The inquisitive, self-possessed Pomeranian is aware of everything and tells you what he thinks about it, too! They are loving and loyal companions and suit an attentive owner who wants a small, intelligent dog who loves to play!
Pomeranians are toy dogs with long fluffy hair and fox-like looks. They’ve a larger than life personality and are a miniature relation of Spitz-type sled dogs. They were created in northeastern Europe. Queen Victoria was a fan and breeder of this popular, independent, intelligent dog. She is credited with reducing the Pom’s size to the toy dog we know today. Other famous historic lovers of Pom’s are Marie Antoinette, Mozart and Emile Zola.
Like all dogs, they benefit from socialisation when young as otherwise Pom’s can bark alerts at every new noise or experience. If left in charge they can be bossy, so they suit an involved owner who is consistent and willing to put in the time to train them. Having said that, they are easy to train, are affectionate, make great watchdogs and vivacious pets for families and single owners alike.
Pet profile
An intelligent, loving, cute toy breed with a powder puff coat, and a bold personality.
- Size: Toy breed 15 – 18 cm tall (6 – 7 inches at the shoulder)
- Weight: 1.3 – 3.1 KG (3 – 7 Ibs)
- Life expectancy: 12 - 16 years
Exercise and nutrition
They are a small breed so don’t need lots of exercise, but they love to play and welcome the opportunity to go outside to explore on daily walks. They’re suited to urban or suburban life, but you’ll need to keep an eye on them while they’re in your garden as they are notorious for escaping through small gaps in fences! As with other small breeds you’ll need to be cautious around small children or larger breeds who could easily hurt your little Pom. They can injure themselves quite easily, too, so jumping off the back of the sofa or a bed is a risk.
As with other breeds they benefit from a good quality dog food but watch their portion size if you’re using lots of treats for training as obesity is a health risk for any dog.
Common health problems and illnesses
Buying your Pomeranian puppy from a reputable, licensed breeder who checks their breeding dogs for common health issues is the best way to ensure your puppy is healthy. Pomeranians are popular and so it’s important to watch out for unscrupulous breeders. Always ask to see puppies with their mother and if the parents have had hip, knee and eye tests.
Be aware they need grooming 2 or 3 times a week to prevent their coat from forming matts and they do shed quite a bit.
To ensure your Pom has the best health care if they have an accident, fall ill or develop a health condition, take out dog insurance while your puppy is young, before they develop any problems.
This information is not designed to be comprehensive or replace a vet consultation so if you ever think your dog is ill please consult your vet immediately. Here we cover some of the most common conditions Pomeranians can suffer.
This is a condition where a dog’s kneecap slips out of place. Normally the kneecap runs in a groove in the thigh bone but if this groove is too shallow or the patellar ligament is weak, it can slip out of place. This results in your dog becoming lame and ‘skipping’ as it slips out, but he might learn how to move his leg to get it back in place. In severe cases surgery may be considered, depending on the severity of the condition. If left untreated it can put pressure on other structures in the leg and joints and long-term, may cause arthritis.
If you think your dog might be suffering this condition, consult your vet for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
This is a condition that causes swelling and pain in a dog’s elbow and could over time, lead to arthritis. It is usually first seen when the dog is quite young (5-18 months old) and it can be managed with exercise control, physio and anti-inflammatories. In sever cases surgery may be considered.
The pain is caused by the joint not developing properly causing the bones to rub against one another. Symptoms include limping and stiffness that is usually worse after exercise making them reluctant to go for walks. Their front paws might point outwards or their elbows might be held at a strange angle. In severe cases you might notice the puffiness and swelling in the joint.
Ask your puppy’s breeder if their breeding dogs have been checked for this condition before you buy a puppy from them. If you suspect your Pom might be suffering, consult your vet for a diagnosis and treatment options.
This condition attacks the thyroid gland, reducing its ability to producer thyroid hormone. As the condition progresses the dog produces less and less thyroid hormone causing the metabolism to slow down. This effects lots of systems in the body and typical symptoms are weight gain but no noticeable increase in appetite, lethargy, dry hair and excessive shedding which can result in the coat thinning and bald patches appearing, increased skin and ear infections, high cholesterol, dry ee, loss of sex drive in males and seasons in females.
The condition can be diagnosed with a blood test or series of tests and is usually treatable with replacement thyroid hormone medication. If you suspect your dog has this condition, please consult your vet for a diagnosis and treatment.
The Pomeranian has a small neck and if his neck is injured in any way he can suffer from collapsed trachea, making breathing difficult. The cartilage rings in the windpipe are sometimes weaker than normal making this breed more prone to this sort of injury. It is a good idea to use a harness when walking your Pom as it stops pressure being put on the neck and can prevent this injury.
Symptoms include a honking cough, a reluctance to exercise as breathing is difficult and in severe cases a blue-ish tinge to their lips. Symptoms can be worse in hot weather or if your dog is over-weight.
If you think your dog may be suffering this condition consult your vet who will x ray your dog’s neck. The condition can be treated with surgery in severe cases but if your dog’s condition is not too serious and your Pom is overweight, your vet might prescribe drugs to make breathing easier and work with you to reduce their weight to see if that improves the condition before resorting to surgery.
Fun Facts
- Pomeranians are popular in Hollywood with celebrity owners including Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Kelly and Sharon Osbourne.
- Social media sensation Boo the Pomeranian was called the cutest dog in the world before he sadly died early in 2019.
- Mozart dedicated an aria to Pimperl, his much loved Pom, and Chopin’s “waltz of the Little Dogs” is said to have been inspired by his friends Pomeranian!
- Two Pomeranians survived the sinking of the Titanic. One belonged to Elizabeth Rothschild and the other Margaret Bechstein Hays.
- Pom’s come in 23 different colours!
