I know this is late (I blame my cold 😷), but I give a big thanks to Patricia for her help in compiling the info I needed for this post while I finished Luna’s birthday post.
This week we’re looking at the little fluff balls known as Pomeranians partially because our grandma’s dog, Nanu, is half Pom and because many of my Instagram followers (shout out to all the followers of OurFluffyFam on Instagram, we love you guys!) have or are fans of this adorable little dog 😄
Descended from large sled dog breeds, the now-tiny Pomeranian has a long and interesting history. Pomeranians are often referred to as “the little dog who thinks he can.” Much like Chihuahuas, Poms have large personalities and are not deterred by their small size. They are bright-eyed, foxy-faced, solid little dogs with an active personality and the drive to compete in sports like obedience, agility, tracking, and flyball.
Their intelligence has prompted people to train some Poms as hearing assistance dogs. They also make excellent therapy dogs and bring delight and comfort to the sick and elderly in hospitals and nursing homes.
Also known as Zwergspitz, Dwarf Spitz, Loulou or, affectionately, Pom or Pom Pom. They were originally developed, though not perfected, as a breed in the Pomerania province of Germany. They descended from larger Spitz breeds, specifically the German Spitz. They used to be much larger, weighing in around 30 lbs. Queen Victoria fell in love with a sable and red Pomeranian named Marco who weighed only 12 lbs. She went on to breed more Poms and, because of Marco, she and others bred for smaller and smaller Poms. The size of Poms dropped by half during her reign even as the breed’s popularity rose.
At only 3 to 7 pounds, Poms are the smallest of the Spitz family, which includes the Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, German Spitz, Schipperke, and American Eskimo Dog.
Pomeranians are intelligent and loyal to their families. They do, however, sometimes bite off more than they can chew by challenging a larger and stronger dog with the mistaken impression they can win. Such rash and dangerous behaviors can be curbed by early and frequent socialization with dogs and other animals.
With a powerful bark much bigger than their actual size, Poms make excellent watchdogs. Due to their tendency to bark excessively, though, they should be trained early on to be quiet on command. They tend to be wary of strangers, but will be perfectly friendly once properly introduced.
Poms don’t need a lot of exercise, only one or two daily walks or play sessions. Their intelligence means they get bored easily. This can be mitigated by introducing new games and tricks for them to learn. Puzzle toys are also a great way to keep them entertained. Training should be kept short and fun with plenty of treats, pets, and praise as Poms are known to have a short attention span.
Pomeranians adapt well to apartment living and can live comfortably in both small or large households. Not overly dependent upon their owners, Poms can be left alone for moderate amounts of time without worry. Small children are not recommended as they can accidentally hurt these little dogs with their small frame and thin legs.
They come in a wide variety of solid colors, with red, orange, white or cream, blue, brown, or black being the most common. Rarely, you might see a white Pom with colored markings (called parti-colored), or a black and tan one, or even an orange and sable one.
Although they have a double coat, it is easy to take care of and usually only requires a regular, weekly brushing, perhaps less if they spend most of their time indoors. Because of their double coat, they do pretty well in the cold, but one should still keep an eye on them. Hot temperatures can be a problem because of their thick coat. They can overheat easily, and owners should keep an especially close eye on them on hot days. It is recommended they not be left outside alone for extended periods of time.
Discipline is important for Poms. They are good at learning tricks, but will take over the leadership role if no one else steps up. This behavior should not be encouraged as they can then become snappy and difficult to control. They can be hard to housetrain, and crate training is highly recommended. Once housetrained, it shouldn’t be difficult to train them to potty on puppy pads if one lives in a high rise apartment.
If you are interested in adopting or purchasing a Pomeranian, please do your research. Without the proper training and socialization, Poms can be headstrong, yappy, and difficult to control. If they have the right training and frequent socialization, however, these little dogs can be wonderful companions for just about anyone! They’re intelligent, loyal, loving, active, and floofy dogs with a personality to match!
Fun Fact: 2 Pomeranians were among the 3 dogs that survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1812.
Do you or have you owned a Pomeranian? Please tell us about him/her in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your experiences with the breed.
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