Spitz haircut
However, the decorative component of such procedures is not at all the most important, and the owners of dogs of this breed almost always carry out a hygienic haircut of the Spitz. Depending on one of these two goals, the preferences of the owner of the dog and the immediate purpose, the type of haircut and the conditions for its implementation are selected.
Contents
Features of Spitz wool
The coat of this breed of dog is quite thick, and the undercoat is dense. The softness of the undercoat with its strength and density allows you to keep the awns of the main hair in a straight position. This explains the “plush” effect of the Spitz coat.
From about 3-4 months of age, puppies of this breed begin the process of the first molt. During this period, the first changes occur: the outer hairline appears, and instead of the primary fluff, a permanent undercoat is formed. And after a few months, the sheared Pomeranian looks more elegant than in his natural fur outfit.
The process of molting and the formation of coat in dogs of this breed continues and subsequently – up to the age of three.
The owners of such dogs should be aware that the hair and undercoat act as a thermoregulator, since the skin does not have this physiology. Thus, wool protects the animal from intense heat, sunburn, and in frosty weather – from hypothermia.
Another feature of the coat of the Pomeranian is the intensity of molting. In the first two or three years, it happens very slowly, with an interval of six months. And in the room where the dog is kept, traces of molting in the form of fallen hairs and wool are almost imperceptible.
Sheared Pomeranian
When should you trim your Spitz?
Groomers believe that the optimal time to cut a Spitz for the first time is around 3 months of age. During this period, it is already possible to slightly remove the protruding ends of the hairline.
If the hair does not grow too fast (especially in dogs after three years), then a haircut can be done two to three times a year. In the case of regular participation in exhibitions, more frequent trips to the grooming salon are allowed – perhaps even before each such event.
However, such care for the coat also makes sense for hygienic purposes. It allows you to maintain a decent appearance and prevents such reasons for its damage:
- broken guard hair;
- loss of undercoat and hair;
- frequent shedding;
- shearing of the coat;
- the formation of tangles in the hair;
- baldness of local areas of the skin.
Timely shearing of excess hair will allow it to perform its physiological functions – to maintain body temperature, to neutralize the influence of solar ultraviolet radiation.
Pomeranian trimmed
Preparing for the procedure
The pet should not be afraid of such a procedure, because he will have to endure it repeatedly throughout his life. Therefore, the very first trip to the grooming salon should end with the most positive emotions of the dog. 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 to do is to accustom your pet to bathing;
- The second condition: the dog must respond positively to the master himself and to his office. To this end, 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 inspire confidence 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 that should not cause any negative emotions and anxiety in the dog.
Be sure to bathe the dog and comb the hair on the day of the procedure or the day before – after bathing, the hair is cut much easier.
Photo of a sheared Spitz
Types of Pomeranian haircuts
All of them can be classified according to certain characteristics and purpose. So, four types of haircuts are formed:
- very short;
- short;
- exhibition;
- classic.
Spitz haircut photo
Very short haircuts (“BU”, “Bear cub”)
Pomeranian, cut like a bear, became popular after the publication of pictures and videos of a representative of this breed named Boo on the Internet. For a long time, the fashion for this haircut has been maintained to this day.
Its features are very short hair, trimmed evenly over the entire body. In this case, the head area is processed in such a way that it acquires a spherical shape.
Photo of a Spitz haircut under a teddy bear
With slight changes, the procedure for cutting under the teddy bear is carried out – the differences relate to some details of the exterior. In both cases, you should consult with your veterinarian and groomer if it is possible to make these types of haircuts for a Spitz. The fact is that a strongly shortened undercoat and outer hair can disrupt thermoregulation and protection of the skin. In addition, these models of haircuts in Spitz can provoke baldness. The undercoat does not recover after shearing, and short haircuts subsequently lead to the fact that the coat consists of only guard hairs.
Bear haircut
Short haircuts (“under the fox”, “under the lion cub”)
The image of a decorative lion cub is one of the most charming and popular. To implement it, the dog’s body is cut short to the level of the rear edge of the shoulder blades. The head and withers area remain slightly trimmed in front. The front legs also remain with hair. At the same time, the hind limbs are almost completely shaved to the level of the hocks. A small brush of wool is left at the very tip of the tail.
No less attractive is the fox haircut. The length of the coat remains at the level of 3-4 cm, this length is uniform throughout the body of the dog.
Classic haircut
This option is more suitable for everyday walks. The coat is cut to a length of about 5-6 cm, while it is advisable not to touch the undercoat.
The forms are also standard – rounded, with smooth configurations in the area of the head, paws and nape. Such a haircut can even be done on your own, with the necessary tools and an assistant – one of the family members.
As a result, the pet becomes almost round in shape and resembles a plush toy.
Exhibition haircut
The characteristic features of a Spitz trimmed in an exhibition manner are:
- rounded paws;
- lack of protruding hairs throughout the body;
- rounded gate area.
The basis for an exhibition haircut is hygienic. It is usually carried out at the same time as nail trimming, eye treatment and ear cleaning. Helps maintain the health of the dog’s coat and maintain appearance.
Photo of trimmed Pomeranian
What should be a Pomeranian with a particular haircut model can be seen in the photographs of dogs of this breed.
On them you can also see how they cut Spitz with short and show haircuts.
Photo of spitz haircuts: very short haircut (bear cub), short haircut (under a lion cub), classic haircut, exhibition haircut
What to do if after a haircut the hair began to grow badly?
The problem of short hair in the breed has always puzzled Pomeranian owners. If the undercoat is cut too short, it is almost impossible to restore it later – only the outer hair grows. The owner of the animal can use the methods and means recommended by veterinarians. As a rule, these are hygienic cosmetics, lotions, sprays, special shampoos with vitamin supplements for hair growth.
Photo of a Pomeranian sheared spitz
To combat the problem of baldness and poor hair growth, the following set of actions by the owner is recommended:
- organization of proper, balanced nutrition, in which the content of vitamins D, E, calcium and sulfur components will be increased;
- frequent long walks – some of the substances necessary for hair growth are produced in the body only in the presence of sunlight;
- check for the presence of lice and fleas, and if they are found – sanitization;
- drinking plenty of water is necessary for intensive water exchange, which ensures the transport of useful components to the hair cells.
If these efforts do not bring results, you should contact your veterinarian for advice and prescribe a therapeutic course.
Photo of trimmed spitz
How to cut a Spitz at home?
Is it possible to cut the spitz yourself? If the pet does not show a positive attitude to visit the groomer, or if the condition of his coat allows you to get by with a light haircut, you can trim the spitz at home. And this is not particularly difficult, while avoiding stress – both for the dog and for the owner.
What tools will be needed?
Before cutting your own Spitz, you need to stock up on the following tools:
- long scissors with rounded ends;
- comb with long teeth;
- massage brush;
- thinning scissors;
- comb with fine teeth.
Also, in case of accidental cuts, you should have an antiseptic solution and a cotton swab on hand.
How Spitz is sheared – the process
Sequence of work
Before starting a haircut, you should establish the places of the most problematic and disheveled wool – they are subject to deep cutting. To do this, a wooden comb with large teeth should be drawn through the coat from the head to the croup area. In places where the undercoat falls off, the comb will get stuck – here you will have to carefully carry out a hygienic haircut.
Before the start, a basic shampoo is applied to the coat all over the body, as well as a shampoo with a conditioner effect. After bathing and washing off cosmetics, the hair is dried with a hairdryer.
The procedure begins with the smallest and hard-to-reach areas – such are the paws of the Spitz. First, the claws are cut off on them, and then, carefully spreading the fingers, they cut the hair between them.
Bending the paw, trim the wool around its circumference.
Next is the turn of the head. In the region of the upper part of the skull, the outer hair is shortened, and on the cheeks the hair is cut evenly and short. In the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe ears, the entire area is also aligned. On the ears, the haircut is carried out from the bottom up. Before cutting the Spitz in this part, you need to carefully fix the position of the ears with your fingers, pulling them up. With the utmost care, protruding guard hairs in the auricles and along the contour of the ear are removed.
Because this procedure can be traumatic, it requires an assistant.
In the collar area, thorough combing is carried out first – here the wool is especially thick. Here you need to choose the right direction of styling: under the bottom of the hair goes to the paws, on the back of the head towards the tail. The haircut of the collar should be long in order to add splendor to the forms.
The hair on the tail is smoothed with a comb, laid out in the middle and trimmed by 2-3 cm.
To evenly cut, a comb is used to lift and hold the hair in one line. A comb is also used in conjunction with scissors to shorten fluff. With the help of thinning scissors, hair and wool are carefully trimmed in hard-to-reach places.
After completing all the steps, you need to make sure that in all areas the hair is laid in the given direction, the shape is with the correct configuration, and no separate hair sticking out is visible anywhere.
Photo of Pomeranian haircut
How to care for your coat?
The main conditions for maintaining the coat in a physiological state are proper regular bathing and combing. This will prevent mats, matting and loss of natural sheen.
How to comb a Spitz correctly?
Combing is carried out every week, and during the molting period, this procedure will have to be carried out three times more often.
A grooming spray is recommended to relieve static stress. The procedure itself is carried out using a slicker and a massage brush. Combing is performed against the direction of hair growth. At the same time, tangles are unraveled.
Photo spitz
How often should a Spitz be bathed?
It is better not to carry out water procedures too often – an interval of 5-6 weeks is enough. You will have to bathe before the haircut.
While bathing, it is recommended to use shampoo and conditioner – this will give the coat softness, suppleness and will make it easier to cut.
It is better to dry in two stages: first wrap it in a warm towel, and then dry it with a hairdryer with a stream of air at room temperature. In order not to provoke brittleness of wool, it is better not to dry it with hot air.
8 September 2020
Updated: October 9, 2022