The short answer
The Pomeranian's famous double coat (dense undercoat under a longer, stand-off outer coat) is the breed's signature and its main grooming commitment, though manageable for such a small dog. Brush a few times a week (down to the skin, daily during shedding), bathe occasionally, and optionally use a groomer for tidying. Two crucial rules: never shave the coat (it can permanently damage the double coat and impair temperature regulation) and expect seasonal “coat blows” (heavy undercoat shedding, handle with extra brushing, not shaving). In Montreal, the coat is an asset in winter (good cold tolerance); manage snow, salt, and summer heat, keep the dog cool without ever shaving.
The Pomeranian's glorious fluff is the whole look, and keeping it healthy is the main ongoing job of owning one. The good news: for such a small dog, it's quite manageable, a few brushings a week does most of it. But there are two things every Pom owner must get right: never shave the coat, and handle the seasonal coat blows with brushing. Here's the full routine.
The Pomeranian double coat
The Pom has a double coat, a dense, soft undercoat under a longer, straight, harsh-textured outer coat that stands off the body, giving the signature round “pouf,” ruff, and plumed tail. Descended from Arctic spitz ancestors, it's good insulation (hence decent cold tolerance). It needs regular brushing to stay healthy and mat-free, the main care commitment. Poms shed (steadily day-to-day, heavily during seasonal “coat blows”), and brushing manages it.
Two things to know: never shave the coat (it can cause permanent damage, covered below), and Pom puppies go through the “puppy uglies” (a normal, temporary awkward phase where they lose the puppy coat before the full adult coat grows in, usually around a year). See our health guide (grooming also lets you check the skin, teeth, and body).
Brushing, bathing, and routine care
Brush a few times a week (daily during heavy shedding), all the way down to the skin to remove loose undercoat and prevent mats underneath, with a slicker brush and comb (check the friction spots, behind the ears, the ruff, legs, tail, and rear). Bathe occasionally (every month or few months, or when dirty, over-bathing dries the skin); brush out before bathing and dry thoroughly (a wet double coat mats). Optionally use a groomer for tidying, but ensure they know not to shave.
Also part of routine care: regular nail trims, dental care (important for the breed), and checking/cleaning the ears. Overall, a Pom's grooming is quite manageable, brush a few times a week (more during coat blows), bathe occasionally, keep up nails, ears, and teeth, and optionally tidy with a groomer, and the coat stays healthy and beautiful without the intense daily commitment some longer-coated breeds need.
Never shave a Pomeranian
Never shave a Pom's coat (beyond minor tidying). Shaving a double coat can cause serious, sometimes permanent harm: it may grow back uneven, patchy, or altered in texture (the soft undercoat can overwhelm the outer coat); in some dogs it fails to grow back properly at all (post-clipping alopecia / “coat funk”), which can be permanent; and it impairs temperature regulation, contrary to the myth, the double coat helps keep the dog cool in heat, so a shaved dog can be more prone to overheating and sunburn.
So never shave a Pom to “cool it down” in summer or for convenience. Manage heat through environment and activity, and keep the coat well-brushed and mat-free (a maintained coat regulates temperature better than a shaved one). The only exceptions are legitimate medical reasons (a vet shaving an area for treatment) or minor careful tidying trims by a breed-savvy groomer, a full shave-down is what must be avoided. If you use a groomer, make sure they know not to shave. Protecting the double coat by never shaving it is essential.
Coat blows and Montreal's seasons
A “coat blow” is when the double coat sheds its undercoat heavily over a short period (often seasonally, roughly twice a year), versus the lighter day-to-day shedding. You'll see lots of loose undercoat coming out. Manage it with more frequent brushing (daily, down to the skin, an undercoat rake used gently helps) to remove the loose coat and prevent matting; a warm bath with thorough brushing and drying also helps. It's temporary (a few weeks), then shedding returns to normal. Don't respond to shedding by shaving, the answer is brushing.
- •Winter: the coat is an asset (good insulation, decent cold tolerance), though a coat for very cold days helps. Wipe paws and underside after walks (snow-balling, road salt), and dry the coat after snowy outings.
- •Summer: the thick coat means they can overheat, so keep the dog cool (shade, water, AC, cool-hour exercise), and never shave to cool (it harms the coat and temperature regulation).
- •Wet, muddy spring and fall: the coat gets dirty and wet easily, so expect more frequent brushing and drying to prevent mats. Coat blows often coincide with these transitions.
Done right, the Pom's coat is well-suited to Montreal's cold and quite manageable year-round. See the adoption guide.
Browse adoptable dogs in Montreal
If you're ready for the fluff, a Pom is a spirited, affectionate companion. Refreshed regularly across Montreal-area organizations.
See Available Dogs →Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of coat do they have?
A dramatic double coat, a dense undercoat under a longer, stand-off outer coat, giving the signature fluffy “pouf,” ruff, and plumed tail. It's good insulation (decent cold tolerance) and needs regular brushing to stay healthy and mat-free. Never shave it, and expect the temporary puppy “uglies” phase before the adult coat comes in.
How often should I brush and groom?
Brush a few times a week (daily during heavy shedding), down to the skin with a slicker brush and comb, focusing on friction spots. Bathe occasionally (brush out first, dry thoroughly). Keep up nails, ears, and teeth, and optionally use a groomer for tidying (never shaving). Quite manageable for such a small dog.
Why should you never shave a Pomeranian?
Shaving a double coat can cause serious, sometimes permanent harm, uneven or altered regrowth, or failure to grow back properly (post-clipping alopecia), and it impairs temperature regulation (the coat actually helps keep the dog cool in heat, so a shaved dog can overheat more). Manage heat through environment, not shaving. Only minor tidying or medical shaving is acceptable.
What is a “coat blow” and how do I manage it?
A coat blow is heavy seasonal shedding of the undercoat (often twice a year), versus lighter day-to-day shedding. Manage it with more frequent brushing (daily, down to the skin, an undercoat rake helps) to remove loose coat and prevent matting; a bath with thorough drying helps too. It's temporary. Don't respond to shedding by shaving, the answer is brushing.
How does Montreal's climate affect grooming?
Winter: the coat is an asset (good insulation), though a coat for very cold days helps; wipe paws for salt and dry after snow. Summer: they can overheat, so keep them cool and never shave to cool. Wet, muddy seasons need more brushing and drying. Coat blows often coincide with seasonal transitions. Well-suited to Montreal's cold overall.
Related Montreal guides
Pomeranian Adoption in Montreal
Where to adopt, the bold temperament, apartment and cold-weather fit, real costs, and who the breed suits.
Pomeranian Health Issues
Dental disease, tracheal collapse (harness not collar), luxating patellas, alopecia X, and the pet-insurance case.
Adoptable Dogs in Montreal
All currently available dogs across Montreal-area organizations, including Poms and Pom mixes. Updates regularly.
Montreal Dog Adoption Resources
All our Montreal dog adoption guides in one place.
New dog? Start with these care guides
Everything a new adopter needs to set up a safe, happy home.