Pomeranians — also known as Poms or Pom Poms are globally renowned for their beauty and strong character. This breed originated from a historical region called Pomerania, located on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe, between Poland and Germany. Pomeranians descend from larger sled-pulling Arctic breeds and are close relatives to the American Eskimo Dog, the German Spitz and the Samoyed. Pomeranians are the smallest of the Spitz breeds. These dogs were primarily bred for herding, guarding and protecting livestock. Pomeranians also made excellent companion dogs which they’re commonly used for today. The Pomeranian was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888.

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Pomeranian Appearance 

Pomeranians are fluffy little dogs from the toy category. Pom’s typically weigh between 3-7 pounds and can grow to be 6-7 inches in height. Pomeranians are square-proportioned, with a fox-like face, small triangle-shaped ears and a fluffy tail that curls over their back.

Pomeranian Temperament 

For a small dog, Pomeranians pack a lot of personality. These dogs are characterized as curious, loyal, bold, intelligent, and feisty. Pomeranians are very playful and love to be the center of attention. They’re a great option for families with children who are old enough to respect and care for a dog.

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Grooming Your Pomeranian

One of the most distinguishing features of the Pomeranian is their profuse double-coat. They have a fluffy outer coat and a short, dense inner coat. Pomeranians can have many different colour coats including black, brown, white, orange-red, cream or apricot colours with some parts of the body being darker than others. 

Pom’s shed their puppy coat around the time they’re 4-6 months old. Adult Pomeranians will shed moderately throughout the year and will typically “blow” their coat during the spring and fall. It’s recommended that you brush your Pomeranian every 2-3 days to keep their coat healthy and shiny. Pomeranians also need regular nail trimming, ear cleaning and dental care.

Training & Exercise for Pomeranians

Pomeranians are highly intelligent and easy to train when you use the right approach. The best way to train a Pomeranian is through positive reinforcement. As Pomeranians have a short attention span, it’s important to keep training sessions short and fun. Untrained dogs including the Pomeranian tend to be snappy with children and more reserved around strangers and other pets.

Pomeranians should get at least 30-40 minutes of exercise per day. As much as Pomeranians enjoy being a lapdog, they’re an active breed that could benefit from the chance to play, run around and go for walks. Poms also do well with owners who have a fenced-in yard where they can stretch out and expend some energy.

Health Considerations for Pomeranians 

The Pomeranian is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 12-16 years. To ensure your Pomeranian gets the most out of these years, it’s important to be aware of some of the common health issues Pomeranians are prone to, including cataracts, tracheal collapse, hypothyroidism and patellar luxation.

Cataracts

A cataract is developed when the lens of the eye clouds, preventing light from reaching the retina. Signs to watch for in your Pomeranian include changes in eye colour, cloudy pupils in one or both eyes, confusion and clumsiness. This condition can be treated with surgery but if left untreated can lead to blindness. 

Tracheal Collapse

Another common health risk for Pomeranians is tracheal collapse. The trachea (windpipe) consists of circular rings that are made out of cartilage. For smaller dogs like the Pomeranian, the cartilage is more prone to injury. Once the trachea starts to break down and weaken it becomes harder for your Pom to breathe properly. Common signs of tracheal collapse include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and a harsh honking noise. Two of the main causes of this condition are a tight collar and genetic disposition. If you suspect your Pomeranian might have tracheal collapse, take them to the vet as soon as possible. Using a harness instead of a collar is also recommended to minimize the risk.

Hypothyroidism 

Hypothyroidism is an inherited condition that is caused by a deficiency of the thyroid hormone. Due to the thyroid's widespread effects on the body, symptoms of hypothyroidism can vary.  Some of the common symptoms to be aware of in your Pomeranian include obesity, lethargy, slow heart rate, excessive hair loss and weakness of the joints. Your Pom should have their thyroid levels tested annually as this condition can develop at any time. If your Pom is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, treatment is fairly simple and effective. With the assistance of medication your Pomeranian can go on to live a full life. 

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a common problem among many toy or small breeds, including the Pomeranian. A luxating patella is a knee cap that moves out of its normal position. When this occurs your Pomeranian may have difficulty bearing weight on their leg. This condition can cause your Pom to have cartilage damage, pain, inflammation and in some cases ligament tears. Some symptoms to look for in your Pom include limping, lameness or sudden lifting of the hindlimb. Treatment will depend on the severity of the condition, however surgery may be needed to hold the patella in its appropriate location.

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What Makes a Pomeranian Unique? 

Pomeranians can give birth to twins

Pom dams, or mothers, are capable of giving birth to twins. Identical twins in dogs is an incredibly rare phenomenon. Pomeranian twins are enclosed in their own individual embryonic sacs, yet share a single umbilical cord. The average size litter for Pomeranians is between 1 and 5 pups. 

Two Pomeranians survived the Titanic

There are two Pomeranians that survived the sinking of the Titanic when the iceberg hit in 1912. One of the Pom Poms belonged to Elizabeth Rothchild, who escaped in lifeboat six. While the other Pomeranian, named Lady, belonged to Margaret Bechstein Hays, who escaped in lifeboat seven. 

Pomeranians weren't always so little 

While Pomeranians today weigh between 3-7 pounds, they weren’t always this small. Pomeranians belong to the Spitz family of dogs and originated from large working dogs from the Arctic regions such as Huskies and Samoyeds. It wasn’t until Queen Victoria began to breed Pomeranians as lap dogs that they evolved into the small, toy dogs we know today. 

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