There is a reason why they say “Dogs are a man’s best friend,’ - what is there not to love? They are cuddly, cute, and provide unconditional love. Queen Victoria had popularized this breed in the late 1800s. In fact, she had thirty-five Pomeranians at one time. If royalty had Pomeranians, then I knew I needed one too. While all dogs are beautiful, what makes the Pom breed unique? Below are some of the top characteristics found in Poms, which can help you determine whether or not a Pom would be best for you in your forever home:
Appearance: Pomeranians are generally classified as a small dog breed. An AKC standard size ranges from 3 - 8 pounds. Nonstandard Poms can get up to 15 pounds and are a bit more sturdy. They are often considered “lap dogs” and love to cuddle up in their parent’s arms.
Temperament: While all personalities are different, Pomeranians typically are alert, curious, and active. They like to be independent and take charge, so don’t be surprised if your Pomernian starts barking when around others - they tend to have “small man syndrome” and aren’t aware of how tiny they actually are. Anytime I take my dog, Sox, out for a ride, he LOVES to stick his head out the window, watch all the cars, and bark. He definitely has a large personality in such a small pup.
Living Needs: Since the Pomeranian breed is so small, they are best kept as an indoor pet - a small yard is ideal, but not required. Poms don’t take up a lot of space, so they can live in almost any sized home, but be mindful - since Poms are naturally curious, they can be escape artists so you do have to keep a close eye.
Care: Have you heard of a double coat? Well, Pomeranians have this, which makes them look so luxurious and full. Their undercoat is soft yet thick, while their outer coat is long, straight, and can be coarse. It is important that you brush your Pomeranian’s coat a few times a week in order to avoid matting and shedding. You should also aim to brush their teeth as a part of their regular routine, and take them for grooming once every four - six weeks. Their double coat is critical to regulating body temperature and overall health.
Some other personality traits that should be noted about the Pomeranian breed are:
Loving: Poms love their humans so deeply! They want to be with their parents all the time - and while it is a great feeling to be loved so much, some Poms can suffer from separation anxiety. You can mitigate this by ensuring to have plenty of exercise and ensuring you show yourself as the clear pack leader.
Friendly: Pomeranians get along with almost everyone, but since they are so small, they are not always best suited in a house full of small children. Children are curious and can unintentionally be rough with a Pom, who has small and fragile bones. It’s also important to socialize your Pomeranian as much as possible.
Brave: Many Poms are known to have “small dog syndrome” - they forget how small they actually are and aren’t afraid to bark and show who is boss.
Barking: Poms typically bark to get attention and food. The best thing to do is ignore your pup so he does not know that barking will give him what he wants, and thus inadvertently form bad habits.
Alert, Active, and Attentive: Pomeranians are very curious, so while they may not need several walks a day compared to larger dogs, they are full of energy. It’s a great idea to get some toys to throw around your home to keep your Pom entertained. Poms also love to explore new territory.
Health:
Poms are generally healthy small dogs! Responsible owners can maintain their health with regular vet visits, up-to-date vaccinations, and regular dental cleanings.
Common breed health problems include luxating patellas (where the kneecaps slip out of place), hypothyroidism, collapsing tracheas, heart failure, seizures, and alopecia. These health problems can be genetic or from their environment. Some environmental factors that contribute to problems may be from poor diet, lack of dental cleanings, or using a collar on walks.
Training:
Pomeranians are intelligent and obedient dogs, which means they do best with consistent training. They benefit from first learning to walk on a leash and coming when called. These two techniques help with potty training and establishing a bond with their adopters.
Because of their small size, I recommend preventing them from jumping on and off of high spaces like couches or beds. They can injure joints and break a bone more easily than a larger sized dog would.
Exercise:
While Poms are ideal lap dogs, they benefit from daily exercise! They can often get adequate exercise in the home by running around or playing with toys. Small tennis balls or ropes appeal to a Poms sense of agility and curiosity. Pomeranians are great on short, moderately paced walks - just be sure to pay attention to your surroundings. Unleashed dogs or predatory birds can pose risks to your Pomeranian on outdoor excursions.
There you have it - these are some of the most typical traits of the Pomeranian breed! They are adorable, curious, loving, and in our opinion the best breed! Research is going to be your best bet in making a decision of what breed will best fit your lifestyle. We hope you consider fostering, adopting, and / or donating to OC Pom Rescue as we continue to save more fur babies.
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