Animal coat

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 a number of coats, such as an undercoat and a topcoat (also called an outer coat or, sometimes, overcoat), which is made up of guard hair.

The state of the coat is considered an indication of the animal's breeding and health.

This process may not occur in a noticeable fashion in climates that are warm year-round, though animals may nonetheless shed their coats periodically.

Pinnipeds and polar bears have longer guard hairs forming the most visible fur;[1] polar bears' guard hairs are hollow.