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Pomeranian Dogs
Average Weight:  3-7 pounds  (1.36 to 3.17 kg)
 Average Height: 8-11  inches (20.32 - 27.94 cm)
Pronounced: Pom-er-ain-e'-un
Group:  AKC Toy
Life Span: 15 Years
Average Litter: 3
Origin: Ancestors: Iceland  | Developed in: Germany

Appearance

The Pomeranian, known by the short nickname "Pom" is quite a beautiful dog.  The most famous feature of this small dog is the coat, which is a double coat.  It is so full and soft, that many refer to this breed as "A ball of fluff".

The body is compact, the muzzle is rather short and it is said that the expression is "fox like". The little ears are erect and the tail is one big fluffy plume with lies flat and straight on the back.  Pomeranian dogs have a double coat and this is what makes their fur stand out as it does.  The undercoat is thick and short. The overcoat is long and a bit harsh in texture.  It is the thickness of the undercoat which allows the outercoat (called guard hair) to stand out from the body

Colors

The colors of Pomeranians are quite amazing.  There are 19 colors listed on the AKC color page, but do not be fooled. There are many more colors which only breeders see on puppy applications and there are colors that are not listed anywhere, but do exist.

The AKC colors are: beaver, black, black & tan, blue, blue & tan, blue brindle, blue merle, chocolate, chocolate & tan, cream, cream sable, orange, orange sable, red, red sable, sable, white, wolf sable and chocolate sable.

Colors that breeders also see as options are: Red merle, chocolate merle, blue merle & tan, parti merle.

Pomeranian colors that do exist but are not options when registering are: pink and lavender.  When a breeder is unsure about a color, they must choose one from the list that they feel comes closest to the color of the puppy.  In addition, a breeder may change the registered color up to 3 times.  This is because Pomeranian color can change so quickly, each week in some cases.

It is the orange coat that is known as the "Classic" Pomeranian color, however recently parti (more than 1 color) and more unique  and "exotic" colors have become more popular.

Note: Merle to Merle breeding should never be allowed to happen!

Origin & History

The Pom is a member of the Spitz family and descended from large sled dogs in Iceland.  Eventually brought into Pomerania, an area that used to exist where Germany and Poland now are, bred the dogs down to the tiny size we have today.  In 1900, the AKC recognized the breed.

Personality

The personality of  Pomeranian dogs is quite adorable.  This dog absolutely loves to be with its owner.  Very active, full of spirit, playful, kind and affectionate, the Pom makes a wonderful companion.  This breed is also used quite a bit as hearing dogs for the deaf, therapy dogs and even search & rescue when small sized dog is needed.

Pomeranians love to snuggle, if you are sitting on your couch, expect your Pom to be on your lap.  They will sleep in a dog bed if you insist, but would much rather be in your bed.  They are usually adventurous for  such a small dog and most will not hesitate to follow along to new destinations.  In addition, this is one breed that gets along very well with other dogs.  Many Pomeranian owners have more than 1 Pom and this works out very well for everyone.  Those with cats should be careful to make sure both will get along, as most full grown cats are larger than Pomeranian dogs.
Health

Luxating patellas seems to be the most common health issue, if it is to occur.  This is when the kneecap slips out of place.  While you do not have full control over whether this happens or not, making sure that your puppy does not jump off any heights can help quite a bit.  Collapsed trachea is the 2nd most common issue; this is a condition in which the small dog's trachea softens or collapses, causing breathing difficulties and pain.  This can be avoided in most cases by always walking your Pom with a harness instead of a collar.  Harnesses for small dogs are very tiny, light, easy to slip on and simply distribute pressure across the chest and shoulders instead of having all of the pressure on the dog's neck.

Exercise

Despite the small size, this dog is quite active and loves to go for walks.  Daily walks or play in a safe, enclosed yard is important to maintain good health.  Most Pomeranian dogs loves to do just about anything, whether this is to accompany you to a softball game and walk around to see what is going on, to hiking on some small trails in a forest to investigate new sights and sounds.

Grooming

Some owners are hesitant to take care of such a fluffy and wondrous coat of fur. However, once you establish a grooming routine, it is not overwhelming.  The Pom should have a bath every 2 or 3 weeks.  Giving baths more often can cause the skin to dry out.

The coat should never be clipped short. While some other breeds have either long coats or "Puppy Cuts" in which the owner keeps the fur short, the Pomeranian should always have its coat.  To clip this coat is shocking to any Pom lover and to the dog itself who feels vulnerable without it.

Brushing and then combing should be done every 2 days to make sure that the fur does not tangle.  This is not that difficult, as you will work in sections, misting the fur as you go along.  Excess fur should be trimmed from the rear for hygiene reasons and from the bottom of the paws if the fur extends passed that paw.

Nails are trimmed every 3 months.  In most cases, dewclaws have already been removed by the breeder when the puppy is very young, from 2 - 3 weeks old.

A Pomeranian puppy will have a coat of "puppy fur" and will go through a growing phase known as the "puppy uglies" in which that coat falls out and is steadily replaced by the adult one.  During this time, from about 4 months to 8 months old, the pup looks quite funny with very little fur; hence the name for this time in their life.

Pregnancy

This is a delicate time for the female Pom.  As with all dogs, it will be just about 63 days from point of conception to delivery.  It is not the norm, however, one must always be prepared for the possibility of a Cesarean section.  How do you know if your Pomeranian is pregnant? Since the entire process only lasts 9 weeks, very quickly you will notice swelling in the abdomen, increased size in nipples (even seeing some that were previously inverted) and nesting behavior. Do be aware that these signs can also be that of a false canine pregnancy.

Care & Training

Most owners need guidance for behavior issues, which can range from eating grass, eating feces to being a finicky eater.  We offer a perfect guide to help owners with 29 Pomeranian behavior issues. 

Since the Pomeranian breed is so attached to its owner, training for Separation Anxiety is often needed.

The owner of such a small dog should also be very aware of all health issues, not just the above conditions the dog is most prone to, but paw care, nose care, eye care and much more. Pom Owners - Click Here For Much More Information.
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