Caring For your Pomeranian, Pomeranian Grooming

Shaved Pomeranian or Clipped Pomeranian Information

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Last Updated on 23/09/2023 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on November 28, 2022.

The internet sensation known as “Boo” has made shaved Pomeranians or having your Pomeranian clipped short extremely tempting to many owners.

If you have seen any photos or books filled with photos of shaved Pomeranian images, it’s likely that you would at least consider having it done for your Pomeranian too.

I’ll explain the dangers of shaving a Pomeranian, the myths about shaved Pomeranians and I’ll also share tips I have learned along the way as a breeder of Champion Pomeranian show dogs.

Can You Shave a Pomeranian?

Should you shave a Pomeranian? No, please do not shave your Pomeranian. Shaving Pomeranians or shaving any double coated dog like the Pomeranian may damage the hair follicles.

Shaving or close clipping any dog with a double coat can severely hinder their ability to keep themselves warm and cool as required. It also helps protect their skin.

Most Pom dog coats that have been shaved or clipped will start growing back almost immediately. However, it’s possible that the shaved Pomeranian fur may never grow back or it could take a very long time to do so.

Taking your Pomeranian to a groomer may be a risky venture, especially if you haven‘t used that person’s services before. You need to give clear instructions on what you want done and, just as importantly, what you DON’T want done.

The ideal way to make your Pomeranian comfortable and cool is to give him regular baths and brush his coat. Shaving a Pomeranian should only be done if the dog’s hair is badly matted.  

Shaved Pomeranian Dog
Shaved Pomeranian Dog

Does Pomeranian Hair Grow Back?

Sometimes the dog’s coat quickly grows back and for some Pomeranians their coat never grows back.

Shaved Pomeranians  may experience problems recoating. Shaving may alter the coat for the rest of the Pom’s life. This problem is usually referred to as post-clipping Alopecia.

The recovery period could be as much as a year. Hairs on his outer coat are known as guard hairs. The guard hairs grow much slower than the fur underneath.

The older your Pom gets, the greater the chances are that there won’t be any fur growth or that it will be very slow hair regrowth.

If this happens, your Pomeranian will only have bits of his undercoat and the short hair on his head and legs. This can give him a very patchy and scruffy appearance.  

Clipping the coat during the resting phase is thought to be a cause of post-clipping Alopecia which may be an advanced indicator of hypothyroidism or other problems associated with your Pomeranian’s metabolism.

The coat on a Pomeranian Dog is fur. Humans have fur on our arms and legs and hair on our head. The difference between fur and hair is that fur only grows to a certain length and hair keeps on growing.

Fur goes through a resting period called the “telogen phase” where the hair follicles are dormant. The growing phase is called the “Anagen phase.”

In the Pomeranian and other Nordic breeds of dog, it’s believed that this is a short phase. Hair will grow to a predefined length (thanks to the dog’s genes). Then it stops growing and goes into the telogen resting period.

shave a Pomeranian
shave a Pomeranian

4 Myths Regarding Shaving Pomeranians

It’s critical that you do your due diligence before having your Pom’s haircut. Read up on all myths and facts related to this process.

Read legitimate websites (such as mine) that are written by Pomeranian breeders registered with the AKC.

If you have questions, consider making contact. It’s an essential process that you may not know but should follow.

Why? Because the number one factor is that it’s your Pom’s health might be at stake.

Shaving Pomeranians Myth 1

If you shave your Pomeranian’s coat, it stops shedding.
False.

Clipped Pomeranian Myth 2

Shave your Pom and he’ll feel cooler in Summer.
Another false concept.

Your Pom’s undercoat is shed so he’ll naturally keep cool when it’s hot. Consider your dog’s coat in the same way you consider your air conditioner.

Both are systems that help to regulate his temperature. If you shave your Pom’s coat, you’re disrupting his system, causing him a lot of discomfort.

Avoid shaving him but you can brush his fur to help him feel more comfortable.
It also makes his coat lighter while stopping mats from forming. If you keep his coat well-maintained, that decreases the need to shave him. There won’t be any mats that are impossible to get untangled so, unless it’s absolutely crucial, just don’t do it.

Do you see that I call shaving a “need?” It needs to be regarded that way and only done if you have no choice.

Shaved Pomeranians Myth 3

Your Pomeranian’s fur can grow back. Doesn’t this sound good?

Unfortunately, that’s about all. Sometimes shaved Pomeranian hair will grow back and other times a shaved Pom dog will not recoat.

Whatever happens, you’re stuck with the decision, and the constant visual reminder might be a bald Pomeranian.

Caution: This myth is the most serious, and most dangerous. If you have an older Pomeranian, he might never see his missing fur again.

Clipped Pomeranian Myth 4

Cutting Pomeranian hair short can help with your allergies.

The assumption behind it goes like this. If your Pomeranian’s fur makes you sneeze, blocks your nose and makes your eyes water,

If that’s factual, shaving may be the answer. However, it’s usually not because the allergy’s main source isn’t affected.

People with so-called dog allergies have an allergy to canine dander, NOT the dog’s fur.

Dander is tiny skin cells that fall from your dog’s body.
Sometimes, dander attaches to dog hairs and is transmitted that way. However, it’s usually found in your Pomeranian’s undercoat.

If you give your dog a shave, you’ll be exposed to a lot more dander, making you feel worse.

The length of the two coat phases can vary according to the amount of stress your dog is experiencing. It seems pointless to buy a long-coated dog such as a Pomeranian if you’re just going to  shave his coat.

Shaved Pom and Clipped Pomeranian
Shaved Pom and Clipped Pomeranian

The Dangers of Cutting Pomeranian Hair Short

This needed repeating because there are a few hazards associated with shaving or clipping your Pomeranian. It’s also critical because there are cases where you do something that is permanent and can’t be undone.

Think twice before you make a decision you may regret. Ask questions of your vet, groomer, or other medical professionals that care for dogs because your Pomeranian’s life could be in your hands.

Let’s see what sort of difficulties may happen after he’s shaved.

You Might End Up Owning a Pomeranian With No Hair

Don’t try to justify this decision by saying his fur will grow back because there are times when it simply won’t regrow.

Most commonly, after you have a Pomeranian shaved down, the fur doesn’t grow back to be the same as before you shaved him. Newly grown fur might be shorter and patchy.

Pomeranian Fur Can Be Permanently Damaged by Clipping Short

A bald Pomeranian may not be the result of having your Pomeranian clipped once, but I would not be pushing my luck and would not practice cutting Pomeranian hair short often.

Don’t think if you shave a Pomeranian dog once and the hair does grow back that the fur will grow back every time you have your Pomeranian shaved down.

His undercoat might grow back but his outer coat, the one with the job of protecting his undercoat, likely won’t be the same as before.

Pomeranian Sunburn

If you really want to shave your Pom, it’s critical to his life that you leave a minimum of one inch of fur. If you don’t do so, his skin will be exposed to the sun and can suffer from sunburn.

His outer coat helps protect him from sunburn and bites from bugs.

Pomeranian Skin Cancer

When your Pomeranian is shaved and/or clipped, it’s simple for him to succumb to skin cancer because his skin is vulnerable to the sun’s harsh rays.

Pomeranian Dog
Pomeranian Dog

Pomeranian Heatstroke

Your intentions are good. The theory is that by shaving your Pomeranian’s coat, it will keep him cooler in the hot summer months.

However, the harsh reality is that once his coat is shaved, he’ll begin panting heavier as that’s a way for him to cool himself. He’ll also take breaks that happen more often and for longer when he goes walking.

If you love your Pomeranian, it’s not something you would wish on anybody. If his walks were fun previously, now they probably feel like torture.

Consider how different it feels to take your dog for walks that are easy, compared to walks when you’re stressing over whether your Pom is overheating at every step.

Pomeranian Cuts for Summer

Should I shave my Pomeranian in the summer? If you really want to do that, perhaps you should think more about the breed of dog you want, before actually making the purchase. Also consider the amount of overall grooming involved as it’s not something you may want to do.

Maybe you would prefer a dog that doesn’t need as much grooming. Pomeranians have a double layer coat. The undercoat has short, fluffy soft hairs and it acts as an insulation and helps support the much longer outer layer.

In other words, the dog stays cool in summer and warm in winter. The stronger, longer guard hairs help to insulate your dog against the heat from the weather and the sun itself.

Evolution blessed the Pomeranian breed of dog in this manner. If you clip the coat very short, you eliminate the dog’s natural cooling and heating ability and you cause more harm than good. There’s a big contrast between dogs and people.

Dogs don’t get cool through their skin. Their paw pads sweat and their major cooling method is panting. Owners also foolishly believe that shaving a Pomeranian will stop him shedding. Poms and other double-coat breeds will still shed after they have been shaved.

Shaving a Double Coated Dog
Pomeranian in Full Coat Prior to be Shaved.

It doesn’t matter how much shaving you do; your Pom will keep shedding. The small difference is that all the shed fur will be shorter than you’re used to seeing. It may be harder to remove it from carpets, furniture and clothing.

Shaving a Double Coated Dog
Pomeranian with Post Clipping Alopecia

Final Thoughts on Shaving a Pomeranian

Not every groomer will tell you about all potential problems, and that’s not their responsibility.

You must take full responsibility for the total care of your Pom. Do extensive research before shaving a Pomeranian.

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References and Further Reading:
[1] Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
[2] English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
[3] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
[4] Milo G. Denlinger “The Complete Pomeranian.”
[5] Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
[6] William Taplin’s “The Sportsman’s Cabinet.”
[7]  E. Parker “The Popular Pomeranian.”
[8] Lilla Ives “Show Pomeranians.”

Learn Everything About Pomeranians in The Pomeranian Handbook

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