Pomeranian Puppy Uglies Coat Stage Explained

Last Updated on 14/05/2024 by Denise Leo. Post first published on September 2, 2021.

As a new owner, you might have encountered terms like the ‘Pomeranian uglies,’ the ‘ugly stage,’ or simply this unique puppy transition. However, it’s important to remember that this is a temporary phase in your puppy’s life. Rest assured, there’s no risk of your puppy turning out ugly—there’s no such thing as a nasty Pomeranian puppy!

Most Pomeranian puppies experience what many breeders and enthusiasts refer to as the “monkey stage,” “ugly duckling phase,” or more commonly, the “ugly stage.” This is a transitional period when our little Poms aren’t yet the adorable, beautiful balls of fluff they’re destined to become.

You might notice significant changes between 4 and 6 months old, particularly in the fur around their face and their soft puppy coat transitioning towards the more mature, fluffy coats characteristic of adult Pomeranians.

A Pom puppy is a delightful round ball of fluff at just eight weeks old, making it hard to imagine them ever going through the ‘puppy uglies.’ However, this period is crucial for their development into the beautiful swan-like appearance of a mature Pomeranian breed. Their adult coat grows during this time, setting the stage for their future appearance.

This article delves deep into the stages your Pom puppy will go through during the Pomeranian uglies. It includes before-and-after pictures and complete care details to guide you through this pivotal period, ensuring your little Pom emerges with a beautiful coat, ready to charm the world with its innate fluffiness and elegance.

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

Initially, he may seem slightly scraggly, but he is still cute. However, he is never ugly. The Pomeranian is among the most beautiful dog breeds on the planet, and it’s regarded as a “necessary evil.”

The Pomeranian ugly stage is simply one step to your beloved Pom becoming the amazing fluffy dog she or he will eventually become.

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, enabling 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 during which they lose their puppy coat and grow an adult one. This coat change is called ‘blowing the coat,’ about 8 out of 10 Poms experience it to some extent, from mild hair loss to severe balding patches on their body or head.

The transition will happen gradually for the last 20% of Pomeranian puppies. New fur growth is at a rate that can replace the old puppy hair falling out.

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

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

Usually, this is not a 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, regardless 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.

Exactly What are the Pomeranian Puppy Uglies Stages?

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

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 soft and round cotton balls. With their fluffy puppy coats, poms 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 from puppy to adult coat. The soft puppy hair will fall out while all adult hair grows in.

This process takes a few months to complete. Your dog might look odd with patches that still have puppy fur compared to others with 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 so that you see skin through the thinning hair on certain body parts like legs or flanks. One month, it will be worse around their chest area, while another time, it’ll happen around their back.

Fur may fall 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, sometimes in an unusual pattern.

During the ugly stage, a Pomeranian undergoes a significant change over months. Puppy fat and a round appearance often give way to 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 and darken. For example, I have had pups that I thought were orange sables lightened to cream sable.
The color can darken. A change to cream during the Pomeranian ugly stage often disappoints white puppy owners.
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 and 10 months old. After ten months, their coats become full and thick once more as they regain their good looks.

How Long Do Pomeranian Uglies Last?

The 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 coat. Their hair growth is rapid, and at six weeks, they are cute balls of fluff.

This Pomeranian puppy fur will fall out during the Pom puppy uglies stage and be replaced by adult Pomeranian fur in 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’s fur must fall out for the adult coat to grow. Of course, you can’t stop it from happening, but that’s okay because it is a natural part of growing up.

Accelerating the new coat’s growth is important. Here are some tips to help.

Care Tips for the Pomeranian Puppy Transition Period

From when a Pomeranian is approximately three months old until he reaches adulthood, this transition period is nicknamed the “puppy uglies.” 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 love, reduce the issues normally associated with puppy uglies, and make life easier for you and your Pomeranian.

1. Regular Brushing.

He should regularly brush his coat to remove 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 ensure you brush him properly and that ALL 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, which will help increase the growth rate of the new hair.

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

2. Time for A Good Wash.

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

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

Pomeranian before and after puppy uglies pictures.

3. Leave-in Conditioner spray.

Using a leave-in conditioner spray helps Pomeranian puppies by keeping their coat soft, repelling irritants, and moisturizing their skin. It also prevents static while brushing.

4. Ensuring Your Puppy Remains Warm During Cold Weather.

Pomeranian puppies don’t have a double coat, so they may feel cold while they shed. Ensure your puppy is always warm by keeping him inside the house at a set temperature of 71F. You may 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 will likely have sore spots or dry skin. Both will need to be treated ASAP to avoid infections. Your vet can advise you on the most suitable cream for Pomeranian puppies while they’re shedding.

Other Causes Of Pomeranian Fur Loss?

It is not very common, but if your Pomeranian is not 4 to 10 months old, has symptoms of coat loss, or has 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 due to environmental or food allergies, thyroid issues, Alopecia X, mites, and numerous other health problems. Most problems can be treated, so taking your dog to the vet is critical if anything 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. There’s no point anyway, as it’s just a part of the puppy growing up and gaining that permanent, glorious new adult hair.

Final thoughts on the Pom Puppy Uglies

During adolescence, pom puppies may not appear as cute and fluffy as they shed their baby coat. However, it’s important to remember that this is a temporary phase. Rest assured, their beautiful Pomeranian fur will fully regrow when they reach one year old. Most Pomeranians undergo this less glamorous stage, shedding their fluffy exteriors before maturing into stunning adult Pom dogs.

As a dedicated Pomeranian owner, you play a crucial role when puppies start shedding their coats. Undertaking all necessary grooming is not just about maintaining their appearance but also about preventing matting.

It’s perfectly normal for Pomeranian puppies to look somewhat ‘ugly’ during this phase of their lives. This period is just a brief chapter in their journey to becoming the adorable, fluffy companions we cherish.

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