advantage of a rough coat

[fieldsportsman 107]

I really like the look of an old fashioned rough coated lurcher, however I know looks are not everything. in terms of when the dog is out working, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a rough coat over a smooth

[chartpolski 25,686]

No advantage whatsoever as far as working is concerned.

 

Cheers.

[Ray Mears 272]

maybe when woking cover is concerned...

[wirral countryman 2,110]

Rough coated dogs tend to have tougher skin and do not get half the amount of cuts,they also do not show any marks as easilly on the face,I also like to think that whilst ferreting in the depths of winter that they do not feel the cold the way thin smooth coated dogs do.WM

[wirral countryman 2,110]

These pics are some of my lads dogs with him,WM

[fieldsportsman 107]

what x are they wirral...stunning. my type of lurcher

[morton 5,368]

A jacket offers a certain amount of protection,an extra barrier that is usefull when the dogs running through cover,its also better insulated against cold and rain,a wet rough coat still holds warmth when a dogs stood about waiting for action.Ive rarely seen a dog with a dense coat suffer the elements as dogs with lesser jackets often do.Then there is the advantage,especially in todays political climate,that a shaggy jukel often passes under the radar and draws less attention than a mutt that looks more of a runner.

[wirral countryman 2,110]

Fieldsportsman,top pic is a deerhound/greyhound X collie/greyhound,the pic waiting for a bolt is his first cross beddy/greyhound (black) and my bitch which has beddy/deerhound and a touch of collie with greyhound,tough dogs and bomb proof,also the kind of coat for this weather standing around waiting for a bolt, WM

[bullmastiff 615]

In theory it should help keep them warmer in the winter I guess? Though a rough coat doesn't nessesarily mean a weather/thorn proof coat. I've seen plenty of rough coated dogs about with hardly any undercoat at all, just the long wiry guard hairs.

A dense/thick coat is much better than a rough coat....

[wirral countryman 2,110]

Bullmastiff,I know the coat you mean,thats more of a linty coat and they tend to be thin skinned as well so they tear easilly,my dogs all have what you would call a double coat,as well as the longer coat,they have a thick collie type underneath,I have picked them off the top of wire before now without any injury of note, but the best thing for me is they show no signs of work on their faces so they do not attract the wrong sort of attention,WM

[fieldsportsman 107]

yes but only certain breeds have that paper type skin

[wirral countryman 2,110]

yes but only certain breeds have that paper type skin

The best way is to look at the parents and make sure they're getting plenty of work,check out the coat,the pups also have a tight coat even at 6 weeks,WM Edited November 17, 2012 by wirral countryman

[weasle 1,119]

The only advantage as far as im concerened is maybe the coat on the face.For the coat to be any benfit as regards the weather or brambles,it needs to be heavy then they can get to warm in mild weather.

Used to like the rough coats just becouse i liked the look of them,But now would pick a smooth coat every time.Easier to see the shape you have your dog in to.

[jack2o 45]

my dog 12month old saluki bed whippet dog has the coat and skin you on about looks sound in the dry but get a bit of water on his back and the top layer sticks together amd hardly no undercoat you can see his skin when it rains too soft and linty but looks a good coat in the dry

 

[bird 10,013]

deff gives protection from brambles, and bit more from B/W fences. Having had smooth + long+ rough coat lurchers that bit of coat does help with above+ keeps them warmer the down side they can over heat a bit if it a warm night.!