The White Pomeranian is a Spitz dog and can often be confused with the Japanese Spitz. However, they are a Pomeranian — just a completely white one! These loving and sweet-natured dogs make an excellent companion and lapdog and with their cute little size, there’s not a lot you can’t love about them!
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 White Pomeranian
The White Pomeranian is a lively dog that’ll 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.
The White Pomeranian was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1900. They are also recognized by the Australian National Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club, Federation Cynologique Internationale, the New Zealand Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club and The UK Kennel Club.
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 White Pomeranian was bred from it’s Spitz ancestors.
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.
The White Pomeranian is thought to have been seen in the United States for the first time in 1892.
Characteristics Of The White Pomeranian
The White 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.
White Pomeranian puppies are normally born in litter sizes of between 1 to 5 puppies. One of these puppies can cost between $500 to $4,000, depending on which breeder you buy from. Always remember to buy from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
The White Pomeranian has 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
These dogs have double coats with a short, dense undercoat and larger hairs over the top to protect them from the elements. Unfortunately, these dogs shed all year round, so they are not a suitable pet for those with allergies. They also have two major blowouts a year during which time they really shed, so you may want to invest in a good vacuum cleaner!
Color
Unsurprisingly, the White Pomeranian has a…white coat! Their coats must be pure white however, like snow, and no off-white or beige or cream is allowed within the breed standard.
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!
These dogs certainly feel it is their duty to protect your and will bark 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 White Pomeranian has a relatively long life expectancy and can live, on average, between 12 and 16 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with every dog breed, the White Pomeranian is prone to some health problems. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- 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.
- Black Skin Disease (Alopecia X) — this is where your dog might have bald patches and dark skin. It is a result of a hormonal imbalance and a reduced production of melatonin.
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 that we’ve learnt all about the traits and characteristics of the White Pomeranian, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these dogs on a day to day basis is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
Due to their small size, the White Pomeranian does not eat very much. They only require around 60 to 120 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. You should also always be feeding them high-quality food that meets their nutritional requirements.
Exercise
The White Pomeranian dog is a fairly active breed, but only in relation to their size. These pups require around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day and can even accompany you while you’re out walking or hiking. It is a good idea to walk them on a leash if you can.
If you 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.
Family Compatibility
The White 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.
These dogs are an 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. 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. 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.
Training
The White Pomeranian is an intelligent dog, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are an easy dog to train. They can be stubborn so you must be firm and consistent with them, but once you have established a routine then you shouldn’t find training them to be difficult.
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 White Pomeranian because this will make them not want to learn.
Socializing
The White 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, which is why socialization from a young age is so important. You will need to introduce them to new people in a safe environment so that they learn there is no threat.
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.
You should also introduce your White Pomeranian to new sights, sounds, places and smells when they are young so they are well adapted to the outside world!
Grooming
The White Pomeranian sheds their coat a lot and therefore requires a fair bit of grooming. If you don’t brush them every day then their fur can become matted and tangled, especially around the ruff where the fur is particularly long and thick.
You can take your White Pomeranian to the groomers to have them trimmed if you would like. Many Pomeranian owners do this. The groomers can also help you keep their nails trimmed.
Try to brush your White Pomeranian’s teeth often, too. This will help with dental decay and disease.
White Pomeranian FAQ’s
How much does a White Pomeranian cost?
A White Pomeranian can set you back between $500 to $4,000, depending on which breeder you buy from. You should always buy from a reputable breeder who has health clearances for both parent breeds.
If this is too far out of your price range, you can always check your local animal shelter. You can also adopt White Pomeranians from Pawsitively Pom Rescue or Recycled Pomeranian Rescue.
Is a White Pomeranian good with children?
The White Pomeranian is good with children that they are brought up with. A little wary of strangers, these 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 White 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, active breed, the White Pomeranian will certainly keep you on your toes and makes an excellent playmate for you children. They are very loyal to their families and can be very protective and often wary of strangers, but this can be fixed with socialization. They also love to be active, so if you’re looking for a small dog that’ll give you lots of love and also doubles as an exercise buddy, then the White Pomeranian might be for you!