Do Pomeranians shed?
Yes, Pomeranians shed a fair amount for such a small dog. Their thick double coat sheds lightly all year and then far more heavily during seasonal coat changes, often described as blowing their coat, and without regular brushing that undercoat mats down close to the skin faster than the fluffy look suggests.
Why such a small dog sheds so much
A Pomeranian's coat is a true double coat — a soft, dense undercoat beneath a longer, harsher outer layer — which is the same structure found in far larger spitz-type breeds like huskies, just scaled down. That undercoat is what does most of the shedding, and it is dense enough relative to the dog's small size that the volume of loose hair can surprise new owners.
Both males and females typically go through a heavier seasonal shed once or twice a year as the undercoat renews itself, and an unspayed female may also shed more heavily around her seasons. Outside of these periods, shedding is lighter but still fairly constant compared with a smooth-coated breed.
Why brushing matters more than the shedding itself
The bigger practical issue is not hair on the floor but matting — the dense undercoat tangles against the longer outer coat if it is not brushed through regularly, and mats can form close to the skin in a Pomeranian's coat faster than owners expect from a dog this size. A mat left too long can become tight and uncomfortable, sometimes needing a professional groomer to remove it safely.
Areas behind the ears, under the front legs, and around the trousers on the back legs are the spots that mat first, so these are the places to check carefully at every brushing session rather than only running a brush over the visible top coat.
A grooming routine that works
Brushing two to three times a week is a reasonable baseline, moving to daily during the heavier seasonal coat change, using a slicker brush followed by a metal comb to check the undercoat properly rather than just the surface. A pin brush can help finish and smooth the outer coat once the undercoat is clear.
Bathing too frequently can dry out the coat and skin, so a wash only when genuinely needed, alongside consistent brushing, tends to keep a Pomeranian looking and feeling better than frequent bathing with irregular brushing in between.
Kit for this breed
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Reusable Washable Puppy Training Pad
A quilted, machine-washable training pad that absorbs accidents and locks in moisture with a leak-resistant base. Reusable for puppy toilet training and senior dogs, in several bone and paw prints.
From£7.99
Microfibre Pet Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.
From£10.99
Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.
From£13.99
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Common questions
- Are Pomeranians hypoallergenic?
- No. Pomeranians shed a fair amount for their size, and no dog breed is genuinely hypoallergenic. Anyone with a pet allergy should spend time with the specific breed, and ideally the individual dog, before deciding this is the right choice.
- How often should I brush my Pomeranian?
- Two to three times a week is a reasonable baseline, rising to daily during a heavier seasonal coat change. Checking behind the ears, under the legs and around the back legs each time catches mats early, before they tighten against the skin.
- Why is my Pomeranian shedding so much right now?
- This is most likely a seasonal coat blow, which usually happens once or twice a year as the dense undercoat renews itself. Daily brushing through this period clears the loose hair faster and helps prevent it from matting before it comes out on its own.
- Does clipping a Pomeranian's coat reduce shedding?
- Clipping can make loose hair less noticeable in the short term, but it does not change how much the dog actually sheds underneath, and a double coat can sometimes grow back unevenly after clipping. Regular brushing is the more reliable way to manage both shedding and matting long term.
- Is a Pomeranian's shedding worse than other small dog breeds?
- Compared with a smooth-coated small breed, yes — a Pomeranian's double coat sheds noticeably more. Compared with other double-coated spitz-type breeds scaled up in size, the volume relative to body size is broadly similar, just easier to underestimate given how small the dog is.
Related
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.