Pomeranian

Introduction

The Pomeranian is descended from larger sled dog breeds out of Lapland and Iceland. It is the smallest member of the spitz dog family. The pup has a curled tail that is seen hovering just over its back, which is similar to its relatives, including the Samoyed and malamute.

The breed was named because it was developed in different areas of Poland and Germany, which were, at the time, called Pomerania. During the late 1800s, Queen Victoria of England owned several Pomeranians and allowed them to be seen in a conformation show, which is what increased the popularity of the active and spunky dogs. It's believed that this was when people began to breed the Pomeranian down to the smaller size it is seen in today.

In the U.S., the Pomeranian gained popularity at the turn of the 20th century and is still considered a popular breed today. This breed was officially recognized in 1888 by the AKC (American Kennel Club).

It's also worth mentioning that two Pomeranians were among just the three dogs that survived when the Titanic sank in 1912. They were able to escape via a lifeboat with their owners, Elizabeth Barret Rothschild and Margaret Hays. You can read more about the three canine Titanic survivors in this story by the National Museums Liverpool.

Today, the tiny yet mighty Pomeranian has a foxlike appearance and has been given the nickname "the little dog who thinks it can." This breed is active, compact, family-friendly, and able to learn obedience and agility quite well.

While the Pomeranian dog is small in stature, topping out at just four kilograms, it possesses a big-dog demeanor and attitude. It has a double coat with frills often being seen over the shoulders and chest. You can find this dog breed in almost 24 different colors, with unique markings and patterns; however, the most common colorings are red and orange. Intelligent and alert, the Pomeranian is easy to train and make suitable watchdogs and active pets for families.

Since the Pom is so tiny, they can be exercised indoors and outdoors, making them a great pup for both city and country environments.

Ideal owner / home

Elderly owners

Apartments / houses

Older children

Other pets

If you are older or have a busier schedule, the Pomeranian may be the perfect pet for you. One of the reasons for this is because they don't require much fussing or pampering. Poms are also perfect for an indoor life and will happily live in an apartment or home with a small garden or none at all.

This breed doesn't take up much space (which is obvious thanks to its small size) but is an active, hearty dog that likes to go out for walks. They particularly enjoy meeting new people and furry friends but are also escape artists, so make sure you keep an eye on them when they are outdoors, as they can climb small fences and shimmy through gaps and small holes. Their petite nature also makes them susceptible to predatory birds (like eagles, hawks, and owls), so be sure to keep a close watch on them when outdoors.

The Pomeranian loves to play and perform for an audience to show off the tricks they have learned. Be sure you keep plenty of toys around for your Pom to play with and even some puzzle toys that will challenge their minds. Try rotating toys out to keep things fresh and exciting. Since the breed is alert and smart, Poms will do well as therapy dogs and for agility training.

If you are thinking about adopting a Pomeranian, they are a great option for families with older kids, as long as they know the proper way to handle small dogs. Sometimes, younger children treat small dogs like a toy, which could cause an injury. If you have young children and adopt a Pom, be sure to supervise them while interacting with the dog and teach them how to play.

Pomeranians can also co-exist with other dogs and cats, but larger dogs may be perceived as a threat to this small and lively pup.

Health

The Pomeranian life span is 12 to 16 years, which is much longer than many other breeds. Overall, the Pomeranian is a healthy breed of dogs, and responsible breeders will be screening their Pomeranian puppies for health conditions that may occur.

Some of the most common health issues that a Pomeranian puppy or full-grown Pomeranian can experience include those listed below.

It's best to have your Pomeranian tested from time to time to determine if they have potential health conditions. Some of the tests you can request include a patella evaluation, cardiac exam, and an ophthalmologist evaluation.