Spitz is a breed that requires special coat care. Its length and structure, as well as the thickness of the undercoat, can create problems for the owner. In some cases, owners may resort to cutting their pet's hair to create a neat and original look.
There are different options that are suitable for representatives of the breed, some of them can be done independently, others require contacting a grooming specialist.
Features of grooming
Up to 3 months inclusive, the coat of Spitz puppies is not completely formed. Until this age, dogs are only taught to handle hands by gently combing their fur, cleaning their ears and trimming their nails. At the age of 3.5 months, the first molt occurs. From this moment, it is already possible to give a rounded “cat” shape to the hair on the paws and trim the hairs on the ears.
At 11 - 12 months, the dog's body and coat are finally formed. During the same period of time there is a second moult, after which you can do any model haircuts.
Pomeranians have very sensitive skin. Therefore, you should not shave your dog's head - this can cause baldness.
Possible hairstyle options for your pet
The most common hairstyles are a hygienic haircut and an exhibition one. The first step is to maintain a well-groomed appearance of the dog. The fur is shortened under the tail, on the paws, and possibly shortened on the ears. Only those parts that interfere with keeping the dog clean are cut.
A “classic” haircut is called an exhibition haircut. The main goal of this hairstyle is to make the dog as attractive as possible, hiding flaws. The ears barely peek out from the fluffy coat, the paws and tail are rounded. A rounded “collar” is created around the neck.
The structure of the coat
Up to 3 months, the puppy’s body is covered with thin hairs that resemble fluff. A dog’s full-fledged, “adult” coat begins to form at 3.5 months and finally changes by the age of one year. The Spitz coat consists of 2 parts:
1. Guard hair – hard and straight hair. It stands perpendicular to the dog's body.
2. Undercoat - soft, long spiral hairs. Makes up the bulk of wool.
The Pomeranian's thickest hair is located on the collar, tail and hind legs.
Photo
In the photo below you can see a relatively safe hairstyle for a Pomeranian. But let us remind you that it is better to consult with a specialist before making a decision.
Grooming Basics
To keep a Spitz's coat looking neat, it needs to be combed and trimmed regularly . Dogs of this breed especially need grooming during the molting period. The fact is that due to the spiral-shaped structure of the coat, fallen hairs remain on the dog’s body and, if they are not combed out, they form lumps that are difficult to comb out.
Combing
Regardless of whether the dog is a show-class representative or not, it needs to be brushed at least 2-3 times a week. To do this, it is not at all necessary to visit a groomer. This can also be done at home. It is enough to purchase a minimum set of tools:
- Massage comb. Even a regular human comb with long teeth (about 3 cm) will do. Combing with a massage brush helps to detangle the fur before using a slicker. It is also convenient to use while drying wool with a hairdryer.
- Puffer. For Spitz dogs, slicker brushes of medium size, moderate hardness, and long teeth without plastic roundings at the tips are suitable. She needs to carefully comb the fur from roots to ends, dividing it into partings. The slicker is indispensable during the molting period.
- Comb . Lifts hairs, creating additional volume and cleans out remaining hairs. The comb is also actively used by the groomer during haircutting.
Bathing
You should wash your Pomeranian Spitz no more than 1-2 times a month. The rest of the time, wiping the paws with a damp towel after a walk is enough. The exception is the upcoming exhibition.
If your dog gets very dirty during a walk, wash it in the shower, but without using detergents, or use a spray shampoo.
Washing your dog during shedding is contraindicated. Water puts a lot of stress on already weakened hair follicles, which causes hair loss and matting.
After bathing, the dog should be thoroughly dried with a soft towel and dried with a hairdryer. Natural drying is not suitable for dogs of this breed, as the porous hairs absorb too much moisture. This can trigger the development of fungal or bacterial diseases on the pet's skin.
Consequences and possible results
The cycle of each fur follicle is predetermined. At the same time, Spitz dogs have follicles that are in different stages of the cycle. When the hair is in anaphase, there is an old hair in the follicle, which should “go away” along with molting, and there is a young one - just growing. If the owner decides to shave the dog, part of the old hair remains in the follicle and the new hair, which has not yet grown, is damaged. Thus, the guard hair dies, and the undercoat grows in its place. As a result, there is no longer room to grow a new guard pile. This is what leads to changes in the structure of the coat.
Consequences
Believe me, such a haircut will not be a relief for your pet in hot weather. Due to the fact that there are no sweat glands on the body of Pomeranians, the baby will not have an easier life in the heat. On the contrary, it will deprive it of its natural barrier, and increase the likelihood of heat stroke.
An excellent way to make your pet's life easier in hot weather is to keep him in the shade, give him plenty of fluids, and periodically wet his tummy with plain water.
Meet the adorable white dogs.
The delicate skin of oranges does not tolerate sun exposure, so many owners of dogs cut like Boo are faced with the appearance of burns, impaired immunity of the skin, and, as a result, itching and dermatitis.
Attention ! Short-haired Spitz dogs increase the risk of cancer.
Among other things, the lack of natural cover makes the pet an attractive treat for insects: mosquitoes, midges and gadflies. An allergic reaction may occur due to the bites. Also, babies become vulnerable to wind and cold.
Puppy
In addition to the possible appearance of bald spots on the fur, its pigmentation changes. Darker or lighter stains appear.
Kinds
You can trim your Pomeranian Spitz both in a grooming salon and at home (if you have such skills). Before grooming, your pet must be washed and combed. The most common are the following 4 types of haircuts.
Exhibition (classic)
A classic haircut is a kind of “cleaning of feathers” before an exhibition. The animal must be cut so that it is not noticeable, but at the same time all the advantages are emphasized, and all the shortcomings are hidden. The tips of the ears are given a rounded shape using thinning scissors. Excess hairs are also removed from the ear canal. The paws are given a rounded “cat” shape. Excess hairs are trimmed along the contour of the fingers and between them.
The collar and tail are made more magnificent and spherical with the help of thinning. Lastly, the groomer carefully trims the area under the tail.
To the "bear cub" (Boo)
Recently, the “teddy bear” or “Boo” haircut has become increasingly popular.
Boo is a dwarf Spitz whose cute photos conquered Facebook in 2009, and then the entire Internet. He was loved by the public due to his resemblance to a plush toy.
The distinctive features of the “Boo” haircut are as follows:
- Round head - ears should be level with the back of the neck.
- Short hair on the body - it should be the same length.
- Short hair on the paws - giving them a rounded shape.
As a result of the haircut, the dog looks like a funny teddy bear. Despite its touching appearance and practicality, a dog with such a haircut will not be able to take part in competitions. In addition, the hair will grow back for a very long time after it.
Modern
This haircut differs from the show classic because it has a more careful silhouette. As a result, the dog looks very round and cute, but at the same time does not lose its breed appearance. If the haircut was performed by an experienced groomer, the structure of the coat will not deteriorate and the hairs will grow back quite quickly.
a lion
The so-called “lion” haircut. Using a clipper, the hair on the front paws, hind paws, back and belly is cut. The groomer leaves long hair in the collar area and on the muzzle, as well as a tassel at the tip of the tail. The remaining wool is given additional volume using thinning scissors.
Attention!
This haircut can ruin your dog's coat and lead to baldness!
What is the danger?
The problems of Pomeranian owners begin with the desire to shave their pet like an adorable bear. These problems can harm the baby and haunt him throughout his life.
The first haircut can ruin your fur for life.
Many novice dog lovers want to cut their pet this way because Boo is a modern trend, not realizing that just one haircut is not enough. In 99% of cases, it will be impossible to restore your pet’s fur, even if it was shaved once. As a result, the baby will have to walk like this for the rest of his life.
Choosing a Groomer
Not only the quality of the haircut, but also the pet’s well-being after the procedure depends on the professionalism of the groomer. A master of his craft, he knows how to connect with animals and understands cosmetics and care products. He is also always ready to give advice on choosing good food and vitamin complexes to keep your pet's coat healthy and shiny. The following 5 parameters will help you distinguish a professional from an amateur.
- Reviews. Be sure to read customer reviews of the grooming salon before bringing your dog there. The best solution would be to find other Pomeranian owners on the forums and ask who they prefer to groom their pet.
- Knowledge of the breed and its characteristics. A good groomer knows how to cut dogs of a wide variety of breeds, but most specialists have a rather narrow specialization, aimed at the bulk of clients. For example, for grooming Yorkshire terriers. Ask the master if he has experience working with a Pomeranian Spitz - a professional will not take on a dog whose breed characteristics are unfamiliar to him.
- Tools . A good groomer's workplace always looks neat, and his tools are high-quality and durable . Even if the master works at home or at a veterinary clinic, his equipment must be in good working order and kept clean. Rusty scissors or a wobbly cutting table are a good reason to find another specialist.
- Contact with animals. For most dogs, getting a haircut is very stressful, especially if the procedure is unusual and the salon is unfamiliar. Whether your pet will feel comfortable in his hands or not depends on how well the groomer knows how to connect with animals. Do not leave your dog alone during the procedure immediately. Attend the process of introducing a specialist to your pet - everything will become clear to you right away. Rough handling of the animal - grabbing the scruff or paws is unacceptable! If you witness such behavior from staff, immediately remove the animal from the salon and notify the management of the establishment.
- Professional growth. A professional groomer must have diplomas and certificates confirming his attendance at courses and master classes. If the chosen groomer is constantly improving his skills and testing new products in his field, you have made a good choice.
And finally, selection of photos by topic.
Boo haircut prices
In the cabin
This hairstyle cannot be called cheap, because its implementation requires a certain skill and experience. Don't save money, turn to specialists and get the following benefits:
- The dog is cut by a professional groomer who knows animal psychology and who can find an approach to your pet, regardless of its character.
- If the baby is restless, he may be given a mild sedative or sleeping pill. This can only be done in the presence of a doctor, and not at home.
- The procedure is performed using high-quality tools and hair care products.
Complex grooming is quite expensive - from 2,300 rubles. It includes:
- bathing and drying;
- a haircut;
- cleaning ears and eyes;
- trimming nails.
At home
You can call an experienced specialist to your home. The prices are quite different. Usually the haircut itself without additional procedures costs from 1,190 rubles.
Haircut at home
The advantages are obvious:
- saving time on traveling to the salon;
- a comfortable and familiar environment for the pet;
- you will have the opportunity to observe what is happening.
Origin story
It is believed that the ancestors of the Pomeranian breed were herding dogs. This explains the cubs' excellent hearing, ability to learn, and their endless energy. The ancestors of today's Spitz were larger in size, weighing about 14-16 kg.
The bear-type mini-Spitz is the result of long, painstaking work by breeders from the German district of Pomerania (hence the name of the breed). For a long period, crossbreeding of German Spitz and various decorative breeds was carried out.
The main task of the specialists was to reduce the size of the resulting individuals. As a result, it was possible not only to reduce the size of the animal, but also to significantly improve its quality and appearance:
- the characteristic fluffiness of the breed appeared;
- achieved a variety of coat colors;
- The fur has acquired gloss and shine.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the miniature Spitz dog came to England. Local breeders brought the work of Pomeranian specialists to its logical conclusion, obtaining the characteristics known today. In fact, there are 5 known growth characteristics for Spitz dogs. The smallest height is from 18 to 22 cm. This variety is called a miniature or dwarf Spitz. Divided into 2 types:
- A dog with a fox face. Another name for the German Spitz.
- Teddy bear dwarf orange. This species is gaining more and more fans every year.
Bear-type Spitzes have gained wild fame thanks to a couple of representatives of the breed. The owners of the European Boo and the Japanese Shunsuke have registered accounts for their pets on social networks. Now every day on Twitter and Facebook, fans of the bear dogs rejoice at their new photos.
Required Tools
To groom your Pomeranian you will need::
- Sharp scissors with rounded ends.
- Thinning scissors.
- Fine-tooth comb.
- Comb with wide teeth.
- Pukhoderka.
- A dog clipper or trimmer.
Before the procedure, the pet must be combed and bathed.
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We serve all areas of the city of Rostov-on-Don. We go to the house.
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Preparation for the procedure
The pet should not be afraid of such a procedure, because he will have to undergo it several times throughout his life. Therefore, the very first trip to the grooming salon should end with the dog’s most positive emotions. After a haircut, the Pomeranian should remain calm and cheerful. This largely depends on the preliminary preparation of the animal by the owner:
- The first thing you need to do is to accustom your pet to bathing;
- The second condition: the dog must react positively to the master himself and his office. For this purpose, it is better to visit the groomer in advance (perhaps even a couple of times). It’s good if the animal receives a small treat from the owner in the salon - this will build trust in the new environment and avoid internal tension;
- The third point of preparation is getting used to the noise of the hair dryer and tools, which should not cause any negative emotions or anxiety in the dog.
Be sure to give the dog a bath and comb its fur on the day of the procedure or the day before - after bathing, the hair is cut much easier.
Photo of a shorn spitz
Should you cut your hair yourself or leave it to a professional?
You can cut your dog’s hair either at a grooming salon or on your own..
If a dog is preparing for an exhibition, then it is impossible to do without an experienced specialist. If the pet is not a show pet, then you can cut it yourself. This will require special tools, patience and treats for encouragement.
If you're not confident in your skills, watch a professional at work or take a few grooming lessons..
Traditional
The hairline is slightly shortened throughout the body to give the dog a beautiful and well-groomed appearance. First, wash your Pomeranian with dog shampoo and conditioner. After washing, wrap it in a towel and hold it for a while. Place the animal on a table or other flat surface and dry it with a hairdryer. Before doing this, spray the wool with any product after washing, you can use human hair spray. Dry your dog, then comb thoroughly with a fine-tooth comb from root to tip. Now the Spitz is ready for grooming.
For the procedure, you will need scissors with safe ends for the main cutting, thinning ones for thinning. Constantly comb your dog with a fine comb, cutting off only those hairs that stick out after combing. Using this principle, treat the dog’s entire body. Start with the head and furry collar
Carefully remove the hair around the ears; they should be small and round. Hair is removed with one movement of scissors
Trim the auricle only from the top, do not touch the sides.
Leave the signature frill on the collar. Next, process the body and the “pants” on the legs. The wool around the pads must be cut off; here it easily falls into tangles. The tail area can be cut in any direction, but it should not look shorn.
The breed standard suggests it has a fairly fluffy appearance. The correct length is when the tail lies on the back and touches the withers. Don't remove this edge anymore. Once you have combed and trimmed all the hairs, go over the entire body with thinning scissors to remove excess hair.
In the summer, you can cut your Spitz a little shorter, but don’t get too carried away. A dog cut to the undercoat or shorter will suffer heatstroke as thermoregulation is disrupted. Moreover, there is no need to shave your pet; the hair may not grow back at all.
How to cut your own hair?
The next step is to proceed directly to the haircut.
It’s better to start from the head, use scissors to trim the fur on the ears, paying special attention to long hairs in the ears that need to be carefully removed
The collar area is also trimmed with scissors, giving it a neat rounded shape.
On the lower back and shoulders, only hairs that stand out from the general mass are removed, but the groin area and the area under the tail need to be cut more carefully, but for obvious reasons, be especially careful
The front paws are cut to the knee, paying special attention to the fur between the toes, which is carefully trimmed, giving the paws a rounded shape. The shape of the tail is up to the taste of the owner, but according to show standards, it has the shape of a fan and should not be higher than the head
Grooming yourself can be a pleasure, or it can turn into torture if the dog fidgets, doesn’t stand still, and shows dissatisfaction with what’s happening in every possible way. If the owner or the dog does not have enough patience, and the process turns into a circus tent with nervous exhaustion at the end, it is better not to suffer and go to the salon. In addition, they can offer a lot of options for unusual haircuts that will be difficult to replicate at home.
Process description
The whole process includes 3 stages.
Combing
This is an integral part of pet care. The owner can carry out this procedure independently using special tools. Regardless of whether the dog takes part in competitions, exhibitions or not, it should be combed at least once a week; during shedding, this should be done more often - 2-3 times.
The first tool the owner will use is a massage brush. It is possible to use an ordinary human comb with teeth no more than 4 centimeters. The brush will help detangle the fur. It is also often used during blow drying.
The next device with a clear name is a slicker. For the Spitz breed, medium-sized slickers with moderately rigid teeth without rounding at the end are used. This helps to comb the hairs well from roots to ends. When your pet sheds, this is a rescue from fur.
The last tool is the comb. It adds more volume to the coat and removes excess fluff. The device is actively used in the grooming process.
Bathing
Only specialized shampoos can be used. The water should not be hot so as not to burn the skin of your furry pet. Apply the product evenly to the entire body, including the head, tail, and paws. Avoid contact with eyes. But if for some reason this happens, then carefully but thoroughly rinse them and, if necessary, contact a veterinary clinic.
It's only a plus if you use air conditioning. It makes the hair soft and silky, making the hair easier to comb. Leave for a few minutes for best effect and rinse with water.
After this, dry the dog with a towel, then with a hairdryer. In general, caring for a regular dog is a little different from the same process for a show dog, as there are many different coat softeners, sprays and oils. Before the haircut itself, the dog's nails are pre-cut and its ears are cleaned.
Direct haircut
Adult dogs can be trimmed on a specialized table
It is important that the surface is non-slip. Before the procedure begins, the animal is fixed with a ring attached to a stand so that at the wrong moment the pet does not jerk, and the person does not accidentally injure it in the process. The animal's ears are trimmed along the contour
In order to do this with due care, you need to determine the edge of the ear and pinch it with 2 fingers. Then cut off the protruding hairs and round them along the entire edge. To create a voluminous ponytail, first of all, you need to comb it up and lay it on your back, dividing it into 2 parts. The tail should look like one piece - no hairs should protrude
The animal's ears are trimmed along the contour. In order to do this with due care, you need to determine the edge of the ear and pinch it with 2 fingers. Then cut off the protruding hairs and round them along the entire edge. To create a voluminous ponytail, first of all, you need to comb it up and lay it on your back, dividing it into 2 parts. The tail should look like one piece - no hairs should protrude.
At the front, the hair is combed down and cut so that the full face forms a semicircle. On the back of the head, the hair is combed against hair growth and neatly trimmed with scissors. In the anal area, the hair is combed along the hairline and trimmed. The butt should also look like a semicircle. On the paws, the hair is combed down and cut to the same length, and professionals in their field do not forget to remove excess hair between the toes.
