by Kellea Croft

Created on: July 25, 2008

Grooming your Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a high spirited little dog that a great companion. I have enjoyed each and every one that ever came into my grooming shop over the last 15 years. They have such great personalities that easy to care for and great for people with little experience of dog ownership. They can be a bit bossy, but they are very friendly and bright. They love to be pampered and don't require much grooming to feel top dollar.

They are dainty and can have a fragile build. Their coats are long, straight and have a bit of a coarse texture with a dense and fluffy undercoat. This double coat is great protection from the elements and will shed during the spring and autumn months.

This dense coat requires that you brush them at least twice a week, with more needed during the months of shedding. Use a slicker and pin brush and then an undercoat rake. If matts have formed use a splitter comb to break them up and brush out the matt. Brush from the back to the neck away from the body to achieve the lion like mane around the head.

Hold the matt from the skin and work the splitter from your fingers moving forward keeping pressure in the back. It will be less painful. After breaking up the matt, use the comb to loosen the cut pieces until the matt is gone.

Debris can gather between the pads of their feet, about once a month clip the hair between the pads and around the paw. If they are not kept clean it can lead to health problems with lameness being a result. It is best if you can use clippers with a #10 blade between the pads for a more even result.

You will need to trim his coat about once a month all over the body. Just scissors will do follow the contour of the body to give an even appearance all over. Comb the fluff along the legs away from the body and trim evenly down the leg the length you desire.

Urine and feces being caught up in the fur is best handled by keeping the stomach and rear area cut with a #10 blade. Pomeranians are not shy, and should take to grooming well. They relish in the attention. If you do not feel confident with the clippers, find your local dog groomer saloon and set up an appointment. It helps with their general health and you will enjoy the sanitation.

Bathing should be done at least once a week or every two weeks; depending on their level of activity during walks. You will have to work the shampoo into that dense undercoat to reach the skin. Make sure that there is no leftover residue in that coat that can lead to skin irritation and infections. The breed usually has no problems with the use of a high powered hair dryer to reach the undercoat.

After all grooming is done you will now see your little joy shine. They usually parade around with head held high and each step exaggerated. It is like the royalty has arrived on the scene and they know they are special.

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