All About Pomeranians

Medically Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on April 10, 2022
Written by Alyssa Anderson
7 min read

Pomeranians are petite dogs in the toy category. They’ve been a popular breed for hundreds of years. 

They’re friendly, inquisitive, and full of life. These personality traits — along with the characteristic, small size of Pomeranians — make them ideal companions. 

That said, if you’re considering bringing one into your home, keep in mind that they can be temperamental with small children. They become ideal family pets, however, as soon as your kids are old enough to realize that they’re living creatures and not toys. 

Body size. Pomeranians are rather small dogs. The males and females are similar in size. On average, they only get up to six or seven inches high. 

Their weight can vary a bit more than their height. Healthy Pomeranians weigh anywhere from three to seven pounds, though healthy members of the breed typically have a narrower range that extends from four and six pounds. 

This compact size makes them incredibly easy to transport. They’ll fit into any size home and are happy to accompany you anywhere.   

Body shape. Pomeranian characteristics include compact bodies that are relatively sturdy for their size. This is — in part — due to their square shape and short back. An ideal member of the breed has a length that's equally proportioned to their height. 

Their skulls are slightly rounded and well-balanced with their bodies. Muzzles are small and always shorter than their skulls. 

Their heavily-plumed tails are set high on their hindquarters and lay flat on their backs. This — combined with their fluffy coat — gives them an almost ethereal look. 

How long do Pomeranians live? Like most small dogs, Pomeranians can live well over a decade. Their average lifespan is anywhere from 12 to 16 years. Make sure you’re prepared for a long commitment to your pet — especially if you get them as a puppy. 

Fur and eyes. The Pomeranian’s lush coat is one of their most distinctive features. It’s a double coat, meaning that they have two distinct types of fur. One coat — called the undercoat — is short and dense. The outer coat is longer and has a harsher texture. 

These layers help to insulate your dog while giving it a distinctly fluffy look — a look that’s further accentuated by the frills that form on their chests and shoulders. 

Pomeranians are one of the more colorful dog breeds. Their coats can come in at least 24 different colors. Orange and red are the most common. 

Some of the other colors include: 

  • Black
  • Black and tan
  • Blue
  • Chocolate
  • Cream
  • Beaver
  • Tri-colored 

These colors can come in a wide variety of patterns too. You can find full lists of their colors and patterns on the American Kennel Club (AKC) website. 

Their eyes are dark and almond-shaped. They're medium in size and set back in the skull. The overall effect is an intelligent and fox-like expression.

Personality. The Pomeranian personality is outgoing and friendly. A lot of their attitude is expressed in their highly animated gait. They manage to convey a sense of cockiness and command as they interact with the world around them. 

The AKC rates them a five out of five for affection. They enjoy engaging with people.   

They’re intelligent and attentive to their surroundings — which makes them good guard dogs. But they can also be possessive of toys and food. 

It's important to keep in mind that they can be defensive and snippy with young children. Even if you don’t have any of your own, be sure to keep them away from all young children. This will ensure that neither the kids nor your pets become injured.  

Grooming. Pomeranian care doesn’t have to be particularly difficult, but you do have to be vigilant. 

You need to brush your pet frequently — at least once a week — to keep its coat lush and beautiful. Pay special attention to make sure that the long fur doesn't matt. 

The dogs are active, so be sure to keep their nails trimmed short. It’s easiest to take them to a professional groomer every four to six weeks so they can groom all parts of your pet, including the anal glands.  

The breed also tends to have problems with their teeth. It’s recommended that you should brush their teeth at least once — and as much as three times — a week.   

Feeding. Make sure you always provide fresh, clean water for your dog. 

Pomeranians will do well with high-quality dog food. You can find your pet’s favorite brand or make some at home. Just be sure to talk to your veterinarian about all of the important nutrients to include in at-home blends. 

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re providing the right amount of food for your dog’s age. 

They’re very adaptable dogs, so you should be able to find a feeding schedule that works well for you. 

Exercise and Mental Stimulation. Pomeranians love being lap dogs — but they’re also full of energy. This means that they need frequent, small bursts of exercise. Playing fetch indoors or going on short walks should be sufficient to satisfy their needs. 

They enjoy interacting with people and thrive off of attention. Playing with your pet can be a great way to engage them both mentally and physically. 

Veterinary visits, medications, and immunizations. Your veterinarian is the best person to determine all of the vaccinations that your pet needs, but all dogs should get a core set. 

This includes vaccinations for:

Vaccinations can begin as early as six weeks of age. There are also other non-core vaccinations that you can discuss with your veterinarian. 

Dosages for flea and tick medications are based on your dog's weight and used as needed. Oral and skin-based applications are available from your veterinarian or other distributors.

Many of these medications can be effective against a variety of pests and parasites, so talk to your veterinarian to figure out the best one for you.

Pomeranians can be a very healthy breed as long as you take care of them well. 

But there are some health problems that affect the breed. 

These include: 

  • Luxating patellas. This occurs when your dog’s knee has issues from birth. It’s the most common health condition for Pomeranians. If the problem is severe enough, it may require surgery.  
  • Hypothyroidism. This is a low thyroid condition. Your dog should get tested for regular thyroid function on a regular basis. 
  • Collapsing tracheas. This is a fairly common condition in Pomeranians. The main symptom that you’ll notice is your dog gagging and coughing as though they have a hairball. It can be life-threatening, so make sure you pay attention to your dog while they cough and get them checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible. 
  • Seizures. Pomeranians can have idiopathic epilepsy, which means that they have seizures and no one is sure why. These usually start when your pet is between three and seven years old. Be sure to see your veterinarian if you believe your dog has had a seizure.
  • Hypoglycemia. This is most common in young and active puppies. Breeders don’t encourage people to use these dogs for procreative purposes in the hopes that this trait will leave the breed.  
  • Black skin disease. This is also known as Alopecia X. It can cause your dog’s hair to fall out and not grow back. It’s a genetic condition, but there currently aren’t any tests to see if your dog carries the trait. 

Despite their relatively sturdy shape, a Pomeranian’s small size poses unique dangers. You should monitor your pet as if it were a toddler. Keep them away from choking hazards and other physical dangers. 

Another thing to consider before getting a Pomeranian is that they’re known to bark a lot. This can be annoying or unwelcome in some homes. 

You may find that the breed is difficult to housebreak, but it can be done with consistent efforts on your part. The sooner you start, the better. 

On the other hand, they rarely ever drool and shed very little. They’re also very adaptable, trainable dogs that will fit into a diverse array of lifestyles. 

Interestingly, they have one of the smallest litter sizes of any dog breed. The average size is 1.9 to 2.7 puppies per birth. 

Pomeranians are the smallest of the Spitz breeds. This is why they’re called zwergspitz in many countries — this means “dwarf spitz”. 

They’re named for the areas in central Europe where they were originally bred — the Pomerania region. Today, this area is part of northern Poland and eastern Germany. 

They were bred at least three hundred years ago from a larger spitz breed — the German spitz. 

Always a popular breed among nobles, Pomeranians became enormously popular when Queen Victoria adopted some in the 18th century. She loved the breed so much that she displayed six of them in the 1891 Crufts dog show. Her dog — Windsor Marco — took first place for the breed.   

One of the most interesting facts about Pomeranians is that the breed standard was reduced in size by 50% during Victoria’s reign. The original Pomeranians weighed around 30 pounds. It was a popular desire to mimic the queen's exceptionally small dogs that reduced them down to what they are today. 

The breed’s popularity has only increased since those days — particularly in the U.S. It’s currently one of the top 15 most popular dog breeds in the country.