German Shepherds with long hair stand out for their unique look and charming personality. While some see this coat type as a breed fault, many enthusiasts, including myself, find them incredibly good-looking. One of my own competition dogs, Casper, was a long-haired shepherd, and he constantly turned heads. People would often stop and commented on his silky and smooth coat that lacked the dense undercoat seen in standard German Shepherds. This phenotypically distinct coat is the result of a recessive gene, making these dogs rare in certain bloodlines. Breeding for this coat type is a challenge because many breeders aim to maintain the normal coat for show standards, ensuring that their kennel produces puppies that align with the true breed standard.