One of the world’s most popular toy dog breeds, Pomeranians are lively, loveable dogs - helped by their gorgeous coat and smiling, foxy face. Known for their intelligence and outgoing personalities, they breeze through training (although house training can be tricky - tiny dog, tiny bladder) and can make great watchdogs, thanks to their tendency to bark. Fun family pets, they do best with older children who understand they’re a toy dog, not a toy. Surprisingly active, they love nothing more than playing, walking and running. Well, other than making you laugh and being your favourite lapdog that is.
Pomeranian Facts
A Pomeranian might only grow up to 18cm and weigh up to 3kg, but they’ve got a big dog personality that’s bursting with energy and inquisitiveness. Their beautiful fluffy double coats, complete with mane, come in a wide range of colours but it’s most commonly orange or red.
- Breed Group: Toy
- Height: 15-18cm
- Weight: 1.5-3kg
- Life Span: 12-16 years
- Coat: Double, long
- Colour: Various including orange and red
What Does a Pomeranian Look Like?
A Pomeranian looks like a tiny lion, thanks to their fluffy fur which gives them a mane-like look and normally comes in orangey red tones, just like lions. Small, erect ears sit on the top of their fox-like head, and are joined by dark, bright eyes, a cute wee nose and an always smiling mouth.
Their thick double coat might remind you of a sled dog’s which is what Pomeranians are descended from. Finally, a thick, feathery tail proudly spreads over the back of their coat.
Pomeranian
Pomeranian Temperament: Adorable Show-Off
It’s thought that Poms’ popularity started when Queen Victoria fell in love with them while visiting Italy and brought a bunch of them home. You’ll soon discover why the Pomeranian is a long-time friend of royalty - these cheerful toy dogs are friendly, inquisitive and natural show-offs. They thrive on meeting new people and making their favourite humans laugh.
Known for being smart, Poms love to learn new tricks (and show them off), making training them a joy for you both. As well as being masters of tricks, they make great watchdogs. They’re tiny but they’re barkers and will always alert you when someone’s coming.
Although they’re happy to play with children, Poms are best in homes with older children. Because of their toy size, younger children can easily forget they’re a dog, not a cuddly toy. Pomeranians can be upset by over-enthusiastic cuddles and squeezes and accidentally being dropped. Otherwise, they fit in well with the extended fam, including other dogs and cats.
Keeping Pomeranians Healthy: 6 Issues to Watch Out For
With a lifespan of up to 16 years, Pomeranians can outlive bigger dogs. But there are a few toy dog-related health issues to keep an eye on.
Collapsing Trachea
Signs of a collapsing trachea, which can be fatal if left untreated, include your Pomeranian having a barking cough. It can get worse if their collar is too tight and presses on their throat. If you notice them coughing, take them to the vet for an x-ray. Medications can be prescribed to treat it.
Low Thyroid Levels
Low thyroid levels (or hypothyroidism) is common in Poms. Look out for them being lethargic, having a thinning or dry coat, and weight gain, even if they’re not eating more than usual. Take them to the vet for blood tests and medication to help regulate their thyroid.
Hair Loss
Hard to believe looking at their long thick locks, but Pomeranians can experience Severe Hair Loss Syndrome or Pomeranian alopecia (also known as Black Skin Disease). It mainly affects male Poms. As it’s a hereditary issue, responsible breeders should screen for it.
Low Blood Sugar
If your Pomeranian is very small or very active, they’re at risk of developing low blood sugar (or hypoglycemia). Signs include them acting weak or sleepy and experiencing tremors or seizures. Keeping them to a regular feeding schedule can help, although as they grow older they’ll probably outgrow it. If you think your Pom has low blood sugar, book them in for a vet check-up.
Joint Problems
Problems with your Pom’s joints can cause them pain and to limp. The most common joint issues Pomeranians can experience are patellar luxation (when the knee cap falls out of place) and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia, both of which affect their hips and happen when the ball and socket of their hip joint don’t grow properly. These health problems can be treated with weight management, medications and surgery.
Eye Issues
Like most dog breeds, Pomeranians can experience eye issues like cataracts (which cause clouding of the eye’s lens) and entropion (when their eyelids roll inwards). If you notice their eyes look cloudy, red or sore, take them to the vet for a check-up.
Caring for Your Pomeranian Dog
Keeping their lion-like mane in check takes a little effort and Poms are also known for being active. But thankfully, it’s easy to meet their daily exercise needs, indoors or out.
Grooming
Help your little lion look their best with frequent grooming. A few times a week, brush their coat with a pin brush and a slicker brush. This will help get rid of any dirt that’s lurking in their thick coat and prevent mats from happening. To keep them smelling sweet, go for a bath in warm water every 1 to 4 weeks. Pat them dry with a towel (avoid rubbing their fur, which can cause tangles) and then use a hairdryer to fluff them back up.
You might like to give them a regular haircut. For Pomeranians these are most commonly a teddy bear cut (short body hair, longer face and ear hair that’s cut in a circle) and a lion cut (closely clipped body fur, with their long head hair shaped like a mane - opt for a tiny tuft on the tail to complete the miniature lion look!).
You can do this yourself but if you’d rather leave it to the pros, you’ll need to treat them to a complete grooming package every 4-6 weeks. Your Pom will enjoy a bath, brush and haircut plus a thorough ear clean as well as a nail clip. As active dogs, their nails should be kept short - you can trim them every few weeks.
Finally, Pomeranians’ teeth should be cleaned daily with doggy toothpaste to ward off plaque and tooth decay.
Nutrition
It’s easy to overfeed a Pomeranian - they’re so small they don’t need much food and you might worry you’re not giving them enough. An overweight Pom is at risk of health issues so it’s important to maintain a healthy weight.
They’ll handle top quality commercial dog food that suits their life stage (puppy, adult or senior) is fine. Choosing small / toy dog specific dog food can be a good idea. Not only is it nutritionally balanced for their size, but the kibble is smaller too so it’s easier for them to chew (and they’re less likely to choke on it). Keep an eye on daily treats, especially as rewards for their adorable, show-off behaviour.
Exercise
Sure, Pomeranians love to be your favourite companion and lapdog - but they’re surprisingly active little dogs. They love running, playing and going for walks, a few 20-minute walks or outdoor play sessions a day will keep them happy and healthy. Throw them in the garden with the kids and they’ll enjoy playing games of fetch and spending time with squeaky, bouncy and crinkly toys together.
Make sure your garden is fully fenced and that someone’s got an eye on them at all times. They’re notorious escape artists, known for finding every gap in fencing and bushes (and even hurdling over small fences). Stay with your Pom at all times when you’re in fields or other large open areas - it’s best to keep them on a lead. Go for a small dog lead that attaches to a harness around their chest, rather than their collar. With their tendency to develop tracheal issues, a harness is safer for Poms.
Bigger dogs can also be a problem for tiny Pomeranians. When you’re exercising, look out for large dogs that might not play nicely with your Pom and cross the street to avoid trouble.
Training Your Pomeranian
Put your Pomeranian’s alertness and smarts to work with daily training. Your first job should be training them to walk nicely on a lead and to come when they’re called. Their enthusiasm for learning combined with their intelligence means they’ll master the basics in no time.
The biggest training obstacle might be house training them - their bladders are tiny, afterall. Be consistent and patient with your training and stock up on training pads for those inevitable accidents.
Although they’re perfectly sized for sofa or bed cuddles, try to avoid your Pom jumping on and off sofas or beds. They can easily injure their joints or break a bone. Instead, either lift them up and down or invest in a ramp.