Pomeranian

Grooming

The price of that fluffy ball of fur: shedding all year, exploding in spring and autumn, with undercoat so light it drifts through the air. Brushing is not optional, it is the entry fee for this breed: 3 to 4 times a week with a pin brush plus a comb to check for mats, and a 5-minute session daily in shedding season; after a bath, use a dryer to blow the undercoat loose as well. Do not shave it: shaving is not only not cooler, it can damage the follicles and cause uneven regrowth, and 'post-shave problems' are a common complaint in vet clinics. Generally a professional groom every 4-8 weeks, with daily brushing in between, more often in shedding season. For households sensitive to dust mites, it is worth spending a weekend with a friend's squirrel dog before deciding; surface trimming can be learned at home, but working out mats in the undercoat, and the hair around the anus and on the paws, are best left to a professional.

Exercise

The squirrel dog's exercise needs are at the moderate end for a small breed: 2 to 3 short walks a day (about 30-45 minutes in total) plus indoor sniffing games is enough. Breed guides put it more bluntly: at least 30 minutes of walking a day, and too little exercise leads to barking and destructive behaviour. The Hong Kong environment throws up a few specific situations: meeting an off-lead large dog in a park frightens a small dog easily, and knowing how to keep your distance matters more than forcing them to socialise; in lifts, pick the small dog up or keep it close on a short lead in that enclosed space, out of consideration for people who are afraid of dogs; and alone-time training should start in puppyhood to cut down 'doorbell alarm' barking. On days off, choose promenades and country parks that allow dogs, pick gentle routes for hiking, and test the ground temperature with the back of your hand for 5 seconds before setting out, avoiding asphalt at midday. Limit jumping as well: add a ramp or steps at the sofa and beside the bed to reduce the risk of luxating kneecaps.

Training

The squirrel dog ranks around 23rd in canine working-obedience intelligence, the 'learns fast but does not necessarily obey' intelligent-independent type: a new cue takes an average of 5-25 repetitions to master, and obedience to cues already learned is around 50 per cent or better. Three practical points: it knows the cue but decides whether to comply, so the reward has to be worth it and you should not repeat the command; it uses barking, pawing and body language to make requests, so reward calm behaviour and ignore the demanding noise; and it is clever and persistent, so manage the environment first and put food away. 10 to 15 minutes of mental work a day (sniffing games, trick training) is the best value for reducing barking and destruction, and alone-time practice starts with a 5-minute timer and builds up gradually. The last point is the easiest to overlook: the whole household has to agree on cues, boundaries and what is allowed. A clever dog is an expert at exploiting loopholes, and if one person gives in, everyone's discipline goes back to zero.

Diet

The squirrel dog's generally accepted ideal weight is about 1.8-3.2 kg (the AKC toy group standard), and the way to judge is not a single number but two tracks running together: a monthly weighing curve and a body condition check. The body condition check takes three steps at home: part the coat gently, and you should feel the ribs through a thin layer of fat; look from above, and there should be a clear waist narrowing behind the ribs; from the side, the belly should tuck up behind the ribs. Weighing is easiest on the same scale: weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the dog, and subtract; record at a fixed time in the morning before food. Start feeding at the lower end of the packet's recommendation, use a kitchen scale rather than a measuring cup, and keep treats within a tenth of the day's total; change foods over 7-10 days, stretching to 2 weeks for individuals with sensitive digestion. Also, between 4 and 8 months the dog goes through the coat blow, and can look round overnight; do not mistake that for fattening up and cut the food.

Living environment

Most dog-owning households in Hong Kong live in a few hundred square feet, in a flat or a walk-up, and there are four things to set up for a squirrel dog: non-slip mats or a rug on the floor, because a small dog sliding around long term damages the joints and changes the gait; fixed feeding and water positions; a bed with sides that can be washed, in a fixed corner, because even a small flat needs a 'territory of its own' to keep the dog emotionally steady; and barriers around sockets, cables and the bin, since Poms love to chew small objects. Stairs should be handled by carrying the dog or fitting a ramp, and for sound, use curtains and rugs to absorb echo, with the pee-pad area in the bathroom or on a covered balcony. On heat: small dogs heat up fast, so in summer go out before 6 am or after sunset, test the ground with the back of your hand for 5 seconds before setting out, and if it feels hot it is too hot; never leave the dog in a car. Keep the indoor temperature at about 24-26 degrees in summer; in the humid spring months use a dehumidifier and dry the coat thoroughly, especially the belly and armpits.