Are Pomeranians Good with Children and Other Pets?

So, you’re thinking about welcoming a fluffy friend in the form of a Pomeranian into your home and life - and what a great decision that would be! However, as with any kind of pet, you might be concerned about whether or not they would be a good fit for your household, especially if you have children or other animals that are already part of the family. If you’re worried, here’s what you need to know.

Toy Poms, or Pomeranians, are pint-sized pooches with seemingly endless amounts of love and energy. These dogs are well-known for their big puff of fur and foxy features, which make them unbearably cute and very popular as family pets.

Growing to be around 8-14 inches in height and about 5 lbs. in weight, Pomeranians are a pretty compact breed. Their thick, fluffy coats come in an array of different colors, and Pom owners love to have them styled in different ways.

They’re high-energy pups and known for being incredibly affectionate towards their loved ones. They tend to grow very attached to their families and are likely to follow them around like tiny, fluffy shadows.

Pomeranians and Children: Are They a Good Match?

It’s evident that Pomeranians have a lot of love to give, but how do they behave around children? There are a few things to think about.

The Pom’s small size makes them fragile and especially vulnerable to rough handling. Young children who might not know how to gently handle pets could accidentally injure a Pomeranian, and the dog’s vocal nature might scare sensitive children as well.

However, this doesn’t mean that Poms and children don’t mix well, as a general rule. On the contrary, smaller dogs are much easier for children to walk, carry, and handle, and they’re less likely to be able to knock a child over in their excitement. Poms are also playful, affectionate, and an easily trainable dog breed, which makes them great pets for kids, too.

Pomeranians and Other Dogs

Because of their friendly and playful nature, Poms generally get along well with other dogs too. They’re not an aggressive breed and can easily bond and make friends with another pooch in your home.

It’s essential to keep the Pomeranian’s small size and fragile nature in mind, though. Larger dogs, especially a more aggressive breed, might be a cause for concern, as your Pom might be at risk of being injured. This is why other Toy breeds like Poodles and Shih Tzus are the best match for a Pomeranian.

Another thing to consider is that the Pomeranian can grow very attached to their owners and is, therefore, more likely to become possessive and jealous of other dogs. However, this can be managed by introducing new pets properly and showing equal affection to your pets.

Pomeranians are lively and excitable, so despite their small size, they might still pose a threat to smaller and more vulnerable animals, such as a small cat or kitten, or other small pets like rodents or birds.

Therefore, it’s important to keep a close eye on your Pom when they’re around other animals, especially those significantly larger or smaller than themselves.

Factors to Consider Before Bringing Home a Pomeranian

With all this in mind, there are a few things to consider before deciding to adopt a Pomeranian into your family.

First of all, if you have children, it’s important to think about how they typically behave around animals and perhaps endeavor to teach them gentleness when it comes to their pets. Another thing to think about is if you or your children suffer from allergies since Pomeranian hair can pack quite a punch.

If you have other pets, you might need to think about whether or not their size and personality type will allow for such a dainty dog to join the family. Homes with bigger and more aggressive dogs may not be a good fit for a Pomeranian.

Finally, don’t forget to think about other lifestyle considerations, such as whether you will be able to spend time with your Pom regularly, exercising them, grooming them, and giving them your attention.

If you do decide to adopt a Pomeranian - congratulations! You will be welcoming a ball of love and energy into your home and changing your life for the better.

In order to make the transition as smooth and comfortable as possible for the tiny dog, there are a few key things you can do.

If you already own a dog or another pet, you’ll need to try your best to ensure that they don’t feel threatened in any way by the intruder. Introduce them slowly in a neutral space outside, and make sure that you’re present throughout all of their early interactions. It might be best to keep them separate for a few days during moments when you can’t be present.

A similar approach can be taken with young children - make sure that you’re around to monitor them during their first interactions until you can see that both the puppy and the child are comfortable with one another and playing gently.

Common Misconceptions

There are some myths about Pomeranians that might be putting you off making the decision to adopt one.

The biggest one is that Poms are all incessant barkers - and this is simply not true. As with any breed, all individual dogs are different. While you might adopt a particularly vocal Pomeranian, you might just as likely bring home a dog who is quiet and gentle.

Another myth, brought on by their dainty size, is that they’re vulnerable and meek pups. While their little bodies make them a breed more prone to health issues by rough handling, they have feisty personalities and aren't afraid to stand up to an animal three times their size if they need to!