Looking at the small and energetic Pomeranian, you’ll probably notice that it’s quite fluffy. Countless photos all over the internet show these tiny bundles of fun being groomed and shaped into what can only be described as a puff ball.
As cute and fluffy as they are, Pomeranians do shed. They don’t shed as much as other breeds, but their shedding is still significant. That’s because they are possibly one of the hairiest of the small dog breeds.
Pomeranians are not known as heavy shedders, but their abundant coat does leave behind some hair around their environment. And contrary to what you might have seen in pictures and videos, they don’t actually require a lot of grooming.
The Pomeranian coat
Pomeranians have a double coat, which consists of a shorter undercoat and a longer topcoat. They are furriest around their chest, neck and shoulders, which is responsible for what’s called the Pomeranian ruff.
While they have some feathering of hair on their front legs, their rear ends are quite fluffy from their thighs to their hocks. Their hairy tail forms a feather-like plume, completing the signature Pomeranian look.
On average, male Pomeranians are hairier than females.
Pomeranian hair loss
Some Pomeranians unfortunately lose their hair, due to a genetic condition called Alopecia X. This is a condition that affects Nordic dog breeds such as the Pomeranian. This gradual hair loss starts around the thighs and trunk, with the dog’s head and front leg hairs remaining intact.
In Pomeranians this disorder is often called “black skin disease” and can start at any point during the dog’s life. There is no known cure.
Pomeranian grooming
Pomeranian shedding can typically be kept under control with one or two good weekly brushings. Brushing removes most of the hair the dog would otherwise shed around the house. It also prevents tangles and mats from forming.
A good bath is only necessary once ever month or two, and can be replaced by a trip to the groomer. If you’re trimming your dog’s hair yourself, it’s best to use blunt end scissors to trim the hair around a Pomeranian’s abundantly fluffy rear section to ensure fecal matter doesn’t get stuck there.
Hiding shed hairs
Your Pomeranian probably won’t shed much, and if you regularly brush and groom your companion you won’t notice a lot of stray hairs around. However, if you want to make any hairs that do make it onto you less visible, choose a wardrobe that matches the colour of the hairs.
Since Pomeranians are a fashionable breed, it makes sense to think about how they will interact with your preferred wardrobe choices. However, you should also be prepared for the possibility of falling in love with a non-colour coordinated Pomeranian!