A Pomeranian comb is a must-have tool that should be in the arsenal of every furry owner. The pet's thick coat with a dense undercoat requires regular combing. Lack of proper care leads to the animal’s fur becoming matted and losing its attractive appearance.
For grooming Pomeranian and any other type of Spitz, several types of combs are used. They provide comprehensive care for the dog's coat.
Types of combs
Different tools are used for home and exhibition grooming. For daily care
At home, most often it is enough to use a comb, a massage brush and a slicker brush. During the shedding period, you can additionally use a furminator for long-haired breeds.
Show dogs require special attention to their coat. During the exhibition period the following combs for Spitz dogs will be required:
- comb with frequent and rare teeth;
- massage brush;
- brush with natural bristles.
Professional tools provide in-depth care and give an aesthetic appearance to the dog's hairstyle. Photos of specialized equipment for grooming a Spitz are presented below.
Is it possible to scratch a Pomeranian with a Furminator?
The Furminator is a comb with a handle and a metal blade with a special sharpening. Thanks to it, you can capture hairs that have fallen out during the molting period, located in the very depths of the undercoat. It is convenient to use because the handle has non-slip rubberized inserts. Often, a furminator is used instead of a slicker brush, which is used to comb out dead hairs. He can reach to the very depths of the undercoat and remove the resulting tangles. Despite all the advantages of the Furminator, experienced breeders do not recommend combing the hair of a Pomeranian Spitz with it. Otherwise, you can damage the spine and even cause mechanical alopecia.
When to go to the vet
If hair loss is excessive and not periodic, you should consult a doctor.
Main warning symptoms:
- absence of change of downy hair to a coarser adult coat under the age of one year;
- dull, brittle, thinned coat without volume;
- hair loss around the genitals and throughout the body without signs of skin damage or itching;
- local hair loss, accompanied by severe itching and skin damage;
- baldness of the areas around the eyes, accompanied by itching of the skin, redness of the eyes;
- the formation of large bald spots throughout the body, except for the limbs and head, followed by darkening of the skin.
You may need to take a blood test for biochemistry and a general blood test. Based on the results, the veterinarian will prescribe a course of treatment.
To prevent skin diseases, your dog needs to be vaccinated.
How to help a dog
At the end of the molt, you may not recognize your Spitz: he loses so much hair that he looks like a “naked” Chihuahua. Do not be surprised. A young orange grows again by eight months, and until the age of three its skin only becomes longer and more luxuriant. After three, the shedding is no longer so noticeable.
The very first, junior molt has its own characteristics, as puppy fluff is replaced by mature hair:
- often changes the dog's color to a more even, monochromatic one,
- the appearance of young dogs changes more noticeably than adults,
- first the muzzle and paws go bald, then everything else.
If your pet has suddenly lost both guard hair and undercoat, balance its diet in proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and add multivitamins.
Do not bathe your dog while shedding: washing will cause more shedding.
Functions of massage brushes
You can quickly get your dog in order with a massage comb.
The ideal option for the Pomeranian Spitz is a brush on a rubber pad with metal teeth 27 millimeters long. They comb the wool well and give it extra volume. At home, a massage brush is often used when blow-drying a pet's coat. At shows, it helps make the coat fluffier and is used at the final stage of combing.
What shampoos are suitable for washing Spitz fur?
The Spitz is bathed once every month or two, with the exception of upcoming exhibitions. For this purpose, special shampoos and conditioners are used. Their choice is the same individual question as for people; the range of dog cosmetics is very large. Let's try to figure out which shampoo is best to choose. You must adhere to certain rules:
- It is advisable to purchase a set of products from the same brand: antiseptic, Pomeranian shampoo and balm. This will make the grooming procedure much easier for the owners, and the animal’s coat will become healthy and beautiful. It would be good if they were hypoallergenic.
- Under no circumstances should you wash your dog with human shampoos , even the most expensive and advertised ones.
- For Spitz dogs with a white color, you can purchase special whitening products.
After bathing, the animal's fur must be dried. You should not hope that it will dry naturally: in animals of this breed, wet wool can cause the appearance of bacteria and the formation of fungus. There is no need to rub your pet with a towel; just dry the fur with a hairdryer.
Not all dogs like to wash themselves, so sometimes you can use a useful invention - dry shampoos for dogs. Their structure resembles powder and will quickly put the animal’s fur in order; the owner will only have to comb it thoroughly.
Criterias of choice
Our site reminds you: brushes are chosen for the specific type of coat and characteristics of the dog. The functional classification describes the types of tools for a particular task. For example, the Afghan Hound needs brushes with natural or wooden bristles and an antistatic effect. For the smooth-haired Great Dane, models in the form of rubber mittens are ideal.
It is important to pay attention to the material of the product; wooden ones usually prevent static electricity from appearing and do not delaminate the hair. For coarse wool, it is better to choose synthetic models that are durable. The fluffy hair of the Samoyed dog is removed with a slicker brush with sparse teeth and a wide base. Also, the ends of metal or synthetic bristles should have drop-shaped tips. The longer the teeth, the thicker the wool they can process. Small brushes are suitable for dogs of modest size.
Brush with natural bristles for orange blossom
Brushes with natural bristles are intended for a specific purpose - they are used to comb Pomeranians in preparation for an exhibition, for styling the coat, evenly distributing powder and other cosmetics along the entire length of the hair.
Natural bristles are softer than artificial ones; they do not damage the orange’s silky coat and better remove impurities from the hair, giving it shine and a healthy appearance.
Brushes with natural bristles come in two types - with a handle and with straps that are fixed on the palm. You should choose an ergonomic one that has high-quality and densely spaced bristles. According to reviews from dog breeders, a brush that is worn on the hand is more convenient to use and allows you to brush your dog in hard-to-reach places.
Purpose of slickers
The fur coat of most types of Spitz continuously changes undercoat. Falling out, it lingers in the main
wool A slicker helps get rid of dead hair.
Which powder brush is better to give preference when choosing:
- the ideal option is a slicker of medium size and hardness;
- there should be no droplets at the end of the cloves;
- The length of the bristles is 15-30 millimeters.
During periods of intense shedding, it is recommended to use large slicker brushes for more productive brushing of the dog.
This type of comb is ideal for combing fur on the paws, cheeks and behind the ears. Many owners also use slicker brushes when blow-drying their pet's coat.
Combs and grooming products
To care for the fur of oranges, you need to have three types of combs: a slicker brush, a massage brush and a comb with metal teeth no less than 15 mm and no more than 30 mm in length. When your dog sheds, you can use larger massagers at home.
Incorrectly selected combs can tear out fur and scratch the baby’s skin, which will instill in him a fear of the procedure.
Fluffy dog
Breeders do not recommend using a furminator to comb a Spitz. It can damage the skeleton and cause mechanical alopecia.
Puhoderki
The main combing of the animal begins with the slicker brush. It helps get rid of dead hairs from the thick inner layer of the undercoat. The slicker brush is used directly after the massage brush. The fur is divided into partings, and then combed strand by strand from the roots to the very ends.
Most animals do not like the slicker and may resist, but this procedure is necessary for proper coat care. The quality of its fur will depend on how you comb your Spitz.
The majority of Pomeranians do not like brushing with slicker brushes, just like other types of long-haired dogs. You will have to comb the fur in different directions, ignoring the dog’s resistance and removing all the fluff that has already fallen out. This procedure takes quite a lot of time and is not always pleasant for the pet, but it is simply necessary for complete care.
Pukhoderka
To comb your orange at home, prepare two comb brushes:
- small with teeth no more than 3 cm - an everyday tool for standard procedures and blow-drying;
- medium or large - for combing during the pet’s molting period. It grabs large areas of fur and allows you to collect much more dead fluff than a small slicker.
Select the length of the teeth individually. It depends on the length of the dog's coat.
There should be no droplets at the ends of the powder brush. Such tools do not collect fluff well and also cause discomfort for pets by pulling out hairs and scratching delicate skin.
Massage brushes
Before brushing your little Spitz, choose the right massage brush. The teeth should not exceed 3 cm in length. Large teeth will scratch the epidermis, and very small teeth will not reach the undercoat.
Massage brush
Products such as massagers are excellent at removing matted fur and preventing the formation of tangles with regular use.
This brush is needed:
- before combing, use a slicker brush and a comb with metal teeth;
- to quickly make your baby's appearance more neat;
- while drying with a hairdryer.
Combs
Combs are used only at the final stage of combing. They are used to:
- collect the remaining fluff that the slicker cannot capture;
- pull out the fibers while cutting;
- raise the pile from the root, giving the fur coat more volume;
- get rid of tangles.
Comb
You can comb the thick fur of an orange only with a comb with metal teeth.
Other reasons
Allergies to food, animal care products, cleaning products, and medications are accompanied by scratching, redness of the eyes, and cause hair loss around the eyes. It begins to fall out in patches on the body, and a rash appears on the skin.
An unbalanced diet and vitamin deficiency (for example, deficiency of zinc, vitamin D) can cause dry skin, dandruff, and the formation of ulcers. The Spitz will itch all the time.
Weakening of the immune system after illness is often accompanied by helminthic infestations. Parasites living in the intestines “take away” nutrients and release toxic waste products. The animal suffers from loss of fur and weight. Skin diseases may appear.
Infection with skin parasites, mites, and fungal infections is accompanied by severe scratching:
- with violation of the integrity of the skin;
- with baldness around the eyes, ears, mouth (scabies);
- with the formation of small hairless areas with a crust (lichen) on the body.
Alopecia X, or “black skin” disease, is an understudied phenomenon in Spitz dogs, accompanied by complete hair loss throughout the entire body except the head and limbs. At risk are unshed puppies aged 4-6 months and adult Spitz dogs aged 4 years. Often this disease occurs after cutting adult dogs' hair too short or when cutting soft fluff in puppies. First the fur stops growing and then falls out.
Lack of shedding during puppyhood and junior age can lead to significant hair loss, including baldness.
Peculiarities of Pomeranian hair care
The Pomeranian Spitz is a cheerful and friendly dog that adores its owners and enjoys guests. So the time spent caring for the animal will definitely be repaid with its love and devotion.
Basically, caring for a Spitz's coat involves regular and thorough brushing. Let's try to figure out how to do this correctly.
The owner determines how often this should be done, depending on the pet’s haircut and the condition of its coat. If your hair is short, once a week is enough. If you have long hair, you will have to carry out the procedure at least twice a week, especially in the rainy season.
Most often, the dog is combed against the grain. Particular attention should be paid to areas with soft skin: behind the ears, on the chin, in the groin area. Tangles often form in the groin and paws; It is often impossible to comb them, so they need grooming and a haircut.
Spitz dogs do not need regular haircuts in the usual sense, although some people like to cut their pets' hair, for example, like lion cubs.
Usually it is simply trimmed to make the dog look neat. In addition, the ears and excess fur inside are trimmed, and sloppy tufts are removed from the sides and withers . We must not forget about such a procedure as trimming the claws.
As for age, Pomeranians usually begin to be clipped at three months of age. At this time, animals are already quite calm about such procedures. Of course, after washing or cutting, you need to reward your baby for good behavior with something tasty.
How to choose a comb for a Spitz
Only after trying several brush options can you determine which comb is ideal for your Spitz. However, there are points that you definitely need to pay attention to when choosing.
First of all, you need to look at the teeth of the comb: they should not be sharp. The pointed tips can damage your pet's skin and cause discomfort.
Spitz combs should be metal. They do not create a static effect.
For a Spitz, you should definitely choose a slicker without droplets on the teeth. Slicker brushes with thickened tips of the bristles are not able to comb the thick undercoat of the orange, and cause pain to the dog during the procedure. It is important that the tips are not overly pointed.
In order to check the prickliness of the bristles, just touch the working surface of the slicker to your palm and determine how comfortable your hand is. If the bristles dig into the palm and cause discomfort, then this comb is not recommended for use on a dog.
How to toilet train a Pomeranian
The sooner the owner of a German Pomeranian begins to accustom his pet to hygiene procedures, the easier they will be. It is important to brush your puppy regularly to prevent mats from forming, which can cause pain. To prevent your Spitz from pulling out during the combing process, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Choose good combs that do not tug at the hair.
- While combing, hold long hairs at the roots so as not to hurt the dog.
- If the puppy struggles violently, it is worth carrying out the procedure in parts. For example, first comb out the collar, then start combing out the pants.
During hygiene measures, do not forget about praise and treats for your pet.
Problems you may encounter
Very often, Spitz owners complain that the dog does not allow itself to be properly brushed. The main thing here is not to succumb to provocations and continue the procedure, holding the pet tightly and calming it down.
It is very important that the procedure becomes pleasant for the baby, and for this you need to choose good tools that will not tear out fur and scratch the skin.
Puppy
Be sure to moisturize the pile so that it does not tangle. Then combing will be not only quick, but also comfortable.
If the dog does not allow itself to be brushed, start doing it in parts. First, comb the back, a little later - the sides, and so on until you have completely combed the dog. For obedience, be sure to reward your Spitz with a treat.
How often should you brush your orange?
The structure of the Pomeranian's coat allows you to avoid brushing every day. It is tough, elastic, tangles form very rarely. If the dog does not shed, it is enough to brush your pet once or twice a week. If the procedure is carried out more frequently, there is a risk of removing the undercoat that serves as support for the spine - it falls off and the dog does not look fluffy.
Professional groomers recommend brushing your Pomeranian before and after every bath. If this is not done, the hairs harden, become matted and have to be cut off.
Popular brands
Professional combs for German Spitz are produced by the following manufacturers:
- Artero;
- Chris Christensen;
- MaxiPin;
- Show Tech.
The Artero line includes regular and double-sided slickers, slicker combs, and combs of different sizes for long-haired breeds.
Chris Christensen is an elite series of grooming tools. Chris Christensen 004 handmade comb is considered one of the best for Spitz. The slicker brush from this company, the Mark X-Tiny Slicker Brush, has also proven itself well. It is ideal for Spitz fur.
MaxiPin specializes in massage combs for dogs. When choosing a brush for your orange, it is better to choose the Keller MaxiPin model 216*33 mm or 185*48 mm with 2.7 cm teeth.
Show Tech produces professional, high-quality combs, massage combs and slickers. The assortment also includes hair cutters for dogs.
What combs are chosen for oranges?
To thoroughly comb your orange, you will need a comb in the form of a comb. It helps remove dead hairs and tangles. The ideal comb is chosen empirically, but you should pay attention to several points:
- the teeth should not be too sharp so as not to injure the pet;
- The material of manufacture is metal; when using such combs, static electricity is not created.
For the German Spitz, combs of different sizes and shapes, produced under the following brands, are ideal:
- Arterо – regular combs for long-haired breeds.
- Chris Christensen - an elite series of handmade instruments.
- Show Tech - high quality professional combs.
Expert advice
Groomers, breeders and experienced owners use dog brushes almost every day. They know how to choose the right instrument, how to care for it, and share tricks with beginners. These tips will help you avoid mistakes in purchasing and using brushes:
- After purchasing, try a clean and new brush on yourself. If you experience discomfort, stop using it. Afterwards, be sure to rinse the instrument and disinfect it.
- Do not use the same brush for all pets. Rinse and disinfect it after each use.
- Dogs of small and medium breeds are often suitable for brushes designed for cats with long hair.
The range of dog grooming brushes allows you to choose one or more ideal models, even for difficult-to-groom dogs. Cost also contributes to this, as does the durability of quality products. There is not a single dog that can do without a brush; even completely “naked” dogs need to be treated with a massage rubber mitten or glove. And, what is very important, the habit of brushing your pet becomes a pleasant time together after just a couple of weeks!
Pomeranian Spitz nursery
The Spitz's coat needs care. Look at the pictures - this is the same dog - before and after grooming. Groomer - Lyubov Sheveleva.
A well-groomed Spitz is, first of all, clean, combed wool, trimmed claws, paws and ears. You need to comb the coat as often as possible. I do this at least once every 2-3 days. You can't comb the coat when it's dry. Before combing, be sure to moisturize it with any conditioning agent, preferably one that makes combing easier and increases volume. As an option - Gliss kur extreme volume. Just soft water (rain) will also work well.
To comb wool you need to have three types of combs.
1. Comb. The best thing I've ever held in my hands is Chris Christensen 004.
2. Brush. Either Chris Christense or MaxiPin with 27mm teeth.
Spitz combs
3. Puffers. There must be no droplets on the teeth. For paws, the simplest one is enough.
For wool – you can use this (mainly used during puppyhood and during heavy shedding)
The combing procedure is as follows: Spray with conditioner, then carefully comb the fur with a comb from the very base. Then use a slicker brush to comb the paws against the growth of the fur to make them fluffier. And we fluff up the finish with a massage. Here is a diagram of the final combing direction:
Brushing the Spitz
Trimming the nails:
The nails need to be trimmed at least once every two weeks. Cut down to the blood vessel. If the dog is a show dog, they are cut shorter. If the vessel is damaged and blood begins to flow, you need to quickly use a hemostatic agent - ordinary dry potassium permanganate is what you have at hand. Place it on a cotton swab and burn the claw at the bleeding site. After the bleeding stops, you need to wash off the potassium permanganate so that the dog does not lick it itself. There are ready-made hemostatic agents. I use Bio-Groom Sure Clot - Bio-Groom hemostatic powder. Very convenient and does not need to be washed off. Now about how to cut your hair:
Small scissors are suitable - such as in the picture:
Trimming Spitz paws:
To cut the paws, you will need straight scissors - directly for the haircut itself, and thinning scissors - to give the final shape and volume. I use regular hairdressers. You need to carefully trim the fur between the paw pads and cut off any hair sticking out from the top of the claws. The picture shows the foot on the left before cutting, and on the right after. Although I would shorten the one on the right further.
Here is a neatly trimmed Spitz paw:
We trim paws, ears, claws
Ear trim:
A Spitz's ears should have a rounded shape. To do this, they are also trimmed once a week. Using your index finger and thumb, we feel the edge of the skin of the ear, pinch and trim all the hair down to it.
Here are the properly trimmed ears:
Spitz coat trimming:
The first thing a Spitz owner should understand is that he is no hotter in such a wonderful coat than you are without it on a hot summer day. Heat exchange in dogs does not occur through the skin, as it does in us. The most effective method of heat exchange in a dog is the evaporation of moisture. This is exactly the process we see when a dog sticks out its tongue and pant on a hot day. The Spitz's coat has two types of hair - fluff and awn. It is their combination that creates a cushion around the skin that prevents the skin from freezing in winter and overheating in summer. By cutting your Spitz's coat short, you deprive him of this protection. Second. When the hair is cut short, the hair stops growing properly. The fluff does not allow the awns to break through, falls off and the dog goes bald. Do you like the fashionable “booty” haircut? Cute, isn't it? Now look - what you have to pay for such a fashion... The picture shows the unkempt fur of a dog that was once cut short...
A very short haircut can cause baldness - a disease called BSD. Do you want to get a dog like this? The question is brewing: where can a Spitz be cut correctly? Under no circumstances in grooming salons!!!! A Spitz should be cut exclusively by a master breeder who knows the characteristics of the coat, does not cut it short, does not use a furminator or clipper, and cuts only with scissors. Look for just such people or learn on your own. Here is a beautifully and correctly trimmed dog:
Washing the Spitz:
You should wash your Spitz no more than once every two to three weeks. The water should be slightly warm. Too hot water provokes shedding. Before washing your Spitz, you need to comb it thoroughly with a comb. For washing we use two products - shampoo and conditioner. When choosing a product, be sure to take into account that it should be for dogs with long hair with a thick undercoat and preferably increasing volume. As an option - series Iv San Bernard. Banana shampoo and conditioner. I buy here.
Wash with shampoo twice, rinse thoroughly and apply conditioner for a few minutes. Thoroughly rinse off the conditioner, give the dog a shake and wrap it in a towel for a few minutes. Then we comb the dog with a comb, moisturize it with Gliss kur conditioner and start drying it with a hairdryer, fluffing the fur with a slicker or brush. The coat must be completely dry. If your dog has dry, brittle, coarse fur, you can use hair masks. In the Iv San Bernard line, for example, this is a restorative mask with grapefruit. Among more expensive washing products, I can recommend Chris Christensen, Isleofdogs, STARFIRE'S cosmetics.
Remember, the wealth of a Spitz is its coat. And it requires good care - then it will delight you with beauty and health.
How to properly comb a Spitz
Every owner must know how to properly comb a Spitz.
Before brushing the dog, the fur must be sprayed with a special grooming spray. As a cheaper alternative, breeders recommend using Gliss Kur express conditioning serum. To reduce the concentration, the product can be diluted with water.
Specialized grooming sprays for long-haired dogs are produced by Iv San Bernard, Royal Groom and Artero.
First, a moisturizer is applied to the Spitz's coat in the chest area and the combing procedure begins. It is necessary to comb the fur coat in small strands. Combing is carried out from the dog’s skin to the edges of the guard hair. In this case, you need to try not to touch the epidermis so as not to injure it.
After combing, they are combed against the grain. If the wool slips between the teeth without hindrance, then the wool is well combed.
From the chest they move to the sides and then to the back of the pet. The area near the ears requires careful combing. This is where tangles most often form. The final stage is combing the paws and tail.
How to comb or untangle a dog's mats
Combing a Spitz includes removing mats. They often become a real problem for owners.
What are tangles and the reasons for their appearance
Mats are wool that bunches together into a tight ball. Sometimes they are large. They form in the groin, armpits, and behind the ears. There are several reasons why tangles appear:
- poor quality care;
- untimely combing;
- infrequent washing;
- tight overalls.
Mats cause discomfort to your pet. If they are located close to the skin, they can pull, causing pain. The animal will try to get rid of them on its own, scratching the skin until it bleeds.
How often should you brush your Pomeranian?
There is no need to brush your pet daily. It will be enough to carry out the procedure no more than twice a week.
Important ! More frequent brushing can lead to excessive removal of the undercoat, causing the Pomeranian to lose its fluffiness.
A soft brush is suitable as a comb for a Pomeranian. It will not tear out hairs much, but will have a massaging effect. It is necessary to comb your pet against the grain. Thanks to this, the guard hair will be aligned.
Preparing the dog for the procedure
Experts recommend that before using a Spitz slicker, sprinkle the areas where tangles have formed with talcum powder. You can also use warm water and baby soap to treat problem areas. After the wool has softened, the hairs are straightened with your fingers, then the wool is thoroughly combed out.
When choosing which shampoo is best for your Spitz, you need to carefully read the instructions. It is important to purchase a product taking into account the age of the dog. If you use it inappropriately for your age, it will negatively affect the overall condition of your coat.
Step-by-step instructions: how to properly scratch a Spitz
Grooming a Pomeranian can be stressful for your dog, so it is important to properly prepare your pet. Before the procedure, it is recommended to take him for a walk, feed him, and treat him with his favorite treat. The step-by-step procedure is as follows:
- Give the dog a bath.
- Dry with a hairdryer.
- Treat the coat with dry shampoo or detangling spray. After these products, the hair becomes smooth.
- Problem areas are carefully combed using a slicker brush.
You can try to untangle complex tangles by using coconut oil or starch. If you can’t cope with them at all, use tangle cutters. With their help, the lumps can be divided into several parts, then carefully disassembled by hairs.
You need to comb your pet carefully so as not to cause pain.
Shedding
Proper care of a Spitz's coat is the main condition for its attractiveness. When your pet begins to shed, brushing should be done daily using a slicker. Usually the first shedding begins when the puppy is about three months old. Due to the thick and dense undercoat, there will be a lot of fibers during shedding. Brush your pet from tail to head using a massage brush. Regularly care for the fur so that the fluff does not roll into tangles, otherwise they will have to be cut off.
Puppy shedding
Washing at this time will have to be postponed, because the villi will begin to fall out even more. It is best to bathe before shedding, using special cosmetics for long-haired dogs.
During this period, Spitz dogs can even change color, and due to excessive loss of fur, they become little like those cute fluffy “balls”. As the puppy grows, its color becomes uniform and the transitions even out.
This breed sheds twice a year - in autumn and spring. But there is also off-season hair loss, which is not critical.
Advice . If your baby sheds a lot, use larger brushes.
Home and show grooming
The goals of grooming procedures for Spitz dogs may vary. Some owners need to prepare the animal for an exhibition, others simply want to achieve a neat appearance for the dog.
Types by purpose
There are several types of grooming depending on the purpose of the procedure:
- home;
- hygienic;
- creative;
- exhibition.
A hygienic haircut includes cutting the hair under the tail and in the groin area. It is carried out no more than once every two weeks before swimming. During the grooming process, the pet’s ears, teeth, eyes are cleaned, excess hair is removed, and nails are trimmed.
Hygienic grooming includes nail trimming, ear and eye cleaning
Combs and grooming products
If grooming is done at home yourself, you need to prepare in advance what to scratch your Spitz with. For the procedure you will need:
- slicker;
- comb for a Spitz with long metal teeth;
- thinning scissors;
- hair dryer;
- Grooming table with non-slip surface.
Important ! Before brushing your Spitz at home, it is recommended to spray the coat with a special conditioner. This will make it easier to comb the fur without causing pain to your pet.
Instrument care
Dog owners need to know not only how to properly comb their Pomeranian, but also how to take care of the tools. After each haircut and combing, they must be cleared of hair, and the scissors must be wiped with an antiseptic solution.
Particular attention should be paid to sharpening the grooming scissors. This cannot be done on a simple whetstone. Such a tool becomes unsuitable for further work. Tools should only be processed on a stone with diamond lubricant.
It is necessary to regularly carry out general disinfection of instruments, which consists of disinfection through boiling.
Important ! Processing metal at high temperatures negatively affects the sharpness of parts. Therefore, experts recommend disinfecting instruments with a medical ultraviolet sterilizer.
Grooming is carried out with special brushes
The earlier the better
Accustom your Spitz to brushing from the first day it arrives in your home. A puppy can be placed on your lap, an older dog can be placed on a table. To prevent her paws from moving apart, cover the table with a cloth or rubber mat. Do not allow your pet to jump from your lap or table, otherwise he risks injuring himself. In addition, by encouraging his independence, you provoke bad behavior in the dog in the future.
If your pet resists the procedure, postpone it for a couple of hours. To help your dog get used to it gradually, try brushing for only 5-6 seconds, repeating the steps several times throughout the day. The dog can be distracted by giving it a hard-to-chew treat: an edible toy made from offal or a bone made from pressed sinews.
Step-by-step instructions: how to properly scratch a Spitz
A distinctive feature of this breed is the very thick undercoat that supports the guard hair. It is this that gives the Spitz the appearance of a fluffy ball.
It is necessary to care for the coat by following certain rules:
- Before combing, moisten the pile with a special product or water with a small amount of shampoo so that the hairs do not split.
- If you are brushing your puppy, you can put him on your lap. Gradually, you should teach the dog to stand on the table on its own.
- Start the procedure from the stomach, smoothly moving forward. Scratch your tail from the root.
- Then use a brush to comb the collar area and paws. Complete the procedure by combing your panties.
- Remove tangles carefully. If that doesn’t work, you can pluck them out or cut them off at the base. Do this as a last resort. It’s better not to let your pet’s fur get into this state.
- When the fur coat is combed, comb the fur with a massage brush, giving it an attractive appearance.
Scheme
Long-haired dogs need to be brushed not only 1-2 times a week, but also before and after each bath.
Trimming your pet's fur
If you do not intend to show your Pomeranian in the ring and are not a fan of extreme changes, give him a regular, traditional haircut. And for this you don’t have to contact a specialist, you can easily do it yourself.
Armed with blunt-tipped scissors and a fine-tooth comb, first remove excess hair from the ears, giving them a neat appearance. Pull out long hairs inside and at the ends of the ears, as well as between the fingers, with tweezers. Then trim the “collar”, “pants”, cut off the excess from the shoulders, sides and lower back. You can process the paws with a machine. It can also be used instead of scissors to trim fur.
Treat the area around the anus. Trim the tail last, starting at the base and finishing with the excess at the top, giving it the desired length. To make it easier for your Spitz to hold its tail on its back, go through the fur in these places with thinning scissors.
Which one to choose for a puppy?
Puppies of any breed do not like to be brushed, so they should be accustomed to this procedure gradually.
To do this, sit the animal on your lap and quietly start running the brush over the fur. At first the dog will run away, but then he will get used to it.
It is better to start accustoming your animal to combing with a massage brush. It is soft and does not scratch the skin, which means it does not cause discomfort. Over time, it is worth gradually adding a slicker brush and a comb to the massage brush.
Many dogs, accustomed to combing since childhood, love this procedure as adults and ask to be combed themselves.
Reference. The choice of brush does not directly depend on the type of Spitz, since their coat type is almost the same. But owners should pay close attention to their pet and observe which brushing makes the fur better and which makes it worse.
And, of course, it is important to pay attention to the dog’s behavior while brushing. If your Spitz shows displeasure, fidgets, whines or tries to bite, the brush may be hurting him and needs to be changed.
Parasites
Various worms that have found refuge in the dog’s digestive system release harmful substances that provoke permanent poisoning in the animal. In addition, uninvited guests absorb nutrients, creating their deficiency in the Spitz's body.
Mites living on the surface of the skin or a fungal infection usually provoke itching and, as a result, wounds and scratching. Hair falls out. Bald spots may appear, in some cases covered with crust or scales.
Recommendations
It is necessary to accustom a Spitz to combing from puppyhood. The first procedure is carried out at 1 month.
Before bathing, the Spitz is combed. This will prevent the undercoat from matting and matting.
Before combing your Spitz, be sure to moisturize the coat with spray conditioner. This will prevent damage to your pet's fragile guard hair.
It is recommended to brush your Spitz up to twice a week for 15 minutes. During the period of active molting, the procedure can be carried out daily.
Part 2. Bathing
You need to bathe your Spitz when it is very dirty, preferably no more than once a month or a month and a half . But if very little time has passed since the last bath, and the dog still got dirty during a walk, it is naturally necessary to carry out the procedure. That is, you should not rely on a strict schedule for water procedures; bathe as needed. Dogs are also washed before the exhibition. But a more convenient alternative to washing is to treat the Spitz’s coat with dry shampoo and comb it thoroughly. Dry shampoo is an aerosol that is applied to the coat to bind and neutralize oil and dirt particles.
Spitz bathing
Often, after a walk, to maintain cleanliness, it is enough to simply wipe the dirty areas and paws with a damp cloth and comb the dog with a brush in the direction of hair growth and against its growth.
The only caution is to not bathe your pet while shedding. At this time, all the fur becomes very tangled, and bathing always provokes shedding. Combing the fur is very difficult, and the bathing procedure itself will be unpleasant for the dog. With all this, the quality of the wool also changes - from hard and straight, it turns into soft and wavy.
Necessary bathing products
So, to carry out water procedures, you should stock up on a special coat-strengthening shampoo (for long-haired dogs or dogs with thick undercoat), conditioner or balm and an antistatic agent . Ideally, the shampoo should be hypoallergenic, safe for the eyes, break up matted fur, have antistatic properties, make the coat silky, add volume, protect against UV rays and harmful bacteria. Snow-white Spitz dogs require special professional whitening products - dry (powder) and liquid shampoos. Do not use shampoos for people, no matter how expensive and good they are, because specially designed shampoos for dogs have a pH value that is suitable specifically for dog skin, and at the same time they perfectly remove dirt from the coat.
The first stage is preparatory.
Before you start washing, give your pet a good walk and do not feed it. Then you need to very carefully comb the Spitz from head to tail with a metal comb, dividing the hair into separate sections and combing from the very roots, but so that the brush does not unnecessarily pull out the excess undercoat, but separates all tangled hairs. It is not advisable to comb dry wool, as it can split. First, treat it with water from a spray bottle, and if there are tangles, we’ll spray it against the tangles. This will make the combing process easier and will not cause any discomfort to the dog. Afterwards, repeat combing with a slicker brush (make sure there are no burrs on its metal teeth that could scratch the Spitz’s skin) in different directions.
When this procedure is finished, take some cotton wool, make tight balls out of it and carefully cover the dog’s ears with them so that water does not get into them during bathing.
The second stage is the bathing process.
Miniature Spitz dogs are big fans of bathing, so they willingly take baths and do not interfere with your washing them.
Place the baby in the bath, set the water pressure to medium, the stream of water to warm, and smoothly wet the entire Spitz coat. Dilute the shampoo in a ladle with water and apply it evenly over the entire body (you can use a sponge), excluding the head, or wash it very carefully. It is very important to ensure that shampoo does not get into your eyes. You should also try not to tangle the hair while foaming the shampoo. Pay attention to particularly dirty places on your orange's body. When you think that all dirt has been removed, very carefully rinse the coat of shampoo and apply conditioner to make combing easier.
After this, lightly squeeze the fur with your hands, let the dog shake itself off and blot it with a short terry towel.
The final stage is drying.
It is best to dry Spitz dogs with a special dog hairdryer and on a special grooming table, but you can also use the surface of a washing machine, making it non-slip.
Place the orange on the table, turn on the hairdryer and make sure that the air flow is not hot - there is a danger of burning the baby; if there is a “no heat” mode, this is good. You should start with the limbs, then move to the sides and back, using a massage comb when drying. When you start drying your mane, take a flat comb and, separating strand by strand against the growth, dry each of them thoroughly. When the fur dries a little, you can take the “massage” again. This should be continued until the undercoat is completely dry.
Drying after swimming
Now you can take out protective swabs and blot the ears with dry cotton wool, if they are wet, and let the dog shake itself off again. After this, it is possible to repeat the combing procedure that was carried out before bathing.
NB – Please note
It is very convenient to use: in this case, you can perform all the actions with both hands. If there is none, you can place a towel, books and other items under the hairdryer.
When drying, do not use hot air as it will cause the Pomeranian's coat to become brittle.
During drying, when you comb your pet, try to make sure that you do not pull out too much with the brush, because the task before us is to comb, not comb out, and besides, the lost undercoat takes quite a long time to gain back - about 3 months.
If you are planning a walk after bathing and drying (this is not recommended), you need to make it as active and short as possible, because the baby may freeze.
If you get caught in the rain while walking your white Spitz, when you get home, be sure to dry it with a hairdryer and use powder.
Under no circumstances should you leave your Spitz to dry naturally - be sure to use a hairdryer! Wet wool can cause illness, and not just colds, because even if it dries on the outside, the hair at the base will be damp, and this is a very favorable environment for the growth of bacteria and fungal spores. And also the wool can simply become matted, which, of course, is also undesirable.