Pomsky Coat Care

This is a question we see often on the boards: “What brush do I use with my Pomsky?”

There are two brushes that breeders and groomers recommend for Pomskies. And there are a couple of brushes that you absolutely should AVOID that will damage or permanently ruin your beautiful Pomsky’s coat.

The GOOD:

Amazon has a double-row undercoat rake that works wonders on Pomskies. This is a decent starter undercoat rake. This brush has metal rotating pins that keep from pulling on the fur. Use short upward curving strokes to remove the undercoat during the first part of the shed season. You’ll be shocked at the amount of fur that comes out with a rake like this. During the summer, you’ll see that the longer silkier guard hairs stay intact (which is what you want!) while the fuzzy warm undercoat layer is removed. If you save it up, you can put it in onion net bags and hang it up for the birds to use it for their nests. Or, there are fiber artists that will turn your dog fur into the warmest hats and scarves.

The other tool that you will want is a good quality slicker brush. I haven’t personally tried this particular one, but this brush with it’s two sided option would be a great part of your grooming arsenal.

If you still fight a tremendous amount of fur, the best thing to do is when your Pomsky is at the start of the shed season, of taking the pup to the groomer and asking for the following: “De-shed shampoo and blowout. Butt skirt and sanitary trim. LIGHT trimming. Absolutely do not trim close and do not shave!”.

What a good groomer will do is use a special de-shedding shampoo and high velocity blow dryer to remove the undercoat for you. They will trim up the hind area of your dog. Whatever you do, and please, let me stress this in all bold/caps like I’m shouting, because…well, I kind of am. “WHATEVER YOU DO, NEVER SHAVE YOUR POMSKY OR GET THEM TEDDY BEAR CUT.” This cuts the long silky guard hairs. These guard hairs usually do not grow back properly. This results in a rougher coat. When you shave a Pomsky, you take away their ability to self-regulate their temperature. It causes them to overheat and get sunburned, which causes skin cancer in Spitz breeds. It really is a very big deal, to the point that it’s on my contract as a sign of neglect if you shave your Pomsky or get them cut into a teddy bear cut. These instructions would go for any Pomsky, Husky, Pomeranian and other Spitz breeds with the double-coat.

So there, I’ve said it. Please reach out to me if you have additional questions on this. ( info@kppomskies.com )

Pomskies generally don’t have smelly coats, unless of course they roll in something dead, which they very well might do. Once a month, unless your pup is a mud-monster, is sufficient with this breed.

The BAD:

The Furminator. Please, for the love of your Pomsky, never ever ever use the Furminator on your double-coated pup. The entire purpose of the Furminator is to cut the hairs. This means guard hairs and undercoat hairs. It doesn’t remove the undercoat hairs, it simply cuts them off, which completely is against their purpose. Yes, you will see a ton of fur when you use the Furminator. But it’s doing it wrong for double-coated dogs. That said, I know they have excellent products, and wonderful de-shedding shampoo and conditioner (which you should get). Those are great with your Pomsky, but the Furminator shaver tool is not what you should use on your dog.

No tool that has a blade. The undercoat will lift from the skin easily when it’s ready to go. It should not be cut from the skin.