Pomeranian Dog Breed Facts & Information

The tiny but mighty Pomeranian has a gift for worming its way right into your heart, and with that bold, funny personality and soft, fluffy tail…how can you resist? Excellent apartment dogs, mischievous sidekicks, and lap warmers, these pups might pack a lot of personality into that tiny frame, but they’ve got a lot of heart in there as well.

Is a Pomeranian the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.

Breed Characteristics

Key

• Low
• Medium
• High

• Origin: Pomerania
• Size:
• Weight: 3-7 pounds
• Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
• Breed group: Toy Group
• Activity level:
• Barking/howling level:
• Good with dogs: yes
• Good with kids: yes
• Good with cats:
• Shedding:
• Easy to groom:
• Easy to train:
• Protective:

Pomeranian Appearance

Pomeranians are proof that wonderful things truly can come in small packages! And small they are, with most of them weighing only 3 to 7 pounds, and standing just 7 to 12 inches high.

This breed is easy to spot, with soft, fluffy fur that comes in a variety of solid colors, ranging from red and orange, to white, cream, blue, brown, and black. These pups are rockin’ a double coat that is so fluffy it seems to stand out from their tiny frame – and really, regular brushing is all it needs to keep looking its best.

Pomeranian faces are also memorable, with dark, almond-shaped eyes that always seem kind and curious, and a little mouth that almost seems to be smiling at you.

Pomeranian Personality

This tiny pup has plenty of personality and charisma, and they never let their diminutive size hold them back from anything – even facing dogs much larger than themselves!

Cute, fiesty, and intelligent are all words that come to mind when describing Poms, thought it is difficult to capture their big personalities in words. These dogs don’t understand how small they are, so they consider themselves invinsible and ready to take on the world.

You could definitely consider this breed ideal for families because they’re loyal and affectionate with loved ones, and even protective of their home and their people when it comes to strangers. They’ve been known to bark at people they don’t recognize, and often think they appear much more sinister and threatening than their tiny frame actually looks.

Since they’re fairly independent and don’t require your constant, undivided attention, these pups are wonderful for people who are busy, or for older folks who can’t take them on daily long hikes or adventures. They are a curious bunch though, so they’ll appreciate walks around the neighborhood and plenty of good sniffs, but they’re also happy exploring closer to home.

Ideal Environment for a Pomeranian

Because of their small size and friendly personalities, these pups can be happy pretty much anywhere. They’re wonderful for apartments since they don’t require that much exercise, however you’ll want to make sure they’ve been trained in how to be quiet since they do have a tendency to bark – which your neighbors might find annoying.

Poms usually play nice with others, so are fine with kids and other pets, however, it’s important to teach small children how to handle them since they’re tiny and can be easily knocked over and injured. You should also supervise them when they’re playing with bigger dogs because they tend to forget their small size and throw themselves right into the middle of play that may be too rough for them.

Also, that big, fluffy coat means that they don’t do well in extreme heat, so Poms living in hot climates should never be left outside, and should always be carefully watched for signs of overheating.

Ideal Human for a Pomeranian

The ideal person for a Pomeranian is someone who loves have a pup with personality and sass. You’re generally not going to get a shrinking violet when you bring a Pom into your family, so be ready to be endlessly entertained by your new funny and feisty companion.

Pomeranian Dog Training

One thing about Pomeranians? They love to hear themselves talk! So it’s going to be very important to train them to be quiet early on – or your neighbors will definitely not be happy with you.

It’s also important to socialize this breed early on and introduce them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.

These little pups also have mighty aspirations (and are very intelligent), so you’ll definitely want to explore agility training and tricks with your Pomeranian. They’ll adore performing their talents for loved ones, and you’ll love fawning all over your extra-talented ball of fluff.

Pomeranian Grooming

It shouldn’t come as a shock that their fluffy, thick, double-coat is going to need to be brushed out at least a couple of times a week. Pomeranians are prone to mats and tangles, so staying on top of grooming is going to central to keep them feeling their best, and keeping those locks looking amazing.

You’ll also want to keep a close eye on their tiny chompers. Since Pomeranians tend to have dental issues it’s especially important to brush their teeth often, and have your veterinarian take a look at them regularly.

Pomeranian Health

Pomeranians are a fairly healthy breed, but they do have a few possible health issues that you should keep an eye out for, including various allergies, epilepsy, eye problems, hip dysplasia, collapsed trachea, luxating patellas, and dental issues.

Despite sometimes encountering these health issues, using a reputable breeder (if you’re using a breeder) can help cut down the possibility of your dog having these problems. Pomeranians generally live from 12 to 16 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.

Pomeranian Breed History

Though you’d never know it to look at them, Pomeranians actually descended from sled dogs in the province of Pomerania. Some of the earlier Pom weighed around 30 pounds, and they were the smallest of the spitz breeds.

Part of the reason that Pomeranians became popular was because Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed while visiting Italy, bringing some back with her to Britain. She soon became involved with breeding and showing Poms, and even helped bring them down to their current smaller size.

Pomeranians were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1900, and quickly became popular in the United States, currently ranking 14th among the 155 breeds recognized by the AKC.

Getting a Pomeranian

Pomeranian breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. Also, a good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter. 

Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting a Pomeranian

As with many highly popular breeds, Pomeranians often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills. But often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health.

A Pomeranian can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. Surrendered dogs are often already well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home, so rescuing is always a wonderful option.

Whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.

More on Pomeranians

If you’re simply in love with Pomeranians, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From the most interesting facts about Pomeranians, to the best gift for Pomeranian lovers, to the most harnesses for this breed and more: 

• 6 Facts You Might Not Know About Pomeranians
• Pomeranian Puppies: Everything You Need to Know
• Breed Spotlight: All About the Pomeranian
• 12 Best Gifts for Pomeranian Lovers
• 9 Best Dog Harnesses for Pomeranians