Pomeranian Shedding: When They Blow Their Coat & How to Manage It

Do Pomeranians shed? The short answer is yes — and twice a year, they take shedding to an entirely different level. If you are considering a Pomeranian, or you have just brought one home and are wondering why there is suddenly fur on every surface, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about Pomeranian shedding, the dramatic coat blowing process, the infamous “puppy ugly phase” and how to manage it all without losing your mind (or your vacuum cleaner).

Understanding the Pomeranian Double Coat

To understand Pomeranian shedding, you first need to understand their coat structure. Pomeranians have a classic double coat consisting of two distinct layers:

Undercoat: A dense, soft, woolly layer close to the skin. This layer provides insulation — keeping the dog warm in winter and surprisingly also helping regulate temperature in summer by trapping cool air.
Outer coat (guard hairs): Longer, harsher, straight hairs that stand off the body, giving the Pomeranian its characteristic fluffy, “puffball” appearance. These hairs protect against rain, dirt and UV rays.

This double coat is a legacy of the Pomeranian’s Arctic Spitz ancestry — their much larger relatives needed this coat to survive harsh Nordic winters. While the modern Pomeranian is a far cry from a sled dog, the coat remains.

Regular Shedding vs. Coat Blowing

Pomeranians shed at two levels:

Year-Round Light Shedding

Throughout the year, Pomeranians shed a moderate amount. You will find some fur on your clothes, furniture and floors, but it is manageable with regular brushing (every two to three days). Compared to some double-coated breeds like Huskies or German Shepherds, the year-round shedding is relatively contained due to the Pomeranian’s small size.

Seasonal Coat Blowing (The Big Shed)

Twice a year — typically in spring and autumn — Pomeranians “blow” their undercoat. This is exactly as dramatic as it sounds. Over a period of two to four weeks, the entire dense undercoat sheds out in clumps. Your Pom may look patchy, moth-eaten or dramatically thinner. Fur will come out in handfuls during brushing, float through the air and settle on every surface in your home.

Female Pomeranians often experience a particularly heavy coat blow after a heat cycle or after weaning puppies, as hormonal changes trigger significant shedding. Spayed and neutered dogs may have slightly less dramatic seasonal coat changes, though they still blow coat.

The Puppy Ugly Phase

One of the most distinctive — and often alarming — aspects of Pomeranian ownership is the “puppy ugly phase” (also called the “puppy uglies”). This is unique to Pomeranian-type breeds and catches many first-time owners off guard.

Between approximately 4 and 8 months of age, your adorable, fluffy Pomeranian puppy will shed its puppy coat and begin growing its adult double coat. During this transition, the puppy can look remarkably scruffy — thin, patchy, with uneven fur lengths and sometimes almost bare patches. It is completely normal and not a sign of illness.

The puppy ugly phase typically lasts several months. Some Poms look particularly dishevelled around months 5 to 7 before the adult coat starts filling in. By 10 to 14 months, most Pomeranians have grown their full adult coat, though it continues to develop density until around age 2 to 3.

At Woefkesranch, we prepare new owners for this phase so it does not cause unnecessary worry. Your beautiful, fluffy Pom will return — it just takes patience.

Managing Shedding: Tools and Techniques

While you cannot stop a Pomeranian from shedding (it is natural and healthy), you can manage it effectively with the right tools and routine.

Essential Grooming Tools

Slicker brush: The everyday workhorse. A quality slicker brush with fine, angled pins removes loose fur from the outer coat and catches shed undercoat before it hits your floor. Use this every two to three days during normal shedding and daily during coat blow.
Undercoat rake: A must-have during coat blowing season. The wide-spaced, rounded teeth reach through the outer coat to gently pull out loose undercoat without damaging the guard hairs. Use this two to three times per week during coat blow.
Pin brush: Useful for finishing and fluffing the coat after using the slicker brush. Also gentle enough for daily use.
Wide-tooth comb: For checking and detangling any mats or tangles, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the chest ruff.
De-matting tool: For occasional stubborn mats that develop if brushing is missed during heavy shedding.

Brushing Technique During Coat Blow

During coat blow, use the following approach:

Start with the undercoat rake, working in sections from the rear of the dog forward.
Use gentle, short strokes in the direction of hair growth.
Follow up with the slicker brush to catch remaining loose fur and smooth the coat.
Finish with the pin brush to fluff and style.
Check for any remaining mats with the wide-tooth comb.

Expect each brushing session during coat blow to take 15 to 20 minutes and produce an impressive quantity of loose fur. Some owners save the undercoat — it can actually be spun into yarn!

Bathing During Coat Blow

A warm bath during coat blowing can accelerate the process and remove large amounts of loose undercoat at once. Use a gentle, moisturising shampoo and work it deep into the coat. The key is thorough blow-drying afterwards — use a pet dryer on a cool-to-warm setting and brush while drying. This combination loosens and removes enormous quantities of dead undercoat in a single session.

Limit bathing to once every two to three weeks maximum during coat blow. Over-bathing strips natural oils and can irritate the skin.

What NOT to Do

Several common mistakes can damage your Pomeranian’s coat or worsen shedding:

Never shave a Pomeranian: The double coat acts as insulation and sun protection. Shaving disrupts the coat’s natural growth cycle and the undercoat may grow back faster than the guard hairs, resulting in a permanently altered, woolly texture. In some cases, the coat never fully recovers.
Avoid Furminator-style tools on the outer coat: These aggressive de-shedding tools can cut and damage the guard hairs if used improperly. If you use one, apply it only to the undercoat with very light pressure.
Do not neglect brushing during coat blow: Skipping brushing when your Pom is shedding heavily leads to severe matting. Mats trap moisture against the skin, causing irritation, hot spots and even skin infections.

When Shedding Is Abnormal

While shedding is normal, certain patterns of hair loss in Pomeranians warrant veterinary attention:

Alopecia X (Black Skin Disease): A condition that specifically affects Pomeranians and other Nordic breeds. The dog loses large patches of fur — often along the trunk while the head and legs retain their coat — and the exposed skin may darken. The cause is not well understood but appears related to hormonal imbalances. Treatment options include melatonin, dietary changes and in some cases, spaying or neutering.
Thyroid problems: Hypothyroidism can cause symmetrical hair loss, dull coat and weight gain.
Allergies: Environmental or food allergies can trigger excessive shedding, itching and skin inflammation.
Stress-related shedding: Major life changes, illness or anxiety can cause temporary excessive shedding.

If your Pomeranian is losing fur outside of normal seasonal patterns, has bald patches, shows red or irritated skin, or is scratching excessively, consult your veterinarian promptly.

Living with a Shedding Pomeranian

A few practical tips for managing the fur in your home:

Invest in a quality vacuum cleaner with a pet hair attachment — you will use it frequently.
Keep lint rollers in your car, office and by the front door.
Brush your Pom outdoors when possible during heavy shedding to keep fur out of the house.
Wash dog bedding weekly during coat blow season.
Consider furniture throws or covers that are easy to wash.

Shedding is a natural, healthy process that no amount of grooming or supplements will eliminate entirely. The trade-off for that spectacular Pomeranian coat is a certain amount of fur maintenance. Most owners find that a good routine makes it entirely manageable — and the joy of living with a Pom far outweighs the inconvenience of a little extra fur.

Want to learn more about Pomeranian coat care and grooming? Explore our Pomeranian breed page for breed information and available puppies, or contact Woefkesranch to ask about our puppies’ coat lines and what to expect as your Pom grows into their magnificent adult coat.

Ready to welcome a Pomeranian into your home?

Contact Woefkesranch to enquire about current litters or join our waiting list.

Looking for a Pomeranian Puppy in Luxembourg?

Woefkesranch breeds quality Pomeranians with FCI pedigree, full veterinary documentation and EU pet passport included.