Pomeranian Dog Breed: Facts, Personality, Care & History

Quick answer: The Pomeranian is a small toy dog breed from the spitz family, named after the Pomerania region of Poland and Germany. Poms weigh 3 to 7 pounds, have a thick double coat, and are lively, smart and alert. They usually live about 12 to 16 years.

The Pomeranian is a tiny, fluffy toy dog breed with a fox-like face, pointed ears and a curled tail that rests over its back. Most Pomeranians weigh just 3 to 7 pounds, yet they act like much bigger dogs: bold, curious and always ready to sound the alarm.

Pomeranian Quick Facts

Name	Pomeranian
Breed of	Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Canidae
Breed group	Toy Group (AKC)
Weight	3–7 lb (1.4–3.2 kg)
Height	About 6–7 in at the shoulder
Lifespan	About 12–16 years
Coat	Thick double coat; many colors
Origin	Pomerania (Poland and Germany)

Pomeranians, often called “Poms,” belong to the spitz family of dogs, the same big group that includes sled dogs and other thick-coated northern breeds. This guide covers where the breed came from, what Poms are like to live with, and how to keep one happy and healthy.

Where Pomeranians Come From

The breed is named after Pomerania, a region along the Baltic Sea coast that today is part of northern Poland and northeastern Germany. The dogs there were not tiny lapdogs at first. They descended from larger spitz-type dogs, sturdy working dogs with thick double coats that helped herd animals and guard homes in cold northern lands.

Over many generations, breeders chose smaller and smaller dogs to have puppies. Slowly the breed shrank from a medium-sized working dog into the little companion we know today.

Queen Victoria and the Small Pom

Pomeranians became famous in Britain thanks to royal fans. Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed in the late 1800s and brought a small Pomeranian back from a trip to Italy. She kept and bred Poms and showed them at dog shows. Because the queen preferred smaller dogs, small Pomeranians became fashionable, and breeders worked to make them even tinier. Some modern Poms that look more like the older, larger type are nicknamed throwback Pomeranians.

Size and Appearance

The American Kennel Club (AKC) places the Pomeranian in its Toy Group. The AKC breed standard calls for a weight of 3 to 7 pounds, and most Poms stand roughly 6 to 7 inches tall at the shoulder. That makes them one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, alongside dogs like the Chihuahua and the Yorkshire Terrier.

A Pomeranian has a short, compact body, a wedge-shaped head, small upright ears and bright, dark, almond-shaped eyes. Its fluffy tail is set high and lies flat over the back. With all that fur, a Pom often looks like a little puffball.

Coat and Colors

Pomeranians have a double coat. The undercoat is soft, short and thick, while the outer coat is longer, straight and a bit harsh to the touch. The fur stands out from the body, and a thick ruff of hair circles the neck and chest like a lion’s mane.

Poms come in more colors than almost any other breed. Some common ones include:

• Orange and red, the best-known Pom colors
• Cream and white
• Black and chocolate (brown)
• Sable, where the hairs have dark tips
• Blue (a soft gray) and beaver (a light brown)
• Parti-color (white with patches of another color) and merle (mottled patches)

Personality

Pomeranians are lively, friendly and full of confidence. They love attention and like to stay close to their families, following them from room to room. Many Poms seem to have no idea how small they are and will happily stand up to a much larger dog, which is one reason owners need to watch them carefully at the dog park.

Poms are curious and alert, so they notice everything going on around them. They can be a little cautious with strangers at first but usually warm up quickly. Because they are so small, they do well in apartments, as long as they get daily play and attention.

Intelligence and Training

Pomeranians are clever dogs that learn quickly. They can master basic dog training commands such as sit, stay and come, and many enjoy learning tricks. If you want to know more, see our guide to whether Pomeranians are smart.

Being smart also means Poms can be stubborn or try to get their own way. Training works best when it is short, fun and positive:

• Use small treats and praise to reward good behavior.
• Keep lessons to a few minutes so your Pom does not get bored.
• Be patient and consistent, with everyone in the family using the same words.
• Start early, and gently introduce your puppy to new people, sounds and places.

House-training can take extra time with tiny dogs, because they have small bladders and accidents are easy to miss. Our tips on potty training a small dog can help.

Do Pomeranians Bark a Lot?

Pomeranians are known for being barky. They make good little watchdogs because they bark at visitors, noises outside and anything new. Boredom, excitement and wanting attention can also set off barking. Training a Pom to stop barking on a cue word, and giving it enough exercise and play, can keep the noise down. Find out more in do Pomeranians bark a lot.

Exercise and Feeding

Poms are energetic, but their small legs mean they do not need hours of exercise. A couple of short walks each day plus some indoor games is usually plenty. They love chasing toys and playing fetch in a hallway. Because they are small and fluffy, they can get too hot in summer and chilly in winter, so short outings work best in extreme weather.

A Pomeranian eats only a small amount of food each day, so every bite counts. A good-quality dog food made for small breeds, served in measured portions, helps keep a Pom at a healthy weight. Read about the best foods for Pomeranians for ideas, and ask a vet how much your dog should eat.

Grooming a Pomeranian

That beautiful fluffy coat needs regular care. Brushing a Pom two or three times a week, right down to the skin, removes loose fur and stops mats from forming. Poms shed all year, and they shed more heavily once or twice a year when they “blow” their undercoat. A pin brush, a slicker brush and a metal comb are handy dog grooming supplies for the job.

Do not shave a Pomeranian. The double coat helps protect the dog’s skin from sun, heat and cold. Shaving it can damage the coat, and the fur may grow back patchy or not at all. A light trim to tidy the feet, ears and rear end is fine.

Other grooming jobs include trimming the nails, checking the ears and, very importantly, cleaning the teeth. Small dogs often have crowded teeth, so regular brushing matters. See our tips for caring for your dog’s teeth.

Health and Lifespan

Pomeranians are long-lived for dogs, often reaching about 12 to 16 years. Like all breeds, they can have certain health problems. Some that are often talked about in Poms include:

• Dental problems, because small mouths can crowd the teeth
• Luxating patella, a kneecap that can slip out of place
• Collapsing trachea, a weakness in the windpipe that can cause a honking cough
• Coat and skin problems, including hair loss in some dogs

Using a harness instead of a collar can help protect a Pom’s delicate neck. If you notice anything unusual, such as limping, coughing or changes in eating, ask a vet. Regular checkups help catch problems early. Owners who breed their dogs should also learn the signs of a pregnant Pomeranian and work closely with a vet.

Are Pomeranians Good with Kids?

Pomeranians are affectionate and playful, and they can be wonderful family pets. However, they are small and fragile. A Pom can be hurt if it is dropped, stepped on or squeezed, and a frightened dog may snap. For these reasons, Poms usually do best with older children who know how to handle a dog gently.

If there are small children in the home, an adult should always supervise. Teach kids to sit on the floor to hold the dog, and never to pick it up without help. Thinking about these things ahead of time is part of choosing the right puppy for your lifestyle.

Fun Facts About Pomeranians

• Pomeranians are part of the spitz family, which includes much larger sled dogs.
• Pom puppies often go through an “ugly” stage when their puppy fluff falls out before the adult coat grows in.
• Two Pomeranians are reported to have survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
• Poms come in more than a dozen colors and patterns.
• Despite weighing about as much as a large bag of sugar, many Poms think they are guard dogs.

Small, smart and full of personality, the Pomeranian packs a lot of dog into a tiny body. With gentle handling, regular grooming and plenty of attention, a Pom can be a loyal friend for many years.

Pomeranian FAQs