One of the most popular breeds in the United States today, the Pomeranian is a loving and loyal pup that makes an excellent companion and lapdog. Thanks to their small size, good looks and affection, there’s not a lot you can’t love about this adorable breed, including their endearing bossiness!
Intelligent and friendly, these pups have a big personality and need an owner to match. Take a look below to find out about this interesting breed and whether one of these dogs might be for you.
History Of The Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a lively dog that will certainly keep you on your toes. Classified as a Toy breed, these dogs make excellent pets for families, couples, individuals and the elderly, as long they understand the needs of a dog of this size. They also excel at agility and obedience training.
The Pomeranian was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1900. By the mid-century, Pomeranians were one of the most popular dog breeds in America. Today they rank 14th among the 155 breeds and varieties registered by the AKC.
Breed Origin
The Pomeranian breed was named after Pomerania, an area in Northeastern Europe which is now part of Poland and Western Germany, where the breed originated from. The Pomeranian was bred from it’s Spitz breed ancestors, including the Norwegian Elkhound, the Schipperke, the German Spitz, the American Eskimo Dog and the Samoyed. Early Pomeranian’s were as big as 30 lbs and were even used as sled dogs.
Later on, Queen Victoria was a huge fan of the Pomeranian and it is thought she is the reason they are the Toy breed they are now. She may have reduced the size of the breed through her own breeding during her reign. Shortly after, these dogs began to be entered in dog shows where their popularity rocketed. It is thought that this breed was first seen in America in the late 1800s.
Characteristics Of The Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a Toy breed and therefore they are tiny when they are born! They usually weigh just a few pounds and can double in size in the first few days of their life. By the time they are 1 year old, they are usually fully grown.
Pomeranian puppies are normally born in litter sizes of between 1 to 5 puppies, although due to their size you can expect fewer pups than more. One of these puppies can cost between $500 and $1,500, depending on which breeder you buy from. Always remember to buy from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
The Pomeranian is very recognizable pup. They have been described as quite fox like in their appearance — they have dark eyes and small, erect ears. Their tail is high and they have a sturdy build. Their fur forms a ruff around their neck which can make them look a bit like a lion, too!
A Pomeranian usually weighs between 3-7 pounds in weight and stands between 6-7 inches tall. Their fur is thick, however, so it can make them look bigger.
Coat
The Pomeranian has a thick coat with straight furs that make them look very fluffy. In reality, these furs are quite hard to touch.
The coat is a double coat with a thick, long outer coat and a soft undercoat. They do not shed very much, but you may still want to invest in a good vacuum cleaner for when they do. They are not considered hypoallergenic so are not the pet for those with allergies. We will go into more detail about grooming later on.
Color
The Pomeranian can have twelve different coat colors! Often, the color of your Pomeranian’s coat will also play a factor in how much they cost as a puppy.
The most common coat color for the Pomeranian is a light to deep orange, however they can also be black, white, tan, black and tan, sable, merle, blue, parti, red, brown or tri-colored. The Black Pomeranian is quite rare.
Temperament
Pomeranians are often known for mimicking the temperaments of their owners. If you are confident and outgoing, your Pomeranian will be too, but if you are more relaxed and quiet, your Pomeranian might be a gentler dog. Whatever temperament they take, these dogs love their owners and want to be by your side (or in your lap!) all the time!
Generally, Pomeranian’s are very out-going dogs that want to meet lots of new people. They often think they are larger than they really are, which can sometimes get them into trouble when meeting with other big dogs. They can be very bossy and try to assert their dominance over both you and other pups, although this can be trained out of them.
These little dogs certainly feel it is their duty to protect your and will have no problem in becoming vocal when they feel something is out of place. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you live in an apartment and have neighbors close by. You will need to ensure you socialize them properly with strangers, unless you want them to be an aggressive guard dog or watchdog!
Lifespan
The Pomeranian has a relatively long life expectancy and can live, on average, between 12 and 16 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, like all dogs, the Pomeranian is prone to the same health problems. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
- Patellar Luxation — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
- Tracheal Collapse — this is a progressive disease of your dog’s trachea which typically occurs in smaller dogs and causes respiratory issues, frequent coughing and difficulty eating.
- Entropion — this is the rolling in of the eyelid which can irritate or injure the eyeball. It can be corrected with surgery.
- Distichiasis — this is when an extra row of eyelashes grow on the oil gland in the dog’s eye and protrude along the edge of the eyelid. They can be removed with surgery.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Pomeranian, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these fluffy little dogs on a day to day basis is really like! We will cover their exercise requirements, their grooming needs and their food and diet.
Food And Diet
Due to their small size, the Pomeranian does not eat very much. They only require around 200 to 300 calories of food a day, based on their weight, which equates to 1/2 to 1 cup of food. You should split their food into three meals a day.
Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight. A dog’s calorie intake will always relate to how much they weigh.
You should also always be feeding them high-quality food that meets their nutritional requirements. It is advised that you find a food that is formulated especially for small dog breeds.
eals, wheat, corn or soy. Even better, there are also no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this recipe.
Exercise
The Pomeranian dog is a fairly active breed with high energy levels, but only in relation to their size. These pups require around 20 to 30 minutes of exercise a day and can even accompany you while you’re out walking or hiking. However, they are mostly active indoors and are therefore a great pet for those who don’t have a large space for them to run around in.
If you do have a yard for them to play in, make sure it is fenced and that you keep an eye on them! They have been known to escape through very small holes in the fence. They also can sometimes be mistaken for rabbits by larger prey such as birds, so this is why you must watch them when they are outside playing. For this reason, it is a good idea to walk your Pomeranian on a leash if you can.
The Pomeranian is a very playful pup and due to their intelligence requires a lot of mental stimulation. Ensure you give them lots of toys to play with and rotate them frequently so there’s always something new. You can also engage in obedience or trick training with them; these small dogs like to be the center of attention and love to learn, so this is a great way to bond with them.
Family Compatibility
The Pomeranian makes an excellent family dog. They also make a great dog for couples, individuals and the elderly. They love their owners and are very loyal to them. They will often feel it is their duty to protect you as well, and will want to be with you at all times, whether it is out and about or just laying on the couch.
These dogs are a fairly active breed and will like to accompany you while you’re out hiking or walking, but they are better suited to city living. One of the great things is that because they are so small, they will fit into any home! As we mentioned above, however, socialization is very important if they decide they like to bark at strangers — otherwise your neighbors might hate you!
The Pomeranian is normally tolerable of children and other pets in the house, especially if they are raised with them. Despite the fact that they are very playful, often they are suited to older teenagers rather than young children; the Pomeranian is a small, fragile dog and sometimes young children can be too rough with them.
We have mentioned above that the Pom can be bossy and try to show dominance, and this goes for over other dogs too! These dogs can also sometimes see smaller dogs and other animals as prey, so this is something to watch out for. This is also why socialization from a young age is so important. However, the Pomeranian is more likely to get along with smaller pets rather than larger dogs, because they won’t feel as threatened.
Training
The Pomeranian is an intelligent dog who loves to please their family and generally have good trainability. It is for this reason that they are also often trained as a guide dogs or therapy dogs. However, they can be stubborn at times so you must be firm and consistent with them at first.
These dogs respond best to reward based training and positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. You should never get angry or annoyed with your Pomeranian because this will make them not want to learn.
Remember, due to their intelligence, the Pomeranian will excel at agility and obedience training, so this is something to think about.
Socializing
The Pomeranian is a friendly dog to those that they know, but they can be aloof with strangers. They can sometimes get aggressive with strangers and bark at them too.
As we mentioned above, they can get on well with children and animals that they are raised with, but this doesn’t mean that they won’t show bossiness or try to dominate other pets in the house, or ones they met outside! They can be possessive over their toys and food, too, so this is why socialization from a young age is so important.
If you are introducing the Pomeranian to children, socialization is again important. This is not just for the dog, but for the children too, especially if they are young. You will need to show your children to be gentle with the Pomeranian, otherwise the Pomeranian may feel threatened and bark.
Introduce your Pomeranian to different sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled way to ensure they learn there is nothing to be afraid of. This will help them to develop into well-rounded and good mannered pups!
Grooming
The Pomeranian has a thick coat and therefore requires a fair bit of grooming. They shed a lot and you will need to brush them at least twice a week. Without this, their fur can become matted and tangled, especially around the ruff where the fur is particularly long and thick. This also helps to minimize shedding and reduce the amount of fur that is spread around your house!
You can bathe your Pomeranain as often as you would like, whether that’s daily or monthly, or whenever they start to smell. Always remember to use a dog shampoo.
You can take your Pomeranian to the groomers every four to six weeks to have them trimmed if you would like. Many Pomeranian owners do this to make their fur more manageable. The groomers can also help you keep their nails trimmed.
Try to brush your Pomeranian’s teeth often, too. This will help with dental decay and disease, which, unfortunately, the Pomeranian can be prone to. You can always use dental sticks if this is easier.
Pomeranian FAQ’s
How much does a Pomeranian cost?
A Pomeranian can set you back between $500 and $1,500, although they can be more expensive if you buy a pup bred from show dog parents. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can show you health clearances for both parent breeds.
If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. With the Pomeranian rising in popularity as a pet, they are also becoming more common in shelters as owners don’t do their research and then can’t take care of them properly.
Are Pomeranians good with children?
The Pomeranian is good with children that they are brought up with. A little wary of strangers, these toy dogs feel it is their duty to protect their family and so may not be tolerable of children who don’t live at the home. This is why socialization is such a good idea from a young age, so you can show your Pomeranian there is nothing to be scared of.
Pomeranians are small animals and therefore often do better in homes with teenagers rather than small children. You children can be over-excitable and playful and may end up hurting the Pomeranian without meaning to. However, again, with socialization this can be fixed.
Summary
The Pomeranian is a Toy sized breed that makes the perfect family pet. Lovable and cuddly, these adorable little dogs just want to be by their owners side and spend every moment with you! A playful breed, the Pomeranian will make an excellent playmate for you children, too, and will love to learn tricks and partake in obedience training. Despite their often bossy streak and their desire to sometimes assert their dominance, they are very loyal to their families.
The Pom can be very protective and often wary of strangers, but this can be fixed with socialization. They also keep you on your toes and can be a great little exercise buddy. What do you think, is a Pomeranian for you?