Pomeranian Grooming
Grooming a Pomeranian is fairly straightforward, but it requires several tasks that an owner should carry out consistently and regularly.
Like other Spitz breeds, the Pomeranian has a double coat: longer, straight, firm guard hairs and a soft, woolly undercoat.
The outer coat is protective and grows until it reaches its genetically determined length. The undercoat grows beneath it, has a woollier texture and primarily provides insulation. It is usually shed and replaced twice a year, although this pattern can change in dogs living indoors.
Coat colours are described in the BREED STANDARD.
Proper NUTRITION is fundamental to keeping a Pomeranian’s coat and skin in excellent condition.
Caring for the coat
1. Brushing and combing
The main task is combing the undercoat, which tends to mat. Do not remove too much: it is part of the Spitz’s appearance and, more importantly, serves the function described above. A detangling spray helps prevent damage to the hair. Take care not to injure the Pomeranian’s delicate skin.
A brush with long, straight pins that reach the skin and a comb with differently spaced teeth work well. From experience, I would choose a comb with a rounded spine (see photo). My first comb had a rectangular spine and was extremely difficult to pick up from a table. I admit I was almost pleased when I lost it at a show! 😉
2. Bathing
We bathe a Spitz roughly once a month or when needed. The Pomeranian’s age makes no difference. Shampoo is not always necessary: if your dog returns muddy from a walk, rinsing its “undercarriage” 🙂 with lukewarm water will not strip the protective layer.
When bathing a Pomeranian, pay attention to the water temperature—it should be neither cold nor too warm—and distribute the products thoroughly. The undercoat does not absorb water or grooming products easily. Thorough rinsing is equally important, as residue may cause irritation. When I am not preparing a dog for a show, I use moisturising products. Dry with lukewarm air too. The right temperature helps close the hair cuticle, leaving it smooth and resistant to external influences. Gently brush the dry Pomeranian again, and you are done. 🙂
3. Trimming a Miniature Spitz
Can Pomeranians be trimmed? YES! You may shape the coat by slightly shortening the guard hairs, tail hair and hair on the paws. Ideally, ask your breeder or a groomer familiar with the breed to demonstrate. Do not shorten the guard hairs to the level of the undercoat or below it. This destroys the protective layer and disrupts temperature regulation.
Paws: trim the hair underneath to expose the pads. Hair can mat between the toes, causing pain and inflammation. Long paw hair also hides the claws, whose length should be checked every two weeks. Small scissors with safety tips and nail clippers work well.
Tail: shorten the hair only enough for its tips to touch the ears when the dog looks upwards.
The “Boo dog” / “Boo haircut”
The “Boo” haircut means clipping the entire dog except for the head, which is shaped with scissors to resemble a teddy bear. What harm can this preference cause?
- It exposes delicate, unpigmented skin to UV radiation and the risk of skin cancer.
- It disrupts temperature regulation: the outer coat no longer absorbs or reflects sunlight, and the undercoat no longer insulates the body from high or low temperatures.
- A dense coat protects against insect bites. In Poland, mosquitoes already transmit dirofilariasis.
- The coat also protects against irritating substances from plants or household chemicals that may cause contact allergies.
- The coat may not grow back evenly.
4. Claws
Nail trimming is essential.
Claws grow from birth throughout a dog’s life. Pomeranians do not wear them down naturally. Neglecting their length can have significant consequences.
A nerve and blood vessel—the quick—run along each claw. As the claw grows, the quick can extend further, eventually making it impossible to trim to the right length without pain and bleeding.
A claw tapping the ground also transmits impact to the joint and bone, causing discomfort and potentially injury later.
The ideal length is one at which the claws do not touch the floor when the dog stands on a level surface. Remember that long hair on the paws can hide overgrown claws. Therefore:
Check the length of the paw hair and trim the claws at least twice a month.
5. Eyes
Eyes do not require special grooming, but watery eyes in Pomeranians sometimes occur. Consider the cause.
- Allergies—including food and contact allergies to perfume, cleaning products or grass pollen—can cause watery eyes. Discharge is generally clear and watery. Thick, crusty or coloured discharge (yellow, green or brown) often indicates another problem. If the area is not regularly cleaned with suitable eye wipes, tears can dry to a reddish or light-brown colour, especially in white and cream Pomeranians. Some products remove tear stains, but pay close attention: certain products are intended only for the coat, not for rinsing the eyes.
- A foreign body in the eye: small particles are a common cause of discharge. The eye produces extra tears to flush them out. Typical irritants are pollen and fragments of plants or soil. Rinsing with artificial-tear drops may resolve the problem. If it does not, see a veterinarian after 24 hours, as a damaged cornea may require specialist treatment.
- Conjunctivitis, whether viral or bacterial, requires veterinary assessment and care.
- Eyelid abnormalities: entropion, ectropion and ectopic eyelashes.