Dogs are amazing companions and can add a spark to your life that nothing else can. Getting a dog is a big decision but what kind of dog to get is almost an even bigger decision.
There are a wide variety of breeds to choose from. One very popular breed is the Pomeranian. Pomeranians are small, fluffy dogs that are known for being friendly and playful.
Are you considering getting a Pomeranian? Just like any other dog breed, there is a lot that you need to know first.
Today we will take a look at everything you need to know when you are considering getting a Pomeranian.
Pomeranian History
Pomeranians are considered toy dogs by the American Kennel Club and are quite compact. They have a double coat that ends in a large tail that takes on the shape of a fan.
While a Pomeranian can come in various colors, the most common colors to find them in are red and orange.
It is common to find a solid color or split-color Pomeranian, but you can also find them in many patterns, especially when they have a mix of another breed added in.
The nose of a Pomeranian typically comes in two options when they are full-bred. One option is that their noses take on the same color as their coat.
Another option is that their noses take on a darker color compared to their coat. Ears on most Pomeranians are in the upright position.
Pomeranians originally came from Pomerania, which is between present-day Germany and Poland.
Before becoming your modern household pet, the Pomeranian’s size was about 30 pounds.
Pomeranians were used to herd sheep. Beyond herding, not many people were interested in Pomeranians until Queen Victoria of England got one in 1888.
Since then, Pomeranians have become prevalent around the world.
Several different ways to refer to or describe Pomeranians have cropped up over the years. Baby-dolls is one of them. Here are some other ones:
- Fussy
- Bold
- Fox-like
- Short-backed
Pomeranians come from various dog breeds, some of which are still around that are close to what they came from.
Norwegian Elkhounds, Schipperke, the American Eskimo Dog, and Samoyed are the closest relatives to the Pomeranian that is still around.
Coming close after these breeds are any of the breeds that are categorized as Spitz.
Pomeranian Size Details
When considering getting a dog, size is a major factor to consider. As mentioned above, Pomeranians are a toy breed, but that only gives you a rough size description.
They tend to grow up to 8 inches on average and weigh in between 3 and 7 pounds.
Large Pomeranians can be as tall as 12 inches. A Pomeranian’s fur can be quite deceptive as it puffs out from the body, making it look larger than it actually is.
Eight inches and less than 10 pounds is quite small compared to Pomeranians’ size.
Their modern size is one of the reasons that these dogs have become so popular, though. They are easy to have in a variety of different living situations and can be carried.
The size change in the Pomeranian actually stems from the 1880s when Queen Victoria brought hers back.
Local breeders wanted to create a smaller dog that would do better in the cities and among city folk.
Pomeranian Energy Levels
All dog personalities can vary and vary quite a lot. Pomeranians are most often very energetic dogs, though, wanting to move around their homes and receive plenty of attention.
If you do not pay them enough attention, they are likely to make their desire for more attention known to you.
Your Pomeranian friend likely won’t need too much exercise every day, but getting them outside to go to the bathroom regularly is still needed.
Because Pomeranians are fast and small, it is highly recommended that you keep them on a leash when helping them fulfill their exercise needs.
They don’t often run away, but they are hard to catch if they try to do so.
Just because a Pomeranian does not need a lot of exercise doesn’t mean that they won’t be just happy accompanying you on long walks.
They will walk just beside you and trot with an air of dignity. Your Pomeranian will likely not want to run or engage in high levels of activity for that long, though.
Pomeranians are not a dog that likes to live outside.
They want to be indoors with their humans where they can be close to those they love. It also allows them to get plenty of naps every day.
One characteristic you will find in almost every Pomeranian is that they love to spin when they get excited.
If you tell them you are going on a walk, are preparing their food, or otherwise doing something that gets their energy level up, they will start spinning. The spinning can be so fast that you might find it disorienting.
Grooming Needs of Your Pomeranian
While your Pomeranian won’t need too much exercise, they will need plenty of grooming.
Their fluffy coats will attract debris and easily get dirty. Brushing them regularly will help reduce the need for baths and help keep them as clean as possible.
Even with a good amount of brushing, you will need to bathe them every few weeks, and their size makes bathing Pomeranians quite easy.
Hypoallergenic shampoos are best for your Pomeranian, and a comb thru while they are still wet will help make their fur easier to brush later on.
In addition to their bathing and brushing needs, Pomeranians will also need their nails trimmed regularly.
Some Pomeranians may put up a fuss when you are trying to trim their nails, but most of them are quite well behaved.
At least once a year, you should ask your vet to conduct teeth cleaning if you are not comfortable brushing your dog’s teeth.
A common problem among Pomeranians is the buildup of tartar which can cause oral problems. Teeth cleanings can help to reduce tartar and increase oral health.
Dietary Needs of Pomeranians
Like with most dogs, the dietary needs of a Pomeranian will change with their age. This is because their body functions differently as they age.
There are some general things we can talk about when it comes to the dietary needs of Pomeranians.
The first thing to be aware of is that they should have small kibble when fed dry food since they are small dogs.
While a lot of dog owners opt to feed their puppies dry food, it can be quite beneficial to feed your Pomeranian wet food too.
The wet food will help them keep on weight as they can be quite active when moving around the house.
It will also add in some of the nutrients they wouldn’t get from other sources.
At the very least, you should consider adding protein to your Pomeranian’s diet to help get them the amount that they need every day.
Pomeranians have small stomachs, and you should be very careful not to overfeed them; that means feeding treats sparingly.
Any treats you give them should be salt and spice-free; both can cause significant impacts to their digestive systems.
Peanut butter-based treats with no additives are some of the best treats that you can offer your Pomeranian or any doggo for that matter.
An important note about food is that any time you consider changing up your Pomeranian’s food, you should do so gradually.
A sudden change in food could result in upsetting your doggo’s stomach. Slowly mix the new food into the old food until you are completely on the new food.
As a general rule of thumb, you will want to feed your Pomeranian between ¼ and ⅓ of a cup a day of food. Your vet will help you to pick the right amount for your specific doggo, though.
Temperament of Pomeranians
Pomeranians will adapt their own personality, but there are some general temperament considerations that you need to take into mind—one of the biggest being their social anxiety.
Pomeranians are prone to developing social anxiety and like to be with their owner and other people in the family as much as possible.
When they have left home alone, they often engage in barking and may engage in destructive behavior based on their personality and training.
This may be a problem for apartment dwellers as the Pomeranian bark can be quite loud.
You will notice that your Pomeranian often acts like a big dog despite its very small size.
They are well-known to think they are bigger than they are. This is easily noticeable in how they walk, and they often move like they own the place.
Most Pomeranians are very intelligent dogs that want to know everything going on around them. They will survey their area regularly to ensure nothing has changed.
If someone comes to the door or walks by that they do not know, they will likely alert you to that. When not alerting, they will at least be curious as to who is there.
If you have kids, you are almost surely wondering how a Pomeranian will do around your kids. Most Pomeranians do not do too well when they are constantly exposed to children.
They are smaller dogs, and even a small child can make them feel uncomfortable.
Taking the time to introduce your child to a Pomeranian slowly will help to increase the likelihood your dog will get along with your children.
Also, make sure that your kid learns appropriate behavior around a small dog, such as not to scare them and what they can and can’t do.
Those interested in Pomeranians will be happy to hear that they don’t tend to want to be big diggers.
One of the reasons that Pomeranians act like big dogs is the fact that they are attention hogs. Most times, they want to be the center of attention and do anything to get it.
Besides barking, you might find that they also beg, put on a show, and barge their way into the center of everything.
In most cases, this is behavior that you cannot train out of your Pomeranian.
In case you didn’t get it from all of this, Pomeranians are very extroverted dogs. They love being social and are often considered to be among the most social animals out there.
Just because they want to be social, though, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take socializing measures when raising your Pomeranian.
They need to be well socialized, just like any other dog breed out there.
As they grow up, your Pomeranian puppy will likely do poorly with other dogs as they grow older without regular socialization.
When it comes to socializing with people from outside their family, it comes down to the specific Pomeranian.
They are known to be somewhere in the middle ground when it comes to interacting with strangers.
As you get to know your Pomeranian doggo, you will get a sense of how well they do with other people. The more you get them around strangers, the calmer they will be when meeting them.
Training Your Pomeranian
You will probably see at several points in this article that we mention how smart Pomeranians are, and they understand most things going on around them and are inquisitive.
This means that they can respond well to your attempts to train them.
However, something important to keep in mind is that Pomeranians require recurring training for them to take to what they are learning; they are big dogs and often think that they know best.
Repetitive training does not mean difficult training, though!
When training a Pomeranian as a puppy, there isn’t much need to worry about them being nippy or mouthy. You might find that they bite at times, but it isn’t too common.
Especially if you make an effort to bond with your friend, establishing yourself as the top dog in your home as fast as possible will also help ensure training goes as smoothly as possible.
It is possible to train Pomeranians to engage in activities such as tracking and agility, but unlike some other breeds, they don’t require a job to be happy.
It is wise to still give them mental stimulation in the form of puzzle food bowls and interactive dog toys.
Due to their small size and social nature, most Pomeranians are also a great choice for therapy dog work.
Pomeranians may like to be inside with their owners, but it isn’t uncommon to find it difficult to potty train them. This is one area where Pomeranians are often more difficult to train than other breeds.
There are some theories as to why this is so, but no one has been able to confidently say why Pomeranians are more difficult to potty train than other dogs.
Before, during, and after training your Pomeranian, it is highly recommended that you utilize a harness instead of a collar to attach your leash.
Since Pomeranians are susceptible to a collapsed trachea, any pressure placed on their neck can be hazardous, especially if they are pulling.
You can find a variety of small harnesses on the internet that can accommodate a Pomeranian without completely covering their body.
Pomeranians and Weather
Pomeranians are very fluffy dogs, and it is easy for them to start overheating. It is highly recommended that you not let your puppy spend too much time in the heat.
If they do, make sure that they have plenty of water and a way to cool down. It would help if you also were careful when it comes to playing with them in the heat.
Some of the intolerance for the heat comes from their shorter noses, making it harder for them to cool their bodies by panting.
Looking for ways to reduce the effect heat has on your Pomeranian? Start by ensuring that your dog’s fur is trimmed regularly to ensure that it can properly ventilate.
An elevated bed can help get your Pomeranian off the hot floor; being elevated also allows air to flow under and around the bed. Cooling mats can have a similar benefit.
Carrying your Pomeranian when the weather is exceptionally hot can help to prevent damage to their sensitive paws.
Pomeranians are not heavy, so that makes this a relatively easy task. You can also get balm for their paws to help protect them from damage.
Pomeranians tolerate the cold pretty well. They were bred to herd sheep in remote and cold areas.
Areas with a large number of cold days every year. The insulated coat that makes Pomeranians susceptible to the heat set them up perfectly for the cold.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, make sure that you keep your Pomeranian on a leash, it isn’t hard for them to disappear in large snowbanks.
It’s a great idea to learn the signs of heatstroke in dogs so that you can take better care of your pomeranian.
Here are a couple of signs that you should keep an eye out for when your Pomeranian is in hot areas:
- Heavy Panting
- Disorientation
- Diarrhea and Vomiting
- Lots of Saliva (Remember, they aren’t large slobberers)
- Passing Out
- Lack of Appetite
So now you know the signs that your Pomeranian is overheating, what should you do if they are overheating?
The first step is to remove them from the heat. Take them inside if you can or a shaded area if air conditioning isn’t available.
After they are in a cooler area, give them water to drink. Spritzing them with water can help to cool them.
Do not try to stop their panting as it is a cooling mechanism in dogs. As soon as you can, contact a vet. Your vet will give you further directions on what to do.
Pomeranian Lifespan and Health
Purebred Pomeranians typically live between 12 and 16 years. All of this obviously depends on the health of your puppy.
If your Pomeranian remains healthy, it will live as long as possible, but health problems can make that difficult. Here are some of the conditions that Pomeranians are known to get:
- Black Skin Disease
- Luxating Patella
- Distichiasis
- Shriveled Ears
- Entropion
- Cataracts
- Hypoglycemia
- Pituitary Dwarfism – Most common in German Shepherd dogs
- Seizures
- Collapsed Trachea
- Teeth Problems
- Food Allergies
A good number of these health conditions are ones that you can find in most dogs.
Some of them you can even find in humans. One of the best ways to prevent these medical problems is to take the best care of your dog possible.
That includes proper diet, exercise, grooming, and regular checkups. Like you would do for any pet.
Learning to identify and prevent the common problems listed above is key for a Pomeranian owner, and we recommend reading into them if you decide to get a Pomeranian.
It is also important to note that ensuring your Pomeranian gets regular vaccinations and all other standard health needs are taken care of.
That includes flee and rabies vaccinations. Keep a card of all of your puppy’s vaccinations so that you can easily keep up with them.
All of this health information might sound scary, but in general, Pomeranians are relatively healthy dogs.
Ones that aren’t likely to contract a health problem if you keep up proper care for them.
Many of these conditions and problems can also be treated or compensated for without much difficulty.
There is no need to worry about your best friend, just a need to watch out for their general health.
On a good note, Pomeranians are not often big droolers. That means you don’t have to worry about cleaning up that much slobber from around the house or on toys.
Where to Get a Pomeranian
We always recommend getting pets of all kinds from a shelter or rescue.
There are so many dogs that need homes out there, and you could end up finding your best friend among those dogs.
Pomeranians aren’t the most frequently found dog in shelters, but it is still possible to find them there with a little bit of searching.
If you want to get your Pomeranian from a breeder, that is an option too.
Oftentimes a breeder is the only way to guarantee that you get a purebred Pomeranian. The good news is that there are plenty of Pomeranian breeders out there.
Before shopping around at these breeders, though, it is important that you do your homework.
You want to make sure that the breeders follow all guidelines for ethics; start by visiting the facility they use.
Any breeder that you choose from should also follow all guidelines relating to health.
Vaccinations, screenings, and vet appointments should be mandatory for both the parents and newborns—paperwork showing that all of this should be available to you.
Do not settle on a breeder right away, either. Take your time to look at the breeders that are around you.
Talk with them and see how they interact with you. The breeder should be friendly, forthcoming with information, and more than happy to talk with you.
Pomeranian Mixes
Purebred Pomeranians have a good amount of popularity around the world.
Not everyone is looking for a purebred Pomeranian though, some of the mixes that include Pomeranians are quite popular. Here are some of the most popular Pomeranian mixes:
- Pomsky – Pomeranian and Siberian Husky
- Poshie – Pomeranian and Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog)
- Pomapoo – Pomeranian and Toy Poodle
- Pomchi – Pomeranian and Chihuahua
- Pomeagle – Pomeranian and Beagle
- Pomston – Pomeranian and Boston Terrier
- Dameranian – Pomeranian and Dachshund
- Shiranian – Pomeranian and Shi Tzu
These are just some of the most popular and cutest mixes. Plenty of different Pomeranian mixes are out there; just about any small dog, you can think of can come as a mix with Pomeranians.
When you mix in other breeds with the Pomeranian, you are changing the doggo’s characteristics.
If you are interested in getting one of these mixes, it is also key to look up the mix and the other breed that makes up the mix; doing so will help you better understand the dog’s characteristics.
A Warning About Dognappers
Pomeranians are quite small dogs, making them easy to carry off. Their size combined with the popularity of Pomeranians makes them a big target for dognappers.
You need to keep a vigilant eye on your best friend.
Any time they are going to spend outside should be monitored. If you have a backyard, they should not spend time alone in the yard.
To ensure that your Pomeranian remains safe, you will want to have them microchipped as soon as you can.
Some dog owners are not aware, but you must also register your microchip so that it comes back to your name when it is looked up.
Talk to your local vets and animal shelters to find out what chip brand is most popular in your area, and make sure that you have that one implanted.
Pomeranian Summary
Pomeranians make for wonderful dogs for a wide variety of people.
That includes families, older people, and those with plenty of time to dedicate to their new friends.
They can also be great companions for those who can bring their pets to work with them.
After reading all of this, do you want a Pomeranian? Are they the right breed for you?