[Samajade]

In an adult long coat who's not in good condition (shelter dog really underweight and coat really dry and dull), how does one know if her coat is the type of longcoat that has no undercoat, or if it's a long stock coat? Are the open coats always long and silky almost like setter fur, or...? When I part her fur, it just looks sort of thick - confusing to me as to whether I'm looking at undercoat or not. If she was in condition, I would know, but with her coat so not-good and being so bony.... ? Any suggestions or tricks to tell?

Thanks!

 

[Emoore]

If she's a darker-colored dog, look for the white or gray of the undercoat.

 

[Samajade]

Okay. When I had parted the hair on her ribs sort of (where it's black), it was just black. No gray or white for sure. Just sort of thick black. The open coats I'm used to were very silky sorta like setter fur. Not always so? Or just because she's not in great shape?

 

[Emoore]

I don't have any personal experience with open-coat dogs, but all the undercoats I've seen have been light gray, so I'm assuming if there's no light-gray, downy undercoat then she doesn't have it.

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

Take a few swipes with an undercoat rake! Seriously, if there's an undercoat there you'll get some of it. Keefer's undercoat is mostly black, he's a black and red LC, and Halo is a sable LC, so hers is a light kinda buff color.

 

[onyx'girl]

Kacies undercoat is black,too, she is a blanket B&T.
The undercoat is noticably different in texture and length that the outercoat.