Mary Allen
This small, fox-faced dog is compact, active, and intelligent. Aside from being fluffy and downright adorable, he’s a real family dog with watchdog instincts – and he has an interesting history too.
Background
The Pomeranian, also known as the Pomeranian, is a Spitz-type dog breed. It was named after the region of Pomerania, which lies partly in north-western Poland and partly in north-eastern Germany. The first Pomeranians weighed 9-13 kg, so they were much larger than the Pom we know today.
In Britain, the breed became popular after Queen Victoria fell in love with a Pomeranian while on vacation in Italy. She took him home and the breed’s popularity skyrocketed. He was bred down in size to the size of a toy dog (lap dog) as we know it today.
The name “Pomeranian” was not accepted in Germany until 1974. Instead, the generic name “Deutscher Spitz” was used because it was believed to be a national German breed. In many other countries, the breed is still referred to as Pomeranian.
Temperament
While Pomeranians are among the smallest dog breeds, they are not to be underestimated. They have a proud and glamorous demeanor and are extroverted, smart, and vivacious personalities. They like to take control and are usually not afraid of strangers or other animals. Little Pom is quiet and easy to live with. He likes to sit on your lap but also likes to fetch sticks in the garden. Keep in mind that this little dog tends to bark a lot. They are excellent watchdogs and will bark at anything that strikes them as unusual.
Level Of Activity
Poms have lots of energy and love to go for walks. Although small, they need regular exercise and thrive on exercise. They are very intelligent, love to learn tricks, and often participate in dog sports such as agility, freestyle, rallying, and tracking. The Pom is happiest when allowed to go on long walks, hunting for leaves, and play with other small dogs. Poms always enjoy meeting new people and enjoy exploring unfamiliar environments and smells.
Grooming
Pomeranians have a full and fluffy double coat. The undercoat is soft and dense; the outer coat is long and smooth with a coarse texture. To keep your Pomeranian looking good for a long time, the coat should be brushed regularly. Poms shed moderately. If you brush your pom several times a week, shedding shouldn’t be a big problem.
Training
Pomeranians are intelligent, which makes them easy to train. But they only take orders from people they respect. So, to train successfully, you should be consistent, set firm boundaries, and establish yourself as the leader in the relationship. If you don’t, your Pom is more than willing to take control.
Height And Weight
Pomeranians are a toy dog breed—they’re really small. The average size of a full-grown Pom is only 18-23cm. The weight is usually between 1.3-3.1 kg for males and females.
Color
The color of the poms varies. All colors, shades, and combinations are permitted.
Peculiarities Of The Breed
These small dogs often think they are much larger than they actually are – they have the guts of much larger dogs. This can sometimes lead them to mess with much larger dogs. But when properly socialized with other dogs and animals, they usually get along with them fairly well.
Hereditary Diseases
Overall, Pomeranians are a healthy breed. But just like any other breed, they are prone to certain health issues. As a responsible pet owner, you should be aware of these. Some of the most common diseases in Pomeranians are:
- tracheal collapse
- patellar dislocation
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
- Alopecia X
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
You should also keep in mind that the breed is more prone to tartar and should receive frequent cleanings under anesthesia (some dogs may need the treatment around 3-4 times a year).
Lining
As with other breeds, the amount of food should be adjusted to the size, weight, and health of the dog. Because the Pom is an active dog, it is very important to match the food to the dog’s activity level. Use what is best for your dog and if in doubt consult a veterinarian.
Kind
Companion dog.
Five Facts About Pomeranians
- The Pomeranian is a Spitz-type dog breed and was named after the region of Pomerania, which stretches northwest of Poland and northeast of Germany.
- The original Pomeranian weighed 9-13 kg, meaning it was much larger than the Pom we know today.
- The Pom has a proud and glamorous demeanor and an extroverted, smart, and vivacious personality.
- The breed is intelligent, enjoys learning tricks, and often participates in dog sports such as agility, freestyle, rally, and tracking.
- Pomeranians have a full and fluffy double coat. The undercoat is soft and dense; the outer coat is long and smooth with a coarse texture.