The Pomeranian gets its name from the region of Pomerania, which is now the area of Germany and Poland.
It is a Spitz breed, meaning a type of dog with several wolf-like characteristics. They can trace their roots back to large sled dogs and are closely related to breeds such as the American Eskimo Dog, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian husky, Norwegian Elkhound and Samoyed.
Early dogs of this breed were much larger than those known today, weighing up to 15 kilograms. Queen Victoria was a big fan of Pomeranians and responsible for the small size of these dogs today. She may have reduced the size of the breed through her own breeding during her reign.
Soon after, these dogs were entered in dog shows where their popularity soared.
In 1888, Dick was the first Pomeranian to be registered in the American Kennel Club stud book.
Benefits
- Pomeranians are perfect for small houses or apartments.
- Good guard dog
- Suitable for beginners
- Not only can they quickly learn basic obedience skills, but also tricks.
- They are fun and considerate, fitting into almost any size home.
- Very energetic, so such a pet is suitable for active owners.
- Despite its small size, it can exhibit watchdog qualities.
- Easy to carry and can travel with you.
- Even when left home alone, a Pomeranian does not have the habit of chewing on shoes, furniture and more.
- Does not require a large space and food expenses are minimal.
Disadvantages
- Pomeranians can be vocal and bark at anything they want to intimidate (including strangers).
- Separation anxiety – it will not be easy for them to stay home alone for a very long time.
- Puppies have a fragile skeleton; therefore, they are prone to injuries – broken bones
Fun facts
- They are also called Dwarfkeeshond.
- Michelangelo had a Pomeranian by his side when he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
- Physicist Isaac Newton, whose Pomeranian named Diamond reportedly chewed on many of his manuscripts.
- Martin Luther had a Pomeranian named Belferlein that he often mentioned in his writings.
- Composer Mozart had a Pomeranian named Pimperl and he dedicated an aria to his little dog.
- Elvis Presley owned a Pomeranian named Sweet Pea, which he had originally bought for his mother.
- Two Pomeranians were among the three dogs that survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Both escaped in lifeboats with their owners.
Appearance of a Pomeranian
People sometimes refer to the Pomeranian as a little lion. They have a pointed face and a small, very hairy body. Their head is pointed and almost foxy in shape. They have a narrow muzzle and ears that are erect. Their tail is set high, hanging straight out of their body.
In general, they grow 18 to 30 cm tall and weigh between 1.5 and 5 kilograms.
They have a thick, fluffy coat that comes in a variety of colors, including white, brown, orange and black. They also come in cream, red, sable, gray shaded chocolate, tan, brindle and lavender.
They have a decent lifespan of about 12 – 16 years.
Fur
As cute and fluffy as they are, Pomeranians do shed.
They don’t shed as much as other breeds, but they still shed considerably. They are not known as heavy shedders, but their abundant coat does leave some hair in their surroundings.
Cost
On average, a Pomeranian costs 3000 euros. The price ranges between 1500 and 3500 euros.
The price depends on the breeder, location, the dog’s bloodline, color and age, among other factors.
Exercise and trainability
Training a Pomeranian is not very difficult. These dogs are very compliant and responsive during training sessions. They learn the new commands and tricks taught to them fairly quickly.
In terms of exercise, an adult Pomeranian usually needs no more than 30 minutes of walking per day, divided into morning and evening walks. The general rule of thumb for walking a puppy is about 2 – 5 minutes for every month of age they are. For example, for a 4-month-old puppy, a walk of 8 – 20 minutes is sufficient.
Intelligence
A Pomeranian is a fairly intelligent breed that possesses considerable thinking and decision-making abilities. According to the Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren, this breed is ranked 23.
Can a Pomeranian swim?
They have the instinct to swim, but do not have enough strength needed to swim a lot.
If a Pomeranian is put in a pool for the first time where its feet do not reach the ground and it becomes stressed; it can exhaust itself and drown. They may seem a little hesitant at first, but as they become familiar with the water, they have a lot of fun swimming.
If your dog does not seem to like swimming, you should never force him to do so.
Does a Pomeranian bark a lot?
They are vocal dogs, so it is no wonder they bark from time to time.
They use their voice quite often, which can be a bit loud for their owners, but this bad habit can be easily controlled with proper guidance and training.
Pomeranians bark for many reasons, including wanting to protect you and themselves, boredom, joining in with the excitement around them, demanding attention and responding to outside disturbances such as sirens, fireworks and general noises.
Weather and climate.
Pomeranians’ tolerance for cold is quite good and these dogs can comfortably thrive in cold and wintry areas. However, if conditions become excessively harsh, it is a good idea to keep these dogs warm and cozy indoors.
This breed does not tolerate high temperatures and heat very well. These dogs need extra care and attention from their owners during the summer months.
Are they child-friendly?
These dogs are fine with older children, who know how to behave properly with a dog, but they are less suitable for very young children. This is because young children simply do not have the knowledge or expertise needed to handle small dogs.
However, if you teach your pup to get along with young children from the beginning, this will not be a problem at all.
Are they dog- and animal-friendly?
If your Pomeranian is well socialized, he will probably enjoy the company of all breeds. They do not realize how small they are, and are not afraid to challenge larger dogs.
If a Pomeranian is not given proper training and guidance, they may not be as affectionate and friendly with other dogs. But because they are small, they get along very well with other “toy” breeds, such as Maltese, Miniature Poodles, Pugs or Shih Tzu’s.
If your dog has been raised with a cat since they were both small, they get along well. These dogs remain gentle and cordial with other animals and are considered a social breed.
Are they friendly to strangers?
Pomeranians are very friendly, but they can be a bit aloof with strangers. With too little socialization, their natural caution can turn into suspicion, which is annoying to live with every time you have guests. So proper socialization from a young age is recommended.
Can they live in an apartment?
A Pomeranian is one of the best apartment dogs you can find.
They are also a very active and playful dog, although they don’t need a lot of space or a yard to be happy. Their need for exercise is quite minimal, which also contributes to the fact that these dogs fit well into the apartment lifestyle.
Pomeranians and novice owners
This breed is a good dog for novice owners if your lifestyle matches the breed’s characteristics and needs. It is important to efficiently meet all their exercise and grooming needs to keep these dogs healthy and comfortable.
If a novice or new owner likes to take on the responsibility of raising and maintaining a Pomeranian, then this dog is a good choice for them.
Can they stay alone?
A Pomeranian can be left alone comfortably for 6 to 8 hours. If your Pomeranian puppy is very young, it is important that you teach him this.
If you have not taught your Pomeranian this then your dog may suffer from separation anxiety. Then it will be more difficult to go away for long periods of time.
Is a Pomeranian a good watchdog?
Pomeranians are excellent guard dogs. Although they are small in size, they bark persistently and loudly to alert you effectively.
Health Problems
The most common health problems are patella luxation, tracheal collapses, hypothyroidism, …
