In a message sent Thursday, October 11, 2007 5:45 PM "Carolyn" <marhaven@xxxxxxx> writes: Actually I think the Coats are just like anything else. Like it or not, they are a fault we have to consider. ...The silky softness will always give it away. Like any fault we can all make wise decisions in our own Breeding program with or without a coat. ------------------------------------------------------------------- I agree. LH dogs with a silky outer coat, who can't grow an undercoat, is highly undesirable. I had a male LH with the silky coat. He not only soaked up wetness, his coat was a magnet for every piece of dirt, debris, and fallen leaves in the yard. If he got a burr caught in his hair, we had no choice but to cut it out. He also tended to be stinky and had dandruff on his back. I doubt if ranchers would pick a dog like this to herd. Too much maintenance and not enough protection from the elements. Conversely, I once owned a 1/2 German bitch who had what is known as a long "stock" coat. She was definitely a LH, but her outer coat was coarse and she did have an undercoat. She also had none of the problems from which our true LH boy suffered. Her coat was identical to a regular coated dog - only longer. IMO, she would have done just fine as a herding dog. Question... Should the long *stock* coat be faulted? Paulette McGuirt, GSDCA Member Qui Me Amat, Amat et Canem Meam ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================