I know you may be willing to adopt a German shepherd puppy which is of course the right decision after seeing their personality and behavior. However no reputable breeder, dog trainer, or dog expert will suggest you choose your pup based on its appearance. You should go with their temperament, behavior, and their energy.
German Shepherd pups are very small in size and of course by age but their coat will usually tell you whether they will have long or short hair. Since they are in the growing stage, they face a lot of changes whether physical or mental. German Shepherd puppy that grows with a long coat will be floppier than short-haired siblings. The ears and legs also let you check for long hair which is also an indication of long hair in German Shepherd pups.
Apart from their appearance, we look out for their physical qualities but here we are talking about German Shepherd pups as this breed comes in both long and short hair. German Shepherd pups are acceptable to children and after becoming an adult they are capable of intimidating intruders.
This post is fully dedicated to the appearance of German Shepherd pups as you will easily understand the difference between long and short-haired German Shepherd pups as it is important for all pet lovers who are willing to own a German Shepherd.
Let’s go through the topic and discuss it in detail:
Table of Contents
How To Tell If Your German Shepherd Puppy Will Have Long Hair?
German Shepherd pups come in the category of strong, agile, alert, and well-muscled animals when they become adults and it is very pleasant to adopt them. You should also note that German Shepherds are double-coated breeds but when your German Shepherds are smaller in age how can you tell if they have long hair?
It is very simple to tell whether your German Shepherd pup will have long hair or short hair. The coat of the puppy usually tells you whether they will become long-haired GSDs or not. The German Shepherd pups with longer hair will have more fur and look floppier. Apart from this, you can also see the ears and legs which is the best place to check for long hair and is also the indication of a long coat.
The hair of your GSD pup also depends on the breeding process. The hair of the German Shepherd pup is responsible for enhancing the personality of German Shepherds as you should also know many other breeds have long hair by birth such as Siberian huskies, Pomeranians, poodles, etc.
If you are willing to adopt a German Shepherd pup then you should figure out their coat type which can be done by asking your breeders. You should wait for at least a few weeks after their birth as it will be a little difficult to figure out their coat type after a simple inspection.
How To Tell If Your German Shepherd Puppy Has Short Hair?
German Shepherd pups either have long hair or short hair. German Shepherd pups with short hair are also another term for standard German Shepherd dogs. They are referred to as short-haired because of their coat which is short as compared to German Shepherd pups with long hair.
German Shepherd pups are also examined by their coat length and of course by their physical characteristics. This breed with short hair come under the category of normal German Shepherd coats that are usually caused by their genes.
As discussed above the coat type of your German Shepherd pup will play a crucial role in determining the hair type. It is also determined by the DNA test. You should also note that it is impossible to inspect the hair type of newly born German Shepherd pups, however, it becomes easy when they are 8 weeks older.
There may be certain advantages among short-haired GSDs over long-haired counterparts. Let’s also look at the key differences between long-haired GSD puppies and short-haired GSD puppies:
Key Differences Between Long-Haired And Short Haired-German Shepherd Puppy
Here are some of the key differences between long and short-haired German Shepherd puppies that you should look for:
Hair Length And Physical Appearance
The major difference between long and short-haired German Shepherd puppies is the coat length which depends on the genes of their parents. German Shepherds with the medium coat are considered to be a standard breed that appears slightly longer around the neck and rear legs.
The coat length of short-haired German Shepherds is 1 inch long while long-haired GSD has 2 inches long hair.
The coat appearance of a short-haired German Shepherd pup is dense fur lying close to the body. They have longer and thicker hair on the neck. There is also slightly longer fur on the rear of the forelegs and hind legs. If we talk about German Shepherds with long hair, they have soft top coats not lying on the body. They have longer and thicker hair on the neck.
Short-haired German Shepherds pups are double-coated having a thick undercoat while the long-haired German Shepherd breed is mainly single-coated.
Types Of Coat
You may have also heard that German Shepherds are descendent of wolves because of their look, fur length, and coats. Wolves are double-coated and just like them, both varieties of German Shepherds are also double-coated.
Long-haired puppies are referred to as open-coated. They do not have an undercoat and its absence offsets the ability to trap heat, as a result, the coat of the German Shepherd dog can trap roughly the same amount of heat. Their coats prevent them from increasing temperature so it plays a crucial role in their survival.
Shedding In Short And Long-Haired German Shepherd Pups
The shedding rate of both varieties of German Shepherd pups occurs very rapidly. Though both of them are very small in age but does shedding occur and if yes then who sheds more?
Oh yeah! both varieties face the issue of shedding whether they are short-haired or long-haired. But long-haired shepherds shed less as compared to short-haired German Shepherd pups.
The shedding rate of short-haired German Shepherd pups is high as they shed all around the year while shedding in long-haired German Shepherd pups is also high but it remains consistent all around the year if open-coated.
Working Ability
The main function of both the variety of German Shepherds is they are companion pets and will become guard dogs after becoming an adult. However, as per market research, people usually do not prefer long-haired German Shepherd pups because long-haired dogs cannot do any work. That’s why the people who want to work from them do not buy them.
Temperament
If we talk about temperament both varieties are intelligent, loyal, protective, versatile, and territorial. Both varieties have the same temperament. They are much more familiar and loyal to their owners.
However there is a little bit of misconception among the people that German Shepherds are aggressive because of their looks but it’s not true as it all depends on the environment, training process, and socialization.
They are very small in age so there is no chance for them to become aggressive. However if you notice any type of aggressive behavior you can meet your vets, they can do such type of ill-effect because of their health issues.
Costing
The cost of a short-haired German Shepherd pup is higher than a long-haired German Shepherd pup.
The cost of short-haired German Shepherd pups lies between $ 1500 to $ 4000, while the cost of long-haired German Shepherd pups lies between $ 800 to $ 2000, however, their cost will depend on their bloodline.
Also Read: How Do I Get My German Shepherd Puppy To Like Me? 10 Key Ideas!!!
Which One Is Better, a Long-Haired German Shepherd Or a Short-Haired German Shepherd Puppy?
We have discussed the differences between the long and short-haired German Shepherd pups but for your knowledge which one will be better for you if you are willing to adopt them? Let’s discuss some of their feature and which variety will be suitable for dog owners.
Short-Haired German Shepherd pups for Dog Show
If you are a dog owner then you must be knowing about the dog show. Here you present your dog which is judged by its look, activity, and skills. German Shepherd pups with short hair are the first choice as long-haired German Shepherd pups are disqualified because of the absence of an undercoat.
If you are entering a dog show then you should always go with your German Shepherd pup that has short hair. You should also check their physical appearance and color and ensure the show line.
Better for work
German Shepherd pups whether they have short hair or long hair both are suitable for work as they are equally trainable and suitable for the job. German Shepherds with long hair are less threatening that why people may prefer this breed to be in their house as they may be more familiar with them.
If trained well your German Shepherd pup will be the best guard dog as they have all the ability to protect their owners. They are a highly protective breed and if your bond becomes stronger with them then they will protect you from upcoming dangers.
How Can I Tell What Kind Of German Shepherd I Have?
It’s always a pleasure to have a German Shepherd dog as our first pet as they are the best guard dogs and can protect from any type of danger but at the same time, there are many things to discover about this breed.
If you are wondering what kind of German Shepherd you have, it is important to know that there are several varieties. Some of the most common types are:
American Show Line German Shepherds:
These dogs tend to be larger and have a straight back, shorter muzzles, and coats. They tend to be quite outgoing and friendly with people.
Working Line German Shepherds:
These dogs are typically smaller but stockier than American show lines, with an arched or sloping top line. They have longer muzzles and thicker coats.
Working Line Shepherds tend to be more independent and aloof, making them better suited for protection work or performance events like agility trials and herding competitions.
German Shepherd Mixes:
These dogs can be a mix of any two or more breeds, including German Shepherds. As a result, it is hard to predict what the size and temperament will be like for these mixed-breed dogs.
If you are still unsure what kind of German Shepherd you have, there are many resources available online where you can look up specific breeds and compare their characteristics.
Additionally, your local veterinarian may be able to help identify the breed based on physical traits. Finally, genetic testing is available if you would like to know definitively which breeds make up your dog’s ancestry.
However, it’s also important to do proper research and always take your German Shepherd puppy from reputable breeders that fulfill all the guidelines as per the American kennel club.
Final Thought:
Both varieties of German Shepherd pups are different in their hair which we term short-haired and long-haired. The German Shepherd pups with long hair have top longer topcoats that miss undercoats. Appearance also plays a very important role in choosing the German Shepherd pup.
German Shepherd pups are also chosen for their coat types, however, it depends on the dog lover whether they are short-haired or long-haired German Shepherd pups. Both are loving breeds but do remember long-haired German Shepherds are not suitable to work.
If you are also going for the adoption of a German Shepherd pup then you should ask your breeder and examine the coat type of your German Shepherd puppy, you can also go for DNA testing. These tips will let you determine whether the pup will have long hair or short hair.