Do Pomeranians Shed A Lot? The Answer Will Surprise

Last Updated on 09/02/2024 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on April 20, 2023.

This article will explain in detail Pomeranian shedding and answer your question, “Do Pomeranians shed a lot?”

The answer will probably surprise most non-Pomeranian owners because, contrary to popular belief, Pomeranians don’t shed much fur. Most double-coated, longhaired dog breeds don’t shed heaps all the time.

The Pomeranian shedding stage can be easily managed. Shedding for most long-coated dog breeds is seasonal and, in the case of female dogs, hormonal shedding after a season or after weaning a litter of pups.

How Much Do Pomeranian Dogs Shed?

I have good news for Pomeranian dog lovers, while all dogs shed, Pomeranians and other long-haired dog breeds don’t shed every day. In contrast, smooth-coated dogs are heavy shedders, and these smooth-coated dogs usually shed lots of coats daily.

Why is My Pomeranian Dog Shedding So Much?

How much do Pomeranian dogs shed depends on the type of shedding? There are three types of Pomeranian shedding.

The heaviest Pomeranian shedding stage is hair loss after female Pomeranian weans her litter.
The second heaviest Pomeranian shedding level is Pomeranian shedding season or seasonal shedding. This is usually a summer Pomeranian undercoat and a common dog shedding cycle.
The lightest Pomeranian shedding level is Pomeranian puppy shedding. This type of Pomeranian fur loss is a slow process, with a few hairs shed each day for months.

The 3 Types of Pomeranian Hair Shedding

Pomeranian puppy shedding. The puppy uglies is the name for the period when Poms lose their “baby or puppy” fur and then grow their adult fur.
Adult Pomeranians usually experience some seasonal Pomeranian shedding.
Pomeranian females typically go through a total shed after weaning a litter due to hormonal changes.

Pomeranian Puppy Shedding

Do Pomeranian puppies shed? The answer here is YES. Pomeranian shedding puppy coat usually begins about the age of 4 – 6 months. This Pomeranian shedding stage is when he starts to shed his baby fur.

All puppies are different, of course, and the entire Pomeranian shedding puppy coat process will take around five months before all the puppy fur is gone and he has adult fur.

Your puppy’s baby coat gets replaced by an adult double coat; the outer layer is long guard hair, and the inner layer is dense and thick.

The color of your Pom’s fur can significantly change during this period. For example, a heavily sable Pomeranian baby may end up with an orange adult coat or a white Pom puppy can go through the Pomeranian puppy shedding stage to end up as a cream-colored Pom.

While the puppy fur is being shed, your pet can look quite funny. This is because, at different times during the process, he’ll have patches of fur that are missing.

Don’t be concerned because this is normal and won’t last long. Once your puppy is ten months old, his adult fur will start to grow.

His adult coat will have completely taken over by the time he hits the 12 – 15 month point. You’ll feel the coat’s differences.

A puppy has very soft fur, which will be replaced with a double coat consisting of harsh guard hairs and a soft fluffy undercoat.

This is Pomeranian puppy shedding, a normal process that most Pom puppies go through.

Adult Pomeranian Dog Shedding

Is your Pomeranian shedding undercoat? Some Poms will do a complete shed once again during the 12 – 18 month period. These are normal dog shedding cycles.

There does appear to be a greater chance of this occurring if your puppy turns 12 months old during summer. After 18 months, your Pomeranian may do light seasonal sheds.

Female Hormonal Pomeranian Shedding Stage

The third type of Pomeranian shedding is the total shed after an adult female has whelped a litter of babies. Mothers typically do a total shed when the litter is six to eight weeks of age.

A period of at least six months is invariably required following a litter for a Pomeranian mother to return to her former full-coated beauty.

Don’t be concerned about your new mother’s complete shed, as this is normal due to hormonal changes.

When do Pomeranians Shed?

Several variables govern Pomeranian shedding, and as such, there is not a Pomeranian shedding season or a Pomeranian shedding cycle. The climate you live in and the environment the puppy grows up in are key factors.

Light changes are also a factor, and if it’s a major element in your Pom’s shedding cycle, the shedding will likely occur twice a year.

You can expect most adult Pomeranians to do some seasonal shedding. The seasonal shedding will be heavier with female Pomeranians who haven’t been desexed. They’ll often experience Pomeranian shedding after each season.

Adult desexed Poms of both sexes will undergo some light seasonal Pomeranian shedding.

During Pomeranian Molting, How Much Fur is Lost?

Is your Pomeranian shedding clumps to the point where patches are missing? This isn’t regarded as normal, unlike a Pomeranian shedding puppy coat who often does a complete coat molt.

Pomeranian Shedding Level

Adult Poms rarely lose that much fur except if they’re females (as listed in the third shedding option). If patches appear, there’s a medical cause, and you must contact your vet urgently.

The reasons why this occurs include thyroid troubles, allergies, mange, and much more. Your vet will do a barrage of tests and examinations to determine the actual cause, and then the right treatment can begin.

Pomeranian Shedding Tips

Grooming during Pomeranian shedding is vital. Pomeranian owners should be prepared to brush the coat daily with a pin and slicker brush to remove dead hair during molting.

The quicker you remove the dead coat, the faster new hair will grow in its place. Brushing daily will also reduce the need to remove your Pom’s dead coat from your furniture and clothing.

You need to remember that if a dead coat isn’t removed speedily, it will become matted, which often leads to skin yeast infections and other canine ailments. If a tangle occurs, it requires much work to extricate it without cutting it off.

Coat conditioner can help if applied, as it helps loosen the matt, and the tip of a grooming comb should be ideal to get it out.

If it doesn’t happen, you’ll have to cut the fur to prevent the matt from growing in size. The shedding of dog fur is a natural, healthy renewal process.

However, you need to groom your Pomeranian regularly to control the loose coat and avoid having hair spread all around your home:

1. The best brush to use when your Pom is shedding is a large, soft, slicker brush, a large dog comb, and a good quality pin brush. If you can run a comb through your Pomeranian’s coat without any hair coat coming out, brushing for that session is complete.
2. Plan a schedule for when you will do the grooming. It’s easier to do when you have the task planned for a busy day. Some owners enjoy doing it after dinner while they relax in front of the TV.
3. If you have nice weather, do it outside. Warm, dry weather is ideal. Doing the grooming outside helps reduce the mess.
4. If your pet has been a member of your family for more than a year and you haven’t tried using a tape lint roller on your carpet, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll find. Regular vacuum cleaners aren’t powerful enough to grab all dog hair. Get a vacuum designed for pet owners; the better models have special filters that can catch allergens that may affect your pet and your human family.
5. Don’t forget parts of your Pom’s coat. Many owners mainly work on their pets’ backs when he sheds because it is the biggest area. However, fur can fall from any part of your pet’s body, including its tail. So, the best way to deal with a heavy shed is to start brushing the underneath area first – e.g., the tummy area, then move to the chest area, hairs on the legs, ruff, pants, tail, and then move on to the back last.
6. Bathe your dog weekly and shampoo and condition his fur well. Blow as much dead hair out with a dryer before brushing.

Final Thoughts on Pomeranian Shedding

After reviewing the evidence, it is clear that Pomeranians shed a lot, but this is not heavy shedding. On the one hand, they don’t shed as much as some other breeds, but on the other hand, they still require frequent grooming.

Because of their fluffy coats, it’s essential to use a slicker brush, vacuum at least twice weekly, and bathe with a shampoo mainly meant for long-haired double-coated dogs. Owning a Pomeranian can be incredibly rewarding despite their need for extra care and attention.

Not only do they provide great companionship, but they also love to play with their owners and are relatively easy to train. Ultimately, these active little dogs are worth all the time and effort it takes to properly groom them and ensure their coats stay healthy and beautiful.

For more information on how to care for your Pom’s coat during any Pomeranian shedding stage, refer to the Pomeranian Grooming Guide.

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