Pomeranian dogs are the smallest representatives of the Spitz family, also standing out among all the toy dog breeds. One of its most striking and charming features is its voluminous fur, with an intense shine and soft to the touch, which gives it the appearance of a "little lion".
There are various types of hair in dogs and each of them requires specific care for optimal maintenance and proper hygiene. The exuberant coat of the Pomeranian is made up of two layers: an internal and dense one, made up of short and woolly hair, and an external one, where a long, straight, smooth and silky coat is observed, well separated from each other.
For this reason, although these dogs require relatively simple care on a daily basis, they need special attention for the correct maintenance of their coat. In this article on our site, we will explain how to take care of the Pomeranian dog's hair to preserve the beauty and he alth of its beautiful and voluminous coat.
Pomeranian shedding and coat maintenance
The most important change of hair of the Pomeranian occurs during its infancy, especially between its four and eight months of life In this period, these dogs can lose practically all of their fur, but we should not be scared, since it is a natural process.
The purpose of this intense molt is basically to exchange his "provisional" puppy coat for the adult mantle. In addition to hair loss, we can observe that some individuals also show a change in the color of their fur This last phenomenon is more common in Pomeranians with orange fur, tan or brown, where the alteration of tonality can be more easily noticed. However, it can also happen in black or white specimens, although it is less common.
To speed up the shedding process and maintain optimal hygiene at home, it is recommended to perform daily brushings In this way, we remove dead hairs and dirt from their fur. In addition, if we start brushing our dog from his puppy stage, we favor his habituation to this hygiene routine that will be essential for the maintenance of his coat throughout his life.
During this period, Pomeranians will need special attention to maintain their good he alth and not be exposed to intense cold or other unfavorable conditions. To protect your Pomeranian from cold temperatures, it is important to maintain a stable home temperature and keep him warm with special clothing for small dogs.
After completing its eight or nine months of life, the Pomeranian can already be considered to have its adult mantle However, its The coat will continue to grow and "fill out" until the dog reaches approximately three years of age. During this second phase of his coat growth, it is recommended to brush his coat at least three times a week for proper maintenance.
Once the development of your Pomeranian's coat is complete, after three years of life, brushing can be done at least twice a week to remove dead hair and prevent the formation of knots. Next, we explain how to choose the ideal brush to take care of your Pomeranian's hair.
Caring for a Pomeranian's coat: brushing
Currently, there are several types of brushes for dogs that exist and each of them offers a different purpose and a specific benefit. As the Pomeranian's coat is made up of a double layer, it is essential to choose a brush or comb that allows excellent maintenance on both parts of the coat.
To do this, we must avoid using the famous "furminator" brushes, as it can cause the breakage of its hair structure. The ideal way to take care of a Pomeranian dog's hair is to combine several different tools, but with complementary actions, such as the ones we explain:
- Metallic comb or rake: these products are especially useful for untangling the fur, undoing the knots that may form. When using them, we must be very careful not to hurt the animal while trying to remove the knots, although they usually have protection. We will also brush gently, starting at the ends and moving towards the center, with the aim of not excessively damaging the coat and breaking the hair.
- Double layer brush, long bristle or soft brush: These brushes are ideal for regular brushing of the Pomeranian's coat. When brushing, we must make smooth and continuous movements, always respecting the direction in favor of the hair so as not to cause the hair to break. We should choose a soft one, of good quality, with rounded tips.
If you have doubts about how to properly brush your Pomeranian's hair, we advise you to read our recommendations for brushing a dog's hair.
Can you cut a Pomeranian's hair?
A frequently asked question from Pomeranian dog groomers is if they can cut their dog's hair and how often they should do it. A few regular visits to the dog groomer can help maintain the ideal coat length.
The frequency of these "hygienic cuts" will depend on the rate of growth of the coat of each Pomeranian, which depends not only on its own metabolism, but also on the environmental conditions. In the same way, to know how long it takes to grow the hair of a Pomeranian, you should pay attention to your dog's own growth rate. We can calculate that after one or two months of clipping, the dog will return to the size of the coat before the clipping.
However, it is not recommended to shave the Pomeranian, as its fur plays a very important role in protecting its skin and your body, as well as helping you manage heat correctly. If we decide to shave a Pomeranian, in addition to exposing it to the cold in winter and suffering from heat stroke in summer, as well as burns, we could also damage its sharp follicles (small glands in the skin that concentrate stem cells, allowing hair growth and directly influencing its quality).
How often can a Pomeranian be bathed?
The Regular baths are important to maintain optimum hygiene in the Pomeranian's coat, but they should not be given too frequently. It's generally recommended that you bathe your Pom every two to three months, or when the pooch is really dirty and needs to be cleaned up. By bathing your dog excessively, you will be eliminating the natural oiliness that covers and protects his entire body, leaving him more vulnerable to numerous diseases and skin problems. In addition, constant washing can harm the quality of their fur, removing shine and softness.
Before you start bathing your Pomeranian at home, it will be essential to choose the right products for its fur care. For a Pomeranian puppy, the ideal is to use specific products made for this first canine stage. And if you have recently adopted a Pomeranian puppy, also remember that his first bath can only be done after completing his first cycle of vaccinations and internal and external deworming. There are some exceptions, but for this we recommend consulting a veterinarian.
When your best friend reaches adulthood, you'll find a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners made for long-haired dogs, some even to add volume to your fur. Always remember to do a brushing before bathing, since it becomes more difficult to remove dirt and undo knots with wet fur. If you have questions about this process, we also have a special article on our site to teach you how to properly bathe your dog at home.
At the end of the complete wash, it will be essential to dry the coat and the skin of your Pomeranian well to prevent the dog from getting cold or accumulate moisture, which favors the proliferation of microorganisms. The dryer will be a very useful ally to provide optimum drying to your Pomeranian's coat, but before using it you will need to get your dog used to the dryer in a positive way.
Other Pomeranian dog care
In addition to caring for a Pomeranian's coat, it will be essential to provide it with the necessary care to preserve its good he alth and keep it physically and mentally well stimulated, since all of this reacts on your well-being and, at the same time, in a good physical aspect.
If you have decided to adopt a furry of this breed, we invite you to know the care of the Pomeranian dog to provide an excellent quality of life to your best friend. Also remember that all dogs, regardless of their breed, must receive adequate preventive medicine throughout their lives.
