Description

Small and sturdy, the Pomeranian is descended from Spitz-type dogs and has a similar (but much smaller) build. The Pomeranian has a wedge-shaped head and a short but fine muzzle, with teeth meeting in a scissor bite. The upright ears are set high on the head and the eyes are almond shaped and dark. As in other Spitz-type dogs, the Pomeranian’s tail curls up over the back. Although Pomeranians are usually small, occasionally larger “throwback” puppies are born, who will often grow to be around 6kg or so.

Origin: Germany, Poland

Look

The Pomeranian has a thick and luxurious double coat. The outer layer is long feathery, while the inner layer is short and downy for warmth. The fur is longer on the neck and chest, forming a ruff or a mane, and feathery hair grows on the hindquarters. Pomeranians need daily brushing to remove loose hair (as the Pomeranian sheds constantly) and prevent tangles. Trimming every one or two months is also recommended. Pomeranians can be almost any colour, but more common ones include orange, cream and black.

Health

The Pomeranian is usually a healthy breed, but is prone to a few health problems:

• Hip dysplasia
• Eye problems
• Allergies
• Epilepsy
• Legg-Perthes Disease
• Patellar Luxation
• Collapsed Trachea
• Dental problems
• Black skin disease

At Newdoggy.com we promote reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

These cute little dogs are highly intelligent and loyal, with independent spirits and strong characters. They are very alert and curious, so usually respond well to training. Be careful: Pomeranians are often smarter enough to get you to do what they want, rather than the other way round! Although a Pomeranian will keep you on your toes, with a little training, your Pom can soon learn many fun tricks.

Temperament

Pomeranians are loyal, intelligent, and constantly alert. They have lively and friendly natures and make fantastic family pets. They can be yappy and suspicious of strangers, and can be quite bossy. Pomeranians often don’t seem to realise how small they are, and may pick fights with larger dogs. You’ll want to carefully socialise your young Pomeranian to get him/her used to new people and dogs. Careful training will help to prevent excessive barking. Don’t coddle your Pomeranian: they may be small, but coddling and indulging your dog can lead to behaviour problems later on.

Living with

These feisty little dogs are good family pets, though perhaps they are more suitable for older children due to their small size: an overly rough child could accidentally hurt a Pomeranian. Pomeranians are happy to live in apartments, as they don’t need much space so long as they are walked every day. They don’t cope well with hot weather, so will need to stay indoors in a cool spot on hotter days. Pomeranians need a daily walk and plenty of play time to use up all their energy.