Pet Care Home
Animal-World > Dogs > Toy Dogs > Pomeranian

Pomeranian

Dwarf Spitz, Toy German Spitz, Pom, Zwergspitz

Family: CanidaePomeranian PictureCanis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough
Latest Reader Comment - See More
I want to buy a pom puppy.   Kevin

   The Pomeranian is a classy looking toy breed, being small and fluffy with a fox-like face.

  Pomeranians are lively and smart. They are also independent and strong-willed. Many people fall in love with this little fluffy dog because of its beautiful presentation. It smiling wedge-shaped face, dark almond shaped eyes, and button nose are simply enchanting.

The Pomeranian or Dwarf Spitz is one of the small dog breeds, and is affectionately called the the Pom. They are great companion dogs for adults and older children. If this toy dog is properly socialized, it can also usually get along well with other pets. They catch on quickly when training, and can learn lots of tricks. When selecting a Pomeranian, pay special attention to the condition of its eyes and teeth. It is also advisable to check bloodlines for hereditary problems.


Common Name(s)   Pomeranian, Zwergspitz, Dwarf Spitz, Toy German Spitz, Pom

Breed Type   The Pomeranian is a toy breed, and is intended to be a house pet. The Pomeranian is rather sensitive to heat, so it does best in fairly cool climates.

Background   The Pomeranian's origins go back to sled dogs from Greenland and Lapland. Selective breeding by English breeders reduced the breed's size. The Pomeranian is known for being very popular among royalty. Queen Victoria made Pomeranians very popular in late 1800's and many famous people at that time had Poms as pets. The Pomeranian is now a member of the American Kennel Club toy group, originally they were classified in the miscellaneous group until 1892 when the AKC classified them into the toy dog group.

Description   Pomeranians are very small and fluffy. They have a fox-like face, usually dark eyes, and pointed ears. They are most commonly solid colored, but some are parti-colored. Their average height is 7-12 inches, and they usually weigh between 3 and 7 pounds. They can be found in a wide variety of colors such as orange, red, white, blue, brown, black and cream.

Care and Feeding   Pomeranians do best on a diet of dry food due to the likelihood of tooth and gum problems. Foods containing fish, beef, and wheat are recommended. Giving the dog teeth cleaning chews is also a good idea.
  Pomeranians need frequent brushing. They can be cleaned with dry shampoo as needed. Their eyes and ears need special attention, and should be cleaned each day. It's also important to take good care of their teeth, brushing them at least once a week.
  Pomeranians need annual checkups to keep them healthy. Vaccinations should be given as follows:

  • 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
  • 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
  • 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
  • Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster

  Poms shed heavily, so frequent vacuuming is a must. It's also best not to leave blankets and pillows lying around on the furniture, because your Pomeranian can curl up under them for a nap and potentially be sat on.

Housing Your Dog   Pomeranians are indoor dogs, and they are quite content in small apartments. They are active and love to play with small dog toys. They may become overheated in hot weather, so it is best to keep them inside in the air conditioning if possible.

Social Behaviors   Pomeranians can do well with other pets, as long as they are familiar with them. They are independent, yet they make wonderful companions for adults, the elderly, and older children. They tend to get nervous around young children.

Handling and Training   When training a Pomeranian, being firm is the key to success. They have minds of their own, and trainers must let them know who is boss. They can learn to do tricks, and they usually respond well to crate training. They also make great show dogs.

Activities   Pomeranians need regular exercise, but not as much of it as larger breeds. Short daily walks and regular play sessions should take care of their activity needs.

Breeding/Reproduction   When considering a mate for a Pomeranian, it is important to research the potential mate's bloodline. Pomeranians are susceptible to a number of hereditary problems. Females sometimes need Cesarean sections when giving birth, especially if they are very small.

Common Health Problems   Frequent ailments of Pomeranians include slipped stifle, dislocated kneecaps, eye infections, heart problems, and skin disorders. Regular visits to the veterinarian will help keep your Pomeranian in good health and aid in early detection of these problems.

Availability   Pomeranians are easier to find in some areas than in others, but most people can locate nearby breeders. They are available in some pet stores as well. Prices vary, and can range from $350 to $1,000 or more.

References "Pomeranian", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
"Pomeranian (dog)", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Pomeranian", Referenced online, 2008
"Pomeranian Puppies for Sale", Copyright PuppyFind.com, LLC, Referenced online, 2008

Lastest Comments on Pomeranian

Kevin - 2011-08-12
I want to buy a pom puppy.

Click For Replies (2)
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-08-13
    So, are you going to do it?
  • krysta - 2012-02-01
    i have one
Reply
krysta - 2012-02-01
how do stop the puppes anger.

Reply
willow - 2012-01-28
I love Pomeranians to bits, but I am greiving as I have had to make the hardest choice I or any of you will ever have to make and that is to put your best mate to sleep when their time comes. Our girl was 20 yrs old.And we still miss her and will for a while yet. Leuka passed away Dec 21 2011.
Now she is at peace.

Reply
Anonymous - 2011-12-13
I love dogs

Click For Replies (1)
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-12-14
    Me too
Reply
Roberta - 2011-09-21
I have a female pom and she is pregnent how long does it take before they have thier puppies. i love my baby she is a good dog to have around , she is so loving I got her as a abused dog and to this day she is scared of loud noises.

Click For Replies (1)
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-09-21
    Dogs are pregnant from 55 - 63 days. So about 55 - 63 days from the time she did "IT" you should have puppies. Congratulations it is fun. It is work but it is fun. Be prepared ahead of time - OK?
Reply
Joy - 2008-09-17
This is the cutiest dog ever!

Click For Replies (1)
  • Emily Hessipon & KATE ♥ - 2011-09-19
    Yup, sure is (((((:
Reply

Click to see more Toy Dogs
Back to Toy Dogs

Connect with us on Facebook Watch us on YouTube Follow us on Twitter

Click to see Pomeranian - Trouble
Pomeranian - Trouble
by nancy blood
Click to see Pomeranian-Papillion Dog, Gizmo
Pomeranian-Papillion Dog
by Madeline Knoll

 
After installing a newsreader, click on this icon to download Animal-World XML/RSS feed.After installing a newsreader, click on this icon to download Animal-World XML/RSS feed.

International Index Pages
[French] [German] [Japanese] [Portuguese] [Spanish] [Russian] [Simplified Chinese] [Traditional Chinese]


Copyright © [Animal-World] 1998-2011. All rights reserved.
Using cached version