PomeranianCharacteristics, history, training and care
Pomeranian. · Rob Hanson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Cropped and resized.
The Pomeranian (Pom) is a small Spitz-type dog with a very abundant double coat, a ruff on the chest and shoulders and a bushy tail carried over the back. Wikipedia says it descends from the German Spitz and is named after the Pomerania region. The FCI does not treat it as a separate breed, but as the smallest variety of the German Spitz (Zwergspitz); the AKC and the Kennel Club recognise it as a breed. The AKC describes it as lively, devoted and clever.
Quick facts
| Common name | Pomeranian (Pom) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | Germany and Poland (Pomerania region); developed in Great Britain |
| Official recognition | FCI: the dwarf variety of the German Spitz (Zwergspitz); AKC and Kennel Club: a separate breed |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years, according to the AKC |
| Size (males) | 15–18 cm according to the AKC; 1.4–3.2 kg |
| Size (females) | 15–18 cm according to the AKC; 1.4–3.2 kg |
| Coat type | Double, very abundant, with a ruff |
| Common colours | Almost two dozen colours, mostly orange or red |
| Energy level | Medium |
| Suited to an apartment? | Yes |
| Temperament | Lively, devoted, clever, alert, curious |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | Moderate; it is very small |
| Good with other animals | Moderate |
| Genetic predispositions | Patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, tracheal collapse, heart failure, alopecia X |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
Wikipedia says the Pomeranian descends from the German Spitz and takes its name from the Pomerania region, in northern Poland and Germany, on the Baltic Sea, where the original type developed. Thomas Gainsborough's 1785 painting of Mr and Mrs William Hallett shows a Pomeranian larger than today's dogs.
The breed was made popular by several members of royal families from the 18th century onwards. Queen Victoria owned a particularly small Pomeranian, and the small variety then became popular everywhere; Wikipedia says that during her lifetime the size of the breed was halved.
How the breed developed
- 18th century – Royal families make it popular.
- 1785 – It appears in Gainsborough's painting.
- Victorian era – Queen Victoria; the size is halved.
- Since 1998 – Among the 50 most popular breeds in the United States.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★★★ |
| Intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Independence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★★☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★☆ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★★ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★★★☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★☆☆ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★☆☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★★☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★☆☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★☆ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★☆☆ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★★★★☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★★☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★☆☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★☆ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good companion dog | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The rating is based on the American Kennel Club scores for the breed; the FCI regards it as the dwarf variety of the German Spitz.
Physical characteristics
The AKC says it combines a tiny body, of no more than 3.2 kg, with a big-dog attitude. Wikipedia describes it as small but sturdy, with an abundant coat, a very bushy tail set high and carried over the back, and a ruff of fur around the neck.
General appearance
The very abundant double coat is one of the breed's hallmarks, with a ruff on the chest and shoulders and feathering on the hind legs.
| Feature | Pomeranian |
|---|---|
| Size | Toy |
| Height at the withers | 15–18 cm (AKC) |
| Weight | 1.4–3.2 kg |
| Coat | Double, abundant |
| Tail | Bushy, over the back |
| Type | Spitz |
The AKC says the coat comes in almost two dozen colours, patterns and markings, but is most often orange or red.
Training and socialisation
The AKC says it should be taught from an early age to walk on a lead and to come when called. House-training can be a challenge, so consistency and patience are essential. It is alert and very curious.
The AKC gives it 4 out of 5 for barking, so it is worth teaching it when to be quiet. It should not be allowed to jump off sofas or beds, as it can injure its joints or break a bone.
Tips for effective training
- Be patient with house-training. It can take time.
- Do not let it jump from heights. It can break a bone.
- Check the fence. It squeezes through small gaps.
- Teach it “quiet”. It barks quite a lot.
Activity needs and lifestyle
The AKC says that, although it enjoys being a companion dog, it needs exercise: running, play and walks. It must be supervised outdoors, as it is notorious for escaping through small gaps in fences.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Short walks | daily | Fitness |
| Play | daily | Energy |
| Tricks | several times a week | A busy mind |
Tips for a balanced life
- It suits an apartment.
- Supervise it outdoors.
- Use a harness, not a collar.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The AKC says the abundant double coat needs frequent brushing: once a week, with a pin brush and a slicker brush, right down to the skin, so it does not mat.
Common health problems
The AKC says the Pomeranian is generally healthy, and responsible breeders screen their dogs for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Patellar luxation | The kneecap slips out of place | Suddenly holds a hind leg up for a few steps, then uses it again |
| Tracheal collapse | The windpipe narrows | A “goose-honk” cough |
| Hypothyroidism | The thyroid produces too little hormone | Weight gain, tiredness |
| Alopecia X | “Black skin disease” | Hair loss, darkened skin |
| Heart failure | A heart condition | Tiredness, coughing |
Other care
- Use a harness, not a collar.
- Brush its teeth often.
- Do not let it jump from heights.
Diet and nutrition
The AKC recommends good-quality food suited to the dog's age, and attention to its weight.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 kg | 150 kcal | 170 kcal | 38–49 g |
| 2.5 kg | 220 kcal | 250 kcal | 55–71 g |
| 3.2 kg | 270 kcal | 300 kcal | 68–86 g |
- Feed it several small meals a day.
- Treats count towards the daily portion.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. Only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance should be used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- Queen Victoria's dog. She made the small variety popular.
- Halved in size. Its size fell by half in the Victorian era.
- A dwarf Spitz for the FCI. The FCI regards it as a variety of the German Spitz.
- Big at heart. The AKC says it has a big-dog air.
- Painted by Gainsborough. In 1785.
In popular culture
Gainsborough's painting
Wikipedia says the portrait of Mr and Mrs William Hallett, painted by Thomas Gainsborough in 1785, shows a Pomeranian of a larger type than today's.
Queen Victoria
Wikipedia says Queen Victoria owned a particularly small Pomeranian, and the small variety then became popular everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same as the German Spitz?
The FCI regards it as the dwarf variety of the German Spitz; the AKC treats it as a separate breed.
How much does it weigh?
No more than 3.2 kg.
Does it bark a lot?
Quite a lot; the AKC gives it 4 out of 5.
How long does it live?
The AKC gives 12–16 years.
