Why Are Some Pomeranians Fluffier Than Others?

A long fluffy coat is one of the main physical characteristics of a Pomeranian. Starting with their signature mane of fur all the way down to their curly fluffy tail and hind legs. Some Pomeranians appear to look more fluffy than others. Are they more fluffy? How does this happen?

Some Pomeranians are more fluffy compared to others. The amount of fluff a Pomeranian has is determined by many factors including the breeding program and genetics, age of the dog including the stage of their fur, and the grooming practices among others.

In this article, I cover the reasons why some Pomeranians are more fluffy than others and how you can make your Pomeranian’s fur more fluffy.

Why Are Pomeranians So Fluffy

Pomeranians have a double coat that consists of a short dense undercoat with an outer coat that has longer more textured fur.

The undercoat has soft, short, and fluffy hair that acts as insulation and supports the outer coat. The undercoat helps the outer coat stand up and makes them look fluffy.

Do Pomeranians Shed?

Why Do Pomeranians Look So Different

Pomeranian breeders are able to focus on different traits when selecting breeding pairs. With a very diverse list of traits within the Pomeranian breed, one dog can end up looking very different from another. Over time some traits can be lost among bloodlines and others can become more dominant.

If a breeder is breeding show dogs they will select parents that are small in stature, with a short muzzle and very fluffy coats meeting the American Kennel Club Standard. A show breeder will select pairs with the AKC standard in mind and try to avoid or minimize characteristics that do not meet the standard.

Pomeranians that are being bred as pets sometimes have breeding pairs selected for different traits or to achieve different colors.

Regardless of what traits and look a Pomeranian has, they are all beautiful and are amazing little dogs.

What’s A Fox Face Pomeranian

The term “Fox Face Pomeranian” can be confusing and mislead people into thinking that Pomeranians should have a long “fox-like” muzzle.

The AKC breed standard includes language that refers to a Pomeranians face as having a “fox-like expression” or ” Foxy In Outline”.

There is only one type of Pomeranian. Over time new terms have been created to describe certain features and traits of bloodlines. Today, if a Pom has a muzzle that is roughly 1/3 the length of their skull they could be referenced as a “Fox Face Pomeranian”.

What’s A Baby Doll Face Pomeranian

Just like a “Fox Face Pomeranian”, “Baby Doll Pomeranian” is the term that’s used for dogs whose muzzle is slightly shorter than the standard.

What’s A Teddy Bear Face Pomeranian

“Teddy Bear Face Pomeranian” is the term used to describe a Pomeranian that has the shortest muzzle of them all. A Teddy Bear Poms muzzle is only 1/4 the length of the dog’s skull.

A Pomeranians Coat Color Can Make A Dog Look More Or Less Fluffy

A Pomeranians coloring can make them look very different compared to other Pomeranians. Some have a solid color while others have various colors like a merle or parti.

Although the coloring doesn’t affect how fluffy a particular dog is, does affect its appearance and how it’s perceived.

The Pomeranians Size May Effect How Fluffy It Looks

Pomeranians have a large range in their stature. They can be as petite as 3 lbs a referred to as teacup, micro, or mini Pomeranians or they can be up to 14 lbs and be considered a Throwback Pom similar to its ancestors.

A smaller dog may look fluffier than a larger dog.

What Did Pomeranians Used To Look Like

Pomeranians originate from much larger Spitz dogs like Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Norweigan Elkhounds, and Samoyeds. They were mostly white in color and were 20-30lbs on average.

During the late 1800’s Queen Victoria fell in love with Pomeranians. She wished for a smaller-sized Pomeranian that would be more of a lapdog. She established a breeding program aiming for smaller dogs. At one point she had 35 Pomeranians along with many other breeds.

During the years different colors were introduced. Unlike other breeds, certain colors were not bred out of their lines. Pomeranians have been loved and adored for all their different variations.

By the early 1900’s the much smaller Pomeranian stature of 3-7lbs became the much-desired standard.

How Long Does It Take For A Pomeranian To Get Fluffy

Pomeranians are not born with their signature fluff. Pomeranian puppies are born with a single-layer coat. That single layer of fur grows into an adorable layer of silky soft fluff by the time you bring home your new furry friend.

Now you would think that your little fluff ball would grow into adulthood keeping its fluffy look. You may be surprised.

Since fully grown Pomeranians are sporting a double coat their coat needs to go through a transition stage. Around 4 months of age Pomeranian puppies start to shed their puppy fur and the adult coat starts to grow in. The adult coat doesn’t grow at the same rate as the puppy fur is lost.

Your adorable little puppy may end up with patches of puppy fur and adult fur, with an overall coat that can look thin and patchy.

This transitional period of your Pomeranians coat is referred to as “The Puppy Uglies”. The entire process can take many months by the time your pup reaches 10 months to a year old “The Puppy Ugly Stage” will be a thing of the past and your little friend will be showing off its fluffy double coat.

I can remember when Murphy was going through his puppy uglies. We came across a couple walking their Pomeranian and stopped to chat. When we told them our pup was also a Pomeranian they gave us a look like we were crazy or that we had gotten mislead.

Why Are Pomeranians Clipped Or Shaved

Many people may have their Pomeranians fur clipped or shaved due to a variety of reasons.

Some people believe you should shave a Pomeranian to keep them cool in the summer. This is untrue. Pomeranians have a fantastic natural double coat that does its job of keeping a Pom cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Some may have their Pom Shaved thinking the fur will grow back. This is also not true. Sometimes if the soft inner coat is cut the dog’s fur will not grow. This is especially true with an older dog.

People sometimes believe if your shave your dog it will stop them from shedding. This is not true. Your Pomeranian will continue to shed as normal. The only difference is the length of the fur that is shed.

There are many adorable shaved and clipped Pomeranian Pictures all over the internet. People get inspired by these pictures and want their dogs to look similar.

Some assume if they shave or clip a dog’s hair that they will not suffer from allergies. This is also not true. The allergins reside in the dog’s dander (skin cells), not in their fur. Shaving actually can make your allergy symptoms worse by exposing you to more dander.

Why Is My Pomeranian Not Fluffy

There are many reasons why your Pomeranian may not be fluffy.

Your Pomeranian May Not Have Its Full Coat

As previously mentioned a Pomeranian puppy takes up to a year to grow in its full coat. If your pup is under a year old I wouldn’t expect it to have a full and fluffy double coat.

Some Dogs Have A Thicker Undercoat That Makes Them More Fluffy

Some dogs may have a thin or thicker undercoat which impacts how the outer coat appears. If the undercoat is on the thin side your dog will not look as fluffy as a dog with a thick undercoat.

Your Pomeranian May Be Suffering From Skin Issues

Pomeranians can suffer from skin issues that can affect their fur. The saddest is “Black Skin Disease” or “alopecia”. If your dog suffers from alopecia it can lose patches of fur that can become bald spots. This skin disease can also change the pigmentation of the dog’s skin. Unfortunately, this hair loss is not reversible.

If you are concerned that your dog could have this condition, please bring them to your vet.

Your Pomeranian May Be A Mixed Breed

There are many adorable Pomeranian mixed breeds that have become very popular. The Pomsky for one. A mixed-breed Pomeranian may not be as fluffy as a purebred Pom.

Your Pomeranian May Be Shedding

Pomeranians go through a shedding cycle twice a year depending on the weather and climate. If your dog is shedding it will lose its soft dense inner coat and the outer coat will not have as much support. If the outer layer does not have the support it used to, it will not be as fluffy.

Your Pomeranian May be Older

As Pomeranian ages, its fur may become thinner and not be as fluffy as it used to. We all have physical changes as we age, your pup will too.

How To Make Your Pomeranians Coat Fluffy

If you want your Pomeranian’s fur nice and fluffy there are some things you can do to make it look its best.

Improve Your Dog’s Nutrition For A Sliky Fluffy Coat

It all starts with proper nutrition. Make sure your dog is eating high-quality dog food and treats. High-quality dog food will improve your dog’s coat and overall health.

Omega-3 fatty acids are especially important to your dog’s health and coat. Omega-3’s can help improve your dog’s skin, help their fur grow longer and thicker, and add more shine and texture.

Must-Have Grooming Tools For A Fluffy Coat

Grooming your dog on a regular basis will help in the fluffiness of their coats. Here are the must-have tools to help improve your Pomeranians coat.

Wire Pin Brush- A brush with fine metal bristles with or without rubber tips. This brush can be used for general brushing.
Slicker Brush- This brush has longer wire bristles that are set in a foam or rubber base. This brush is used to remove tangles, mats, and dead hair.
Metal Comb- A sturdy metal comb can be used for combing through the dog’s coat checking for tangles and mats.
Detangler Spray– Select a safe detangling spray to help assist you when you are combing out tangles and mats.
Leave-In Conditioning Spray– A high-quality leave-in conditioning spray can help improve your dog’s coat and help with dry skin.
Canine Shampoo- Select a safe and high-quality shampoo that’s best suited for your dog’s coat.
Canine Conditioner- An canine conditioner can help makes your POms coat shine and reduce static electricity.

How To Groom Your Pomeranian To Make It’s Coat More Fluffy

How To Bathe Your Pomeranian

Your Pomeranian should only need to be bathed every six to eight weeks, as long as your pup doesn’t come into contact with something that requires immediate bathing.

Brush your Pom thoroughly before their bath, remove any mats or tangles.
Adjust the temperature and flow of the water before putting your dog in the bath. The water should be comfortably warm, but not too hot.
Place your pup in the tub. Once he or she adjusts you can start getting their fur wet.
Apply a small amount of shampoo and shampoo thoroughly.
Rinse all of the shampoo out of your dog’s fur.
Apply the conditioner according to the directions on the label.
Rinse again to remove all of the conditioner.
To dry, wrap your Pom up in a towel and hold them to dry them off a bit. Try to towel dry them as much as you can but, be careful not to cause tangles.
You can finish drying your pom with a hairdryer set on warm. be careful not to overheat your dog.

How To Brush You Pomeranian To Make It More Fluffy

Lightly mist your dog’s fur with leave-in spray. You should never brush your dog’s fur when it’s dry. It can cause damage.
Start with your pin brush making a line or part in the fur from its shoulders to its tail. Brush one layer of fur at a time. Pay close attention to those areas that are likely to get matted like behind the ears, groin area, and front legs. As you go through these steps you may need to use some detangling spray to help with any mats.
Repeat the first step but, use a slicker brush this time.
The last step is to brush your pup using the same method with a metal comb.

Conclusion

There Are Many Reasons Why Some Pomeranians Look Fluffier Than Others

Some Pomeranians are bred to the AKC standard which focuses on a small stature with a fluffy coat.
Pomeranians bred as pets may have been bred with different dominant traits in mind like coloring.
The undercoat on some Pomeranians happens to be thicker than others making the outer layer stick out more and appear more fluffy.
The specific color of a Pomeranian’s coat may make it look more or less fluffy than another.
The size of the Pom may make it look more fluffy. A Pomeranian of smaller stature may look more fluffy compared to a larger Pom.
Pomeranians’ facial structure and appearance can vary from fox face, teddy bear, and baby doll. The different facial appearances may make one pup’s face look more fluffy than another.
A Pomeranian puppy may be going through the puppy uglies. During the first year of life, a Pomeranian will transition from their puppy coats to their adult coats. During this time their fur tends to be patchy and not fluffy.
Later in life, a senior Pom can have changes in its fur and it can begin to become thinner and appear less fluffy.
Pomeranians can have skin issues like black skin disease or alopecia that can cause hair loss.
Some people have their Pomeranians fur clipped or shaved. The internet sensation Boo sparked a trend in people shaving their Poms to have that perfect “stuffed animal look”.
A Pomeranian may be shedding and not look as fluffy as usual.
A mixed-breed Pom may not be as fluffy as a purebred Pomeranians (although they are just as cute and perfect).

Here Are Some Ways To Make Your Pomeranians Coat More Fluffy

Improve the quality of your Pomeranians diet
Add Omega-3 fatty acids to your Poms diet
Bathe your Pom regularly (every 6 to 8 weeks) with high quality shampoo and conditioner
Brush your dog thoroughly on a regular basis