Coat care in the German Longhair
A German (Standing) Longhair does not need much coat care. On average, the dogs shed twice a year. Regular brushing and plucking if necessary will help your dog through the shedding. For people who keep the dog in the house, it saves a lot of hair in the home. You can also take a dog to a groomer. But don't have the dog cut short! That not only detracts from what a Longhair should look like, but can cause the hair to come back uglier (fluffy).
For example, if you take the dog to a show, the dog must look presentable for the judge. What you need to do:
- brush the dog;
- remove overshooting undercoat;
- Pull apart tangles, or cut them in invisible places;
- if the dog has a crest on its head you can pull those hairs out;
- Trim the protruding hairs between the toes;
- Make sure the hair under the ankle joint is no longer than about 2 cm.
The hair between the dog's toes is also undesirable during hunting and in the winter months (snow globes).
The breed standard says about the coat: Good coat is of utmost importance: no excessive hair growth or too short hair. On the back and on the flanks sideways: hair of 3-5 cm long, well attached. On the underside of the neck, chest and belly the hair may be even longer.
- Abdomen: Well haired.
- Ears: Hair wavy and overhanging.
- Tail: With a good flag, hairy to the tip of the tail.
- Back of the front legs: Furred (feathering).
- Back of hind legs: Hairy (pants).
- Below the ankle joint: hair considerably shorter. Too much fringe is not desirable. Spaces between toes dense and short hairy.
- Head: Hair considerably shorter, but at least longer than in the German Standing Shorthair. Tufting ("Petruslok") on the top of the head is undesirable.
- On the body: The hair is sleek, firm, smooth or slightly wavy, firm to the touch. Dense with good undercoat.
