What characteristic of the short coat variety means it still demands significant maintenance, despite the monks preferring it over the long coat?
Answer
The short coat sheds profusely year-round
While the long-haired (rough coat) variety requires dedicated grooming to prevent matting, the short-haired (smooth coat) variety presents its own significant maintenance challenge: it sheds profusely throughout the entire year. Prospective owners often underestimate the sheer volume of hair generated by a dog of this magnitude, regardless of coat length. Therefore, while the historical preference was based on functionality (avoiding ice collection), the modern reality is that both coat types necessitate substantial ongoing coat maintenance efforts within the home environment.
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