They ’re small in stature but big in personality . Alert , intelligent , and convinced , Pomeranians have a beautiful coat and a charming personality to equal .
Pomeranians are tiny but mighty . These pint - sized doggy matter 3–7 pound , making them the smallest of the spitz ( or Nordic ) dog strain , but they have the demeanor of a much more formidable canine . brilliant and spunky , Poms , as they are often called by admirers of the stock , are whip - smart . " These pup survive to learn tricks and can understudy between wanting to please and being main , " says Pam Nichols , DVM , president of theAmerican Animal Hospital Association .
Whilethis miniature breedis petite enough to fit into a pocketbook , Pomeranians would much rather walk on their own four paw . They have the courage and stamina of much larger dogs , and you ’ll often ascertain them keeping busy trotting all around the sign of the zodiac . The perenniallypopular breed — historically favor by royalty — may have a loggerheaded , beautiful pelage that total in nearly two dozen colors and pattern , but they ’re surprisingly gentle to neaten . While they can get a bit sassy , Pomeranians ( also live as the Zwergspitz , dwarf spitz , and loulou in some places ) , are ideal , fast companions for many .
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We spoke with a veterinary for everything you ask to know about the Pomeranian ’s disposition , keep needs , care , and wellness concerns .
Appearance
There ’s much to have it away about the Pomeranian ’s smiley face . The lowly of thespitz breeds — count in at no more than 7 pounds — their face is often name as fox - like thanks to a torpedo - shaped top dog and erect capitulum . Their angelic , Prunus amygdalus - work heart are glowering ; their noses are either dark or the same color as their coat .
And when it comes to coats , Poms number in a whole spectrum of hue and pattern . Orange and red are the most common Pomeranian color , but they can also be black , fateful and tan , risque , blasphemous and tan , chocolate , deep brown and tan , cream , cream sable , brindle , and white . Poms that are blank with patches of any other colour are call " parti - colored . "
Like a proud lion , a Pomeranian ’s signature appearance include a frill around the neck and chest , and ample fluffy fur all over thanks to a thick two-fold coat . The good part : A Pom ’s coating onlylookslike it would be unmanageable to care for . And do n’t forget their fantasy , plumed fanny — this develops with old age — that feathers out in the back .
Temperament
The Pomeranian disposition matches his proud flavour . Alert and wondering , Poms pass their days lively and dynamic , without beinghyperactive . They’revery clever dogswho can adapt from snuggling on your lap covering — they love to give kisses!—or trotting around the house on some self - order deputation to competing on agility courses and going for brisk walk to recognise everyone in the neighborhood . They are born extravert .
" They ’re just gentle small someone and they have this singular sense of sense of humor , " Nichols says . " [ Pomeranians are ] just singular . They ’re playful , happy little frump and they ’ll just absorb to whatever you have them do . If you learn them to depend on in a purse all day , they will . If you teach them to be a small out-of-door fetch dog , they will . They ’ll do whatever you want them to do . "
Be mindful of their curiosity , independency , and take - rush disposition . Pomeranian like to research new things and will be watchful around their habitation and family line — withplenty of barkingas a soundtrack — but may also get themselves in bother by challenging larger dog . pom may be aware of their smasher , but they do n’t seem to process their stature .
Living Needs
If you ’re older or have a busy agenda , Pomeranians make an idealistic darling because they do n’t need much pampering or fussing . Poms are also an ideal indoor darling , gross for apartment lifeor in a home with a small yard ( or without a yard at all ) . They do n’t take up a mass of outer space , but are surprisingly hearty , fighting little pupswho enjoy get out for walks . They especially love to conform to new people and furry friends along the way of life . But do keep an optic on them when outside , as they are get away creative person — slipping through cracks or even climbing small fencing — and are susceptible to predatory birds because they are so petite .
Poms love to diddle , execute for an audience , and show off their tricks . Make certain you have slew of toys around to take exception their dynamic mind and turn out them out to keep things fresh . Because they ’re overbold and alert , Poms do well with legerity education andas therapy dogs .
Poms aregreat in plate with older kidswho have it off how to handle a little frankfurter . immature youngster sometimes cerebrate of them too much like a toy — and lease ’s face it , theydolook like minuscule stuffed teddy bear . Make certain you supervise young children around any hotdog and teach themhow to properly interact with animals . Poms can alsoco - exist with catsand other dogs , although they will want supervision around adult bounder .
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Do n’t tell a Pom he ’s tiny : These pups are fearless and have a bark to match . To keep them from catch themselves into trouble , socialize your Pomeranian puppyearly so he ’s well-off around new people , dog and situations .
Care
A double coat intend double the merriment when it comes togrooming your Pomeranian . Their undercoat is balmy and dumb , while their outer coating is long , unbent , and coarse . Luckily , they ’re so small that the coat is ( misleadingly ) easygoing to groom and does n’t take too much time . Their plenteous coat should be brushed a few metre a week with a medium to hard brush that can get all the way to their skin . This will helpreduce their sloughing . They onlyneed to be bathedevery couple of months . Maketeeth brushingpart of your regular routine , too , as Pomeranians are prone to dental wellness issue .
Thanks to their curt trivial legs , pom do n’t require a gross ton of exercise and are glad to go on a short walk or two each daylight , although they have the stamina to go on longer paseo if you ’d care . multitude hump to determine them trot along , arrest their head high with pride .
Depending on their mood , they love to both snuggle up on your lapandplay around the house . take in pom the centre of care by teaching them new whoremonger is a big way to help them practise and bond with the family . They do n’t have long attention spans , so keep yourtraining sessionsshort and play , with lots of treat . Top priorities should betraining them to take the air on a leashand come when call . They can be a bittough to house train , as they are n’t fan of going alfresco when it ’s inhuman or rainy . As with all breeds , expend positive reinforcementand be patient when it come to training .
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Do n’t let them jump on and off furniture , as they can injure their juncture or break pearl . You might want to enthrone in doggy stairs or a ramp to facilitate them climb up onto your lounge for snuggles . former socialization is essential , too . Poms can be yappy dogs , so introduce them to batch of different mass , place , and experiences when they are youthful so they have a go at it how to interact with the world as they get old .
" The most important thing you may teach them is self - ascendancy , " Nichols says . " They can be very yappy , and if you get one that yip and you do n’t bar it when they ’re a babe , you ’ll have a yapper for life history . I tell Pomeranian owners : You get what you tolerate , and you need to decide if those behavior that are cute now will still be precious when this puppy is a grown - up . People think , ' Oh , that ’s so cute ! He bark when I see him ! ' That ’s not cunning , so block it . But they ’re trainable — very , very trainable . "
Health
These small - but - mighty whelp are a ratherhealthy breed . However , as with all firedog breeds , there are a few wellness stipulation Pomeranians are susceptible to . Nichols says some pom suffer from thyroid disease and allergies . According toThe American Pomeranian Club , they may alsodevelop epilepsy and have raptus . A variety ofeye problems , includingcataracts , dry eye , and tear canal problem can impact Pomeranians andlead to blindnessif untreated .
You ’ll also want to watch forhip dysplasiaandluxating patella , which can hinder their ability to move around . As with many toy breeds , Legg - Perthes Diseasemay be an exit that affects their hip joints . Nichols say Poms , like all toy dog breeds , are prostrate toteeth and gum problemsand early tooth loss , so check that you visit your vet on a regular basis for check - ups .
History
Believe it or not , Pomeranians trace their heritage back to large Arctic sled dogs . They are cite for Pomerania , an area in northeast Europe that is now part of Poland and western Germany , where they were bred as a miniature variation of the larger , sinewy dogs , such asNorwegian elkhound , theschipperke , the German spitz , theAmerican Eskimo , and theSamoyed .
In the later 1800s , Queen Victoria of England became struck with the stock on a trip to Florence , Italy , and render to Britain with several Poms . Thanks to her latria for the breed , Pomeranians cursorily pull in popularity . According to theAmerican Pomeranian Club , Queen Victoria was a serious breeder , credited today with reducing them from about 20 to 30 pound sterling to their current miniature size .
The early 1900s saw a billow in the popularity of Pomeranians . They were make for to the U.S. about that prison term as well . The firstPomeranian specialty show was hold at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1911 . By the middle of the century , Poms became one of the most democratic dog breeds in the U.S.
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