Pomeranian

Also known as: Pom dog, Zwergspitz, Dwarf Spitz, German Spitz Zwerg

The Pomeranian, the smallest of the German Spitz family, owes much of its popularity to Queen Victoria, who fell for the breed in the late 19th century and drove the trend toward the smaller size we know today. An adult weighs only around 3.5 kilograms, but carries the same dense double coat as its larger relatives, which makes it look noticeably bigger than it actually is. The coat needs frequent brushing to keep the thick undercoat from matting. Despite the tiny size, temperament runs bold and confident, this dog often acts like it has no idea how small it is. Vocal habits run strong, it tends to bark quickly at any change in its surroundings. Care is needed around young children given the fragile build. Life expectancy runs 12 to 16 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Pomeranian: how old in human years?

18–22 cmHeight
1.9–3.5 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

Siberian Husky

FCI group: Spitz and Nordic/Ancient-type Dogs
FCI section: Section 4: European Spitz
FCI: 97
Country of origin: Germany

Energy level

3/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

5/5

At a glance

Height

Males 18–22 cm

Females 18–22 cm

Weight

Males 1.9–3.5 kg

Females 1.9–3.5 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

double coat, long harsh outer coat (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Pomeranian's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 2/5
Good with other dogs 2/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Pomeranian's energy and exercise needs are low.

Energy level 3/5
Exercise need 2/5
Apartment friendly 5/5
Prey drive 1/5
Hunting instinct 1/5

Guarding & Alertness

Pomeranian's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 5/5

Grooming & Care

Pomeranian's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 4/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 5/5

Living with the Pomeranian

The courier has only just turned into your street and the whole house already knows, because the Pomeranian has announced it loudly, clearly and several times over. The smallest of the German Spitz weighs only a few kilos but seems to see itself as considerably larger: alert, bold and with an opinion on everything. Barking is its native language, so start teaching "thank you, that's enough" early, patiently and with rewards; a Pomeranian learns perfectly well once it sees what's in it for itself.

With its own family it is devoted and affectionate, but it greets strangers and other dogs with suspicion at first, sometimes with a certain swagger. It is no toy for small children: its bones are fragile and its patience limited, so it gets on best with older kids who understand that a dog is not a teddy bear. At the dog park, make sure it doesn't pick a fight with something ten times its size; it has plenty of courage and very little bulk.

In a flat it is entirely at home. A typical day is a few short walks with plenty of sniffing, some play indoors, a little lesson in tricks, and lots of time on your lap or on the windowsill, which offers such a fine view of the street and so much to report.

Grooming and coat

A Pomeranian's coat is less a hairstyle than a piece of architecture: long, harsh outer hairs stand straight up off a dense, soft undercoat, which is exactly why the dog looks like a ball with eyes. Brush it a few times a week, layer by layer, right down to the skin, and every day during the moult, when the undercoat comes out by the handful. As you go, check the skin and watch whether the coat is equally thick everywhere; don't clip the double coat short unless a vet or an experienced groomer advises it.

Check the ears weekly; they stand upright and air well, but inside they should be clean and odour-free. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft damp cloth as needed. Teeth deserve a chapter of their own: brush them daily with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste, starting in puppyhood, so the ritual becomes as ordinary as a walk.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

A Pomeranian can live a long time, around twelve to sixteen years, and spends most of it lively, curious and full of opinions. Its health concerns flow from its size: small bones and joints, a crowded mouth, a delicate windpipe and very little energy in reserve. Knowing what to look for lets you catch a lot early, and your vet decides what to do about it.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Alopecia X (black skin disease)

In this condition the dog gradually loses coat on its body and tail and the exposed skin darkens, while the dog itself feels fine and doesn't scratch. The first thing you may notice is a coat on the thighs or tail that has thinned, turned dry and woolly, or failed to grow back after a trim. A Pomeranian's coat is its pride, so a change like this is easy to see; finding out what is behind it is a job for your vet, since other conditions can look similar.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Blood sugar suddenly drops too low, taking with it the energy the brain and muscles run on. The dog may become listless, tremble, wobble and seem confused, and in more serious cases stop responding or have a seizure. The smaller the dog, the smaller its reserves, and tiny Pomeranian puppies have the least of all, so if you see these signs, get your dog to a vet immediately.
Eye problems

This is an umbrella term for a range of eye troubles, from watering and irritation to a lens turning cloudy. You might notice a red, weepy or cloudy eye, squinting, or your dog rubbing an eye with its paw. A Pomeranian's dark, bright eyes sit close to the ground and close to a lot of fur, so a daily glance is worthwhile, and any change belongs in front of your vet.
Tracheal collapse

The trachea, or windpipe, is held open by rings of cartilage, and when they soften the tube flattens and gets in the way of the air. The classic sign is a dry, honking cough, rather like a goose, when the dog is excited, pulls on the lead or has just had a drink. In small dogs like the Pomeranian that tube is especially delicate, so a cough like this calls for a vet visit, and if your dog is struggling to breathe or its tongue turns bluish, it needs a vet immediately.
Dental and gum disease

Plaque builds up on the teeth and hardens into tartar, which irritates the gums until they bleed and recede. The first sign is bad breath; later you may see a yellow or brown layer at the gum line, or notice your dog chewing carefully on one side. A Pomeranian's tiny jaws hold their teeth close together, and plaque loves a tight corner, so tooth care is a daily matter for this dog and a dental check is part of every vet visit.
Hip dysplasia

This is a developmental problem of the hip: the ball of the thigh bone doesn't sit snugly in its socket, and the joint wears over time. You might see your dog hesitate before jumping onto the sofa, get up more slowly, or run with both back legs together like a rabbit. On legs this small, joint trouble isn't always obvious at first, so if the way your dog moves has changed, let the vet take a look.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

In this disease the head of the thigh bone loses part of its blood supply, so the bone there slowly breaks down and the hip becomes painful. It shows up in young dogs of small breeds: you may notice a limp on one hind leg, a reluctance to put weight on it, and that leg starting to look thinner. The Pomeranian belongs to the group of small dogs this disease is associated with, so a limp in a young dog that doesn't go away is a reason to see the vet.
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)

The kneecap, a small bone at the front of the knee, slips out of its groove and the leg briefly locks. Mid-run, the dog suddenly skips along on three legs, sometimes stretches the leg out and carries on as if nothing happened. In a Pomeranian that hop can pass for playfulness, but if it keeps recurring, the knee should be examined by a vet.

Food for small breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (4 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 62 g of dry food a day, from €3,41 a month For a neutered, normally active 2,7 kg dog. Calculate for your dog