Notorious for being one of the cutest dogs around, the Pomeranian is a veritable ball of energy and life that has captured the hearts of pet lovers across the globe. These pint-sized Poms might be small in size, but their massive personalities make up for that ten-fold. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the breed, how to care for them, and whether or not they might be a good fit for your home.
1. The Pomeranian’s Distinctive Appearance
Pomeranians are often described as “puffballs” because they appear to be little more than round balls of fur!
They’re part of the toy breed group - and sometimes referred to as a Toy Pom - which makes them small, energetic dogs with an average height of around 11 inches and a weight of three to seven pounds.
They have long, luxurious coats that can range from cream to black and just about anything in between. Some have a mix of shades, and others are one solid color. Their pointed ears contribute to their foxy appearance, which gives them a cute and mischievous look that’s just irresistible.
2. Tracing the Pomeranian’s Roots
At its roots, the Pomeranian is believed to be German (specifically from the Pomerania region, bordering Poland and Germany) and is considered to be a miniature version of a larger Spitz breed. These tiny dogs were originally bred to be working dogs - intended to pull sleds in the Arctic and herd livestock like sheep or goats in Central Europe.
This also explains their thick coats, which have them well-prepared for harsh weather. Further, the loud yap of the Pomeranian can be explained by the fact that they were frequently tasked with watching guard over the livestock and homes as well.
3. Understanding the Pomeranian Temperament
The Pomeranian is akin to a lion in more than just its regal mane of hair - it also has the heart and personality of the king of the jungle. Poms are feisty, loyal, and probably braver than dogs that are three times their size.
That being said, they’re also intelligent, playful, and fun-loving dogs with a heart for affection and an aim to please. While these dogs might be fearless when it comes to exploring their environments and meeting other animals, they can also be prone to serious separation anxiety and much prefer to be attached to their humans as often as possible. This makes them ideal for homes where someone will be around more often.
4. Common Pomeranian Health Concerns
When it comes to your pet's health, it's essential to be aware of any possible concerns you may need to look out for. Pomeranians are predisposed to struggling with a few different challenges, but being aware of them can help you take the best possible care of your pup.
Older Poms may struggle with mobility issues, which is common in all senior dogs. However, one of the specific health challenges they’re more likely to face is tracheal collapse, which can make it tough for them to breathe. Alongside this, your Pom might be prone to having a sensitive tummy, dry dog skin, and dental issues as well.
Pomeranians are also prone to multiple types of heart disease, but early detection will allow your vet to prescribe the medication needed for your pup to live a long and full life.
5. Pomeranian Lifespan and Aging Gracefully
Regardless of any health concerns, the average life expectancy of a Pomeranian is 12 to 16 years, which is typical of a dog of this size. If your Pom is well-bred and taken care of, they’re expected to live a long, happy, and healthy life with you!
Helping these dogs to live their longest and healthiest lives includes being aware and alert to the potential health problems discussed above and managing them carefully should they arise. Proactive preventative dog care is a must!
Additionally, making sure that they eat a balanced and nutritious diet and receive appropriate amounts of exercise each day will also help you ensure their long-term health and happiness.
6. Pomeranians as Family Pets
Thanks to their small size, adorable appearance, and friendly and affectionate temperament, Pomeranians make excellent family pets.
They’re alert and vocal, which makes them outstanding watchdogs, and they get along well with children and other animals, too. However, young children and bigger dogs might need to be watched closely in the presence of a Pom because their petite structure leaves them quite fragile and vulnerable to injury.
These little dogs are happiest when around the people they love and will love to show off the tricks you can teach them.
7. Pomeranian Exercise Needs
One of the benefits of owning a smaller dog is that their exercise needs are typically much lower, and the Pomeranian is no exception.
These tiny pooches do just fine with around two short walks per day and actually struggle with exercising for too long due to their delicate windpipes. For this reason, limiting their activity can be important for their health.
However, their adventurous nature means that they won’t necessarily be happy being cooped up in a small apartment all day - they’ll be happiest with a garden or outdoor space to explore and run around while you’re busy with other tasks.
8. The Typical Pomeranian Diet
Due to the Pom’s digestive and dental sensitivities, getting their nutrition just right is important. On top of this, the breed is notorious for its picky eating habits!
Their high energy means they need an especially well-balanced dog diet, high in good quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of fiber. You might want to look for dog food that has real meat (like chicken or turkey) as the primary ingredient and fewer additives and preservatives that might bother their tummies.
Because of their sensitive teeth and digestive systems, many Pom owners opt to feed their dogs raw food that they have more control over.
9. Socializing Your Pomeranian
As has already been mentioned, Poms are high-energy and friendly dogs, making them social dynamite. They love to be around other animals and people, and you’ll need to socialize them consistently to help them learn how to (calmly) interact with others.
Socializing should form a major part of puppy training, alongside teaching them basic commands. Starting early is key, and introducing your puppy to a wide variety of different animals and humans will help them learn how to be calm around others. Exposing them to different environments like parks and busy streets will also help them adapt better.
10. Keeping Your Pomeranian Looking Fresh
With all that fur, Pomeranian grooming becomes a very important task! Their long, straight, and fluffy coat is specially adapted for cold weather, and their thick undercoats will shed throughout the year, especially in the warmer months.
That being said, you need to help them take good care of all that hair. Daily brushing is a must to prevent matting and an unkempt-looking Pom. If you prefer (as many owners do), you could opt for a close-cropped look that is much more manageable. However, make sure you work with a professional groomer who won’t damage the soft undercoat or cause any pain in the process.
Regular tooth brushing and nail clipping are also essential to help maintain a Pomeranian’s overall health and well-being.
11. The Pomeranian’s Vocal Nature
These little dogs are notorious for their vocal nature and have even been accused of barking for no reason - why do they do it?
Their history as watchdogs might be a contributing factor, but overall, these dogs are simply highly alert and love to chat. Pomeranians might bark if they are in distress, in pain, want to protect you or themselves, or if they’re simply looking for your attention.
Training your Pom properly can help curb and minimize unnecessary barking, but ensuring that they’re not left alone and feeling anxious too often can also help manage the issue since they will often resort to barking if they’re struggling with separation anxiety and feeling stressed out.
12. Pomeranians and Training
Speaking of training, Pomeranians love to learn, and this is yet another reason they make such perfect pets.
They’re highly intelligent and will respond quickly and easily to almost any command you wish to teach them. However, it’s also important to remember the foundations of training that will keep them safe. For example, efficient recall training is an absolute must, as Poms are lightning-fast and likely to scamper away from you to explore if they haven't been trained to respond to your call.
Teaching any dog to behave well takes dedicated time, effort, and sometimes even a little research. Make sure not to neglect the training of a Pomeranian, as it could result in some chaotic and unruly behavior.
13. How to Welcome Your Pomeranian Home
Bringing home a new dog is always exciting and just a little stressful. Making sure that you have all the right gear before bringing them into their new space is essential - this includes a dog bed or crate, appropriate food, grooming tools, and some toys to keep them occupied.
If you already own other pets, you’ll need to consider how you’ll introduce the new member of the family. Fortunately, the Pomeranian’s friendly nature means they’re eager to get along with new friends, but you should always take care to ensure a gradual and safe introduction, especially if there are larger animals in your home who might be less than gentle with a tiny Pom.
