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Pomeranian
DogThe Pomeranian is a tiny, fluffy toy dog with a famous neck ruff and plumed tail, available in a huge range of colours and known for being alert and vocal.
Encyclopaedia
What is a Pomeranian?
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Overview
The Pomeranian (also called a Pom, Pommy or Pome) is a toy dog of the Spitz type. It is small but sturdy, weighing roughly 1.36 to 3.17 kg (3 to 7 lb) and standing about 20 to 36 cm (8 to 14 inches) tall at the shoulder.
Poms have an abundant, textured coat. The top coat forms a ruff of fur around the neck, there is a fringe of feathery hair on the hindquarters, and the plumed tail is set high and flat.
The breed comes in the widest variety of colours of any dog breed, including white, black, brown, red, orange, cream, blue, sable, brindle, parti, tan combinations and blue merle. The most common are orange, black and cream or white.
Origins and history
The Pomeranian is named after the Pomerania region, which lies along the Baltic Sea in north-west Poland and north-east Germany. It descends from larger Spitz-type dogs, specifically the German Spitz. The region is credited with the breeding that led to the original Pomeranian type, though it was not the breed's true origin.
Early Pomeranians were larger than today's dogs. In 1767 Queen Charlotte brought two to England, and Gainsborough painted them as dogs reportedly weighing 14 to 23 kg (30 to 50 lb). The earliest examples were mostly white, with some brown or black.
Queen Victoria, Charlotte's granddaughter, set up a large breeding kennel and imported smaller Pomeranians of different colours from across Europe. When she showed a small red sable dog in 1891, smaller dogs became very popular, and during her lifetime the breed's size reportedly halved. Her red Pomeranian in 1888 also made red fashionable.
The first breed club was founded in England in 1891, with the first breed standard written soon afterwards. Other royal owners included Joséphine de Beauharnais and King George IV.
Temperament and behaviour
Health8 facts
A UK study found a life expectancy of 12.2 years for the Pomeranian, while a Japanese study of pet cemetery data found 14 years.
Pomeranians are prone to conditions typical of small toy breeds. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap dislocates, is common, and an English study found the highest prevalence of it in the Pomeranian of all breeds studied. Collapsed trachea, which causes a honking cough, is another well-known condition.
The breed is also significantly predisposed to alopecia X, a hair loss condition, and to gallbladder mucocoele. In a UK case study, Pomeranians made up 46.7% of atlantoaxial subluxation cases. Other recorded issues include congenital portosystemic shunt, cryptorchidism in males, and obesity. Merle-coloured dogs may have deafness or eye problems.
Pomeranians have one of the smallest average litter sizes of any breed, at roughly 1.9 to 2.7 puppies.
This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.
Sourced facts
- 1
Tracheal collapse is common in Poms.[1]
- 2
Pomeranians are significantly predisposed to alopecia X, a condition causing abnormal hair loss.[1]
- 3
Atlantoaxial subluxation appears in case studies at notable rates in Poms.[1]
- 4
Obesity is a concern - over half of Pomeranians attending clinics in one study were found to be obese.[1]
- 5
Cryptorchidism, where one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum, is a common disorder in male Pomeranians.[1]
Common questions
What is a Pomeranian?
It is a toy breed of Spitz-type dog, descended from the larger German Spitz. It is known for its fluffy coat, neck ruff and plumed tail.
How long do Pomeranians live?
A UK study found an average life expectancy of 12.2 years. A Japanese study found 14 years.
Do Pomeranians bark a lot?
They can. They are alert and somewhat defensive of their territory, so they may bark at outside noises, and this can become a habit of excessive barking.
How big do Pomeranians get?
Adults weigh about 1.36 to 3.17 kg (3 to 7 lb) and stand roughly 20 to 36 cm tall at the shoulder.
What colours do Pomeranians come in?
More than any other dog breed, including orange, black, cream, white, brown, red, blue, sable, brindle and merle. Orange, black and cream or white are the most common.
Fun facts2 facts
Two Pomeranians were among only three dogs to survive the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
The breed's size is reported to have halved during Queen Victoria's lifetime.
The first Pomeranian to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show did so in 1988.
Pomeranians are not in the UK top 20 breeds in the 2007 or 2008 listings.
Sources2
This guide was AI-drafted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and reviewed before publishing.
Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomeranian_dog
- [1]Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
- [2]Fluffifi - AI-assisted, reviewed by our team
Pomeranian guides
Looking after, getting and owning a Pomeranian
Grooming & Hygiene1 guide
Handling & Hygiene12 tips
- 1
Their thick double coat with a prominent neck ruff and feathering on the hindquarters will need thorough, careful brushing during grooming sessions.[1]
- 2
Poms are alert and quick to notice changes in their environment, so expect them to react to new sights, sounds and people.[1]
- 3
Barking at new stimuli can easily become a habitual, excessive behaviour - be prepared for a vocal dog.[1]
- 4
They are somewhat territorial and may bark at outside noises, so keep this in mind in busy or noisy handling environments.[1]
- 5
They are a toy breed, weighing only 3-7 lb, so handle them with care and ensure they cannot jump from heights.[1]
Health & Veterinary2 guides
Legal & Rights1 guide
Nutrition & Diet3 guides
Reproduction & Breeding1 guide
Not veterinary advice. General guidance to help you care for your pet. For anything specific to your animal, speak to a vet.
