~Harminee~ Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 My Fiance's sister and her cousin have bought a Pomeranian. Not sure if from a BYB or registered breed as he didnt come with papers and is not desexed. He is 13 weeks old. They happen to visit the "parents" of the little guy ( Orlando) on the weekend, and Trevor said that next summer they will have to get him "clipped" :D My responce was please don't as they are a double coated dog and it will effect their ability to heat/cool themselves and it will also wreck the coat. You only need to groom their coat as it stands up for a reason. Now my question is 1/ am i correct in saying what i said 2/ what do other people with Pomeranians do when the coat gets "excessive" I just want to make sure that poor Orlando doesn't be subjected to a "haircut" "shave" if its unnecessary...and i want them to have facts as it is the only way they will listen as what i say seems to fall on deaf ears...unless its from actual fact sheets. Yes i have done a search and i can't seem to find anything that states Do NOT shave/cut their coat. Thanks in advance Maree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 I know I'm a show person and obviously look at things differently to the average dog owner, but I will never, ever, understand why people choose to own a coated breed and then clip all the hair off. It never ceases to amaze me. I can understand people trimming their dogs to keep them neat and tidy, but those who buy a profusely coated breed and then shave it right off to the skin If they don't have the time and/or inclination to look after its grooming needs why buy a coated breed at all? A short coated breed would be much more suitable. I suppose it's a case of 'fluffy puppy looks cuter syndrome' in most cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 Miranda: I will never, ever, understand why people choose to own a coated breed and then clip all the hair off. Glad I'm not the only one. Clipping all the coat off some breeds leaves them with a short coat that doesn't shed water or keep out the sun. If you don't want to groom, you shouldn't buy a long haired breed IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Harminee~ Posted September 14, 2005 Author Share Posted September 14, 2005 Yup i agree with you 100%... Which is why im trying to do the right thing by the Pup in advance.. Generally they are good hearted, caring dog people. Orlando WILL be desexed and is wormed, up to date with vaccinations, socialised, and is booked into puppy school. They just didnt do their 'homework" on the breed BEROFRE they purchased the dog.I have done it AFTER they did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 harminee31, why do they want to clip the dog, is it because they don't know how to groom it or because they don't want to groom it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Harminee~ Posted September 14, 2005 Author Share Posted September 14, 2005 ummmm your NOT going to believe it when i tell you... because it will look so " puffy" with a full coat!!!!! sorry guys.. im as appauled as everybody else.. they groom the pup.. but he is difficult .. but given the fact he is only 13 weeks old.. its to be expected...I TOLD them just be patient.. and persist.. reward.. I guess what i am looking for is a fact sheet on 101 reasons why you DO NOT clip/shave a Pomeranians coat other the the edges for neatening... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 ummmm your NOT going to believe it when i tell you...because it will look so " puffy" with a full coat!!!! OMG I have no answer to that You could recommend that they groom the puppy on a table, just make sure that it's non-slip ie. put a towel on it or something like that. They will find it much easier than trying to groom it on the ground. Hopefully some pom breeders will respond with '101 reasons' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Harminee~ Posted September 14, 2005 Author Share Posted September 14, 2005 God i hope so.. I can see them being open to facts from breeders/show people owners.. Kristy is having a terrible time bathing Orlando as he "cries" when he is bathed in the sink. I suggested to her to put a towel in the sink for him to stand on so he feels safer. Kristy I feel has been "bluffed" by his cryng/vocal outbursts Im just doing what i can to ensure the little guy is getting the best possible outcome. I guess Im trying to educate them without interferring.. if this makes sence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vehs Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 There aren't 101 reasons not to get a pom clipped, but many owners are misinformed when they think they are doing it for the good of the dog in the heat - just remind them that the coat protects from the cold AND the heat in its own way - basically what you've told them! They'll need to brush the dog regularly especially when it is blowing it's coat to get all the undercoat out - this is how the dog prepares for a warm summer. Other issues could be that the coat grows back unevenly/patchy, dog will look ridiculous when the undercoat grows back faster than the guard hairs, might grow back thicker etc, no guarantee either that it won't come back perfect... @ the too puffy comment, some people! Look, I doubt they will even put the effort into brushing this pup properly so maybe by the time summer comes around it actually WOULD be in the dogs best interests to get clipped off. Where's Roxida? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 Simple tell them there pom will look like a chihuahua Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Harminee~ Posted September 14, 2005 Author Share Posted September 14, 2005 I think with a bit of persistence I may be able to get through to them... But thanks for all the replies.. its just confirmed what i have already told them.. i think they will be ok .. dont get me wrong.. Orlando is really loved and looked after.. but as i said before.. they were extremely uneducated reguarding the breed. When they spoke about "clipping " him next year.. i was the one that said.. for god sake DON"T..just brush him.. etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 Some people do clip off poms, and yes they can look cute if done properly (they need a clean matt free coat to begin with and to be done by a pro who knows how to use comb attachments and is an expert in scissoring). Mostly they look butt ugly IMO and their coat can often end up quite choppy as double coats can be hard to make look nice if you try to leave any length (unless you shave the dog close to the skin like a short haired dog and that is generally not pretty). There is also the risk of post clip alopecia when clipping this type of dog - basically the coat doesnt grow back and the dog looks motheaten as the coat grows and often ends up with bald spots where the hair simply doesnt grow back. A clippd dog also requires extra attention to brushing as the coat grows - more than a non clipped dog sometimes - as the undercoat can overtake the top coat. you need to ensure the coat does not matt up and pack down as it grows. Properly brushed out and left its natural length, the coat looks lovely and in summer will provide plenty of airflow down to the skin to cool the dog - provided it is brushed out. A little trimming can be done to tidy things up if the owner wants. On pet poms for example I may trim up hair on paws to neaten them and may tidy up around their pantaloons and under their tail and belly/between the hind legs, and any long stragglies generally. If they are having difficulty now, now is the time to start doing the work. A little bit of brushing - even just concentrating on one small area - EVERY day accompanied by praise, treats and hugs. The less you do it, the more work is required and the less they will like it - a vicious circle as then the owner starts grooming them even less as 'the dog hates being groomed'!! Yes, the trick for a dog that doesnt like grooming is to groom MORE often so it is less of a chore and hurts less. It becomes a pleasant experience rather than a traumatic and painful one. May I suggest that one way to go would be to book the pup in - from right now - for a regular appointment for a bath and brushout with a good groomer. Once a month perhaps with them maintaining the brushing in between. A professional can help them and teach them how to brush their dog in between visits and provide that 'backup' of a thorough regular grooming without them having the hassle. They can help establish a good routine for the pup from right now - which will be particularly important when the adult coat starts coming through and the pup loses its puppy coat. This is when the pup is at its most risk of getting matted - dont wait till it happens to seek help - too often groomers are faced with uncontrollable matted older pups going through their first coat change. It would be sooo much better for all - and most importantly the pup - if a good grooming routine was established beforehand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 I think Roxiekda who has Poms is away until next week so it might be good for you to keep an eye out for when she's back online for even more advice, Harminee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Harminee~ Posted September 15, 2005 Author Share Posted September 15, 2005 THANK you SOOOOO for that espinay2 its along the lines of what I was actually thinking for them. Mostly they look butt ugly IMO and their coat can often end up quite choppy as double coats can be hard to make look nice if you try to leave any length (unless you shave the dog close to the skin like a short haired dog and that is generally not pretty). There is also the risk of post clip alopecia when clipping this type of dog - basically the coat doesnt grow back and the dog looks motheaten as the coat grows and often ends up with bald spots where the hair simply doesnt grow back. A clippd dog also requires extra attention to brushing as the coat grows - more than a non clipped dog sometimes - as the undercoat can overtake the top coat. you need to ensure the coat does not matt up and pack down as it grows. Properly brushed out and left its natural length, the coat looks lovely and in summer will provide plenty of airflow down to the skin to cool the dog - provided it is brushed out. A little trimming can be done to tidy things up if the owner wants. On pet poms for example I may trim up hair on paws to neaten them and may tidy up around their pantaloons and under their tail and belly/between the hind legs, and any long stragglies generally this is the kind of thing i was after as i think if Kristy realises she could possibly cause long term damage to Orlando by clipping him, she WILL groom him the correct way. Keep them coming.. because it will only help persuade her to do the RIGHT thing. Thanks again... Maree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 Bump so that Roxiekda will see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floodles Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 I have two beautiful poms. Never, ever shave a POM. You will regret it for ever. The double coat will never recover from the shave. My oldest girl Floodles nearly died from a paralysis tick on two occasions. Vet shaved her....twice six months apart, now she looks like a mangy mutant. Her smile is still beautiful, and she will never change, her coat is very sparse. 2 years later. and the sun gets through creating black skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Harminee~ Posted September 17, 2005 Author Share Posted September 17, 2005 aweeee... Im sorry to hear that floodles... im hoping that your unfortunate experiece with shaving a Pom will be a lesson for my SIL NOT to do it when there is no need... Thank you for your experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andromeda Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 My aunt shaves her pom during summer and he seems to be ok. She said he actually feels more comfortable with the thick coat off. Also his coat grew back really fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimjm Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 I seem to get alot of poms in summer time for grooming and some of these are extremly matted and you would never to be able to brush out ( or if you could it would hurt the dog that much that i wont do it) What does everyone suggest in this case?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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