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Pomeranian Puppy Uglies Explained

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Last Updated on 09/02/2024 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on September 2, 2021.

As a new puppy owner, you may have heard of the Pomeranian puppy uglies stage. Now you want to know what is the Pomeranian uglies, Pomeranian ugly stage, or this Pomeranian puppy transition?

Will it mean your puppy will actually turn out ugly? Definitely NOT! There is no such thing as an ugly Pomeranian puppy.

Most Pomeranian puppies go through what some breeders refer to as the “monkey or ugly stage,” also known as unglamorous times in their lives when our puppies are not yet presentable for all occasions! Around 4-6months old at first, you’ll notice that the fur on their face changes color.

Pomeranian puppies at 8 weeks of age are usually a cute round ball of fluff. At this stage, it is hard to imagine your puppy doing through the puppy uglies.

This article will explain the stages your puppy will go through during the Pomeranian uglies. Included are before-after pictures and complete puppy care details during the Pomeranian puppy transition period.

Do Pomeranians Go Through a Puppy Ugly Stage?

Yes, most Pomeranian pups go through a Pomeranian uglies puppy stage. This period is called many names including the Pomeranian puppy uglies, Pomeranian monkey stage, ugly stage of Pomeranian, Pom uglies, monkey stage of Pomeranian, Pomeranian transformation, and the Pom puppy uglies.

Pom Puppy Uglies Indications

He may seem a little scraggly but still cute, in an initial period of time but never ugly. The Pomeranian is among the most beautiful of all dog breeds anywhere on the planet and it’s regarded as a “necessary evil.”

The Pomeranian ugly stage is simply one step along the path towards your beloved Pom becoming the amazing fluffy dog that she or he will become in time.

The coats of Pom pups are full, thick double coats that give them the general “fluffy cotton ball” look. The Pomeranian puppy ugly stage is just a period of growth all Poms go through. It will be more obvious in some than in others.

The puppy fur must fall out to enable the full, double adult coat to emerge. Even the coat color can change during this transition period,

In most Pomeranians, it will be a moderate to severe phase that can worry owners who may not be aware that it’s normal for Pomeranian puppy shedding to occur during the puppy uglies stage.

Within the puppy’s first year of life, the puppy coat is shed and the adult coat replaces it, giving the beloved puppy that lush full coat instead.

Pomeranian Puppy Uglies is Normal

Pom puppy owners should not stress about the Pomeranian puppy uglies stage. Pomeranian puppy shedding is common and normal for most Pom puppies and most Poms will spend a few months of their puppyhood looking a little scruffy. 

Pomeranian puppies usually go through a fur shedding period where they lose their puppy coat and grow an adult one. This coat change, called ‘blowing the coat,’ and about 8 out of 10 Poms experience this to some extent, from mild hair loss to severe balding patches on their body or head.

For the last 20% of Pomeranian puppies, their transition will happen gradually. New fur growth is at a rate where it can replace the old puppy hair falling out.

Shedding is not as visible to owners who see their puppy each and every day. Adult hair quickly replaces the puppy fur.

Should I Be Concerned If My Pomeranian Puppy Does Not Go Through the Uglies?

Usually not a reason for concern as owners see their Pom babies each day, and often may not notice any changes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and most Pom parents see their Pomeranian as beautiful irrespective of coat quantity.

If a Pomeranian puppy doesn’t go through the “ugly” phase and/or fails to shed the puppy coat, the owner should be worried as this may mean that your Pom could face major coat loss problems in the future.

Pomeranian Puppy Uglies
Pomeranian Puppy Uglies. Before on the right and after on the left.

Exactly What are the Pomeranian Puppy Uglies Stages?

During Pom’s first year of life, Pom puppies will lose their puppy coat but other changes also happen. The proportions of their bodies alter, making them look like their legs are longer than they should be, their ears grow into super-sized ears and various other alterations may occur, depending on each individual pup.

It’s often described as they’re going through the awkward “teenager phase.

Pomeranian pups have a single layer of soft, fluffy hair. If you rub the puppy coat with your hand, it will feel like soft silk. Their coats are so silky and come in different colors.

Pom puppies often resemble a cotton ball, soft and round, Poms with their fluffy puppy coats could be mistaken for tiny teddy bears.

The adult Pomeranian has a double coat that is strikingly beautiful. The inner layer of fur is soft, fluffy, and tightly packed, while the outer guard hairs are long, harsh, and stand out from the body.

The Pomeranian Ugly Stage Process

There is a heavy and sometimes drastic shed during the transition phase from puppy coat to adult coat. The soft puppy hair will fall out while all of the adult hairs grow in.

This process takes a few months to complete. Your dog might look odd with patches that still have puppy fur compared to others who have an entirely new fur coat.

The coat can look patchy and uneven, with short hairs in some places and long hairs in others. The fur may appear sparse, so much that you see skin through the thinning hair on certain parts of the body like legs or flanks. One month it will be worse around their chest area, while another time, it’ll happen along their back instead.

Fur may be falling out in clumps when you pet your Pomeranian or after a bath. This coat loss can leave them with much less fur than they previously had and sometimes in an unusual pattern.

A Pomeranian goes through a significant change over months during the ugly stage. Puppy fat and round appearance often make way for a sleeker body shape.

Puppy Uglies Color Changes

The color of a Pom’s coat will also change when it goes through its transitional phase.

  • Colors can lighten as well as darken. For example, I have had pups which I thought were oranges sables lighten to be cream sable.
  • Color can darken. Often disappointment to white puppy owners is a change to cream during the Pomeranian ugly stage.
  • Markings and patterns can increase or decrease during the puppy uglies. This is extremely common in parti-colored and black and tan dogs.

At the end of a Pomeranian’s puppy uglies, your dog will be the adult color genetically predetermined at conception. A Pomeranian’s adult color can often vary from what is put on the registration certificate and what your breeder told you.

When Does the Pomeranian Uglies Happen?

The worst time of the Pomeranian ugly phase is when they’re between 4-10 months old. After 10 months, their coat is full and thick once more as they regain their good looks.

How Long Do Pomeranian Uglies Last?

Pomeranian Puppy uglies stage can last for a period of 3 to 6 months.

When Do Pomeranian Puppies Get Fluffy?

Pomeranian puppies are born with a short, smooth puppy coat. Pomeranian puppy hair growth is rapid and at 6 weeks they are cute balls of fluff. 

This puppy Pomeranian fur will fall out during the pom puppy uglies and be replaced by adult Pomeranian fur in a matter of months. A one-year-old Pomeranian should have returned to being a fluffy Pomeranian.

Is there a Way to Avoid the Puppy Ugly Stage?

The puppy fur must fall out for the adult coat to grow in. Of course, you can’t stop it from happening, but that’s okay because it is a natural part of growing up.

To help the new coat grow as healthily and quickly as possible, there are steps you can take to accelerate this process. Ahead are some tips.

Pomeranian Puppy Uglies
Pomeranian Puppy Uglies. Pomeranian uglies before after pictures.

Care Tips for the Pomeranian Puppy Transition Period

From the time that a Pomeranian is approximately three months old until he reaches adulthood, this transition period is nicknamed the “puppy uglies.” The reason is that he sheds his hair, accumulates body oils, gets mats and stuck hairs, and can be quite vulnerable.

If you follow these steps, you can give him lots of loving, reduce the issues normally associated with the puppy uglies and make life easier for both you and your Pomeranian.

1. Regular Brushing.

Regularly brush his coat to get rid of the remnants of the older, dead coat. The faster the dead coat is eliminated, the quicker the new coat can begin to grow strong.

Maintain his regular washing schedule but make sure you brush him properly and that ALL of the dead fur has been removed before bathing commences. If this isn’t done right, the coat can become severely matted. Brushing helps to stimulate the blood circulation to his hair follicles, and this will help increase the rate of growth of the new hair.

You have to remember that a puppy’s skin is more sensitive than that of an adult Pomeranian and softer tools must be used. For example, a pin brush for longer hairs and a softer bristle brush if he has missing or thin hairs.

2. Time for A Good Wash.

During the puppy uglies, your Pom may not seem to be dirty. However, he still needs a good wash every three weeks to get rid of stuck hairs and any body oils that may have accumulated. It will also prevent hair follicles and blocked pores.

To bathe your Pom, you must have a good quality conditioner and shampoo that are both specifically suitable for Pomeranians. During the uglies, your Pom puppy’s skin is extremely sensitive and if it was washed with the wrong products, irritation and/or damage can occur.

Pomeranian before and after puppy uglies
Pomeranian before and after puppy uglies pictures.

3. Leave-in Conditioner spray.

If you use a leave-in conditioner spray, that helps Pomeranian puppies by keeping their coat soft, repelling irritants, and moisturizing their skin. While brushing, it also prevents static.

4. Ensuring Your Pom Puppy Remains Warm.

Pomeranian puppies don’t have the doubled coat so while they shed, they may feel the cold. Ensure your puppy is warm at all times by keeping him inside the house at a set 71F temperature. You may choose to clothe your puppy in a sweater or shirt if he appears cold.

5. Look after Irritated Skin.

While Pom puppies go through their puppy uglies phase, they’re likely to have sore spots and/or dry skin. Both will need to be treated asap to avoid infections. Your vet can advise on the most suitable cream for this purpose on Pomeranian puppies while they’re shedding.

Other Causes Of Pomeranian Fur Loss?

Not very common, but if your Pomeranian is not 4 to 10 months old, has symptoms of coat loss, or skin disorders such as very itchy skin. It’s time for a trip to the vet

Apart from the Pomeranian puppy uglies, your pup can lose fur as a result of environmental or food allergies, thyroid issues, Alopecia X, mites, and numerous other health problems. Most problems can be treated so it’s critical to take your dog to the vet if anything is happening with your dog that seems wrong.

However, if a Pomeranian puppy is at the age where baby fur will be shed, that’s not a reason to see the vet because he can’t do anything about it and there’s no point anyway as it’s just a part of the puppy growing up and gaining that permanent, glorious adult Pomeranian coat.

Final thoughts on the Pom Puppy Uglies

Pom puppies may not be as cute and fluffy as they are going through adolescence, but their coat will grow back by the time they reach one year old. Most Pomeranians go through an ugly stage before maturing to be a beautiful adult Pom dog.

When your Pomeranian puppies start shedding, it’s essential that you take all necessary actions to keep them warm and comfortable. It’s ok for Pomeranian puppies to look somewhat “ugly” during this phase of their lives.

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References and Further Reading:
[1] Denise Leo “The Pomeranian Handbook”.

Pomeranian Puppy Uglies Before and After Pictures

Pomeranian Puppy Uglies
Pomeranian uglies before after pictures.

The Pomeranian Handbook

Pomeranian Puppy Uglies Before and After Pictures
Pomeranian Puppy Uglies Before and After Pictures

About

Denise Leo

Pomeranians are my passion, and I have shared my life with these darling little dogs for many decades. The creator and face behind this website is published author and Pomeranian breed authority Denise Leo of Dochlaggie Pomeranians.

Denise Leo
Denise Leo