Poll: German Shepherds!

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Hi, i was wondering, does anyone think "coated" or long haired German Shepherds should have their own class in conformation shows? Thanx

[gkristian]

I do. I think they should because if short hair and long haired German Sheperds are all in the same class most likely the judge would pick one of the long haired to be the winner. (Not all judges)

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I agree, they are so beautiful! Thanx for your input on this!

[cocker_luva]

I think so too, sort of like rough and smooth collies.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

yep, exactly, but rough and smooth collies are in shows together

[Demigodess]

Since I own and show a white, long coated GSD, I am a little biased! I personally think that long coats shouldn't be a variety, but that the standard should b re-written to make long coats not a fault.

I think white should be a variety. Breeders of white dogs have followed different practices since we were banned from the AKC ring in the 60's, so white show GSDs look different from colored GSDs.

I love long coats. I have seen them show in the AKC, but they never seem to win. Luckily for me and Atlas, his coat hasn't been an issue where we show him (UKC, rare breed associations, White German Shepherd Dog Club of America, etc)

A friend of mine just got a German/working lines long coated black and tan puppy. She is gorgeous! Those longers coats are just beautiful. I don't notice much difference in terms of keeping them clean, warmth or anything that should make it a fault in terms of working/herding. I wish it would be encouraged more!

[Layka3000]

I agree they should have their own class. Because like Mini Schnawzer and Standard are seperat and so are Poddles!

[bnormal]

I didn't know their were variations of the GSD. What a moron I am!

All the same, GSD's are beautiful dogs and I'd love to have one however I am addicted to the Doberman Pinscher BABY!!!

[vinjashira]

the long coat is considered a fault (But not a disqualifying fault) because it is not weather proof thus affecting it's working ability.. or so I heard

[cocker_luva]

sure, i mean they have all coat types for doxies.

[cali]

yup if they are shown in the same class the coated ALWAYS gets chosen over the short, all ya gotta do is look at the BC breed ring to figer that one out lol smooths and roughs are in the same class, and the smooth could be easily suprior however if shown againt a rough the smooth will not even get looked at.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I LOVE them, and think they are just georgous!! Doesn't your Aunt have a coated GSD, Julie? Correct me if I'm wrong. I think I've seen pics of him/her.

[Pygmybabe]

i do!!

[bckrazy]

Originally posted by cali
yup if they are shown in the same class the coated ALWAYS gets chosen over the short, all ya gotta do is look at the BC breed ring to figer that one out lol smooths and roughs are in the same class, and the smooth could be easily suprior however if shown againt a rough the smooth will not even get looked at.

The show ring isn't even the place for BC's, period. Smooths probably are discriminated against by a lot of judges, as are lanky, erect-eared, long-muzzled working BC's are discriminated against. This is mostly in the AKC. In the ABCA, they seem to be a lot fairer in judging the overall structure and quality of Border Collies... they also judge based on the idea that these are working dogs and are supposed to work (which could be difficult for AKC-winning BC's, with 20 pounds of poofy hair).

[EssTer]

I just LOVE long coated german shepherds...And I think they should have their own class because as Cali said longcoateds always gets chosen over the short, and I dont think that is fairy !!!