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