thumb|right|A [[least weasel (Mustela nivalis) displaying a white winter coat in Poland. In warmer seasons and climates, weasels have predominantly brown coats.]]

Coat is the nature and quality of a mammal's fur. In the animal fancy, coat is an attribute that reflects the quality of a specimen's breeding as well as the level of the animal's care, conditioning, and management. Coat is an integral aspect of the judging at competitions, such as a conformation dog show, a cat show, a horse show (especially showmanship classes), or a rabbit show.

Characteristics

The pelage of a show animal may be divided into different types of hair, fur or wool with a texture ranging from downy to spiky. In addition, the animal may be single-coated or may have several coats, such as an undercoat and a topcoat (also called an outer coat or overcoat), which is made up of guard hair. The state of the coat is considered an indication of the animal's breeding and health.

Animals might have different coat quality for different seasons. Generally, animals with fur or hair coats develop a thicker or longer winter coat in colder times of the year, which sheds out to a shorter, sleeker summer coat as the days lengthen into spring and summer. This process may not be noticeable in warm year-round climates, though animals may still shed their coats periodically. The process may also be minimised by artificially keeping the animal warm with a blanket or in an indoor environment.

Pinnipeds and polar bears have longer guard hairs forming the most visible fur; polar bears' guard hairs are hollow.

Description parameters of an animal's coat:

  • Colour (coat colour other than those allowed in the breed standard results in disqualification)
  • Markings (distribution of colour, spots, and patches; for example the spotted coat of a Dalmatian and the merle coat of an Australian Shepherd are distinctive; the markings of a terrier vary.)
  • Pattern (specific, predictable markings; tabby, for example is a common pattern in cats)
  • Texture of hair (smooth, rough, curly, straight, broken)
  • Length of hair
  • Health of hair coat (shiny or dull, brittle or flexible, etc.)

References

See also

  • Cat coat genetics for details about cat's coats
  • Coat (dog) for details about dog's coats
  • Equine coat color and Equine coat color genetics for information on the coats of horses
  • Fur