable but also keeps your house cleaner. Regular grooming avoids unnecessary shedding and trapped dirt in the coat, which inevitably lands on your floor or furniture.
Brushing
A German Shepherd with a double coat requires daily brushing. The best brush to use for a double coat is called a rake.
A rake targets the shedding undercoat, and the hair is picked up on the brush instead of falling out onto the floor for you to clean.
Rake the undercoat from head to tail while removing the hair out of the brush. When you can brush through the hair with almost no hair coming off onto the brush or rake, you know that you have removed all of the shedding undercoat.
Washing
German Shepherds don’t need to be washed very often unless they smell bad or have gotten very dirty from an activity.
In general, double-coated dogs can be washed every eight weeks if necessary, and more often if they are shedding.
Washing a shedding coat can help to remove excess shedding fur and prevent mats. You can brush the wet coat thoroughly after the wash to assist in shedding maintenance even more.
You don’t want to overwash any dog, no matter their coat type. Over-washing can cause irritation and dryness of the skin, so make sure you limit washing to no more than once a week to once a month only if necessary.
Shearing
In the hot summer months, many owners argue that shearing their dog’s fluffy coat should help keep them cool. This would make perfect sense if it weren’t for the unique design of a double coat.
A double coat is an insulation system on its own. Shearing this coat type can cause permanent damage to guard hairs and leave your dog’s skin and undercoat unprotected from dangerous UV rays, trapped dirt, and infection. (Source)
Shearing a double coat can also affect your dog’s coat appearance and texture. The guard hairs may not grow back properly, and the undercoat may take over some areas of the outer coat. This will leave your dog’s coat with a strange coarse texture and unpleasant appearance.
If shearing your dog is absolutely necessary, never shear the coat shorter than one inch. A coat shaved shorter than an inch will leave the skin exposed to sunburn and insect bites.
Correct Nutrition for a Healthy Coat
Along with good coat care, if you are concerned with your dog’s coat appearance or texture, correct nutrition can help your dog have a healthier coat.
There are dog foods specially formulated for German Shepherds and are always a good choice when looking into proper nutrients for your dog.
Choosing The Right Dog Food
The main components to look out for are quality protein sources, adequate fat percentage of around five to eight percent, and the following vitamins:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Biotin: Vitamin B Complex
- Omega 3&6
- Copper
- Zinc
All of these nutrients promote healthy skin and hair development (source). Along with good healthy proteins and fats, your dog’s coat will be softer and shinier than ever.
Any good dog food should have all of these nutrients from the get-go. However, if you feel like your dog needs a boost or lacks in one of these vital nutrients, it is possible to supplement most of these.
A change in food could be in order if your dog’s nutrition does not seem right. Always let a vet advise you before changing your dog’s food because changing food too quickly can cause problems in the gut for your dog.
If you are certain that you have your dog’s nutrition under control, and his coat still looks dull and course, consult your veterinarian for more advice.
Final Thoughts
Determining your dog’s coat type is an easy process and a necessary one. The coat type is important to know so that you can learn to care for it as best as possible.
Hopefully, after trying one of the techniques in this article, you now know if your dog is double-coated or single-coated.
If your dog is double-coated, make sure to practice proper coat maintenance to keep your dog comfortable. It will also help you change from vacuuming daily to vacuuming once a week.
