I'll send one this weekend. Maybe that will help you see if he's truly long or just long stock.
Francoise

Here you go. Hope it works!
http://img477.imageshack.us/my.php?image=manto1cy1.jpg

http://img477.imageshack.us/my.php?image=puppy1ri9.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=puppy2vx7.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sofi1og5.jpg

It didn't work. I have very limited computer skills, but this is a link to the dad (I think)
http://img477.imageshack.us/my.php?image=manto1cy1.jpg

here are the links to the pups
http://img477.imageshack.us/my.php?image=puppy1ri9.jpg
http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=puppy2vx7.jpg

here is a link to the mom (I think)
http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sofi1og5.jpg

I think the dog in the first picture (your male) is a long stock coat, not a long coat or a plush coat. It looks like he has an undercoat and as Jenni said, that's the difference between the long stock coat and the coat, but unfortunately, it's still a big "no no". Personally, I think they are gorgeous, but that's the way it is. A plush coat is a normal stock coat, just very thick. Incidently, a dog can have what's called a "mole" coat. This is a normal length coat but with no undercoat. It's as wrong as both the long stock coat and the coat. As a matter of fact I was a little worried my current pup was going to have a mole coat but his undercoat did come in - FINALLY!

The reason I think your dog is a long stock coat is because from the way the hairs on the sides of his neck sort of stand away from his skin makes me think there is an undercoat.

I can't tell about the puppies. It's so hard. If you belong to gsdworld.net, you should post the pups there because there are a couple of people who have amazing records at predicting adult coat length from puppy pictures.

I do know your pups are darling. I can smell the puppy breath all the way over here!

Susan,
It's amazing that you got those links to work. We tried to use the image icon to get them directly from our computer but it wouldn't let us so my husband went to this site that converts to URL. How did you do it? Thanks for your candid opinions. We will never breed again. You are right. The breed standard must be upheld. I also think Manto, the male, has an undercoat. They are nice dogs and I wish Manto wasn't a long-stock. The breeder told me he wouldn't be, although he just looked very fuzzy at seven weeks. I didn't notice the ear tufts or hair between the toes then, but then again, he was my first German Shepherd. I want to do the right thing so I guess I'll probably reduce the price of the pups who appear to be long hair at 8 weeks.

I'm so computer UBER stupid, I can't even figure out how to tell you what I did, but Connnie is a moderator on this forum and she taught me how to do it. If you send her a PM, she will help you out when she comes on.

As far as the pups go, I'm sure you will be getting them good homes and that's what's most important. There's things far worse than a coat, so don't beat yourself up too much! We live and learn.

Thanks everyone for your help. I feel a little better. I'll look forward to participating again.
Francoise

Pictures definitely help. No one can seem to agree on what a "long stock coat" is vs. a "plush coat". If breeding for working ability, as long as the dog has an undercoat, it seems like people are ok with it. A dog lacking an undercoat should NEVER be bred. I thought (from research long ago) that long stock had an undercoat, as did plush, but the determining factor in a long coat was the lack of undercoat, which made it deviant from the GSD standard which clearly states that the GSD is a double-coated dog. I know for a fact that several "big" breeders often breed dogs whose siblings are coated, or continue to breed dogs who produce coats, as long as they're not true longcoats.

Yes, I agree the breeders do breed dogs that occaisionally produce a long stock coat. I have no problem with that as long as those particular offspring are not bred. I also agree a dog should be altered if it produces a long coat (no under coat).

Hi,
Would a dog without an undercoat have less shedding. I think my dog Manto does have an undercoat because thick pieces kind of stick out from below the upper layer of hair and when I brush him, the thick pieces are definitely coming from deep down. Could anyone help with this question. Thanks.