Preparing your Pomeranian for a dog show: gait, teeth and coat

Getting a Pomeranian ready for a dog show comes down to three jobs. Your Pom needs to walk on a leash and stand still while the judge looks him over, his teeth and nails need attention well ahead of time, and his coat has to be bathed, trimmed and brushed on the right schedule. Most of this happens at home. It starts weeks before show day.

We are Bánh Bò, a Pomeranian kennel in Ho Chi Minh City. We have been breeding to the FCI standard since 2012, we are members of the Vietnam Kennel Association (VKA), and we export Poms to the United States and Canada. The standard a judge scores against is the same yardstick we use when we choose our breeding dogs. Everything below follows it.

Show prep is not something you can squeeze into the morning of the show. A Pom with a gorgeous coat who flinches when touched, or who limps because his nails were cut the day before, won’t let the judge see everything he has to offer. Here is the rough timeline.

• Weeks ahead: leash walking, table training and getting used to strangers’ hands.
• About 1 week ahead: tartar removal and a nail trim.
• 3 days ahead: a bath and a thorough blow-dry.
• Show day: brush the coat up for volume and touch up its shape.

What training keeps a Pom calm at a dog show?

Your Pom needs three skills: walking on a leash, standing still on a table, and letting strangers handle him. Training takes longer than anything else on the list. Start it first.

Leash walking at your Pom’s own pace

In the ring, the handler moves the dog away from the judge and back again so the judge can watch the gait. The FCI standard describes the Spitz breeds as moving straight ahead with good drive, in a smooth, springy way. To move like that, your Pom has to accept a show lead (a thin lead that works as both collar and leash). No tugging. No sitting down halfway around the ring.

Each Pom has his own best pace. Too fast, and his steps turn choppy while his body bounces; too slow, and he ambles along with a loose, disconnected gait. The only way a handler finds that pace is through repeated practice, with someone filming so you can watch the footage afterward.

Here in Ho Chi Minh City, we train early in the morning or in the evening. At midday, outdoor tile and concrete soak up the tropical heat, and a thick-coated Pom is panting after a few laps and loses interest in moving. The same goes for a hot summer day where you live. Keep each session short and stop while your puppy is still having fun. That keeps him willing next time.

Standing still on the table

Poms are a small breed, so the judge examines them on a table. Your puppy should stand square on all four legs, head up and tail curled over his back, and hold still while he is examined. At home, practice on a sturdy table covered with a non-slip mat. Keep sessions to a few minutes, with treats. Never leave your Pom alone on the table, because one jump to the floor can break a Pomeranian’s leg.

Getting used to the judge’s hands

The judge will open your Pom’s mouth to check his teeth, then feel his head, shoulders and back and handle his legs. In males, the judge also checks the testicles. A Pom who isn’t used to strangers may flinch or back away, and some even growl. To practice, ask friends and acquaintances to touch your puppy gently in that same order, then reward him the moment he stands still. The more people he meets, the calmer he gets.

How long before the show should you take care of teeth and nails?

About 1 week before, according to the reference video. That gives the teeth and nails time to settle before your Pom goes up on the table.

The teeth should be free of tartar (calculus). When the judge opens the mouth to check the bite, yellow-brown buildup at the gumline is the first thing the judge notices. Poms have small mouths with crowded teeth, so tartar builds up faster than it does in large dogs. Tartar removal is done at a veterinary clinic, where the vet examines your Pom and chooses the right approach for him. Book the appointment early.

Swollen red gums, bleeding, loose teeth or very bad breath are signs of periodontal disease. A Pom with any of these signs needs a vet visit and treatment. The show can wait.

Why do short nails help a Pom’s feet meet the standard?

FCI Standard No. 97 (German Spitz, which includes the Pomeranian) calls for small, round, tight feet with well-arched toes, known as cat feet. Long nails hitting the ground spread the toes. The foot then looks flat and long, like a hare foot.

Inside each nail is a blood vessel and nerve, called the quick. Cut into the quick and the nail bleeds, your Pom is in pain, and he walks on tiptoe. Don’t trim nails right before the show or at the show grounds, since one slip can ruin his gait just as the judge is watching. Dark nails make the quick hard to see. On a Pom with dark nails, take off a little at a time over several sessions in the weeks before.

How should you bathe, trim and brush a Pom before a show?

How many days before the show should you bathe?

The reference video recommends bathing 3 days before the show. A freshly washed coat goes soft and flat. If you bathe the day before or that morning, the coat hits the ring at its flattest.

A Pom has a double coat. Under the FCI standard, the outer coat is long and straight and stands off the body, while the undercoat is short, thick and cotton-like. In Vietnam’s high humidity, that undercoat takes a very long time to dry. After the bath, blow-dry all the way down to the undercoat at the skin, because damp undercoat easily starts to smell and can lead to skin inflammation. Bathing a few days early also gives the coat time to dry fully and stand back up.

How is a show trim different from a pet trim?

A show trim shapes your Pom to the breed standard for the ring. It is not the short, cool cut a pet spa gives. The standard describes short, dense, velvety hair on the head, ears, front of the legs and feet, with long, thick coat over the rest of the body. So a show trim only tidies the outline: neat round ears, round feet that show off the cat-foot shape, and a body shaped into one balanced, rounded silhouette. The groomer should know the breed.

A Pom who has been shaved or given a short pet cut usually can’t grow the coat back in time for an upcoming show. Plan to show? Start growing the coat out early.

Can you use powder or volumizing spray?

Under FCI rules, the safe answer is no. FCI show regulations ban any substance that changes the texture, color or shape of the coat, skin or nose, and allow only cutting, trimming and brushing. The reference video mentions coat powder and hold spray, which are used in some places. Before you pack either one, read the show’s rules or ask the organizers.

On show day, the main job is still brushing against the grain so the coat stands up as full as possible. A coat that has been bathed, dried and brushed correctly stands up on its own. You don’t need anything else.

What should you watch for at a show in hot weather?

Keep your Pom cool from the moment you leave home until you walk into the ring. A double-coated Pom handles heat poorly, and shows in Vietnam are usually crowded and sometimes held outdoors. FCI rules also prohibit leaving dogs in a vehicle when it is too hot or too cold. Bring drinking water. Pick a waiting spot with shade or a fan, and don’t hold your Pom out in the sun for long.

Rapid, heavy panting, a dark red tongue, sluggishness, stumbling or vomiting can mean your Pom has heatstroke. If you see these signs, withdraw from the show and take your Pom to a vet right away. On the way, cool him with cool water (not ice water) on the belly, armpits and paws, and turn on the car’s air conditioning. This is only for the drive. It does not replace the vet exam.

Source: a video by @tobytalksdogs.

If you want to see the feet and coats of our puppies’ parents for yourself, or you’re looking for a Pom to bring home, chat with us on WhatsApp. Set up a time before you visit.

Medical information in this article was reviewed by veterinarians at Home Pet Veterinary Clinic on October 10, 2026.