How to Groom a Shi Pom Dog

The Shi-Pom is a cross between two different pure breeds, these being the Shiba Inu and the Papillon. The Shiba Inu is the smallest of Japan̵7;s native dog breeds and was developed for hunting in the dense undergrowth in mountainous areas. The breed has a double coat of short fur. The Papillon, which originated in Europe, has a long, silky coat. Hybrid puppies do not always look alike, and some Shi-Poms will have long coats, while others will not. Each Shi-Pom needs to be groomed as appropriate for its coat length.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush (short coat)
  • Pin style brush (long coat)
  • Nail clippers
  • Shampoo for dogs
  • Dry shampoo for dogs
  • Large raw knuckle bones
  • Carrots (optional)
  • Broccoli (optional)
  • Hair dryer
  • Soft towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your Shi-Pom on a regular basis to remove dead and loose hair, if its coat is similar to the Shiba Inu. Shibas have a straight and stiff outer coat with a thick and soft undercoat. The fur on this breed̵7;s legs, face and ears is short, while the tail hair spreads into a bush. The Shiba sheds its double coat excessively.

    • 2

      Comb or brush your Shi-Pom on a daily basis if its coat is similar to the Papillon, which has a silky and long single coat. Use a pin style brush to remove any knot, although this breed̵7;s coat does not tangle to any great degree and does not shed as much as that of the Shiba Inu.

    • 3

      Remove any mats that you find in a long-coated Shi-Pom. Take the knotted hair between your index finger and thumb and carefully divide it into small parts. Brush out each bit of coat that you loosen from the mat, until it is gone. In this way, it is not necessary to cut pieces out of the coat.

    • 4

      Examine your Shi-Pom̵7;s nails and clip them once the tips begin to touch the ground. Long nails tend to force the back of the foot downward and the dog develops an unnatural gait.

    • 5

      Examine your Shi-Pom̵7;s teeth on a regular basis to check on the presence of tartar. Feed your dog large, raw knuckle bones and raw vegetables such as carrots or broccoli to keep its teeth free of tartar.

    • 6

      Bath your Shi-Pom on a regular basis. Indoor dogs will remain cleaner than those that are allowed outdoors. Use a dry shampoo on the dog̵7;s coat if it is long and silky.

    • 7

      Dry your long-coated Shi-Pom with a hair dryer or soft towel after bathing it.