Do Pomeranians Shed? (Pom Shedding Guide)

Pomeranians are smart, inquisitive, lively dogs that make ideal companions. And even though they’re small in size, they can be quite bold! Which (if I had to guess) may be due to their relation to spitz-type sled dogs, such as the Alaskan Malamute, which are much larger.

Either way, they don’t shed very much.

Poms have an abundant double coat, which is the type of coat that is commonly associated with heavy shedders, but they are not a high shedding breed. And with proper grooming, it’s not difficult to limit the amount of fur they drop around the home.

In this article, we’ll dig deeper into how much Poms molt and what it takes to get this under control, so you know what to expect before adopting.

Pomeranian Shedding – What to Expect

Pomeranians are a moderate shedding breed.

However, “moderate” shedding is kind of vague. So to help you visualize what you’re up against, let’s compare how the Pom molts in comparison to other breeds.

On one end of shedding spectrum, you have dogs like the Poodle and Shih Tzu, which are both very low shedders. With these dogs, it’s pretty rare to see much (if any) hair floating around.

On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got dogs like the Akita Inu and American Eskimo Dog, which shed so much that you’ll think you’ve adopted a little hair dropping machine! And a couple times a year, normally during spring and fall, you’ll be filling garbage bags full of dog hair.

Pomeranians fit somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.

So you will notice some hair around the home fairly consistently throughout the year, and more during seasonal “coat blows,” but overall it’s not very noticeable. And one of the main reasons for this is his tininess.

It’s true that small dogs can shed a lot too. But a dog that weighs a maximum of 7 pounds only has so much fur to lose in comparison to a larger dog. So, as long as you keep up with a proper grooming routine, overall the shedding is very manageable.

With that being said, there are some factors that can cause excessive shedding. Such as stress, poor diet, fleas, or allergies (among other things). So if you are noticing excessive fur loss and have any concerns about it, contact your veterinarian.

Are they hypoallergenic?

No, Pomeranians are not a hypoallergenic dog. So they are probably not the most ideal dog for those who suffer from dog related allergies. But the truth is no dog is completely hypoallergenic though, some are just generally more suitable than others.

Related: Dog Shedding FAQ (What’s a Hypoallergenic Dog?)

What Are Poms Like to Groom?

Pomeranians aren’t particularly difficult to groom.

On one hand, they do have thick, profuse double coats. But on the other hand, they’re tiny. So brushing is still fairly easy.

Poms have what is known as a double coat, which means they have an outer coat and an undercoat. Their outer coat is made up of long, harsh, abundant guard hairs that come in a variety of colors. And their undercoat is dense and soft.

This type of coat normally does take more time to groom than a short-coated dog like the Pug for example. But given his size, it’s still not very time consuming to brush his coat.

And brushing is one of the best ways to reduce the shedding. Firstly, because it removes the old, dead fur before it drops off onto your floors and furniture. And second, because regular brushing distributes the skin oils which in turn naturally promotes a healthier, stronger coat.

What sort of brush should you use?

A slicker brush or pin brush and metal comb are ideal for Poms. The slicker is a dog brush made up of fine wire bristles with protective tips on the ends and, with the help of a comb, work well to help remove any mats and tangles, which Poms are prone to.

Related: Best Dog Shedding Brushes (Reviews and Buyer’s Guide)

How often should you brush? Brush your Pom a few times per week, or more during shedding season. You don’t want to brush too often, but regular brushing is one of the best ways to keep your home fur-free.

What about bathing? Some people bath their Pom weekly, because it can really help to loosen up the old fur, but it’s up to you really. The important thing is to only use a high quality dog shampoo that doesn’t dry out his skin and hair.

Either way, the American Kennel Club suggests having your Pomeranian professionally groomed every four to six weeks unless you want to do this yourself. And this includes a full bath, brush and nail trimming session to keep his coat in good shape.

Here’s a helpful video I found if you want to learn more:

Can You Stop Your Pom from Molting?

You can’t stop your Pom from shedding, but there are some simple and effective ways to manage the shedding. And these mostly come down to proper diet and grooming.

Speak with your vet about selecting the right food for your Pomeranian, as this can make a big difference. Not only can it help improve his overall health and wellbeing, but a good quality dog food can help promote a healthier coat that, overall, doesn’t shed as heavily.

There are also some great natural supplements out there, like coconut oil for example, but no supplement is a substitute for a healthy, balanced diet.

The other way you can manage shedding is through proper grooming. Simply maintaining a good brushing and bathing routine can help not only be limiting how much of the fur drops off of his coat, but this can also help limit how much fur he loses to begin with.

The caveat here is to make sure you’re not overdoing it, or using harsh chemicals when you bathe. Because either of these things can cause dryness and irritation, which in turn can intensify the shedding. So it’s important to keep this in mind as you groom your Pom.

Learn more: How to Stop Excessive Dog Shedding

Bottom Line

Pomeranians are one of the most popular toy breeds on the planet, and it’s not hard to see why. They are adorable, full of life, and make excellent companions. What’s more, they’re not heavy shedders.

With that being said, they’re not hypoallergenic, so if you are concerned about allergies, then he may not be the most ideal dog. Instead, consider a dog like the Bichon Frise.

And keep in mind that he does take some effort to groom, too.

So be prepared to brush regularly and to be visiting a professional groomer throughout the year, unless you plan on doing everything yourself. The alternative is to consider a dog with a low maintenance coat, like the Italian Greyhound.