- Pomeranians: Everything You Need to Know
Everything You Need to Know About
Pomeranian Dog Breed
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Table of Contents
Pomeranian General Information
The Pomeranian dog — commonly known as a Pom — may be tiny in size, but more than makes up for it with big personality.
This cute and fluffy breed is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, consistently placing among the American Kennel Club‘s top 20 dog breeds.
Origins:
The Pomeranian’s origins can be traced back to the larger German Spitz, and it was eventually bred down to its current small size. For this reason, the breed is also known as the Dwarf Spitz or Zwergspitz in some countries around the world. The “Pomeranian” name comes from this dog’s association with a historic region in central Europe called Pomerania.
Pomeranian history also shows this toy dog as a royal favorite; They were first introduced it to England by Queen Charlotte in the late 1700s. Love for the breed lived on, as it became the favorite pet of Queen Charlotte’s granddaughter, Queen Victoria of Germany, through the 1800s.
Characteristics of a
Pomeranian
A Pomeranian can easily become your favorite companion in the house. Just keep a few traits in check, and you won’t be able to pass another day without this cute, tiny dog.
Temperament
A Pomeranian’s personality is generally friendly and obedient to their family, making this dog a great addition to the proper household.
With their loving, adorable nature, Poms can also be a good choice for novice pet owners.
A Pomeranian’s personality is generally friendly and obedient to their family, making this dog a great addition to the proper household.
With their loving, adorable nature, Poms can also be a good choice for novice pet owners.
However, the Pomeranian temperament is not very friendly with strangers, and they might act reserved at first when meeting someone new. This breed is protective of their territory, and do not approve of unknown intrusions into their space.
This alert attitude and habit of barking when excited makes Poms suitable watchdogs.
Energy Level
The Pomeranian dog is small, active, and agile. As such, they need playtime outside the house.
They don’t need very large spaces like a garden or park to exercise, but it is recommended to let them walk and/or play with you outside daily.
Walking:
It is recommended to take a Pomeranian for a walk twice per day for a period of 20 minutes each.
Depending on the dog’s mood, you can extend the walking duration to 30 minutes. They don’t have hefty exercise requirements like a big dog, but sometimes a Pomeranian will want to expend more energy on a long walk or run.
Size
You can find Pomeranians in the small to medium range, as some larger Pomeranians who resemble their ancestors might weigh up to 14 pounds (6.4 kg).
But don’t take this breed lightly due to their small size — Pomeranians aren’t afraid to challenge larger dogs despite their tiny stature.
- Weight:
Pomeranian weight generally ranges between 3 – 7 lbs (1.4 – 3.2 kg).
- Weight:
- Height:
The average size of a Pomeranian is around 7 – 12 in (17.5 – 30.5 cm) tall.
- Height:
- Length:
Between 9.5 to 11 in (24 – 28 cm) long, including the thick coming fur from their chest.
- Length:
Average Size Chart
Weight
Female
Male
1.4 – 3.2 kg
3 – 7 lbs
1.4 – 3.2 kg
3 – 7 lbs
Height
Female
Male
17.5 – 30.5 cm
7 – 12 in
17.5 – 30.5 cm
7 – 12 in
Length
Female
Male
24 – 28 cm
9.5 – 11 in
24 – 28 cm
9.5 – 11 in
Weight
Female
1.4 – 3.2 kg
3 – 7 lbs
Male
1.4 – 3.2 kg
3 – 7 lbs
Height
Female
17.5 – 30.5 cm
7 – 12 in
Male
17.5 – 30.5 cm
7 – 12 in
Length
Female
24 – 28 cm
9.5 – 11 in
Male
24 – 28 cm
9.5 – 11 in
Trainability / Intelligence
Pomeranians are highly intelligent dogs. They enjoy learning new tricks and performing them for their family’s praise and attention.
In addition, their quick and alert nature can make learning fast and easy.
Poms are obedient and truly love their owners, so they will be rushing to please and be praised. Be consistent and positive with training, and your dog will soon have more than a few tricks up their sleeve.
Other Pets / Children
- Other pets:
Poms get along fine with other dog breeds in most situations, but be careful around larger dogs. No matter how intelligent or confident, Poms are still fragile toy dogs who can be injured easily.
- Other pets:
A bigger dog with good intentions might accidentally hurt a Pomeranian while just trying to play.
- Children:
If a Pomeranian puppy is raised with children, it will be very affectionate with them. Otherwise, a Pomeranian might end up reserved and uncertain around small children.
- Children:
Generally, their alertness and small size make them a perfect partner for gentle children and the elderly.
Always supervise children as they play with a Pomeranian or Pomeranian puppies.
Children often get too excited upon seeing the toy dog and might not understand the difference between a toy and a toy dog. A Pom can end up hurt by accident as they are not as sturdy as bigger dogs.
Shedding / Coat
The Pomeranian dog has a rare double fur coat with great thickness, reportedly owned by less than 80 dog breeds.
With such thick hair, expect your Pom to shed year-round.
Pomeranian shedding is moderate to heavy, with heavy shedding expected twice per year and moderate, consistent shedding through the rest of the year.
Because Pomeranians originally belonged to a cold region, this double fur coat proved to be highly useful, and continuing to keep modern Pomeranians warm at night and through winter.
The Pomeranian dog has a rare double fur coat with great thickness, reportedly owned by less than 80 dog breeds.
With such thick hair, expect your Pom to shed year-round.
Pomeranian shedding is moderate to heavy, with heavy shedding expected twice per year and moderate, consistent shedding through the rest of the year.
Because Pomeranians originally belonged to a cold region, this double fur coat proved to be highly useful, and continuing to keep modern Pomeranians warm at night and through winter.
Grooming / Care
Coat:
Pomeranians need grooming every 3-4 weeks. Brush the fur coat 2-3 times a week regularly. During heavy shedding periods, brush your Pom once daily.
Their long, thick coat is prone to mats and tangles, but this risk is minimized by proper grooming.
Carefully trim hair along the paws, legs, ears, and rear end.
Teeth:
It is recommended to brush your Pom’s teeth daily.
Bathing:
Bathe your Pomeranian once per week.
Nails:
Trim their nails every 4 to 6 weeks.
Common Health Issues / Veterinary needs
Poms are usually healthy dogs and have a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.
A good diet and exercise regime, as well as proper monitoring, should be more than enough to keep this active dog in the best shape.
Pomeranians are not predisposed to any serious health conditions, and as such, take them for regular annual vet check-ups.
- Pomeranian Common Health Issues:
Pomeranians can be prone to the following conditions. - Luxating patella
- Hip dysplasia
- Heart problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypoglycemia
- Tracheal collapse
- Eye problems
- Pomeranian Common Health Issues:
To keep your Pomeranian healthy, always use a harness instead of a collar, and avoid letting them jump from your arms or from any furniture. Either keep them off all furniture or place dog stairs and ramps in convenient places for them to use.
Nutrition
As a small dog, Poms don’t need a lot of food, but it is imperative that they eat enough daily to prevent low blood sugar.
The recommended daily amount varies but is anywhere between 1/4 to 1/5 cup of dog food, plus supplements to keep joints healthy.
Generally, you will need to feed them 2 to 3 times a day, being careful not to overfeed, as an overweight Pomeranian is more likely to have issues with their heart, patellas, trachea, and more.
Poms do best with a high-quality dog food. You can buy a high-quality kibble from a trusted manufacturer or feed your dog home-cooked food.
Keep the treats to a minimum when training a Pomeranian to help prevent obesity. This should be fine, as most Pomeranians are also motivated by praise and attention.
As a small dog, Poms don’t need a lot of food, but it is imperative that they eat enough daily to prevent low blood sugar.
The recommended daily amount varies but is anywhere between 1/4 to 1/5 cup of dog food, plus supplements to keep joints healthy.
Generally, you will need to feed them 2 to 3 times a day, being careful not to overfeed, as an overweight Pomeranian is more likely to have issues with their heart, patellas, trachea, and more.
Poms do best with a high-quality dog food. You can buy a high-quality kibble from a trusted manufacturer or feed your dog home-cooked food.
Keep the treats to a minimum when training a Pomeranian to help prevent obesity. This should be fine, as most Pomeranians are also motivated by praise and attention.
First Time Owner?
Poms can be a good choice for first-time dog owners who understand how to take proper care of them and keep them safe.
This breed is friendly, loving, and learns quickly.
They require some extra care in the form of grooming, dietary, and exercise needs. Additionally, their fragility can be a cause for concern when in an unsuitable environment or when lacking supervision.
Special Needs
• Mental Stimulation
Poms don’t need much space, but they do need lots of attention and toys to play with.
As a highly intelligent and active breed, Pomeranians will get bored if they aren’t given something to do every now and then. This can take the form of trying to figure out puzzle toys or learning new tricks.
They also need lots of love and affection from their family, including daily quality time where they relax near their family. This breed might want to follow you around the house.
Other Things to Consider
• Separation Anxiety
Pomeranians are an attention-seeking breed of dogs who don’t deal well with being left alone.
They often develop separation anxiety and can become highly distressed if their family is not nearby. For this reason, Pomeranians are not recommended for people who would often leave home without their dog — for example: people who have a full-time job or go to school daily.
Pomeranians need a lot of validation and love from their family and tend to bark a lot in isolated situations.
The only way to remedy with this separation anxiety is to make a healthy habit of it. You may try to leave them alone for small periods with enough mentally stimulating toys and gradually build up to longer durations. Audiobooks or something on the TV can also be left on near your dog when you leave home for errands. Additionally, it is recommended to take your Pomeranian for a walk before leaving.
Exhibit normal behavior when leaving or entering the house without your Pomeranian — avoid acting sad or excited upon leaving or returning.
• Fragility
As a toy breed, Pomeranians’ bodies are excessively delicate and prone to injury.
This dog may act mighty, but they can be hurt easily by a fallen object, a tumble off the couch, or a good-natured playmate.
Always supervise your small dog to prevent injuries and use a harness instead of a collar when walking.
Pomeranian FAQ
How Much Do Pomeranians Cost?
The cost of a Pomeranian varies depending on color, genes, and whether the breeder produces winning show dogs or not.
Pomeranian puppies price ranges from $500 – $6,000.
Do Pomeranians Bark A Lot?
Yes. Even though Poms are small, they have a loud and strong bark and sometimes don’t know when to stop barking.
They usually bark when faced with any unknown stimuli, but you can train them to bark less often.
Where Are Pomeranian Dogs From?
Pomeranians are named after a historic region of the same name (Pomerania) in Central Europe, near the current Poland and Germany.
Dogs of this breed are descended from the German Spitz breed. They were bred down to toy size from a large, powerful type of sled dog.
What Were Pomeranians Bred For?
Pomeranians were bred for tasks like pulling sleds, guarding homes, and protecting and herding livestock.
Before the 19th century, Poms weighed about 30 pounds, which allowed them to do such tasks with ease.
Eventually, they were eventually bred down to tiny lap dogs whose sole purpose is companionship.
Pomeranian Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great for apartments
- Great for seniors
- Intelligent and active small dog
- Very affectionate and loving with family
- Cute
Cons
- Fragile
- Tends to bark excessively without training
- Needs lots of mental stimulation and attention from family
- Needs constant supervision to prevent injury
Care Guide
