Japanese Spitz: how to care for snow-white fur?

No matter how luxurious the Pomeranian's coat may be, as soon as it gets wet, all the beauty immediately disappears from it. Many owners are worried that they will not be able to restore their pet’s previous appearance after bathing at home and take their Pomeranian to the salon. But are home water treatments as scary for a Spitz as they are thought to be?

At what age should you start swimming?

The time of the first bath depends on the age of the puppy and the events during which it appeared in the family.

Street puppy. If a Spitz was picked up on the street, then he is given his first bath as soon as he is taken into the house. During bathing, mandatory treatment for fleas, ticks, and worms is carried out.
Dog from a breeder. Puppies from a breeder are adopted by a family at the age of 3 months. They are clean and healthy. Before you bathe your Spitz puppy, you need to give him time to adapt to the new conditions. In the first month, it is better to get by by washing the paws and lower abdomen after a walk.
Newborn puppy. If for some reason the puppies are left without a mother, then washing them consists of wiping the fur with a damp cloth or rag.

Helpful information! The optimal age for bathing puppies is 2-3 months.

When determining how often to wash your Pomeranian, you should use common sense. No home should have a dirty dog, even if it reacts negatively to water.

Bathing begins at the age of 2-3 months

Spitz's first wash

The first wash for a Spitz is of great importance. This begins the training of the animal to water procedures. The main task of the first bath is to form the correct reaction to water and not develop fear.

Bathing is carried out by two people. The first one holds the puppy, calms him down and distracts him. The second one washes the animal's fur.

It is recommended to bathe the puppy 2 weeks after completion of vaccination. This time falls at the age of 2-3 months. Until this moment, the puppy's mother is responsible for the cleanliness of the coat. It is important to bathe before the first molt begins. Use puppy shampoo for washing.

Necessary bathing products

Shampoo is chosen from one series.
Before bathing your Spitz, you need to prepare everything that may be required during the procedure.

The minimum bathing kit includes:

rubberized mat;
shampoo for Spitz or long-haired dogs;
deep plastic bowl;
soft sponge;
microfiber towel;
wide-toothed comb, fine-toothed comb and brush;
hairdryer

When choosing shampoo, preference is given to hypoallergenic specialized products. Whitening shampoos are suitable for white Japanese and German Spitz dogs. It is also recommended to purchase conditioner and dry shampoo from the same series.

Important! Human hair shampoos are not suitable for washing animals. They can injure the animal's skin and provoke allergic reactions.

Shampoo for Spitz

We need to say something about shampoo separately. It is strictly forbidden to use ordinary human shampoo!

The pH of the skin surface of humans and dogs is significantly different, so any shampoo, even the most elite, will not be suitable for humans. Once you have decided how to wash your Spitz, don’t forget to buy a special shampoo for Spitz.

Dog shampoo can perfectly clean both the coat and the undercoat without causing irritation or allergic reactions to the skin.

When bathing your pet during the cold season, remember that it is best to do this after the last evening walk.
tagsbath grooming paw undercoat

Features of preparation

Before you start washing your Spitz at home, you need to prepare not only the equipment, but also the animal itself.

If your dog does not tolerate bathing well, it is recommended to please him with active games or a long walk.
Dog breeders do not recommend feeding the animal immediately before washing. Dogs are bathed 1-2 hours after eating.
Half an hour before bathing, comb the dog thoroughly with a metal brush or slicker brush.

When the wool is combed out, you can proceed to washing. The bottom of the bath is covered with a rubberized mat or diaper. Dilute the shampoo in a deep bowl and shake it until a thick foam forms. When all preparations are completed, the animal is brought into the bath.

Step-by-step instruction

Adult dogs are bathed in a bathtub.
Adult Spitz dogs are bathed in a large bathtub. If you have a small Spitz, wash them in a basin.

Bathing a Spitz requires compliance with a number of rules.

The shower is set to warm water. Suitable temperature is 38-39 degrees.
Cotton swabs are placed in the dog's ears. They protect the ears from water penetration.
The dog is placed on a rubber mat. It prevents paws from slipping on the bathtub cover and minimizes injury to the animal.
Spitz wool is moistened generously with water. The pressure is not strong, so as not to frighten the animal.
Using a soft sponge, distribute soap suds over the fur using longitudinal movements. Washing begins from the middle of the body, moving to the withers, tail, and paws. Shampoo is not applied to the face.
When all the fur has been washed, the animal is rinsed with warm water. How many times to repeat the soaping procedure depends on the degree of contamination of the wool. Experts recommend soaping the animal twice. The eyes are washed last.
After washing, the wool is treated with conditioner. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes, then wash off.
Before drying, the wool is dried with a towel, removing excess moisture.

Important! It is not recommended to rub shampoo into the coat in a circular motion. This leads to the appearance of tangles.

How to care for your ears

Spitz ears require regular care.

Hairs are removed from the ears as necessary; plucking is the preferred method - it is safe and does not cause pain to the Pomeranian.

Once a week, the Pomeranian ears are cleaned.

If the ears are in good condition, clean and pink, then it will be enough to walk along the inside of the ear with a clean napkin or cotton swab.

Do not go too deep, otherwise you can injure the membrane and inner ear. Medicines should not be used at random.

If the ears are inflamed, smell bad and there is discharge from them, immediately contact a veterinarian to find out the cause.

There are special products for caring for a dog’s ears, but they should be used strictly after consulting a doctor.

Spitz bathing frequency

Regularity is important for each procedure. Dogs do not tolerate water well, so novice dog breeders are interested in the question of how often to wash a Spitz. Hygienic procedures must be carried out once every 1.5 - 2 months. Experts recommend bathing the animal before molting and exhibition. Washing is necessary if the wool is heavily soiled.

Attention! You shouldn't wash your pet too often. Washing can lead to pH imbalance, skin peeling, development of dermatitis, and baldness.

Washing after walks

Every walk is associated with contamination of the animal's paws and fur. Therefore, after walking the pet needs care.

Paws are washed in warm water. To do this, the animal is taken into a bath or placed in a basin filled with water. The front paws are cleaned first, then the hind paws.
If the coat is very dirty, the Spitz is washed with shampoo. If the animal bathed not long ago, the dirt is removed with dry shampoo.
For minor stains, comb the coat thoroughly with a fine-toothed comb.

When to bathe a puppy

We found out that the best bathing period begins at three months. Now let’s figure out under what circumstances you need to wash.

Before and after the first vaccination

Any breeder knows that Pomeranian puppies should not be bathed before their first vaccination. During the post-vaccination period, washing should be postponed for a couple of weeks. Babies have weak immunity, so bathing can seriously harm their health. If the puppy is poorly dried, he will easily get sick from a draft or hypothermia.

Do I need to wash after a walk?

Reaching 3 months of age does not mean that you can now bathe the animal every day. Washing must be reasonable and a procedure dependent on the degree of contamination.

There is no need to bathe the dog entirely after each walk. It is enough to wash or wipe your limbs and stomach. The puppy should be accustomed to such procedures from childhood, then the adult dog will calmly treat them.

If the puppy is very dirty

No expert recommends bathing an animal frequently. Frequent washing disrupts the functioning of the sebaceous glands that protect the coat. There are situations when you can’t cope without a full bath. For example, if the puppy gets very dirty in the mud. You can only swim in warm water. You should choose a special shampoo that is appropriate for your age. After washing, rinse the coat thoroughly. Be sure to dry your pet well to prevent hypothermia.

How often to bathe a puppy

The frequency of water procedures depends on the degree of contamination. If there is no urgent need for bathing, then it is better to reduce its frequency to 1-2 times every six months.

Drying Features

After the bath, the wool is thoroughly dried.
Drying is a responsible and mandatory procedure after each wash. It is not enough to simply wipe a Spitz with a towel to remove excess moisture. The wool is dried with a hairdryer until completely dry.

When drying an animal, a number of rules are followed.

The air stream is made warm and of medium intensity. Air that is too hot can burn your pet's skin.
The wool is dried starting from the paws. Gradually move to the tail and follow from the back of the body to the withers.
The hair dryer is directed against hair growth. The strands are combed with a comb with sparse teeth. As it dries, move on to a brush.

Important! If the fur is not dried sufficiently, eczema and other diseases may develop on the skin.

How to dry?

Now, knowing how to wash a Spitz, you need to understand how to dry it properly. After all, the main decoration of a dog is its fur, and it should be shown in all its glory.

You need to dry it using a hair dryer; it is best to use a special one for grooming dogs or a hair dryer from professional hairdressers.

Don't burn your dog! The best option would be a hairdryer with drying without heating.

Start drying from the paws, then the tail, back. Comb all the time and separate the strands with a wide-toothed comb. The mane, legs and tail are generally dried, with each strand of fur separated and individually dried.

When combing and dividing into strands, do it against the grain.

When drying, the comb is gradually replaced with a brush, and the cotton wool is removed from the ears.

And after drying, let the Spitz shake himself off thoroughly - the procedure is over!

How to comb the fur

Careful combing allows you to give the withers the necessary volume.
After water procedures, the animal must be combed. This allows you to remove the cleavages and give the fur coat the desired shape.

Combing is carried out in 3 stages.

The cleavers are removed using a fine-toothed comb. Combing is carried out both along the coat and against it.
Use a wide-toothed comb to smooth out the fur. They are applied over the entire volume of fur, smoothing it and giving it a well-groomed appearance.
Use a massage brush to add volume in the right places.

Tips and tricks

In order for the washing to be successful and not cause harm to the health of the animal, it is necessary to follow the advice of specialists.

Temperature. Dogs should be bathed in a warm, draft-free room.
Cosmetical tools. Shampoos and conditioners for long-haired breeds or Spitz dogs are used for washing.
Water pressure. When washing from a watering can or shower, use medium water pressure. A strong jet can frighten a dog.
Help. It is recommended that two people wash the animal together. One person calms and holds, the second washes the wool.
Delicacy. After washing, dog breeders recommend giving the animal a treat and praising it. This will reduce negative emotions after the procedure.
The animal should be thoroughly washed if it is heavily soiled or in preparation for an exhibition.

Important! During active molting, as well as after giving birth, it is not recommended to bathe Spitz bitches. In winter, water procedures are also reduced.

Spitz coat:

Any size Pomeranian should have a good coat.
Sometimes it even seems that the wool is too abundant and therefore initially requires a lot of additional trouble. This is a very common misconception. A rich, thick coat is a sign of a Spitz; it is, as a rule, very expressive and largely shapes the appearance of dogs of this breed. The hard guard hair, which creates the external outline of most Spitz-type dogs, has, in some varieties, upon closer examination, the shape of an extended spiral. This shape gives the hair additional rigidity despite its relatively small thickness. The guard hair is also supported by a very thick undercoat. Healthy undercoat and guard hair give the uninitiated the impression that your Pomeranian is constantly brushed. Still, to care for the coat, it is important to know some rules that a puppy from a very early age.

The coat of the Pomeranian Spitz breed, fortunately, does not form tangles, with the exception of only a few places - behind the ears and very rarely - between the toes. But this does not mean that everything should remain in its natural form and does not require your intervention at all.

The wool is always processed, even when stroking, only against its growth, i.e. from tail to head. A sparse comb and brush are suitable for care. The undercoat can only be combed during shedding, otherwise the guard hair will lose support for standing. At other times, your Pomeranian dog should be brushed carefully, approximately once a week. If tangles form, they must be carefully plucked out.

It is recommended to wash your Pomeranian Spitz dog rarely, usually when preparing for a show or in case of heavy soiling. Usually, to maintain cleanliness, it is enough to run a brush over and against the fur and wipe the paws after a walk. You should not wash your Spitz while shedding, because... then all the fur will fall off and it will be very difficult to comb it. In addition, this procedure is unpleasant for the dog .

Before washing the dog, you need to brush it. Be sure to give your pet a good walk. No need to feed. Use dog shampoo to wash. Currently, the choice of hair care products is very large. Before washing, plug your dog's ears with cotton wool to prevent water from getting into the ear canal. Be careful not to get the detergent in the dog's eyes. If this happens, rinse your dog's eyes with plenty of clean water. It is best to wash your Miniature Pomeranian dog in the bath using a shower with a flexible hose. IMPORTANT - make sure that the dog does not jump out of the bathtub. The water should be warm. Wet the wool thoroughly. Dilute the shampoo with water. You can water your dog with a bottle or apply shampoo with a sponge. After this, thoroughly massage the coat moistened with shampoo and rinse thoroughly with water;

After wringing out the fur, let your Pomeranian dog shake himself thoroughly several times, dry him with a towel and start drying. It is best to use a powerful hair dryer designed specifically for dogs. Be careful not to burn your pet or cause any discomfort if the air stream is very hot. It is good to use a hair dryer that has a drying mode without heating. It is best to dry your dog on the table. First, dry your limbs, sides, and back. When it’s the turn of the mane, pants, tail, i.e. In areas covered with the longest hair, use a comb to separate the hair strand by strand against the direction of its growth. Dry each strand thoroughly.

After drying, give your Pomeranian dog a good shake. If you have another walk ahead, it should be short and as active as possible so that the dog does not freeze if it is winter outside.

Proper grooming of your Spitz's coat your Pomeranian's skin and coat healthy . Do not forget also that dogs with a lush collar should be led on round soft harnesses, so that in case of danger you can quickly pick up the dog in your arms.

Swimming in the sea

Swimming in the sea improves the health of dogs.
Many dog breeders take their pets on trips to the sea. Playing in water does not harm dogs. They help strengthen muscles and increase overall tone. At the same time, the negative effect of salt on the skin of the animal is noted. She causes irritation.

After bathing is completed, you need to wash your Spitz with clean water and dry the coat with a towel. After a walk, the animal is thoroughly combed.

Regular bathing of a Spitz from an early age will help accustom the animal to water procedures and maintain its attractive appearance.

How to bathe properly?

The Japanese Spitz's coat is covered with a protective lubricant (this is natural for all dogs, regardless of the thickness and color of the hair). Thanks to it, dirt is not absorbed into the hair itself and is easily cleaned off after drying (so sometimes the dog does not have to be washed after a walk).

But you still need to bathe. The usual frequency of this procedure is once every month and a half. Naturally, before exhibitions, an additional bath will be needed to get the coat in order.

You need to use special shampoos for white wool (they are labeled as such by the manufacturer). The fact is that they contain a special pigment that removes yellowness. Regular bathing with this product will prevent sunburn, and the dog will look truly royally bright. If you bathe an animal after summer, the result will be especially noticeable.

Sometimes it happens that yellow stripes form near the eyes. To prevent this from happening, it is enough to wipe your dog’s eyes with a dry cloth every day. The fact is that these marks are nothing more than oxidized tears.

Air conditioning can be used if desired. Typically, professional shampoo is easily washed out and does not cause any irritation, leaving only a pleasant smell. Just remember to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer before washing. Sometimes it happens that shampoo is sold in concentrated form, and then it must be diluted with water in advance.

In addition to special cosmetics, the owner of a snow-white Japanese Spitz will also need a compressor. It allows you to dry the undercoat in a few minutes, blowing the dog with air at a comfortable temperature. You can also use a regular household hair dryer, but in this case it will take several times longer. You cannot leave your dog to air dry, as parasites and microorganisms settle faster in wet fur.

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