Feisty, loyal and playful, Pomeranians have the personality of a much bigger dog! Their fun and affectionate nature makes them a popular choice for families, whilst their small size is ideal for the city-based dog lover.
Facts & advice
Pomeranian
A courageous little dog who loves being the centre of attention
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small |
| Coat: | Long and straight with a soft undercoat |
| Exercise | Up to 30 minutes a day |
| Life span: | 12-16 years |
| Breed group: | Toy |
| Temperament: | Playful, outgoing, intelligent |
Pomeranian temperament & personality
Pomeranians are bright, loyal and braver than their size would suggest. Apt to forget how small they are, the breed loves to make their voices heard!
- Poms’ vocal nature and wilful personalities mean that good socialisation is essential from a young age.
- Affectionate, playful and adaptable, Pomeranians do well in most home environments, getting on well with children and cats.
- Like other Toy breeds, Pomeranians can be prone to separation anxiety and are best suited for homes where someone will be around for most of the day.
Pomeranian training & exercise
Though small, Pomeranians can be bundles of energy, and plenty of exercise and playtime is important to keep them happy and well-behaved.
Training tips
- Believe it or not, Pomeranians hail from the same group as the sled pulling Husky. As such, they can run extremely fast and good recall training is important to help keep them safe.
- Socialisation is particularly important for the strong-willed Pomeranian and puppy training classes can help them to learn to be around others whilst also learning basic commands.
Keeping them happy
- Pomeranians love to be at the heart of the family and will be happiest when around the people they love.
- If you do have to leave your dog alone for a short time, make sure your Pomeranian has plenty of puzzle toys to keep their mind active whilst you’re away.
Exercise
- Due to their small stature, Pomeranians will do well with two 15-minute walks a day.
- However, this curious little dog will also enjoy exploring a secure garden or outside space so make sure to let them run around outdoors between walks.
- It’s worth noting that Pomeranians have delicate windpipes so experts recommend a harness rather than a traditional collar and lead when out on a walk.
Common Pomeranian health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect Pomeranians more frequently than other dog breeds. We’ve outlined some of our recent claims data to help you understand some of the health issues we see more in Pomeranians than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable Pomeranian breeder.
Pomeranians can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal or digestive tract. One such issue is gastroenteritis, which you’ll spot as vomiting and diarrhea. The treatment your vet will describe depends on the exact cause, but getting your dog seen to as soon as you spot the symptoms will usually result in a full recovery.
Like all breeds, Pomeranians grow a set of baby teeth that are later replaced by adult teeth. However, sometimes these temporary teeth don’t fall out in smaller breeds such as Pomeranians, causing health issues such as an overcrowded mouth. Adult teeth can also grow in at odd angles, and abscesses and infections can develop. Your vet will usually recommend dental surgery to fix the problem.
Tracheal collapse is a respiratory system disorder that is common among small dogs, as the trachea (windpipe) is supported by rings of cartilage that can grow soft and collapse, narrowing the airway. If you notice your Pomeranian rasping, struggling for breath or making a honking noise, it could be suffering from this respiratory issue. Treatment includes cough suppressants, anti-inflammatories and other medication. In very severe cases, surgery may be necessary to help.
Like many smaller breeds, Pomeranians can develop patellar luxation, when the patella (kneecap) slips out of its groove. It can be an inherited problem or caused by an injury. Your vet will diagnose the problem through touch, possibly followed by an X-ray. Patellar luxation is graded according to its severity and in many cases surgery is required to help resolve the issue.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and a number of disorders can affect it. Like other dogs, Pomeranians can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. Another skin problem, pyoderma (meaning ‘infection of the skin’) is usually caused by bacteria, fungi (‘ringworm’) or yeasts. Skin disorders can be managed using various treatments, usually required long-term, which means the dog can get on with enjoying life.
Pomeranian grooming
Pomeranians have a long, straight, fluffy coat with a characteristic ‘frill’ of fur around their neck and chest. Like other dogs in the Spitz group, their fur is adapted for cold weather and they have a thick undercoat that sheds seasonally.
- In recent years, a closely cropped Pomeranian haircut has become popular – but if you choose this, make sure your groomer doesn’t damage the soft undercoat.
- As well as brushing their coat daily to prevent mats, you should also brush your Pomeranian’s teeth regularly to prevent dental problems, which are a common health issue for this breed.
Pomeranian nutrition
Since Pomeranians can be prone to sensitive tummies as well as dental issues, it’s important to get their nutrition right. Your vet will be able to advise you on what to feed your Pomeranian.
- Dental problems can be common among Pomeranians, so incorporating dry food and chews into their diet can help to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
- Despite their small size, Pomeranians have heaps of energy and require two feeds and two exercise sessions totalling 30 minutes per day to stay at their ideal weight.
Pomeranian frequently asked questions
As part of the Spitz group, Pomeranians are closely related to cold-weather breeds, like Huskies. For this reason, they have thick coats that shed all year round, especially during the spring season as the weather gets warmer. There’s nothing you can do to stop your dog shedding, but regular brushing can help to keep loose fur under control and keep your Pomeranian’s coat in top condition.
Whether you’re looking to adopt a Pomeranian or buy a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable organisation or breeder. If you’re looking to adopt, you can use Petplan’s rehoming directory to find an organisation. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you find a reputable breeder.
As affectionate companion dogs, Pomeranians tend to get on well with children, and their smaller size makes them ideal playmates. However, Pomeranians can be feisty and may be quick to react to rough play, so children should be taught how to play with and handle your dog. As with any breed, Pomeranians should always be supervised when around children to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.
Whilst usually playful and adaptable, Pomeranians can be feisty and love to make their voices heard. The breed is quick to make their unhappiness known and will become vocal and snappy if they feel the need. It’s important to remember that for this diminutive breed, anti-social behaviours are usually triggered by your Pomeranian feeling threatened or afraid, rather than stemming from actual aggression, so early socialisation and plenty of regular exposure to other dogs and people is crucial for nurturing a well-rounded and confident pet.
Pomeranians are a companion breed and will love nothing more than the company of their owner. They will happily accompany their owners anywhere and everywhere and don’t tolerate being left alone very well. As they are prone to separation anxiety, it’s best to avoid leaving your Pom alone for too long, but if you do have to, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep their mind busy.
Pomeranians are intelligent dogs who often excel in obedience trials and love to learn tricks. However, Pomeranians can also be strong-willed so consistency is key, along with lots of positive reinforcement. Pomeranians are also deceptively fast for their small size and recall training is a must to keep your dog safe.
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Pomeranian insurance considerations
Pomeranians sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan dog insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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