This little guy is more than just a walking ball of fluff. A miniaturized version of the German Spitz, this five pound dog has character six times its weight.
The Pomeranian is an extroverted, curious dog that insists on its involvement in everything the owner does. While they may be damaged by toddlers, the breed makes an excellent playmate for older, more responsible kids due to its high energy and desire for personal involvement.
Grooming should be treated as a fun activity, as the owner will be doing their fair share on a daily basis. Pomeranians could be accidentally injured by larger dogs, so it is recommended that they stay separated at designated small dog areas at dog parks.
The Pomeranian is happy anywhere as long as it is in the company of its owner.
Pomeranian History
An initial gaze at the Pomeranian would never inspire images of robust sled dogs. Yet, as history shows, these are the descendants of the Icelandic sled dogs called the Spitz. They also flourished as working dogs across Europe, making effective herders.
But the rise of the fancy Victorian Era made smaller dogs more fashionable, and thus began the miniaturization process through selective breeding. Queen Victoria’s favorite dog was the Pomeranian, evidenced by her request to have one beside her on her deathbed.
The 1911 American Pomeranian Club contributed to the dog’s popularity after it was officially recognized by the AKC in 1900.
Although popular culture depicts Pomeranians as snooty pets for the rich, the reality is that they are popular among all demographics regardless of class or age.
Typically stereotyped as the quintessential “little yappy dog,” the Pomeranian is highly dependent on its owner. With a natural sense of entitlement, the dog can be easily spoiled and become bratty.
Proper socialization is needed at a young age, lest its high energy and curiosity cause it to chase cats and other small animals.
This dog is also ideal for elderly owners who spend much of their time indoors. On top of that, their small size makes it virtually impossible to cause any harm to an elderly person no matter how playful they are.
Expect to thoroughly train this dog. Without strict obedience and ground rules, the Pomeranian will tend to treat its owners as servants. Because they respond well to training, the dog can be broken of its loud and obnoxious habits.
An ideal Pomeranian is caring, attentive, loyal, manageable, and a decorative addition to any household.
In addition to grooming it is important for Pomeranians to receive excellent dental care. They are prone to tooth loss; so regular cleaning is a must. Dry food is recommended to aid in keeping teeth and gums healthy.
Pomeranians respond best to firm commands and are quick to learn. They are easily trained in obedience. Their barking must be controlled or they will do so incessantly. They may be difficult in housebreaking, but with consistency and praise do very well either going outside or in a litter box.
Common Health Issues for the Pomeranian:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Less Common Health Issues for the Pomeranian:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Addison's Disease an adrenal gland deficiency that requires lifelong hormo...
Amyloidosis abnormal protein deposits in joints, kidneys, and other organs, whic...
Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma a type of malignant tumor
Anemia A decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobi...
Aortic Stenosis malformed heart valve
Arrhythmias abnormal, erratic heartbeats
Atrial Septal Defect An atrial septal defect is a defect or hole in ...
Bacterial Skin Infections Pyoderma is the medical term used to ...
Bladder Cancer malignant tumor of the urinary bladder
Bloat potentially fatal emergency in which the stomach distends with gas and twists ou...
Blood Cell Toxins
Bone Cancer
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome one or more respiratory abnorm...
Brain Tumors cancer of the brain
Breast Adenocarcinoma malignant breast tumor
Breast Cancer malignant breast tumor
Bronchitis
Cancer
Canine Alzheimer's Disease Canine cognitive dysfunction "...
Cauda Equina Syndrome compression of the nerves in the lower spine cau...
Cerebellar Atrophy breakdown of a part of the brain leading to lack of co...
Cherry Eye protruding third-eyelid gland
Ciliary Dyskinesia failure of microscopic hairs lining the respiratory tr...
Clotting Issues
Congestive Heart Failure In congestive heart failure, the heart ...
Conjunctivitis
Coonhound Paralysis Coonhound paralysis is an acute neurologic disord...
Copper Storage Disease
Corneal Ulcers painful erosion on the surface of the eye
Crystals and Stones
Cushing's Disease overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands
Cystine Urine Crystals abnormal mineral deposits in the urine that ca...
Dancing Dobermans
Deep Bacterial Skin Infections
Demodectic Mange
Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies
Dilated Cardiomyopathy disease that causes weakened heart contraction...
Dizziness
Droopy Face
Dry Eye
Ductus Arteriosus
Dudley Nose
Dyskinesia
Ectopic Ureters tubes from the kidneys that connect with the urethra rather ...
Ectropion
Elbow Dysplasia a malformed elbow joint, causing variable degrees of lamenes...
Encephalitis brain inflammation, often causing seizures, abnormal behavior, or ...
Epilepsy Epilepsy simply refers to repeated seizures.
Esophageal Stenosis
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency pancreas that produces l...
Eye Injuries
Eyelash and Eyelid Problems
Facial-Fold Dermatitis recurrent skin infections in dogs with deep fo...
False Pregnancy
Fibrosarcoma
Foot-Dragging
Heart Holes
Heart Murmurs
Heart Tumors
Hemangiosarcoma malignant tumor most often found on the spleen or the heart
Hemolytic Anemia decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's)...
Hemophilia a blood clotting deficiency
Hemophilia A A blood-clotting deficiency.
Hemophilia B a blood clotting deficiency
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis severe, potentially fatal vomiting a...
Hermaphroditism having "mixed" reproductive organs, such as both a vagina an...
Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia simply stated means an abnormal formation of th...
Hypoglycemia low blood sugar, potentially leading to seizures
Inguinal Hernia a gap in the abdominal muscles that must be closed surgicall...
Intestinal Cancer
Intussusception
Irritable Bowel Disease inflammation of the intestines, causing diar...
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca a deficiency in tear production that c...
Kidney Dysplasia malformation of one or both kidneys, potentially leading t...
Kidney Failure
Knee Injuries
Laryngeal Paralysis failure of the larynx to open fully, causing breathi...
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease disintegration of the hip joint
Leukemia
Little White Shaker Syndrome brain disorder causing severe head...
Liver Problems
Liver Tumors
Low Platelets
Lung Clots
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma a blood cell cancer affecting the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organ...
Megaesophagus an esophagus that doesn't contract properly, leading to regurgit...
Meningitis
Mouth Tumors
Multiple Myeloma
Myasthenia Gravis inability of nerve signals to control muscles, causing w...
Nerve Atrophy breakdown of nerve
Neutering
Osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis (also known as OCD) is a common, painful ...
Osteosarcoma a bone cancer
Pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas, causing severe abdominal pain and vo...
Pannus an inflammatory disease of the eyes
Panosteitis bone inflammation in growing dogs
Paralysis
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency
Platelet Deficiency blood disorder potentially leading to bruising or bl...
Pulmonic Stenosis a malformed heart valve
Pyloric Stenosis narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small int...
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency a condition causing anemia
Respiratory Tract Cancer
Retinal Dysplasia Retinal dysplasia is a type of retinal malformation.<...
Scabies Sarcoptes scabiei var canis infestation ("scabies") is a h...
Seborrhea skin disease causing severe skin flaking and, sometimes, skin infections...
Seizures
Shedding
Shock
Skin Cancer any of several malignancies that target the skin
Spinal Cord Tumors
Spinal Disk Disease disk degeneration leading to pain, weakness, or para...
Splitting Nails
Squamous Cell Carcinoma a type of skin cancer
Stomach Cancer malignant tumor in the stomach
Submissive Peeing
Swollen Ear
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus an immune-system attack on various...
Tail-Fold Dermatitis skin irritation caused by moisture and bacteria ac...
Tearstaining Tear stains are reddish/brownish marks found on the inside corn...
Territorial Aggression
Testicular Tumor cancer of a testicle
Tetralogy of Fallot a severe heart defect
Tick Paralysis Tick paralysis is an acute, progressive, ascending motor pa...
Urinary Stones rocklike mineral deposits in the kidneys or bladder that can p...
Urinary Tract Cancer Cancer of the canine urinary bladder tract.
Uterine Infection The word “pyometra” is derived from latin...
Uveodermatologic Disorder immune-system attack on the eyes and the...
Valve Disease malformation or malfunction of one or more of the four heart val...
Vascular Ring Anomaly blood vessel defect that can constrict the esoph...
Ventricular Septal Defect a hole between the lower two chambers of...
Von Willebrand's Disease A group of inherited conditions that af...
Wobbler Syndrome instability of the neck vertebrae leading to pain, leg wea...
Wobbly Kneecaps Medial patella luxation is a condition in which the ...
Wobbly Necks Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy, commonly called Wobbler&rsq...
American Pomeranian Club