Teddy bear, Boo, lion, puppy cut… The Pomeranian is probably the dog with the most named haircuts. And behind those cute names are very different realities for its coat.
Some cuts are done with scissors and respect the double coat. Others use clippers and, in some Pomeranians, can stop the hair from growing back normally for months. Before choosing from a photo, here's what each cut really involves.
What to know before choosing a cut
Pomeranians have a double coat: a long topcoat and a short, dense undercoat. The two grow on different cycles.
That's the whole issue: a scissor cut shortens and rounds the coat without going down to the skin. A clipper cut, especially a short one, cuts the undercoat and the topcoat to the same length, close to the body. On a double-coated breed like the Pomeranian, it's this second category that raises questions.
Veterinary dermatology texts describe a phenomenon called post-clipping alopecia: after clipping, the hair takes abnormally long to grow back, sometimes 12 to 24 months instead of 3 or 4. It's seen more often in breeds with a dense double coat, including the Pomeranian. We've written a whole article about it: should you shave a Pomeranian?
So keep this simple rule in mind: scissors = no particular risk for the coat, short clippers = a risk worth knowing about.
The natural cut (or "breed standard" cut)
This is the standard silhouette: a ball of fluff, a full ruff, a plumed tail. The groomer only tidies up with scissors: the outline of the feet, the ears to round them, the hygiene areas, and an overall finish for the round look.
- Tool: scissors only.
- For the coat: the most respectful.
- Upkeep: the most demanding. A long coat needs the most regular brushing, especially behind the ears and on the "trousers".
The teddy bear cut (or puppy cut)
Different names for roughly the same idea: a perfectly round face, ears hidden in the fur, and a shortened body for a plush-toy look. It's the most requested cut for Pomeranians.
It all depends on how it's done:
- With scissors, keeping several centimetres of hair on the body: the double coat is preserved.
- With clippers and a long guard: the risk is lower than with a close shave, but it exists.
- With short clippers on the body, with only the head rounded: this gets close to a shave, with the same risks.
If you want a teddy bear cut, tell your groomer you'd like a scissor finish without clipping the body. A good groomer used to Pomeranians will understand right away.
The Boo cut
It's named after Boo, a Pomeranian who became famous on social media in the early 2010s. A round face, a short even body, a teddy-bear look.
- Tool: usually clippers on the body, with a scissor finish.
- For the coat: one of the shortest cuts. The body is often clipped to a few millimetres or a centimetre, so the undercoat is cut.
- Good to know: it's the cut you see most in Pomeranian photos… and one of those that worries breeders most, because of regrowth.
The lion cut
The body is clipped short, while the mane (head, neck, ruff), a pompom at the tip of the tail and sometimes "socks" on the legs are kept.
- Tool: clippers on the back half of the body.
- For the coat: the clipped part is usually very short. Same risk of slow regrowth as with a shave.
- Good to know: closely clipped skin loses the protection of the coat. Watch out for sun and cold on shaved areas.
The short cut (or summer cut)
Often requested to "relieve" the dog from the heat. Yet it's the most stubborn misconception: a Pomeranian's double coat also insulates it from heat and sun. A well-brushed, airy undercoat does the job better than a shave. For a dog that suffers in the heat, remove the dead undercoat with a rake rather than cutting.
The hygiene trim
It's not a style cut but maintenance, and it's the only one we recommend to every owner. The groomer shortens:
- the hair between the pads and around the feet (to prevent slipping and dirt);
- the hair around the anus and genitals (for hygiene);
- possibly the outline of the ears.
It covers small areas, is done with scissors or clippers on very limited surfaces, and doesn't touch the body coat.
Summary table
| Cut | Main tool | Undercoat preserved? | Brushing needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural | Scissors | Yes | High |
| Teddy bear / puppy cut with scissors | Scissors | Yes | Medium to high |
| Teddy bear with clippers | Clippers + scissors | Partly | Medium |
| Boo | Clippers + scissors | No | Low at first |
| Lion | Clippers | No (body) | Low on the body |
| Hygiene trim | Scissors | Yes | Unchanged |
Maintaining the cut between grooming appointments
Whatever the cut, it's the brushing at home that decides how it looks three weeks later. An unbrushed teddy bear cut turns into a matted ball, and the groomer will then have no choice but to clip.
- Long cut (natural, teddy bear with scissors): line brushing down to the skin twice a week, and a comb to check. The full method is in our guide how to brush a Pomeranian.
- Short cut: light brushing is enough at first, then it becomes essential again as the hair grows back, because knots form fastest during regrowth.
Our Pom Routine Kit brings together the three tools for this upkeep: a compact slicker brush, a size S dematting rake and a double-sided comb.
How to talk to your groomer
- Bring a photo, but ask how they do that cut: scissors or clippers, and at what length.
- Say if you want to avoid clippers on the body.
- If possible, choose a groomer used to double-coated breeds (Pomeranian, Samoyed, Husky…).
- If the coat is heavily matted, listen to their advice: sometimes clipping is the only option that doesn't hurt the dog. In that case, regular brushing will stop it from happening again.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cut for a Pomeranian?
For the coat, the natural cut or a teddy bear cut done with scissors, without clipping the body. These are the ones that preserve the double coat.
Is the Boo cut dangerous for a Pomeranian?
It isn't dangerous in a medical sense, but like any short clip of the body, it carries the risk of very slow regrowth, sometimes over several months, seen more often in double-coated breeds.
How much does Pomeranian grooming cost?
Prices vary a lot depending on the area, the state of the coat and the cut. A coat that's well brushed at home cuts the groomer's work time, and often the bill.
How often should you go to the groomer?
Generally every six to twelve weeks depending on the cut, with brushing at home in between.
Can you trim your Pomeranian yourself?
The hygiene trim and rounding the feet are easy with round-tipped scissors. For a full cut, it's better to leave your dog with a professional.
Discover the Pom Routine Kit: the three tools to maintain your Pomeranian's cut between grooming appointments.
Source on post-clipping alopecia: University of Minnesota, Canine Post-clipping Alopecia.