Pomeranian Puppy

Question
We have a new Pomeranian and he does not have a fluffy coat.  His hair is pretty thin and scruffy.  To me he looks more like a sheltie b/c his hair is so thin.  We have a three year old pom that my husband said did this when she was a baby but I was not around.  The shelter says he is 18 weeks, but the vet said they do not think he is that old.  He is only 3.8 lbs.  The lady at the shelter who rescued him said that Pomeranians loose the hair and then it comes back and will be a fur ball.  Is this true?  Is there anything we can do to help speed up that process?

Answer
Hi Casey,

Puppy's of all breeds have different coats than adult dogs.  The information the woman at your shelter gave you is true. At 4-6 months, the adult coat usually grows in. Don't be surprised if you see lots of fuzz in your puppy's brush when grooming him during this time.

I don't know why you would try to rush your puppy's adult coat to grow in. Genetics play a leading role in determining what type of coat your dog will have.
Simple grooming is all your puppy needs at this point, as he ages the adult coat will grow in naturally.

Adding an "essential fatty acid" supplement (Omega 3 and 6) to your puppy's diet will increase the gloss and sheen of his coat. These fatty acids must be given daily,  they also help keep the skin in good condition. Speak to your vet regarding how much to give.

Coming from a shelter, your puppy may not have had the best quality food. That could account for his coat seeming too thin. Feeding your puppy a high quality diet will help his coat grow in nicely. If you switch foods, do so gradually, over a period of 5-7 days. Switching food too quickly can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

If your vet thinks the puppy is younger than 18 weeks, then he probably is.  Here is a web site with info on what age the different puppy teeth grow in, a reliable way of knowing how old a puppy is:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-old-is-this-puppy/page1.aspx

Unlike your puppy's coat which doesn't need much care at this age, your puppy's teeth matter a great deal. This is the time to get your puppy used to having his teeth brushed.  It is important for Pomeranians to receive excellent dental care, since they are prone to tooth loss. Regular cleaning is a must. Dry food is recommended to aid in keeping teeth and gums healthy, but it's not a substitute for tooth brushing.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti