How to Give Your Pomeranian a Lion Cut Hairstyle

Pomeranians are cute and lovable pets. Fun-loving dogs, owning a Pomeranian guarantees joy and laughter. Before making a decision on this dog breed, however, you must consider the cost and effort required for keeping your dog well groomed.

A standard lion cut is practical hairstyle for long-haired dog breeds, including Pomeranians. In fact, this cut is also referred to as a Pomeranian Cut. The haircut benefits long-haired dog breeds because it keeps them cool when temperatures rise. The lion cut is the AKC (American Kennel Club) standard for Pomeranians.

In a basic lion cut, your pet's fur is groomed into a shape that mimics a lion. This hairstyle, while cute and practical, requires weekly maintenance. By learning to groom your Pomeranian at home, you'll strengthen your relationship with your dog and save money.

If your pet is not a show dog, you can modify the lion cut to suit your preferences. Here is an outline for grooming your pet into a basic lion cut. With patience and a gentle hand, the grooming experience may become a time both you and your pet look forward to.

Things you'll need:

• Dog brush
• Dog comb
• Scissors
• Thinning shears
• Electric clippers
• 1/4-inch clipper guard

Step 1:

Begin by shaping the hair of your Pomeranian's ears. Hold the dog's ear between your thumb and forefinger, protecting the ear leather with your fingers. Use scissors to trim around the ears, shaping them into a smooth arch. The goal is to soften the points of the ears by rounding the edges to look like a lion.

Step 2:

Brush the hair around the dog's head forward. Find the natural circular shape the hair forms when brushed forward and use thinning shears to cut away any hair that does not conform to the rounded silhouette. Continue to snip the stray hair around the Pomeranian's head until the shape is a uniform circle, resembling a lion's mane.

Step 3:

Fit a 1/4-inch guard on electric clippers to shave the Pomeranian's torso, stomach and the inside of his legs. Turn the clippers on and allow the dog to acclimate to the sound before beginning the shaving procedure.

Step 4:

Start shaving the dog near the head, using short, light strokes to avoid leaving track marks. Shave the dog's back in a straight line down to the base of the tail. Continue shaving your Pomeranian in the direction the hair grows until the entire back is short and smooth.

Step 5:

Lay the dog down and shave the stomach and the inside of the legs. Shave from the neckline to the base of the tail. Start shaving the stomach at the same place on the dog's neck where you began shaving the back, so the fur around the dog's head (the lion's mane) is symmetrical.

Step 6:

With the scissors, trim the fur on the outside of the dog's legs and shorten the fur on the dog's tail. Leave a fluff of fur at the end of the tail and the bottoms of the legs, around the ankle area.

Additional Reading:

Dangerous Non-food Items for Dogs to Ingest

Strengthen the Relationship with Your Dog

How to Choose a Responsible Day Care Facility for Your Dog

How to Groom Your Yorkshire Terrier

References:

Pomeranian Pages: Pomeranian Lion Cut

DogGroomers.com: Lion Cut Hair Cut for Dogs

Pomkins: Grooming Your Pomeranian, 10 Steps to Perfection

Official Pomeranian Guide: Expert Grooming Tips for Your Pomeranian