BREED SPOTLIGHT

Breed Spotlight: Pomeranian

Five Minutes
Sep 28, 2022

Pomeranian Quick Stats

LIFESPAN:

12 – 16 years

WEIGHT:

4 – 7 lbs

HEIGHT:

8 – 10 inches

DO I SHED?:

Yes

Personality:

Bold, lively, excited

Common Health Problems:

Collapsed trachea, hypothyroidism, luxating patella

Pomeranian: How Do I Look?

A typical Pomeranian is a compact, toy dog that shouldn’t exceed seven pounds. They have fox heads with small erect ears, and lovely long coats that puff up around their necks and chest. Standing at 8 to 10 inches, Pomeranians are small bundles of cute that come in many beautiful colors.

Coat Type and Colors

Pomeranian colors vary greatly and include the standard black, white, chocolate, or tan. Here are some of the wonderful colors your future Pom puppy may be:³

  • Brindle
  • Blue merle
  • Cream
  • Orange
  • Red
  • Sable
    • Red
    • Orange
    • Cream
    • Wolf
  • Tri-colored

Ears

A Pomeranian’s ears are small, triangle shaped that should sit high on their heads.³ Some Poms’ ears can be so small that they are hidden in their fur. Their ear size depends on their genetics and they typically grow as they age.

During grooming sessions, take a few minutes to inspect their ears for debris or signs of infection. Pomeranian ears are the perfect environment for otitis (a common ear infection) to develop so it's better to catch it early! If you see any sign of infection, chat with your veterinarian before attempting to clean it yourself.

Shedding and Grooming

The Pomeranian is a high-maintenance breed that should be groomed regularly. Expect these pups to shed all year round. To reduce the amount of fur in your household, your Pomeranian should be brushed at least twice per week to maintain a healthy coat. You may want to invest in an affordable groomer who can keep their fur at a manageable length.

Drooling Level

Pomeranians aren’t known for drooling. If your dog is drooling excessively, it could be a sign of gum disease and you should contact your vet.

Pomeranian: Personality Traits

What My Adoption Bio Would Say:

I’m ready to join your morning coffee run or walk around the neighborhood. Playing comes naturally to me, so I hope you have a sense of humor. Let’s find a good movie to watch together every night for the rest of our lives.

Behavior

The Pomeranian breed is great for folks who cannot pay constant attention to their pets. The Pomeranian personality is extremely independent, smart, and attentive. In fact, some people keep them as watchdogs along with larger breeds.

Exercise Needs

Your Pomeranian does not require a significant amount of exercise. A daily walk and a few minutes of play can be enough to keep these toy dogs healthy.

Be sure to keep an eye on your Pomeranian when they’re exercising outdoors. They tend to run off, get into small spaces, and climb over short fences. Also, birds of prey — like hawks and owls — may mistake your Pomeranian for a rabbit and take off with your dog. Monitor them closely to prevent them from getting into mischief or for mischief to find them.

Good with Other Pets?

Early socialization is key to Pomeranians getting along with other pets. Pomeranians, if poorly trained, can see themselves as the “king of the hill.” Be sure to train your Pomeranian and monitor interactions carefully until all pets are comfortable with each other.  

Trainability

The Pomeranian breed are smart dogs who sometimes have “big dog syndrome.” They can be very stubborn so early behavioral intervention is critical when you bring your Pom home. They should be carefully trained to walk on a leash, come when called, and not jump on and off furniture. These dogs are very small so getting them to obey is not only for your benefit, but also to protect them from larger potential threats.

A good option is to enroll your Pom into a training class, especially obedience or therapy dog classes. Keep in mind that Poms are more affectionate than stubborn. A little bit of positive reinforcement and time will be worth the cost of training

Good with Kids?

The Pomeranian is not recommended as a family dog. They are known for their snappy personalities and can easily be harmed while playing with small kids. If you have older children, this breed can work. Otherwise, be prepared to monitor your Pomeranian around young kids until they learn how to interact with the tiny dog.

Barking Level

The Pomeranian is sometimes used as a guard dog. Their loud bark coupled with their hesitance toward strangers can be useful in this instance – other times, their barking can get them in trouble with your neighbors and friends. Consider training classes to teach your pup when barking is necessary.

Pomeranian: A History

The Pomeranian is the smallest member of the spitz family which includes the Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, and Norwegian elkhound. The Pomeranian is known for their independent yet friendly personality with a “big dog” complex. Their personality earned the affection of royals and commoners alike, but Pomeranians didn’t gain international acclaim until Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed in the 1890s. She’s credited for breeding today’s standard seven pound size with their signature expression and fur composition.

Officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888, Poms have made their way into American households. They thrive no matter where they go, bringing style and grace to their pet parents’ lives.

Pomeranian Mixes

You’d be surprised how many Pom mixes are out there. Beagles, boxers, chow chows, you name it, a Pomeranian breeder has crossed their pups with a popular breed.

Here are some other Pomeranian mixes that you may not have considered:

Pomeranian Health Issues

Poms may experience a variety of health issues, including3,4,5:

  • Collapsed Trachea: A collapsed trachea typically occurs when a dog’s collar is too tight.
  • Periodontal Disease: This is an infection of the structures around the teeth.
  • Gastritis: This is inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the stomach lining.
  • Colitis: This is an inflammation of the large intestine or colon, resulting in diarrhea.
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: This is a degeneration of the ball-and-socket joints of the leg.
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Protect your Pets

Even the healthiest of pups can come with unexpected vet costs. Pet insurance can help keep your dog and your bank account happy.

How Pet Insurance Can Help Pomeranian 

Pomeranians don't suffer from significant health risks like large breed dogs, but this smaller breed does have a propensity for allergies and eye issues. If your Pomeranian begins licking their paws excessively or rubbing their face, have them checked by your veterinarian for allergies.

Young adult Pomeranians can develop a range of eye problems including dry eye, cataracts, and tear duct issues. These common issues, like ear and skin infections, can turn into costly veterinary visits.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Less commonly, Pomeranians can develop Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which is the degeneration of the head of the femur where it meets the hip joint.⁵ While there is no known cause, it’s assumed that it’s the result of a lack of blood supply to the area. Initial symptoms generally appear between 4 and 6 months of age, causing your pup to limp or become lame. A MetLife dog insurance policy may help cover the cost of diagnosis or treatment for Legg-Calve-Perthes.1,2

For more information on how pet insurance can help your Pomeranian, check out our guide on How Pet Insurance Works. Remember, signing up for dog insurance while your Pom is a puppy can ensure your dog has coverage before something becomes a preexisting condition.

Protect your Pomeranian with Pet Insurance

Enroll in 3 Easy Steps

Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal, or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.

1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.

2 Provided all terms of the policy are met. Application is subject to underwriting review and approval. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies issued by IAIC and MetGen contain certain deductibles, co-insurance, exclusions, exceptions, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. For costs, complete details of coverage and exclusions, and a listing of approved states, please contact MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC. 

³ “Pomeranian,” American Kennel Club

“Pomeranian: Recommended Tests,” OFA - The Canine Health Information Center

“Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease in Dogs,” VCA Animal Hospitals

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