what a hair-resy!

My uncle’s five-year-old Pomeranian underwent a lion’s cut two years ago and his fur has not been the same ever since. It’s sparse, thin and doesn’t grow out any more. Even the vets are stumped. What could the groomer have done to cause this, and what can

Dogs with double coats like Pomeranians are more susceptible to damaged coats after a shave-down. Here’s how a Pom’s coat functions: the outer coat protects the pet from external elements such as the sun, harsh weather, insects, etc. It is coarser, gives the pet its colour, and does not shed. On the other hand, the inner coat regulates body temperature and sheds off relatively easier especially in warmer weather. It also serves as insulation during cooler weather. It’s usually lighter in colour, shorter, and is cottony and soft to the touch.

Because of each coat’s unique function, they grow at different speeds, with the inner coat growing out faster than the outer. When shaved, the inner coat grows out faster while the growth of the slower outer coat may be hindered by the denseness of the inner coat, resulting in a patchy, sparse and dull appearace. In some cases, the outer coat may not even grow again.

With Singapore’s warm, humid climate, paw-rents commonly request to have their pets shaved down, and it is down to the groomer’s responsibility to highlight the risks of shaving double-coated dogs, which could result in the increase susceptibility to sunburns or damaged coats.

Double-coated dogs actually don’t require a shave-down to keep cool. What’s important is getting them brushed and groomed on a regular basis to minimise the amount of shedded inner coat on its body, such that air is able to flow through the outer coat. Regular brushing and grooming also helps the outer coat to grow past the supposedly dense inner coat, enabling the dog’s coat to look more even (assuming that the dog’s outer coat still grows).

The damage done to the coat due to shaving is usually irreversible and mostly aesthetic, so rest assured that it does not affect the health of the pet.