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!