Pomeranian

Personality

PetMD describes Pomeranians as having large personalities in tiny bodies: sassy, spunky and often with the confidence of a much larger dog. They are intelligent, enjoy learning and love attention. Despite their size, they like their independence and generally prefer to walk on the ground rather than be carried.

Pomeranians are alert and can be vocal. PetMD says to expect some barking, and Wikipedia notes that barking at new sights and sounds can become a habit in any situation. Train a quiet cue early.

PetMD stresses that a Pom does not grow into a polite, friendly dog on its own. Without training and socialization, behaviors such as excessive barking, reactive behavior, separation anxiety and hyperactivity can emerge.

Poms generally do well with other pets, per PetMD, and make good companions for families, singles and older adults. But their small size makes them fragile, so they may not suit homes with young children, who can injure them with rough play or by dropping them.

History

The Pomeranian is named for Pomerania, a region along the Baltic coast that lies in present-day northern Poland and Germany. Wikipedia says the breed descends from the German Spitz. The earliest Pomeranians were much larger than today's dogs: the American Pomeranian Club, cited by PetMD, puts them at about 30 lb (14 kg), and says they were used for herding.

British royalty shaped the modern breed. Wikipedia says Queen Charlotte brought two Pomeranians to England in 1767, and that her granddaughter Queen Victoria established a large breeding kennel. Victoria adopted a small red Pomeranian in 1888, and when she exhibited a small red sable named Marco in 1891, smaller dogs became popular and breeders began selecting for size. Over her lifetime, the size of the breed is reported to have dropped by half.

The first breed club was set up in England in 1891. According to Wikipedia, the first Pomeranian was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1898, and the breed was recognized in 1900. Today the AKC lists the Pomeranian at 6-7 in (15-18 cm) and 3-7 lb (1.4-3.2 kg), and the breed ranks 22nd in popularity.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Pomeranian is a compact, sturdy toy dog with a thick double coat that gives it a rounded, fluffy look. The AKC lists height at 6-7 in (15-18 cm) and weight at 3-7 lb (1.4-3.2 kg).

PetMD describes the look as a foxlike face, a thick scruff around the neck, a square body and a fluffy double coat. Wikipedia adds that the coat is abundant and textured, with a highly plumed tail set high and flat over the back.

Colors vary widely. PetMD lists tri-colored, sable, brindle, merle, white and black dogs, among many others, and Wikipedia's photos show orange, red sable, cream, chocolate and tan. Wikipedia says the earliest Pomeranians were white or occasionally brown or black, and that red became fashionable after Queen Victoria adopted a small red Pom in 1888.

Very tiny dogs sold as teacup Pomeranians are a marketing label. PetMD says breeding Poms to be even smaller can cause significant health issues, and advises being wary of any breeder who claims to sell teacup puppies.

Training

Pomeranians are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement, according to PetMD. They enjoy mentally stimulating activities such as training games, puzzle toys and flirt poles, and they do well at obedience and agility. Keep sessions positive, be consistent and use patience.

Start early. Teach the basics, such as sit, down, come and leave-it, with small treats and short, upbeat sessions. Work on loose-leash walking, and use a harness rather than a collar. PetMD recommends a harness for any Pom with tracheal collapse, because pressure on the neck can make coughing worse.

Barking is the main challenge. Do not yell, since it can sound like you are joining in. Instead teach a quiet cue, reward silence and limit your dog's view of whatever sets it off.

Socialization is essential. PetMD says you should not expect a Pomeranian puppy to grow into a friendly, well-mannered dog without investing in training and socialization. Expose your puppy to a range of people, dogs and sounds in a safe way.

Because Poms need a lot of grooming, get your dog used to being touched all over so grooming appointments go calmly. See our crate training guide for house training help.

Exercise

Pomeranians do not need extensive outdoor activity because of their small size. PetMD says that although they are high-energy, they can get plenty of exercise running around the home and on short neighborhood walks. Fetch, agility, obedience training, flirt poles and puzzle toys are all good outlets for the breed.

Mental stimulation matters as much as physical exercise. A clever little dog that is bored can bark more, so mix in training games and puzzle toys.

Use a harness rather than a collar. The breed is prone to tracheal collapse, which shows up as a goose-honk cough, and PetMD advises a harness when outside because neck pressure can make coughing worse. Try to avoid situations that overexcite your dog, and avoid irritants such as tobacco smoke.

Watch your Pom outdoors. PetMD warns that small, fluffy dogs look like prey species such as rabbits, and predatory birds and other animals may mistake them for food. Keep your dog on a leash or in a securely fenced area, and stay close.

Because of the thick coat, keep your Pom cool in warm weather, offer water, and never leave a dog in a parked car.

Grooming

That cloud of fur needs consistent care. PetMD says the coat requires daily upkeep to stay free of tangles and mats, and recommends brushing at least two or three times a week, and daily during the shedding seasons of spring and fall.

PetMD notes that because the hair is so dense and long, regular trips to a professional groomer can help. A groomer can give haircuts to keep the coat short, which makes brushing easier, and a sanitary shave around the rear end so waste does not collect in the coat.

Dogs without skin disease can usually be bathed every month or two. Pomeranians can have dry skin, so ask your vet about fish oil. Check the skin during grooming, and talk to your vet if you see redness, flakiness or lumps.

Light-colored Poms may have tear stains, which you can wipe with a dog-safe eye cleaner. Long face hair can irritate the eyes, so ask a groomer to trim it. Erect ears are less prone to infection than floppy ones, but still clean them after baths.

Dental disease is especially common in small breeds, so brush your dog's teeth every day. See our guide to brushing a dog's teeth.

Feeding

Feed a complete and balanced food that meets AAFCO standards, formulated for your dog's life stage. Puppy food is for puppies, adult food for dogs at least a year old, and senior food for older dogs. Your vet can help you choose.

Pomeranians are at higher than average risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, so how often you feed matters. PetMD says puppies should be fed frequently, in multiple meals a day, because of their high metabolism and lack of fat stores. Adults and seniors should be fed two to three times a day. The American Pomeranian Club says hypoglycemia is more common in very small or very active puppies, and that most puppies outgrow it. Ask your breeder how to recognize it.

Signs of low blood sugar include weakness, lack of appetite, stumbling, shaking, twitching muscles and seizures. If you see them, contact your vet right away.

Measure portions, since it is easy to overfeed a tiny dog. Count treats, chews and toppers in the daily total to avoid obesity. Our dog food calculator offers an estimate, and your vet can help you set a target weight.

Never give a supplement without talking to your vet first.

Health

Pomeranians are among the longer-lived breeds, with an AKC life span of 12-16 years, but they have breed-linked conditions. The American Pomeranian Club calls luxating patellas, or kneecaps that slip out of place, the most common problem. Grades one and two are common in toy breeds, and grades three and four may need surgery.

Other conditions listed by the club or PetMD include hypothyroidism, collapsing trachea, hypoglycemia, heart problems, hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, idiopathic epilepsy and eye problems such as cataracts, tear duct issues and distichiasis. Dental disease is especially common in small breeds.

Alopecia X, also called black skin disease, causes symmetrical hair loss and darkened skin. PetMD calls it a cosmetic condition of unknown cause, but you should see your vet to rule out hormonal problems. The club notes there is no test for it.

A honking cough can be tracheal collapse, which the club says can be life-threatening, so do not ignore it. Seek vet care right away for weakness, shaking, collapse or seizures.

Regular dental care, a healthy weight, a harness and annual checkups help.

Health conditions to know about

• Patellar luxation — Kneecap slips out of place, causing skipping or lameness; the most common problem in the breed, per the breed club.
• Dental disease — Small mouths mean crowding and tartar; daily brushing and professional cleanings help.
• Collapsing trachea — Weakened windpipe rings cause a honking cough; use a harness and see a vet.
• Alopecia X — Symmetrical hair loss and darkened skin of unknown cause; no test exists, so see a vet to rule out other causes.
• Hypoglycemia — Low blood sugar, mainly in very small puppies; weakness, shaking or seizures need prompt veterinary care.
• Hypothyroidism — Underactive thyroid, described as very common in the breed by the breed club; thyroid testing is optional.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease — Hip bone degeneration in young dogs, causing slowly worsening hind limb lameness.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Cardiac exam
• Eye exam
• Thyroid evaluation (optional)
• Hip evaluation (optional)
• Legg-Calve-Perthes evaluation (optional)

Read more: luxating patella.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is well suited to apartments. It is small, does not need extensive outdoor activity and loves attention. PetMD says Poms are great companions for families, singles and older adults. Barking is the main concern in shared buildings, so plan for training.

The breed is best in homes with adults or older, gentle children. PetMD says that because Poms are small, rough play or dropping them can cause injuries and even broken bones, so young children must be supervised closely.

The thick double coat holds heat, so keep your Pom cool in summer with air conditioning, shade and water, and never leave a dog in a parked car. For cold weather, watch your dog's comfort and add a jacket if it seems chilly.

Poms can develop separation anxiety without proper training and socialization, per PetMD. Introduce alone time gradually, give your dog a safe spot and keep to a routine.

Supervise outdoors. A tiny dog can slip through small gaps, and PetMD warns that predatory birds and other animals may mistake a small, fluffy dog for prey.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Pomeranian puppy prices vary with location, bloodline and breeder. PetMD says to expect to pay at least $1,500, with some breeders charging several thousand dollars more. Be wary of anyone selling teacup puppies, since PetMD says breeding Poms to be smaller causes significant health issues.

The American Pomeranian Club, the AKC parent club, recommends health testing for patellas, heart and eyes. Thyroid, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia tests are optional. Many breeders register results with the OFA and CHIC databases, so ask to see the parents' results, and check the OFA database yourself. The club also advises checking the knees of any prospective puppy, and asking to see the parents or recent photos of them because there is no test for alopecia X.

Ask the breeder to explain how to spot low blood sugar in your puppy.

Puppies should be raised in the home, well socialized and not go to new homes before eight weeks. Be cautious of sellers with many litters, shipping offers or pressure to pay quickly. Always see the puppy and its mother in person or by live video.

Pomeranian rescues and shelters sometimes have adult dogs, which can be a good fit if you want to skip the fragile puppy stage. Budget for grooming and dental care either way.