The Pomeranian is a pint-sized adorable dog with a thick, puffy coat that makes them look like teddy bears in dog bodies. While they are not the most difficult dog breed to groom, there is some work that must be done in order to keep their coat in good condition.

When starting to groom, you want to have the proper tools. A good quality metal comb is a must for getting through the coat. A pin brush is also an essential tool. Many people prefer alternate brushes like slicker brushes, but I find a pin brush to be gentler on both the dog’s skin and its coat. It also does a better job of working through layers of coat and not just the top layer. A leave-in conditioner or detangler is something that will assist you with the brushing process by making the coat easier to comb, and it will help loosen up any tangles. Always use a dog formula conditioner as the PH is different versus human products and is made specifically for dogs.

It is best to condition your dog to being groomed from day one and make it a positive experience. Brush gently, talk softly, and periodically offer treats to young puppies to make the experience enjoyable. It is imperative that your Pomeranian be comfortable with being brushed. You don’t want your Pomeranian’s coat to tangle or mat. These are painful clumps of hair that will put pressure on the underlying skin, and once the hair is severely matted, it often must be cut out with scissors. Repeated matting creates a Pomeranian that doesn’t want to be brushed or groomed because it hurts! This means start teaching your dog about grooming early on and make sure to brush your Pomeranian at least weekly with a fully body brushing.

To properly brush your Pomeranian:

• Start the process with evenly spraying a leave-in coat conditioner across the coat. Rub the conditioner throughout the coat.

• You will want to part the dog’s hair so that you can see the skin. Take your comb and brush from the skin outwards to the end of the hair. This way you brush through the whole coat, remove any dead coat, and help identify any tangles quickly. Move your way through the dog’s coat by spreading the hair and brushing from skin layer outwards until the whole coat is complete.

• Take your pin brush and brush through the coat to even out the body hair and remove any remaining dead hair.

Weekly brushings help to reduce the amount of shedding a Pomeranian does by catching all the dead hairs. A high-quality diet is also essential. A dog’s coat is fed by the diet, and a poor quality food helps the coat dry out and lose more hair. You can also add a supplement of fatty acids to your dog’s diet through the use of Omega 3s. Ask your veterinarian about the best one and the proper amount for your Pomeranian.

In addition to coat care, there are other areas of dog grooming that must be completed:

1. Dental care: Pomeranians have terrible teeth and dental issues if the teeth aren’t taken care of. This means that ideally you should brush your dog’s teeth each day with dog toothpaste and toothbrush. It must be done at least weekly. There are also dental gels that can be applied (some purchased at your vets) that don’t require brushing, and dental chew toys are useful for removing plaque in between brushings.

2. Toenails: A dog’s foot will become damaged if the toenails are allowed to grow too long. Ideally, your Pomeranian’s nails should be cut weekly to maintain the best foot health, but you must cut your dog’s nails at least once every two weeks.

3. Optional trimming: While a Pomeranian doesn’t need trimmed when grooming, there are two areas that might be desirable. The bottom of the foot has hair that grows in between the pads. This hair can tangle and trap in dirt and wetness. The hair can be trimmed to be level with the pads instead of allowing it to grow. Hair around your Pomeranian’s bottom might also require trimming if you find that your dog has built up residue after going the bathroom.

4. Ear cleaning: Routinely look in your dog’s ears and make sure there is no built-up wax, odors, or redness. Cleaning ears with a dog ear cleaner once a month is normally sufficient. Never put your fingers or Q-tips into the dog’s ear canal. Only wipe out the part of the ear you can see with a cotton ball or pad.