Pomeranian

avatar Christy McDowell, LVT, VTS (ECC)

Height12"

Weight3 - 7 lbs

TypeToy

Life Expectancy12 - 16 years

Area of OriginGermany

Energy Level

Playfulness

Friendliness to dogs

Friendliness to strangers

exercise requirements

affection level

friendliness to other pets

watchfulness

Grooming Requirements

Vocality

The Pomeranian is a tiny dog with a huge personality and unwavering devotion to their owners. They're versatile enough to enjoy city and suburban settings, but regal enough to be the preferred companion of kings and queens.

Energy Level

Playfulness

Friendliness to dogs

Friendliness to strangers

exercise requirements

affection level

friendliness to other pets

watchfulness

Grooming Requirements

Vocality

Where are Pomeranians From?

The Pomeranian originates from the European herding spitz dogs, which were a bit larger and fuller coated than the Poms we know today. Their ancestors came to England from Germany in the 18th century, when German-born Queen Charlotte married into the British royal family.

The spitz dog became a very popular Victorian breed by the 19th century, and were even painted multiple times by Thomas Gainsborough. In 1888, Queen Victoria visited Florence, Italy and fell in love with the breed, bringing four puppies home with her to England. The Queen’s dogs were about 12 – 18 pounds and were frequently exhibited in British conformation shows.

After Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, the breed continued to grow in popularity and shrink in size. Although they are named after their homeland, they are known to be an English breed because of Queen Victoria’s influence. Over the years, the breed has been dwarfed and the current average show weight is only 4 – 5 pounds. They journeyed to The States in 1892 and the American Pomeranian Club began showing in 1911.

Where are Pomeranians From?

Care

How Much Exercise Does a Pomeranian Need?

Pomeranians love being lap dogs, but do require exercise, particularly running and structured play. When outdoors, Pomeranians are suspectible to attack from predators and able to crawl through small spaces, so they should always be monitored when outside of a controlled space. If your Pom suffers from collapsing trachea, keep outdoor play limited to cooler hours of the day to avoid overheating.

What Kind of Diet Does a Pomeranian Need?

The Pomeranian requires a healthy diet. They are prone to obesity, so calorie intake and weight need to be closely monitored. Offering treats infrequently and carefully measuring your Pom’s meals is essential.

Are Pomeranians Healthy Dogs?

The Pomeranian is a hardy little dog. Common concerns include luxating patellas and a collapsing trachea, both of which afflict many small breeds. congestive heart failure, seizures, and a skin disease called Alopecia X, which is also known as “Black Skin Disease,” are also typical for the breed.

Pomeranians are predisposed to: medial patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, hypothyroidism, testicular tumors, atlantoaxial subluxation, cryptorchidism, patent ductus arteriosis (PDA), sick sinus syndrome, progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, cataracts, and congenital elbow luxation.

How Much Exercise Does a Pomeranian Need?

Are Pomeranians Healthy Dogs?

How Much Exercise Does a Pomeranian Need?

Caring for a Pomeranian

What Kind of Diet Does a Pomeranian Need?

How Often Should You Brush a Pomeranian?

Are Pomeranians Healthy Dogs?

Is Training a Pomeranian Easy?

How Much Exercise Does a Pomeranian Need?

What Kind of Diet Does a Pomeranian Need?

What Are a Pomeranian's Physical Traits?

The Pomeranian is a small, nosey, and crafty dog. Desired height is 12 inches at the shoulders and the desired weight is 3 – 7 pounds.

The Pomeranian skull is round and eyes are medium-sized and almond-shaped. Ears are high on the head and pointed upward. The nose is typically black, but may carry a bluish hue.

The body of the Pomeranian is square, well balanced, and as long as it is tall.

The tail is heavily feathered and lies flat.

The shoulders are strong and equal in length to the upper arm. Dewclaws are typically removed.

The Pomeranian has a thick double-coat and plentiful outer coat. The coat should frame the head, resemble a lion’s mane, and may come in a variety of colors or patterns. Feathering is present on the forelegs.

The thighs are moderately muscled. Dewclaws are typically removed.

Pomeranian Facts

1

This breed's name can be traced back to Pomerania, Poland, though this is not the origin of the breed.

2

The Pomeranian is a member of the unofficial "Spitz Group" and a descendant of sled dogs from Iceland and Lapland.

3

Queen Victoria, credited with influencing both the popularity and stature of the Pom, bred and showed "Windsor Marco" at the 1891 Crufts dog show, taking home 1st Prize.

Other Breeds to Explore

Chow Chow

Choosing an American Eskimo

Choosing a Finnish Spitz

References

Morris, Desmond. Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds. Trafalgar Square, 2002.
American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog Book. Random House Digital, Inc., 2006.
Wilcox, Bonnie and Chris Walkowicz. The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. T.F.H Publications, Inc., 1995.
“Pomeranian Dog Breed Information.” American Kennel Club, 6 Nov. 2017, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pomeranian.