A two-kilo ball of fluff, the personality of a big dog, and a fox-like smile. The Pomeranian wins hearts at first sight. But before adopting one, or to better understand the one asleep on your sofa, here's everything you need to know about the breed.
Pomeranian, Dwarf Spitz, Zwergspitz: one dog
The Pomeranian goes by several names depending on the country and the club: Toy German Spitz, Zwergspitz in German, Loulou de Poméranie in French, or simply "Pom". For the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), it is the smallest variety of the German Spitz, described in standard no. 97, within group 5 (Spitz and primitive types).
Where does it come from?
Its name comes from Pomerania, a region on the Baltic Sea, now split between Germany and Poland. Its ancestors were larger Spitz dogs, used as guard and farm dogs. It was in England, in the 19th century, that the breed was gradually miniaturised, partly thanks to Queen Victoria's fondness for small Pomeranians.
From that past, it has kept one reflex: keeping watch. A Pom announces everything that moves, and has never quite realised it weighs two kilos.
Height, weight, life expectancy
| Characteristic | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Height at the withers | 21 cm, give or take 3 cm (FCI standard) |
| Weight | About 1.5 to 3.5 kg, depending on size |
| Life expectancy | Usually 12 to 16 years |
| Coat | Double: long, straight topcoat over a dense, cottony undercoat |
| Colours | Very many: orange, cream, black, white, black and tan, sable, chocolate, blue, merle… |
You sometimes see much heavier Poms, or puppies sold as "mini" or "teacup". These labels don't exist in any standard. A dog far below the usual weight is often more fragile, not more precious.
Personality
- Lively and curious. It wants to see everything, sniff everything, and take part in whatever is happening at home.
- Very attached to its family. It follows its people from room to room and doesn't like being ignored.
- Alert, and chatty. Poms bark readily: at the doorbell, the postman, a falling leaf. It can be trained, but never quite disappears.
- Smart. It learns fast, bad habits included. Gentle, consistent training from an early age makes all the difference.
- Braver than it is careful. It will happily challenge a dog twenty times its size, or jump off the sofa. Its physical fragilities mean you have to think for it.
Who is it right for?
The Pomeranian does very well in a flat, as long as it goes out every day and is kept busy. It suits people who are often at home, retirees, and families with children who are already older and gentle.
It's less suited to a home with very young children: a two-kilo dog is easily hurt if it falls from someone's arms or is squeezed too hard. And it copes badly with long days alone.
Its coat: beautiful, but demanding
The Pom's double coat is its signature, and its main upkeep. The undercoat, as dense as wool, renews constantly and falls out in bulk during shedding. If it isn't removed, it packs down and forms knots stuck to the skin, especially behind the ears, under the front legs and on the "trousers".
Plan on brushing down to the skin twice a week, every day during shedding. And above all, don't shave it: in some Spitz dogs, the coat grows back poorly after clipping. It's all explained in our guide how to brush a Pomeranian and in should you shave a Pomeranian?
Its health: points to watch
The Pom is generally a sturdy, long-lived dog. But its small size and its coat expose it to a few problems vets know well:
- Luxating patella: the kneecap slips out of place, and the dog lifts a back leg as it walks. The breed is among the most affected. See luxating patella in Pomeranians.
- Tracheal collapse: a dry cough that sounds like a goose honking. See tracheal collapse.
- Teeth: a small jaw and crowded teeth mean tartar builds up fast. Tooth brushing is best learned as a puppy.
- Skin and coat: alopecia X, hair loss that doesn't grow back, particularly affects Spitz breeds.
- Puppy hypoglycaemia: in very small breeds, a puppy that skips a meal can suffer a drop in blood sugar. Sudden tiredness, trembling: it's an emergency.
Regular vet check-ups, a watched weight and a puppy from a serious breeder are the best protection.
How much does a Pomeranian cost?
The price of a puppy varies a lot by country, breeder, colour and pedigree registration. Remember this above all: an unusually low price, a puppy available "right now", with no chance to meet the parents, are warning signs. A serious breeder shows you the mother, answers your questions, and asks you some too.
Add to the starting budget identification and vaccinations, insurance if you want it, equipment, and the groomer a few times a year.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pomeranians shed a lot?
Moderately for most of the year, a lot during shedding, usually in spring and autumn. Regular brushing collects the dead hair before it ends up on your sofa. See normal shedding or a warning sign?
Do Pomeranians bark a lot?
Yes, it's an alert dog. Early training and plenty to do clearly reduce barking, without stopping it altogether.
Can it be left alone?
For a few hours, if it has been gradually used to it. Long days alone don't suit it.
Male or female?
Both make excellent companions. Differences depend more on the individual dog and its training than on sex. Alopecia X seems slightly more common in males.
Is it hypoallergenic?
No. No dog really is, and the Pom sheds undercoat.
Sources: FCI, standard no. 97 German Spitz; VCA Animal Hospitals, Tracheal Collapse in Dogs; American Pomeranian Club, Pomeranian Health. This article is for information only and does not replace a vet's advice.