If you think this member of the Toy group is just another little fluffy dog, think again! Pomeranians are shattering the dainty, fluffy dog myth! In 1996, Ollie Blue Bluster CDX, TD, OA, CGC became the first Pom to earn three performance titles. The first Pomeranian to earn an obedience title was in 1979 when OTCH Uhland’s Crème Puff Delight earned the title a year before CH Nino of Thelcolynn UD, HOF earned a championship and UD title.
Mach# Lord Peter of Bristol Court first gathered attention as the first Pom to be a flyball champion and the first Toy of any breed to get a champion title in flyball. He also holds titles in Agility.
The Achievements of Poms in Various Disciplines
Not to be outdone, several Poms have earned Rally Novice titles. Rhett Butler CDX RA (Advanced!) and Janesa’s Tiffany is an Angel earned Rally Excellent and Rally Advanced Excellent titles. The crowning moment came with another long name: CH Extane Haleigh’s Fire Dream CD, RN, NA, NAJ, CGC. These titles are not only in conformation but also in obedience, agility, and rally. Who says pretty dogs can’t do anything else?!
These dogs have shown the trainability and intelligence of the Pomeranian, setting the bar high. There is no reason for an ill-tempered, untrained Pomeranian except for the lack of time and attention from the owner.
The Pomeranian was bred down from Spitz dogs that served as sled dogs in Iceland and Lapland. The larger ancestors were capable herding dogs with sheep flocks and weighed around 30 pounds. In 1888, Queen Victoria of England received a gift of a Pom, and the trend toward smaller Poms began. In the late 1800s, they became known in the USA and were admitted to the AKC in the Miscellaneous class, not gaining their regular classification until 1900.
Today, the breed is bred with more coat than it had 100 years ago, and they possess a happy, playful, and sometimes stubborn nature. This intelligence, if unchecked, means they can easily see themselves as the top pack member. This creates a situation at odds with their small physical size, which not only makes them prone to becoming dominant and unpleasant little monsters but also may provoke a fight with larger dogs, which they will lose. As many Pomeranians have shown, they ARE trainable!
By the standard, the Pomeranian is a small dog, weighing between 3-7 pounds, with an ideal range of 4-6 pounds. Their short back should be slightly shorter than from ground to withers. The head should be balanced with the body, with a short, straight muzzle.
The crowning glory of the breed is its beautiful coat. Despite their size, they have a double coat— a soft, dense undercoat and a longer, harsher, straight outer coat. The coat may be heavier around the neck and front of the shoulders, with well-feathered legs and long hair on the tail, which can be trimmed for neatness.
A wide range of acceptable colors includes red, orange, cream, sable, black, brown, blue, white, black and tan, and blue merle, among others. The natural attitude should be outgoing, highly intelligent, and spirited.
Unless you are keeping a show dog, there is no need to maintain one in a show coat. Regular, thorough brushing will prevent tangles from becoming matted messes. Regular nail trimming is also needed, and sometimes trimming around the anus, as well as the heavy fur between their pads, can help keep your Pomeranian comfortable.
Pay attention to dental care. If you don’t feed a raw diet, make sure your Pomeranian’s teeth receive regular care not only to prolong life but to prevent other issues that can arise from poor dental hygiene.
For their own protection, you should never let your Pom run loose. They simply don’t understand the dangers of cars, larger animals, and other hazards. Compounding the issue is their small size, which means they may not be visible until it’s too late. Due to their small size, don’t overfeed them— a fat pet is not healthy and can exacerbate other issues.
The breed does have some issues with patella luxation, and it is important to understand that the legs of toy dogs mean jumping from higher distances can result in broken bones. Like many toy dogs, they can also be affected by a collapsed trachea. Coat loss issues, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, entropion, Perthes disease, and fungal infections can affect individuals in the breed.
Health Concerns to Watch For
Like several small breeds, owners should be particularly aware of seizures and hypoglycemia, especially in young Pomeranians and the very small ones. These dogs should be fed several times per day to keep their blood sugar levels steady and prevent “crashes.” Keeping honey or Karo syrup on hand can help stabilize a puppy or dog that does experience a crash faster than you can get to a vet, but don’t rely on just this any time there is a seizure.
Several health issues can be addressed with genetic testing. Keep in mind that crossbred Pomeranians often do not undergo these tests, nor do they know what genetic issues may be present that do not show up immediately. Remember the standard weight of 3-7 pounds— anyone advertising “teacup” or mini Poms is not breeding within that standard. Like other breeds plagued by the ‘teacup’ trend, these tiny dogs often have increased health problems because of their size.
Before breeding your Pomeranian, be aware of these issues. Be prepared for the possibility of needing a C-section to deliver the pups, and if these two things don’t discourage you, ensure that your Pom is a superior example of the breed. What will your Pomeranian contribute to the breed?
This is a breed that can live well into their middle teens with good care. These are truly little dogs that require a lifetime commitment. If not socialized and trained, they can be barky and will take charge if you don’t. This doesn’t mean treating your Pomeranian cruelly. It means setting rules and not accepting refusals. This can be anything from sleeping on the bed to protecting food, which can escalate to aggression if left unchecked. If it wouldn’t be funny when a Great Dane does it, then it’s equally not funny when a Pomeranian does it.
Training and grooming requirements are perhaps the two biggest issues you will need to confront. If you’re a hands-on type of dog owner who doesn’t mind brushing your dog a few times per week as a “day’s end” routine, you may well LOVE having a Pom in your home.
If you are not prepared for this and unwilling to adapt to the fragile nature and sometimes stubbornness that the breed can show, save yourself and your dog much unhappiness and consider another breed. These are wonderful dogs that can accomplish much in the right hands, but they are not a breed for everyone. Give an honest evaluation of your needs and personality, and find a dog breed and individual that fits that, not the other way around. Expecting the dog to conform to you will more often than not result in a battle, and the dog will lose.
Keep in mind that with an upper size limit, there may be wonderful pets available that are just over the size limit.
Find the right dog for you, and prepare to enjoy a pet that is lively and challenging every step of the way! Those are often the best dogs to have!
