We have our first long-haired GSD after two short-haired. I know they are 'throwbacks' pedigree wise, but oh, what wonderful personalities. More so than short-haired (and that would be hard). What do others think? They are more 'feisty' and require more 'I am the boss' when they are puppies I believe.

Regards
Boswell

I have had the wonderful experience of owning 2 LH GSD's and I don't think I could ever go back to having a standard coat! The Long Coated GSD's seem to have a warmer personality and have a genuine love for people. So many people who meet our 2 long coats always comment on how friendly they are around people and I know many others with Long Coats who have noted the same personality traits. At the end of the day, I love ALL GSD's but my heart truly belongs with the Long Coated variety!

Long coat GSD's are my absolute favourite. There is a gentleness (and in my case a goofiness) about them that makes them unique. I have been privileged to have had four long coats share my life and as much as I love the entire breed, I must admit to being biased to the fluffy ones.

I have met and known a lot of nice LH GSDs and they are lovely. To live with me however, personally I prefer SH. GSDs are my most favourite breed.

Just thought I would 'correct' the remark that long coats are 'throwbacks pedigree wise". They are not a throwback. The long coat is classed as a fault because of their lack of undercoat. Without the undercoat it does not meet the breed standard. The pedigree is as 100% as the shortcoat GSD. Two shortcoated dogs can produce long coat pups if one of the carries the gene for that coat type. The genetics on GSD's is very complex and the breed standard is very strictly adhered regarding conformation in the show ring.

I have only owned one GSD, "Panzer", and he was LH. His coat wasn't a good example of LH, I don't think, as it seemed to be a bit curly over his rump area. As for the personality, well, Panzer was a real teddy-bear! He didn't have a mean bone in his body. He let our Boxer bitch steal bones from under him (not the chooks, tho'!) and when our cats were tiny kittens, he developed a bond with the male and would let the little fellow put his head in his mouth. When I came home with a baby (Heidi), he had never had anything to do with babies. My midwife loved Panzer, and sat down on the step next to him and "showed" him the new baby, explaining to him what it was all about. Whenever Heidi cried, Panzer would run in to check that she was OK and would come to me or David and "tell" us! He even broke the "no dogs on the carpet" rule in doing so! The downer for me with LH, was the clumps of fur around the house, which is why I chose a Boxer for our next dog.

long or short,I just love their mentality ! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
sometimes I think the lh is more softer in its' mentality but I think I fool myself just because they look cuddlie and I act towards the dog as if it is a softer dog than I do when together with a sh.

don't know if I am wrong or but I think I behave softer with a lh.

Have to disagree with the comment about no undercoast the dogs that are breed today most do have undercoats.Max did and the vacuum proved that,an now my Caleb as well the little puppy.I have a soft spot for the long coat, I also have a short as well Zoe who is nearing 14 1/2 not bad for a old bag that she can be sometimes.

I have both long haired and short haired German Shepherd dogs. You need a good lux and love doing the luxing. When we first got Tessa our 2nd GSD arrival into our family. You can see on the message board (Diane's Story) that Tessa was not used to grooming. Since December both Andrew & I would handle Tessa pat, bush her daily so that she would get used to the attention. She now loves the cuddles and the bush. Inside dogs do shed their coat long or short. But I think they smell better than a dog kept outside 24/7. Tyr he has a short haired coat, he's drops hair just the same.

Diane I would have to agree with you there about the inside dogs smelling far better than outside dogs.I was also havign trouble picking up dog hair until I brought a dyson vacuum.Bestt hing I ever did.