Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is proof that good things come in small packages. Pomeranians are among the most popular Toy Group dog breeds, thanks to their tendency to show loads of affection and guard dog qualities.

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    Country of Origin

    Poland

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    Breed Group

    Spitz family, Toy Group

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    Height

    Male 6-7 In

    Female 3-7 In

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    Weight

    Male 13-17 Ib

    Female 12-16 Ib

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    Life Span

    12-16 years

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In a Nutshell

Any Pom owner will tell you that their dog doesn’t act small. Nicknamed “the little dog who thinks he/she can,” it’s no surprise that these little pooches are regarded as big dogs in small bodies. Plan on plenty of walks and lots of noisy play.

 

Even though Poms may be great apartment pets, they can be quite vocal. Your neighbors may not be thrilled about the noise, but they’ll love your Pomeranian as soon as they’ve been properly introduced.

Life With a Pomeranian

Low (1) High (5)
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Amount of Shedding

4

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Energy level

3

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Tendency of Barking

5

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Exercise Needs

2

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Trainability Level

4

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Kid Friendly

3

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Pet Friendly

3

Looks & Personality

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Poms have a luxuriant, fluffy double coat that comes in a beautiful array of colors, from rich red to black and white. You might come across a white Pom with colored markings or a black Pom with tan markings, but part-colored Pomeranians tend to be rare. Don’t let the beautiful coat scare you away.

 

Pomeranians are not difficult to groom, requiring only one or two brushing sessions a week. Additionally, Pomeranians have fluffy tails that curl up and over the back, a foxy face with alert, wedge-shaped ears, and a thick mane around their neck that can handle the snowy plains of the breed’s native Northern Germany. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Pomeranian whose almond-shaped eyes don’t sparkle with intelligence and curiosity.

 

Of course, all dogs are unique in personality and temperament, but you’ll find most Poms to be quite bossy. They’re perky, friendly little dogs that aren’t afraid to verbally intimidate much bigger breeds. Luckily, they get along quite well with other dog breeds when they’re adequately socialized at a young age.
Cute, feisty, and furry, Pomeranians typically make great family dogs as they’re intelligent, loyal, and tend to get along with children. Make sure to show children the appropriate way to play with a smaller dog with a Pomeranian to avoid any mishaps or injuries.

 

Poms make great alert and alarm dogs, though they may be prone to excessive barking. In fact, they sometimes don’t know when to stop barking, so you may want to invest in behavioral training. On that note, Poms make great companions for the elderly because of their alertness as well as their delightful personalities.

Common Health Problems

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Overall the Pomeranian is a sturdy, healthy dog despite its miniature size. However, they are prone to obesity. Poms generally don’t need much food, which means it’s easy to overfeed them. Therefore, it’s important to watch their portion sizes and give them as much exercise as possible.

  • Luxating patella

    • Description

      A kneecap that “pops out” or moves out of its normal location due to a malformation of the bone or from an injury.

    • Symptoms

      Acute pain, lameness, limping, sweling, ongoing discomfort.

    • Treatment

      From non-invasive options in less severe cases (knee bracing, supplements to improve the cartilage, and massages to relieve muscle tension) to surgery in more severe cases.

    Cost$3,000-$5,000
  • Tracheal Collapse

    • Description

      Incomplete formation or weakening of the cartilaginous rings of the trachea, resulting in collapse of the windpipes on inhalation which makes it difficult for the air to get to the lungs.   

    • Symptoms

      Persistent dry cough that’s worsened by exercise and excitement,  Intolerance to exercise, fainting spells.

    • Treatment

      Mild cases require the implementation of bronchodilators and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Surgical implantation of a tracheal stent is required for severe cases.

    Cost$300-$6,000
  • Hyperpigmentation

    • Description

      symmetrical coat loss and resulting dark pigmentation of the skin in the bald areas.

    • Symptoms

      Fur loss in patches. Unlike other skin diseases, black skin disease doesn't result in pain, discomfort, or itchiness.

    • Treatment

      A veterinary dermatologist which may require thyroid testing, hormonal analysis, or a skin biopsy to determine the right medicine.

    Cost$300-$1,000

Did you know?

Enrolling in Animalia Pet Insurance
while your pet is healthy is a wise decision.

Waiting until a disease develops means it won't be covered.

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A tip from a vet

Pomeranians are more likely than other dogs to have problems with their teeth. They have a small mouth in relation to their teeth, which can lead to overcrowding and eventually problems such as gum disease and gingivitis. It's important to bring your Pom over for periodic dental cleanings. Otherwise, your buddy may suffer daily tooth and gum pain or even lose their teeth.
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A tip from a trainer

Pomeranians are highly intelligent, which means they’re easy to train. This explains why there are so many Poms at dog shows. They’re eager to learn new tricks and can be extremely well-behaved. Because of their vocality, Poms sometimes get a bad rap. Proper training early in life can help eliminate such unwanted behaviors as excessive barking.

Did You Know

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    Blue Pomeranians are not actually blue. They have dull black fur with a bit of blue coloring. Some blue Poms also have blue eyes.

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    Two Pomeranians survived the sinking of the Titanic.

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    Michelangelo’s Pom famously lounged on a satin pillow and watched on as he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

In The News

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At one time, Queen Victoria had 35 Pomeranians in her royal kennels. Among those she liked best was a Pom named Marco, said to be the finest Spitz in all of England.

 

The Queen became quite infatuated with Pomeranians when she stumbled on Marco during a trip to Florence, Italy. It’s important to note that Poms were much larger at the time, weighing in at an average of 20 pounds. Marco, however, was especially small, weighing about 12 pounds. He was renowned for his strong character, gracious beauty, and a royal disposition. Marco even won a number of prizes in Britain’s national dog show championship.

The History Behind the Breed

Take one look at the Pomeranian’s thick fur, and you can discern that their forefathers came from the Arctic. Poms descend from larger Spitz breeds and are related to the Norwegian Elkhound, the Schipperke, and German Spitz.

 

Long ago, Pomeranians were working arctic dogs in Pomerania, a historical region that bordered Poland, Germany, and the Baltic Sea. They were relied upon to guard homes, protect livestock, and pull sleds. Hence, their feisty, energetic nature.

 

We have Queen Victoria to thank today’s smaller Pomeranians. The Pomeranian breed as we know it today was developed by English fanciers who imported them from Germany and bred them down to a smaller size. The size of the breed decreased by half during Queen Victoria’s lifetime alone.

Famous Pomeranian Owners

Michelangelo, Mozart, Paris Hilton, Teddy Roosevelt, Sylvester Stallone, Fran Drescher, Nicole Richie, Keanu Reeves, Gwen Stefani

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pomeranian Pet Insurance

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  • How long do Pomeranians live?

  • What are Pomeranians’ most common health problems and are they covered by pet insurance?

  • Can I visit any vet after enrolling my Pomeranian in pet insurance?

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