FLUFFIES,
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM?
by Anne
Indergaard, Annwn Welsh Corgis, Norway
In working breeds like the Corgis, in addition to a sound conformation, a weatherproof
double coat is of utmost importance. They need a harsh top coat to keep rain and snow out
and a thick undercoat to keep them warm. If the top coat is too long, twigs and grass will
tangle in it while working in rough terrain, and if soft and silky, snow will get attached
and form snowballs in the armpits and under the paws, and they will get soaking wet in
rainy weather. That is why a fluffy coat, or a long coat as they call it in the German
Shepherds, is a disqualifying fault, same as in the German shepherd.
But how do we recognize a fluff in the ring? The first, telltale sign is feathering behind
the ears, on legs, tail and in trousers. These longer, softer hairs appear crimpled. In
some dogs, this is all you will see. But this is enough to disqualify the dog*. If you
then feel the top coat, it will feel soft and silky. In German Shepherds they say that a
long coat has no under coat, but this doesn't hold true for the corgi- a fluff may or may
not have a double coat. The one without undercoat is easy to disqualify, but don't confuse
it with one that is out of coat for the summer! If it does have a double coat, the length
and the texture of the topcoat is deciding. In some, you will find topcoats so long that
they will nearly have a parting along the back, while others are only slightly longer than
ideal. And with both, you will find the feathering behind the ears. If you are in doubt,
study the coat behind the ears and at the back for legs and look for any sign of the use
of trimming knife or scissors!! If you see signs of trimming there, disqualification is
easy!
The ideal length of top coat in a Corgi would be around 3-6 cm, depending upon where on
the body - the ruff and trousers will always be slightly longer than the rest. But to
confuse matters even more, we have what they in England prefer to call a "glamour
coat" This should not be confused with a fluff. The top coat here will be slightly
longer and the ruff more pronounced, but the texture should be right and there should be
ABSOLUTELY no sign of crimpling behind the ears and in trousers and the coat not so
profuse as to hinder free movement in rough terrain.
To recognize a fluff, it may be of help to know the historical background. One thinks that far back in the history of the
breeds, the Welsh collie might have been crossed in, and that is were the fluff gene comes
from. It is a recessive gene and thus more difficult to breed out. If, looking at a Corgi
coat, you think this would be more suitable for a Sheltie or Collie, then it is definitely
a fluff. You will be able to recognize the coat of a Shetland sheepdog even when it is
totally out of coat by the crimpled feathering behind the ears, and that is how the Corgi
with not very much
fluff will look, while others may look completely like a Collie coat.
*)
Disqualification according to FCI standard.
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