When you look at the Pomeranian dog breed, you probably want to know how big they will get. This will help you plan ahead, set your expectations and know how best to meet them if you decide to take them home. I decided to investigate the average growth rate and potential of a Pomeranian. I want to share this information with you here today.
So, how big do Pomeranians get? The average Pomeranian will grow to 18 to 30 centimeters in height and weigh between 1.5 and 3.5 kg, while between 2 and 3 kg is considered ideal. Occasionally, a litter may contain puppies that are larger and grow between 4 and 6.5 pounds. A Pomeranian is a square breed with a short back; with a body length to height ratio of 1:1. They are considered a compact breed with a characteristic double coat and tail.
Pomeranians are known for their impressive and elegant coat and small disposition (compact and with a short back). They are in fact the smallest member of the spitz family and are often characterized in the smallest dog classification categories.
However, they are actually descended from sled dogs – so their ancestors have the legacy of being much larger and physical.
Now let’s take a closer look at the average Pomeranian size before breaking down the average growth rate in this breed during the puppy years. Be sure to keep reading as you will even get a breakdown of the factors that can influence their growth rate and potential; and what all owners should be aware of.
Average size of a Pomeranian
The Pomeranian (Keeshond) is a pure breed of dog, recognized by kennel clubs around the world. As such, there is only one Keeshond breed – with no other varieties or offshoots.
If you’ve heard the terms “toy,” “miniature,” “teacup,” or “micro,” they usually refer to a Pomeranian who is smaller than the average expectation. They are still largely the same breed.
However, it is important to know that size and weight can vary quite dramatically between Pomeranian dogs.
Their ultimate size and growth potential are largely influenced by their genetics, lineage and some other environmental factors that will be your control as an owner. Not all Pomeranians will be bred to try to meet the breed standard.
Ultimately, if you want to get a good indication of a dog’s potential size when you visit the breeder, you should check out the parent dogs. That is why it is so important that you go to the breeder before selection.
You will also want to ask specific questions of a breeder; especially the lineage of the dog, how they were bred and also their breeding practices.
Although a Pomeranian will be significantly more expensive from a reputable breeder, it is strongly recommended that you do not buy a dog from a puppy shop. Not only do these tend to use unethical practices, but dogs from these breeding practices tend to be more prone to health problems and conditions shortly after you bring them home or even further down the road.
While height is largely determined by genetics, weight can of course be influenced by how you feed your dog. Overfeeding can lead to unwanted growth while undernutrition can lead to nutrient deficiencies and growth. Therefore, also read our feeding guide for pomerians .
Both will cause problems so it is very important that you feed your dog the right way, appropriate to his activity level and age, with the best quality food you can afford.
Finally, it’s important to mention that some Pomeranians are different from the average breed size.
Some litters may consist of puppies that weigh 4 to 6 kilograms or more. These puppies usually have larger dogs in their lineage and there are likely genes inherited from larger spitz dogs in their ancestors.
Also know that these slightly larger Pomeranians generally have better health than the smaller Pomeranians.
While this is the exception rather than the norm, it’s worth being aware of and a question you may want to discuss with a prospective breeder.
At what age is a Pomeranian fully grown?
As a small dog, you can expect your Pomeranian to reach his full adult size when he is between 12-15 months old. In general, the smaller the dog, the faster it will mature.
With that being said, a puppy will still gain weight (especially muscle mass) and fill up even after they reach their final height and size. For this breed, you can expect it to be 18 months-2 years. It is during this time that you can consider them fully mature and where you can expect them to grow as large as they naturally grow.
The following table shows you the growth rate of this breed from birth and throughout the puppy years.
It will help you get an idea of
| Birth | 70 g | 77 g | 85 g | 99 g | 113 g | 120 g | 127 g | 141 g | 155 g |
| 1 week | 127 g | 141 g | 155 g | 170 g | 198 g | 212 g | 226 g | 255 g | 269 |
| 2 weeks | 170 g | 184 g | 198 g | 240 g | 283 g | 311 g | 340 g | 368 g | 382 g |
| 3 weeks | 198 g | 226 g | 240 g | 297 g | 368 g | 396 g | 425 g | 453 g | 496 g |
| 4 weeks | 226 g | 269 | 283 g | 340 g | 411 g | 453 g | 510 g | 566 g | 595 g |
| 5 weeks | 255 g | 311 g | 326 g | 382 g | 453 g | 510 g | 566 g | 623 g | 680 g |
| 6 weeks | 283 g | 340 g | 368 g | 425 g | 483 g | 566 g | 652 g | 680 g | 765 g |
| 7 weeks | 311 g | 354 g | 411 g | 481 g | 538 g | 623 g | 708 g | 765 g | 850 g |
| 8 weeks | 340 g | 382 g | 453 g | 538 g | 609 g | 680 g | 765 g | 822 g | 907 g |
| 10 weeks | 396 g | 453 g | 566 g | 680 g | 708 g | 793 g | 935 g | 998 g | 1075 g |
| 12 weeks | 453 g | 510 g | 623 g | 793 g | 907 g | 992 g | 1134 g | 1215 g | 1270 g |
| 16 weeks | 566 g | 708 g | 850 g | 1020 g | 1134 g | 1247 g | 1388 g | 1528 g | 1669 g |
| 18 weeks | 623 g | 793 g | 935 g | 1088 g | 1247 g | 1360 g | 1528 g | 1700 g | 1841 g |
| 20 weeks | 680 g | 850 g | 992 g | 1161 g | 1300 g | 1474 g | 1642 g | 1814 g | 1950 g |
| 24 weeks | 737 g | 935 g | 1088 g | 1270 g | 1442 g | 1632 g | 1841 g | 1995 g | 2208 g |
| 18 months | 910 g | 1135 g | 1360 g | 1590 g | 1815 g | 2040 g | 2270 g | 2500 g | 2750 pounds |
Table as a guideline for the growth of a Pomeranian
As you can see from the table above, the bigger your Pomeranian is at birth, the bigger they are likely to eventually grow and the faster the level growth rate.
Factors Affecting Size and Growth Potential
Not all Pomeranians will reach the same size. Nor will they all reach their full potential. It is important as a prospective owner to be aware of the reasons why they may not develop as they should.
For example, specific Pomeranian health problems and conditions can inhibit growth. We’ll look at some of these below.
In addition, there are other lifestyle factors that you should be aware of and certain ways in which you should raise them .
Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that undoubtedly affect your dog’s size and growth potential and some of the things you should do as an owner.
#1 – Genetics
The full adult size of a Pomeranian is largely dependent on the genes they inherit from their parents.
However, other dogs in the leash can have an impact on your dog’s size. So even if a dog’s parents are smaller, a larger litter is still possible and occurs in this breed.
It has also been mentioned that full adult weight can differ between the sexes and between males and females. This is partly because females usually do not have as thick or long fur as a male.
There are also three diseases that this breed can be born with that can affect their overall size.
These are:
- Patellar Luxation (knee caps slipping),
- Collapsing trachea
- hypothyroidism.
The first two cause structural development problems in any Pomeranian unlucky enough to inherit them. They can also be made worse by the way you care for and care for your dog.
The latter, otherwise known as a slower metabolism, essentially means that all processes in the dog (including growth) are not at optimal levels.
Too often, these conditions are not discovered early enough. In such cases, a dog is not getting the treatment it needs to prevent it from affecting its growth.
For this reason, it is essential to ensure that your dog is screened shortly after receiving them.
You will also want to make sure that you get your dog from a reputable breeder who follows ethical and safe breeding practices and whose litters have been checked.
#2 – Injuries and Health Problems
In addition to possible hereditary diseases, there are a few other considerations that Pomeranian owners should keep in mind regarding potential injuries and health problems.
Pomeranians that are smaller often experience size problems.
The most common is hypoglycemia, where your dog has trouble keeping blood glucose levels stable throughout the day. If blood glucose falls too quickly, it can cause a lot of problems. It is therefore recommended that a Pom be fed regularly throughout the day – 3-5 appropriate and healthy small meals and snacks, evenly spaced.
Structural problems such as collapsing windpipes are most often encountered in smaller Pomeranians. The less flat the muzzle, the less chance of this. To avoid this problem, always use a harness for your dog and not a collar when pulling on the leash.
You should also be aware of proper handling practices with this breed of dog. Dropping them can cause injuries, so you need to make sure this doesn’t happen. Likewise, you’ll want to fasten them when traveling in the car with a dog seat belt .
If you notice any health problems occurring shortly after you get your dog, you should consult your breeder as soon as possible. He will send you to his vet. They may do a number of exams/tests to make sure they are not in pain or have any structural problems that could lead to stunted growth.
It is also important to keep in mind that a puppy with health problems may not be able to move the way he would like and should.
#3 Nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in providing the energy your dog’s body needs to grow and develop. However, there is an optimal amount to feed – being undernourished is just as bad as overfeeding.
Malnutrition can lead to nutrient deficiencies; from which your dog is not getting the energy, vitamins and minerals his body needs to grow new body tissue, muscles and bones.
Alternatively, overfeeding can lead to overweight gain which can put a lot of pressure on their skeleton and lead to structural problems as mentioned above.
Food amounts vary and can be adapted to the Pomeranians, their needs, requirements, age and activity level, but this is a rough guide to follow:
- a 0.5 kg puppy requires approx. ½ cup of food.
- A 1.5 kg dog needs about 1 cup of food.
- 2.5 kg Pomeranian dog needs about 1.25 cups of food.
- 3+ kg Pomeranian dog needs 2 cups of food.
The food you offer is just as important.
Processed, man-made food is not suitable for feeding your dog.
You should provide your Pom with a balanced diet; suitable for their size and age to keep weight at an optimal level and to ensure they are not under/over fed.
It’s a difficult balance – preventing your dog from becoming malnourished, growing too fast and gaining weight. Yet it is very important.
That’s why you should buy the best quality dry dog
It’s also a good idea to discuss your dog’s nutritional needs with your vet as they can help you get the right amount for them.
Use caution when providing treats and other waste, both in terms of quantity and sources of food. Not all foods are suitable and can easily be overfed in addition to your dog’s normal diet.
Pomeranians need plenty of exercise; they don’t need excessive exercise like other breeds of dogs (eg a Siberian husky ).
However, they still need some exercise – both for physical and mental reasons.
Exercise helps Poms maintain a healthy weight as they grow – it’s good for their joints, bones and muscles.
A Pomeranian should take a short walk of 20 to 30 minutes every day.
In addition, you should try to give them time for free play and other mentally enriching activities to avoid boredom. This will also keep them healthy and well behaved.
Pomeranians are quite a high-energy breed, especially in their puppyhood, but different dogs will have their own amount of energy that exercise can be matched to.
One thing to be aware of is that you shouldn’t overdo the walking with this breed. Especially in young puppies. As your dog’s bones and frame develop, excessive walking and activity can actually cause injury and damage, affecting their growth platelets.
In addition, you must be careful that they jump up and down from furniture and other objects, and that they fall from height to the floor.
#5 – Sleep
Finally, you need to make sure that your Pom gets enough sleep and rest to grow optimally.
Younger puppies tend to sleep more and this is to be expected and uninterrupted.
You need to make sure your dog has a safe, clean and comfortable sleeping environment to ensure he can close the eyes he needs.
Certain beds will help your Pom be relaxed and as comfortable and warm as possible to allow for a good rest period. Read our bed guide for a Pomeranian here .
You also want to put them to sleep without waking up regularly, make sure there are no loud noises, stick to a sleep/wake schedule and you also want to avoid drafts.
Poms can suffer from temperature fluctuations and often have trouble regulating their body temperature. Drafts and the night temperature can cause extra stress and even prevent them from sleeping completely.
Ultimately, adequate sleep ensures optimal growth and development.
And last but not least
Compared to other breeds, the Pomeranian is larger than a Chihuahua , but smaller than a Yorkshire Terrier , Maltese , Shih-Tzu, and Pug. As such, it is one of the smallest dogs you can actually adopt.
However, you should keep in mind that Pomeranians differ quite dramatically, largely in part due to the genes they inherit from their parents and the lineage of dogs that make up their ancestors.
When looking at Pomeranian Pomeranians it is very important to consider the size of the parents as you can expect all resulting puppies in the litter to reach a similar size. A dog can completely assume the size of both the mother and the father.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do when getting a dog is to purchase one from a reputable breeder with safe, ethical breeding practices.
This will ensure that your dog has the best start in life and is less likely to develop health problems after you bring him home or later in life. A good breeder will ensure that their litters have been properly screened, examined and received the required vaccinations. They will also breed from a superior lineage – those generations can be traced.
It will cost you more, but you owe it to your dog and your family.
Finally, the Pomeranian is a great family pet. In temperament they are pleasant, more eager to please than other breeds and alert and responsive. Training, although it can take some time, perseverance and patience is not that difficult for most owners.
Pomeranians are a very loyal and highly intelligent breed of dog in a small and cuddly package.
