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ondervacht

Ondervacht is a Dutch term meaning under fur, referring to the dense, soft undercoat of mammals with fur. This layer lies closest to the animal’s skin and provides insulation by trapping air to retain heat. It is contrasted with bovenvacht, the outer fur composed of longer guard hairs that offers protection from the elements.

In the fur trade and textile production, ondervacht denotes the inner fur layer that is separated from

Historically, the term is used in Dutch-speaking regions and appears in zoological, trade, and fashion literature.

See also: bovenvacht, vacht.

the
outer
fur
during
processing.
It
is
valued
for
its
warmth
and
softness
and
may
be
used
as
lining
for
garments,
or,
in
some
cases,
processed
into
felt
or
other
insulating
materials.
The
quality
and
characteristics
of
ondervacht
vary
by
species,
with
common
sources
including
beaver,
fox,
rabbit,
muskrat
and
other
fur-bearing
animals.
Today,
usage
is
mainly
technical
or
historical
rather
than
everyday,
though
the
concept
remains
relevant
in
discussions
of
fur
anatomy
and
fur
processing.