German Shepherds come in many colors and can vary in coat lengths and textures as well. The coat is mostly medium length and straight, but sometimes the coat can be long and even appear curly. Why do German Shepherds get curly hair?
If a German Shepherd has a curly coat, it is due to a combination of genetics, nutrition, and care. The most important aspect to consider is genetics. Coat length and texture determine the coat’s appearance the most. A long coat with a fine texture can appear curly. Bad nutrition can affect coat health and appearance as well.
This article will discuss the various coat types of a German Shepherd in more detail and why there are differences.
Can German Shepherds Have A Curly Coat?
In general, a German Shepherd dog only has straight or somewhat wavy hair. However, some German Shepherd puppies, or dogs with a very long coat, may have the appearance of waves or curls.
With German Shepherds, if a puppy has a curly coat, it is a sign that the puppy will grow up to have a long-haired coat. In most cases, as the pup ages, the curls become waves and eventually, straighten for the most part.
Curls on a German Shepherd coat are not tight curls meaning they are not considered true curls, only waves.
What Causes A Curly Or Wavy Coat?
Long-haired German Shepherds are a rare occurrence and come from a recessive gene. For the long-hair gene to surface, both the mother and the father have to have it to produce a long-haired puppy.
After birth, as the hair grows out and begins to thicken, the long-haired puppy’s coat may appear much wavier in comparison to the other puppies’ coats.
The structure of the hairs on a long-haired coat is indeed different. The hairs are thinner and smoother with the possibility of creating a wave as the hairs flow down or bunch behind the ears.
The most common areas to notice waves or curls are behind the ears, behind the legs, and any other area where the hair is particularly long and fine.
Is A Curly Or Wavy Coat Normal?
It is perfectly normal for a long-haired German Shepherd puppy’s coat to have waves and for the hair to keep a slight wave in certain areas, as mentioned above.
Although it is normal to have a curly or wavy coat, according to the AKC a curly, very wavy or wooly coat is considered a coat fault. (Source)
German Shepherd Coat Types
Knowing your dog’s coat type is always a good idea to help you with coat maintenance and proper nutrition.
Most German Shepherds have a double-coat, meaning that their coats have two layers: an undercoat and a guard coat. To learn more about double-coats, have a look at this article: “How Can You Tell If A German Shepherd Is Double-Coated?”
The three different coat types of this breed all have double-coats; only some are much less noticeable, causing some owners to call them single-coated.
To identify what type of coat your German Shepherd has, let’s discuss the three coat-types for this breed.
Short-Haired
The short-haired German Shepherd is more commonly used for military purposes or as service dogs.
Their coats are less than one inch long and are preferred for work as they are low maintenance and stay out of the way when out on duty.
Although the coat is low maintenance, for the most part, they do still technically have a double-coat and require some brushing when the undercoat sheds.
Medium Length
German Shepherds with a medium-length coat are often referred to as “plush.” This coat type is longer than one inch with a more prominent double-coat, giving them a fluffier appearance.
The American Kennel Club is most approving of this coat length for pedigree German Shepherds. This is because the classic German Shepherd’s image is of one with a “plush” coat.
In comparison to a short-haired German Shepherd, a medium coat requires a lot more brushing to remove shedding hair.
Long-Haired
A long-haired German Shepherd has hair longer than two inches, with longer areas around the face, legs, stomach, and tail.
Often referred to as “smoothies,” they are seen as a fault by the American Kennel Club. However, their lineage is a sign of good breeding.
As mentioned before, the long-haired gene is recessive, dating back to the original sheep herding German Shepherds.
A long-haired puppy can only come about when both parents have the gene, meaning that long-haired German Shepherds have a purer lineage, dating back to the breed’s ancestors.
Long coats require the most grooming out of all three coat types. Failing to groom properly results in a poor coat appearance and other problems.
Coat Problems
There are various problems associated with different coat lengths of the German Shepherd. Things like poor nutrition and a poor grooming routine can impact your dog’s coat appearance and overall health, causing hair loss and lack of coat luster. Also, See: Why Is My German Shepherd Losing Hair?
Poor Nutrition
Among other health-related problems, the coat is also affected by poor nutrition. Without proper nutrition, a German Shepherd coat may appear dull and feel rough instead of smooth.
The coat may shed more than usual, fall out, and may eventually show signs of more serious skin disorders.
If you have a long-haired or wavy-coated German Shepherd puppy, make sure to feed him or her a nutrient-rich diet from the start, as a long-coat requires more vitamins to appear healthy.
Poor Grooming Routine
A double-coated dog always requires more grooming than single-coated dogs. The next thing to affect maintenance level is the coat length. The longer the coat, the higher the maintenance.
If you don’t keep up with a good grooming routine on a dog with a double-coat, like a German Shepherd, not all of the shedding undercoat comes out on its own.
The most common problem with an ungroomed double-coat is matting of the fur and shedding hair falling out on your floor, making a mess.
Always implement a grooming routine suited to your dog’s coat to maintain ultimate coat health.
Other Causes
German Shepherds are known to have more sensitive skin. They are more prone to skin problems caused by various things, including overwashing, food sensitivities, skin infections, and even the season’s changing.
Over-grooming can affect the coat and skin health. Washing your German Shepherd too much strips the coat and skin of its natural healthy oils.
When the skin and coat are stripped of its natural oils too often, the skin dries out and may experience dandruff, inflammation, and itching.
If your dog is experiencing itching or skin inflammation without the presence of fleas, contact your vet for a check-up. Your German Shepherd may have something more serious going on.
Grooming Routine For A Long-Haired Or “Curly” German Shepherd
If you have a German Shepherd with a wavy or “curly” appearing coat, he or she is most likely long-haired. Properly caring for your long-haired German Shepherd’s coat will assure that the coat feels and looks it’s best year-round.
Washing
A German Shepherd does not need frequent washing. A general rule of thumb is to only wash your dog every 8 weeks or when he smells bad or is noticeably dirty.
During the shedding season, you can increase the frequency of washes to assist in the coat’s shedding process. There are also special shampoos to help loosen shedding hair better.
When they are shedding a lot, you can wash them once a week in warm water to help remove some of the hair.
Brushing
A long-haired German Shepherd requires more brushing than any other coat length. This length of the coat is the most prone to matting.
Daily brushing is the best option for the long-haired coat. For a thick, bushy long-haired coat, a rake type of brush and a slicker wire brush are the best bets for mat-free hair. (Source)
During the shedding season, you can brush your German Shepherd with a wire brush. Brushing your dog’s coat while it is wet allows for the hairs to stick to the brush easier.
If your dog has a curly coat, brushing them when the coat is wet lessens the amount of frizz in and accentuates the waves in the coat.
Grooming Schedule
To help you stay on track with your long-haired German Shepherd, put together a weekly grooming schedule. (Source)
Some examples of things to add to your schedule are:
- Daily brush with a rake or wire brush.
- When shedding, wash once a week.
- When shedding, brush when wet.
- When not shedding, wash when needed.
- Clip nails if necessary.
Using a grooming schedule helps to make grooming a habit and ultimately keeps your dog comfortable and your floor clean.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you now have some insight into the exceptional breed and their coats, and have gained some clarity about your “curly-haired” best friend.
If your German Shepherd is still a puppy and has curly locks, they will grow into a beautiful long-haired adult dog. However, there’s no concern if your dog is already an adult with wavy hair; he or she simply has a long flowing coat.