How to assess coat quality

[PoodleDoodle]

   How do I assess the coat quality of a Poodle? How should it feel, look,etc.? What defines a good coat? This is one thing I haven't considered.    I need to know what to look for when I start visiting breeders. Since puppy coats are different than adult coats,what do I look for ?

[Neo]

the coat should be compact, with good texture witch it pretty hard to explain
haha, you dont want the fluffy, "light" coat,
but the coat more like cotton ?

jeez, this was tuff to explain maybee someone else could try to explain it for you

you want the coat to be able to stand straight up, with not using any products, not the coat type that lays flat

haha I'll give up!!!

[PoodleDoodle]

  I get what you are trying to say! LOL    Thanks!   

[zefi]

I think the best coats as a puppy are the ones that have some strength to the individual hair shaft. ie the coat isnt fluffy and light as Neo said. There should be some texture to it, a bit of a crinkle when you look at it, but mainly it should be quite dense and have 'body'... Puppy coats are always softer than adult coats, but a very fluffy soft coat may never turn into a good adult coat. The coat is always stronger feeling along the back than on the sides or chest.

[Michael]

Neo - we understand! It's often one of those things that you can "feel" or "sense" but describing it is a totally different story. I'm really not sure I could describe this well either, but I do know some of what I'd want to feel if I were going over the dog myself. Same with eskies.

But there does need to be a balance overall....as Zefi and Neo both mentioned points that are excellent, and finding something that's not too light or wimpy and yet not too stiff or uncompromising is getting you closer to the more appropriate balance. I'd also expect slightly different coat texture from toy to mini to standard, but only so much. Anyway, hopefully it'll make more sense as you start to feel the coats yourself and can compare and get a "feel" for it in time. But any other good points are great to add here if anyone has any. So far, good to start with though!

[PoodleDoodle]

    You know, my hair texture fits the descriptions that have been given....LOL  Guess I will pick the poodle coat that feels like my hair!   Does coat type vary by coat color?

[zefi]

Yes and no. You cant really generalize as there are always exceptions to the rule. When I first started I was told that blacks had the best coats... but not really. The best coats I have ever seen have been on whites and creams. Yet some of the worst I've seen have been on whites also! LOL Geez I'm helpful! LOL

Apricot or red can be very soft and cottony, but then some apricots are thick and plush. Browns can tend to be harsher, but again... it depends on the dog. I've seen blacks with soft coats with no body. It really just depends on the dog. Even within a litter you get variations in coat quality.

[Neo]

Generaly the blacks, browns and whites have a better coat.

But the best coats I have ever seen has been a few silver standards, wich had an amazing coat!

I have not yet met a apricot with good coat, but I cant say I've been chasing after them eighter