Wool or fleece?

[Phoenix]

Not that this has any bearing on anything, but my curiosity is getting the best of me. I can't tell the difference between a woolly type of coat and a fleece type coat. What is the difference? What does Phoenix have?

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

It is more determined by the "feel" than the look. Assuming your dog is an adult, from looks alone your dog either has a curly fleece or a wool coat. Fleece coats are exceptionally soft, wool coats are a bit more wirey or poodle-like. They can still be soft compared to some other breeds, but they're not as soft as a fleece coat.

[Phoenix]

She is 10 months old. I think she is super soft in general, but her lower back area is a bit more wirey. I think she may still be young enough to have a bit of a change in coat. That little white patch is the softest area on her.

[Wanda Klomp]

The more wool, the more prone to tangles, so from a maintenance point you want the coat to be as little curly as possible. There is a lot more to it, but I would invite you to read my free ebook of you want to learn more.

[Cheryl]

Wanda Klomp referes to download a free ebook but I only see a book for sale?

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Definitely looks more wooly.  The ears look like a soft curl, but when the face hair is that curly (more like a poodle), then it tends to be considered wool coat.  If he's only 10 months old in this photo, he is probably still getting his adult coat in and it will likely be even curlier.  My Kona had an extremely soft wavy non-matting fleece coat until 10 months old.  It is much curlier now at 3 years old, but he is still considered Fleece by curl standards.  He definitley mattes up now that he has an adopted sister wrestling with him for hours per day. This was Kona at 10 months old just as his hair started to get more curly:   

And this is Kona at 3 years old.  More curls but still soft and fleece: