I don't want to shave her, but this is getting ridiculous...

(joke pic taken when she was only 3 mos. or so)


Hey All,
I am a first time Pom owner. I have a black and white pom that is just reaching a year old next week. I brush her for almost an hour every day, and she has been to the groomer for maintenance trims twice.

The problem: Even though I'm doing everything I can to manage her coat; a). I still have to vacuum every day, b). I have to wash her butt all the time (you can guess why) and c). The poor thing is coughing up hairballs once in a while (on my bed).

I really want to see how awesome her adult coat is going to be, and I've heard all of the talk about Pom's coats not always growing back full after a shave, but I'm thinking about getting her the Teddybear cut. My questions are the following:

1). Is this excessive shedding (in November) just a sign of her "blowing" her adolescent coat, meaning i'll let up in a few months?

and

2). Is there a specific length that I should request the groomer cut her hair (definitely don't want to shave her too close) to guarantee that her coat will grow back correctly?

Thanks,
Eve (and Petal)