Long Haired German Shepherd: The Fluffy GSD That Divides the Breed World
You spot a German Shepherd with flowing fur that billows in the wind like a shampoo commercial, and you’re instantly captivated: I need one of those.
Then you Google “long haired German Shepherd” and discover a rabbit hole of controversy, breed politics, and surprisingly conflicting information. Are they purebred? Are they healthier? Why do some breeders refuse to sell them?
Short answer: long haired GSDs are 100% purebred, caused by a single recessive gene, and the controversy around them is one of the most fascinating breed politics stories in the dog world. Also, they shed exactly as much as short-haired GSDs — or possibly more.
Let me walk you through everything.
The Genetics: Why Some GSDs Have Long Hair
Long hair in German Shepherds is caused by a recessive gene at the FGF5 locus — the same gene that controls coat length in dozens of other breeds.
| Genotype | Result |
|---|---|
| L/L | Stock coat (short, standard) |
| L/l | Stock coat (carrier — looks normal, carries the gene) |
| l/l | Long stock coat |
Since it’s recessive, both parents must carry the gene (be L/l or l/l) for long-haired puppies to appear. This is why long-haired puppies can “surprise” breeders — two stock-coat parents, both carrying the recessive gene, can produce a fluffy puppy that looks nothing like either parent.
How Common Are They?
Roughly 10–15% of all GSDs carry the long coat gene. In a litter from two carrier parents, you’d expect about 25% long-haired puppies. They’re uncommon but far from rare.
The Controversy: Why the SV Had a Problem
For decades, the SV (German breed standard organization) considered the long coat a fault — not just cosmetically undesirable, but an actual breeding disqualification.
The Original Argument
The reasoning was practical: the traditional GSD was a working herding dog. A long coat without a proper undercoat (called an “open coat”) would:
- Get waterlogged in rain
- Collect mud, debris, and parasites
- Provide less insulation than the dense double coat
The Modern Reality
Here’s what the original argument missed: most long-haired GSDs DO have an undercoat. The SV lumped all long coats together, but there are actually two sub-types:
| Type | Description | Undercoat? | Practical Issue? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long stock coat | Long fur WITH dense undercoat | ✅ Yes | Minimal — just more grooming |
| Open long coat | Long fur WITHOUT undercoat | ❌ No | Yes — poor weather protection |
In 2010, the SV finally revised its position: long stock coats (with undercoat) were allowed to compete in shows and be used in breeding. Open long coats remain a disqualification.
The AKC still considers the long coat a fault in conformation but registers long-haired GSDs as purebred without issue.
What They Actually Look Like
A long-haired GSD has:
- Feathering behind the ears, along the back of the legs, and on the tail
- Mane-like fur around the neck and chest — this is the most dramatic visual difference
- Tufted paws with fur growing between the toes
- Overall length: 2–4 inches longer than stock coat, depending on the individual
The most visually striking feature is the tail — a long-haired GSD’s tail looks like a plume. Combined with the ear feathering and neck mane, the overall impression is “wolf meets lion.”
Colors
Long-haired GSDs come in every color the breed produces:
- Black and tan (most common)
- Sable (stunning in long coat)
- Solid black
- White (in long coat = absolutely breathtaking)
- Bi-color
Temperament: Any Different?
There’s an enduring claim in the GSD community that long-haired GSDs are “softer” in temperament — calmer, more affectionate, more sensitive. Is it true?
Yes and no.
- The correlation is real: Many long-haired GSDs are bred in companion/pet lines rather than working programs. Breeders who select for temperament rather than drive happen to produce long-haired dogs more frequently because working line breeders have historically culled the gene from their programs.
- The causation is wrong: The coat length gene (FGF5) is not linked to behavioral genes. A long-haired GSD from a working line will be just as driven as its stock-coat littermates.
Bottom line: If you meet a calm, sweet long-haired GSD, it’s because of how it was bred and raised — not because of its fur length.
Grooming: The Real Talk
Here’s where I need to be honest with you, because this is the #1 reason long-haired GSDs end up in rescue.
The Commitment
| Task | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Full brushing | 4–5 times per week (daily ideal) | 20–30 minutes |
| Undercoat raking | Weekly during non-shedding season | 15 minutes |
| De-shedding | Daily during coat blow (2x/year) | 30+ minutes |
| Bathing | Monthly or as needed | 45–60 minutes (including drying) |
| Drying | After every bath AND after rain/snow | 30+ minutes (use high-velocity dryer) |
What Nobody Tells You
- Matting: The feathering behind the ears and legs mats fast. If you skip 3 days of brushing, you’ll be cutting tangles out with scissors.
- Drying time: A wet long-haired GSD takes FOREVER to dry. If you don’t dry them thoroughly, the moisture trapped in the undercoat can cause hot spots and skin infections.
- Shedding: It is not less. It is possibly more. The hair is just longer, so it forms tumbleweeds that drift across your floor like tiny furry ghosts.
Essential Tools
- Undercoat rake (not a furminator — those cut the topcoat)
- Slicker brush for feathering and detail work
- Pin brush for daily maintenance
- High-velocity pet dryer — this isn’t optional, it’s essential
- Detangling spray for stubborn mats
Should You Get a Long Haired German Shepherd?
✅ Get one if:
- You genuinely enjoy grooming (like, as a hobby, not as a chore)
- You have 20–30 minutes daily for coat maintenance
- You’ve owned GSDs before, or at least high-maintenance coat breeds
- You understand this is the same breed in every way except fur length
❌ Skip if:
- You hate fur on your clothes and furniture (it will be everywhere)
- You travel often and can’t maintain a grooming schedule
- You’re getting a dog primarily for outdoor work in wet conditions
- You think “I’ll just shave it in summer” (DO NOT shave a double-coated dog)
Which GSD type matches your lifestyle? Take our free 2-minute quiz — we’ll assess everything from your experience level to your grooming tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are long haired German Shepherds purebred?
Yes, 100%. Long hair is a naturally occurring recessive trait within the breed. Long-haired GSDs are registered by the AKC, SV, and all major breed registries as purebred German Shepherds.
Do long haired GSDs shed more?
They shed the same volume of undercoat, but the longer topcoat makes it more visible and harder to manage. During coat blow season, the difference feels significant.
Are long haired German Shepherds more expensive?
It depends on the market. Some breeders charge a premium ($500–$1,000 more) for long-haired puppies due to demand. Others charge the same or even less, especially if they breed to SV working standards where the long coat was historically considered a fault.
Can you show a long haired German Shepherd?
In Germany (SV), long stock coats (with undercoat) have been allowed since 2010, though they’re shown in a separate class. In the AKC, a long coat is a fault and will be penalized in conformation. Long-haired GSDs can compete in all other AKC events.
Should I shave my long haired GSD in summer?
Never. The double coat provides insulation in BOTH directions — keeping your dog warm in winter and cool in summer. Shaving destroys the coat’s structure and can lead to sunburn, improper regrowth, and impaired temperature regulation.
Related Guides
- Types of German Shepherds: 5 Bloodlines Explained
- Short Haired German Shepherd: What You Need to Know
- Black German Shepherd: Genetics & Myths
- Sable German Shepherd: The Original Color
