Q. My Pomeranian, Sasha, has a bushy coat that is on the dry side. When I brush her, it crackles with static electricity. I have her bathed and trimmed just enough to shape her and keep her feet and fanny neat every four weeks. Are all these baths drying her out? Should I have her groomed without being bathed?

A. If Sasha is a healthy dog on a nutritious diet and your groomer is using a quality shampoo with the proper Ph balance for your pet, rinsing thoroughly and adding conditioner, a monthly bath should not dry or damage her coat. It’s great that you brush her faithfully between grooms, but get some anti-static spray and lightly mist her coat before you brush and comb. You may also consider giving her a supplement containing essential fatty acids, including omega-3, found in vegetable oils, and omega-6, found in fish oil.

As to having her professionally groomed without the bath, if you are having her coat shaped with scissors to give her a neat, sculpted appearance, it would not come out so well without a bath and blow-dry. Think about it: If you asked your own hair stylist to skip the shampoo, it may be a more of a challenge to make you look drop-dead gorgeous. The same holds true for your scintillating Sasha.