The Pomeranian is a small dog with a luxurious coat.
Her ancestors are server sled dogs, and her closest relatives are the Eskimo dog and the Samoyed husky.
The breed originates in Iceland and Lapland.
However, active breeding began in the German province of Pomerania, hence the name.
At the moment there are 4 types of oranges - fox, bear, mini and toy.
Do I need to cut my hair?
Pomeranians have thick and lush hair, which makes them very beautiful and attractive. However, such beauty requires attention and regular care.
This includes: brushing, bathing and cutting . After all, without a haircut, your pet's fur quickly becomes tangled and loses its attractiveness. In addition, the haircut is performed for hygienic purposes.
To do this, the area of the ears, around the anus and genitals, on the paws and between the toes is treated . The fur on the back is also shortened to make it easier for the dog to curl its tail.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“Some people believe that if the dog is not a show dog, then it is not necessary to cut it. But that's not true. Pomeranians require regular hygienic haircuts. Otherwise, tangles form on the fur, and this, in turn, leads to skin diseases, injuries to the fingers and pads. In addition, I would not recommend clipping your Spitz, since after such a procedure the dog’s hair may not grow back.”
How often should you cut your dog's hair?
Grooming is necessary not only for beauty at exhibitions, but also for the health of the animal. Some owners don't know how often it is necessary to carry out grooming procedures for their dog's coat. A Pomeranian needs to be cut at least once every 2-3 months. You can experiment with haircuts as you like, but why can’t you cut your hair short? Improper grooming of dogs can result in the animals' normal coat growth being disrupted. Such consequences result from the removal of undercoat during shaving.
Another reason why you shouldn't cut your Pomeranian short is because your dog's skin is thin and sensitive.
Thick and long hair serves as a natural protection for the animal from various mechanical damage, insect bites and exposure to wind and cold. Therefore, if the temperature outside drops sharply, your pet can easily catch a cold. Owners who cut their Spitz short should purchase special overalls for their animals that protect the dog from bad weather.
Do pets need to be groomed before shows? Animals with formal hairstyles are not accepted for competitions; it is believed that dogs should look natural. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out grooming at least 6 months before the exhibition.
Should you cut your hair yourself or leave it to a professional?
You can cut your dog’s hair either at a grooming salon or on your own..
If a dog is preparing for an exhibition, then it is impossible to do without an experienced specialist. If the pet is not a show pet, then you can cut it yourself. This will require special tools, patience and treats for encouragement.
If you're not confident in your skills, watch a professional at work or take a few grooming lessons..
Main types of haircuts and what they look like in the photo
Classical
A classic haircut involves an appearance that emphasizes your strengths and hides your flaws . At the same time, the pet’s appearance does not change radically. It should be completely invisible that the dog has had its hair cut.
In the classic version, the pet's ears have a rounded shape, the collar is cut in the shape of a ball, and the silhouette is clearly defined . Hair is also removed along the contour of the fingers and between the pads.
As a result, the dog looks neat and natural. This type of hairstyle is also called an exhibition hairstyle.
Modern
Modern haircut is practically no different from classic haircut . The only difference is that in modern style there is a more pronounced edging of the silhouette, as a result of which the pet has a plush (toy-like) appearance.
If the hairstyle is done correctly, the Spitz's coat does not suffer and there are no problems with its regrowth..
"Under Boo"
With a Boo hairstyle, the dog looks like a teddy bear. The procedure is performed with a machine or trimmer over the entire surface of the body. As a result, the length of the wool is no more than 1.5 cm.
However, after such a procedure, the coat grows back very slowly . In addition, the dog will freeze in winter and suffer from overheating in summer.
Under the lion
The hairstyle is done with a machine or trimmer. In this case, all the hair is shaved down to the level of the shoulder blades. It is from the shoulder blades that the “mane” begins. The front legs are shaved down to the pasterns, the hind legs up to the hocks, and the belly is also treated.
A tassel is formed on the tail, which occupies one third of the length . All remaining fur, including the “mane,” is processed with scissors.
Most groomers do not recommend giving your dog a “Boo” haircut, as this can seriously damage your pet’s coat and it will never be the same again.
Moreover, it can take up to 2 years for hair to grow back.
Widely known on the Internet and beyond, the Pomeranian named Boo has driven thousands of people around the world crazy.
Almost every day I have to explain that Boo is not a separate breed of dog, but a cut Pomeranian.
Of course, Boo is very cute, but nevertheless, I categorically do not recommend cutting your Spitz shorter than 3-4 cm.
First of all, it's dangerous. Grooming will not make your pet feel better in the heat, as many people mistakenly believe. Since dogs do not have sweat glands on their bodies, shortening the coat will not give your pet any relief. On the contrary, it will deprive it of its natural protection and increase the risk of heat stroke. If your Pomeranian is suffering from heat, I recommend keeping him in the shade, drinking plenty of water, and periodically wetting his belly with water. It is better to postpone outdoor games until more suitable weather conditions.
Signs of heat stroke: lethargy, fainting, pale mucous membranes, possible convulsions. If you suspect your dog has heatstroke, you should urgently wrap it in a cold, wet towel, give a couple of drops of Corvalol, you can inject Prednisolone 0.3 ml intramuscularly or into the root of the tongue and immediately seek help from a veterinarian.
The delicate skin of a Spitz does not tolerate the sun - nature did not provide for Boo’s popularity and many owners of short-cropped Pomeranians encountered such troubles as burns, impaired skin immunity, itching, and dermatitis. The risk of cancer also increases. Grooming also makes your pet vulnerable to insect bites. Many mosquitoes, midges and gadflies revere small, defenseless, shorn Spitz dogs as a delicacy. Pets often react to insect bites with allergies. A short haircut will also make your pet vulnerable to cold and wind.
Secondly, a short haircut will not make your baby more beautiful. Grooming spoils the structure of the coat - your Pomeranian may no longer grow properly, because... After haircuts, the follicles of the hair follicles “fall asleep.” There have been cases of baldness in short-haired Spitz dogs. In the intervals between haircuts, washing and combing, Pomeranians cut “Boo” are not at all so charming. The undercoat, unprotected by long guard hair, looks like an old felted sweater after an hour, and besides, such wool gets dirty very quickly. A pedigree haircut, on the contrary, will emphasize the dignity of your dog.
The Pomeranian is an amazing breed of dog that will give you a lot of positive emotions. Love them for who they are and do not subject your pets to questionable procedures for the sake of current fashion!
Elena Gainulina, veterinarian, owner of the nursery “Ot Panda Sharm”
For boys and girls
As a rule, owners of male Spitz dogs prefer haircuts:
- Classic.
- Modern.
- "Under Boo"
- Under the lion.
The first two emphasize the natural beauty of the pet, but do not indicate its gender. Therefore, they are suitable for both boys and girls.
As for the “Under Boo” hairstyle, it is often preferred by owners of boys . She is neat and does not require special care.
The Lion Hairstyle can be called the most masculine of all Pomeranian haircuts.
Owners of female Spitz prefer:
- Classic haircut.
- Modern.
- "Like a fox."
These hairstyles maximize the beauty of your pets. They do not deprive the dog of its natural decoration - a fluffy coat.
NOTE!
Some owners use various decorations (hairpins, bows and other accessories) to create hairstyles, and some use bladeless coloring.
How often should the procedure be performed?
If the dog is not a show dog, then a monthly hygienic haircut will be enough . To understand whether your pet needs a haircut, put it in your profile and you will immediately see where the excess needs to be removed.
If an exhibition is planned, then the dog is cut six months before it.
After all, according to the standard, the Pomeranian Spitz should be in its natural form.
Required Tools
To groom your Pomeranian you will need::
- Sharp scissors with rounded ends.
- Thinning scissors.
- Fine-tooth comb.
- Comb with wide teeth.
- Pukhoderka.
- A dog clipper or trimmer.
Before the procedure, the pet must be combed and bathed.
Spitz coat care
With proper care, the dog always looks combed. What rules should be followed when leaving? The coat of this breed forms very few tangles - mainly behind the ears and, much less often, between the toes. This does not mean at all that you should let everything take its course and not care for her. You should comb it carefully, about once or twice a week, not only along the coat, but much more often against its growth, that is, in the direction from the tail to the head. To do this, use a brush and an iron comb with rare teeth.
The undercoat should be combed only during the molting period, otherwise the guard hairs will lose stability and support. It is not recommended to wash your dog frequently. They bathe when they are very dirty or before shows, in other cases they simply wipe their paws after a walk and brush against the growth of the fur.
During the molting period, you should not bathe your Spitz - its fur may become matted and difficult to comb. Before washing, you need to comb the wool well, and after washing, wring it out. Then let the dog shake himself off, dry him with a towel and start drying with a hairdryer.
How to cut your hair at home?
Stages of work:
- Before you start grooming, the dog is thoroughly combed.
- The procedure begins with the paws. First, the pads and fingers, as well as the space between them, are treated. This is done using thin scissors, and tangles and clogged dirt are removed. To create the effect of a cat's paw, the fur is cut around the circumference of the paw.
- After the paws are trimmed, they begin to process the “pants” using a machine. The haircut is done from top to bottom, along the hair growth line.
- The base of the tail is trimmed with scissors in the direction of hair growth. After which the anus and genital area are treated.
- The belly is carefully processed with a machine, leaving at least 3 cm of fur length.
- Tail processing. The tail itself should be cut very carefully so as not to spoil its appearance. If you do not have experience in grooming, then simply trim the hair on the tail with scissors.
- The next stage is processing the ears. They are trimmed especially carefully so as not to injure the pet’s delicate skin. First, the overgrown hairs at the tips are cut off, and then the ears are given a rounded shape. After this, the regrown hairs on the inside of the ear are pulled out with special tweezers. Treating Spitz ears is a very delicate procedure and requires special skills.
- The area of the back and sides is trimmed first with regular and then with thinning scissors. In this case, the movements should follow the outlines of the dog’s silhouette.
- If the hair is on the withers and sides of the branch, they are carefully cut with scissors.
- The area of the back of the back is treated especially carefully so that the hair does not prevent the tail from curling freely.
How to properly care for fur?
The main rule when caring for a Spitz’s coat is regularity.
Needed for care:
- Metal comb with thick teeth.
- Comb with sparse teeth.
- Pukhoderka.
- Natural bristle brush.
- Special dog shampoo and conditioner.
- Scissors for haircuts.
CAREFULLY!
Despite the thick coat, the Spitz does not need daily brushing, as this can lead to the loss of most of the undercoat.
Brush your dog 1-2 times a week and that will be enough.
Brush your pet as follows::
- First, the dog is combed with a comb with sparse teeth against the growth of the hair.
- Then the pet is scratched in the direction of hair growth with the same comb.
- At the next stage, the dog is combed through its fur with a comb with sparse teeth. This removes mats but leaves the undercoat untouched.
- Particular attention should be paid to the groin area, armpits and the area behind the ears. In these places the coat is softer and tangles most often form here.
- During molting, the pet is scratched with a slicker brush, freeing it from the old undercoat. During this period, the dog should be brushed daily.
Another important aspect of care is bathing. The procedure is carried out no more than once a month. If the dog gets dirty, then there is nothing wrong with bathing it outside of the schedule.
In this case, use only special shampoo and conditioner intended for dogs with lush hair . It is worth saying that Spitz dogs do not really like to swim.
But if you teach them from childhood, they will tolerate the procedure quite calmly. Pomeranians begin to be bathed at the age of 3-4 months.
A more convenient alternative to bathing is dry shampoo . It is an aerosol that binds particles of dirt and grease. After applying dry shampoo, comb the dog thoroughly.
Hygienic haircut is also an integral part of caring for the Pomeranian's coat. Groom your pet as the fur grows back (on average once a month).
It is not recommended to bathe your dog during shedding; this can lead to the formation of tangles, and the quality of the coat also suffers . It can go from straight and fluffy to soft and wavy.
Haircut care
The dog’s appearance does not require any special care after a visit to the groomer or a home makeover. However, you need to know a few nuances.
- It is recommended to regularly comb the dog’s lush, classic hairstyle once every 3 days.
- In rainy weather, it is not recommended to walk your pet without overalls, as it is difficult to tidy up the fur, which is soaked in street dirt.
These problems are less common for short-haired Spitz dogs. But they have other difficulties. The dog has no sweat glands, modest hair, leaving it without protection for the summer and winter. During hot periods, the dog may overheat. Burns, dermatitis, and allergic reactions are possible. Therefore, it is a mistake to consider a pet’s short hairstyle to be the best summer option.
The golden mean is a coat length of 3.5 – 4 cm.
Combing
To accustom the animal to the procedure, you must first sit it on your lap and place a soft cloth under the puppy. The Spitz should feel comfortable.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
Ask a Question
It is necessary to comb the dog against the grain. This will make the fur coat more voluminous.
Tangles in representatives of the breed rarely occur and only in the armpits, groin, and toes. First they are carefully plucked, then cut.
To avoid electrification of the hair, it is allowed to use antistatic agents. Sprays and conditioners moisturize the coat well.
the washing up
Bathing your pet more than once a month is harmful. An exception is allowed in the run-up to the exhibition. After a walk, just wipe your paws with a wet cloth.
It is allowed to use dog shampoo twice a year. After the water procedure, the wool is treated with a dry concentrated aerosol for animals.
Dry your pet's hair with a warm stream of air from a hair dryer.
