Pomeranian
The smallest German Spitz: a confident, fluffy toy dog with a fox-like face and a big voice.
At a glance
- Size
- Toy
- Height at the withers
- 18–22 cm
- Weight
- 1.5–3.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Exercise
- 30–45 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- Orange, Cream, Sable, Black, White, Brown, Wolf grey, Black and tan
- Bred for
- Companionship
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 97 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 5/5 – Very high |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- live in a flat or small home
- want a lively, portable companion
- enjoy grooming
Think twice if you …
- have toddlers or very boisterous children
- dislike barking
- want a robust hiking partner
Care
Temperament
Pomeranians are confident, curious and affectionate, often unaware of their small size. They are alert and quick to bark.
Exercise
Two short walks a day plus indoor play are usually enough. They enjoy trick training and small-scale agility.
Grooming
Brush the thick double coat a few times a week, more during shedding. Daily tooth brushing is worth the effort.
Training
They learn fast with rewards but can be stubborn about house training. Teach calm behaviour around visitors and a quiet cue early.
Health
Patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, dental problems, heart conditions and coat loss (alopecia X) are known. Ask the breeder for knee, eye and heart results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Kneecaps (patella)
- Eye examination
- Heart
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Pomeranian is the smallest size of the German Spitz, named after the historical region of Pomerania on the Baltic coast. Early Pomeranians were larger, and British breeders, encouraged by Queen Victoria's interest, selected for smaller dogs in the 19th century. The FCI calls it the Zwergspitz or Pomeranian.
Poms are bright, bold and lively, and they like to be involved. They suit flats and quieter homes, but are fragile around rough play and small children. They are prone to barking and need training like any other dog, not just carrying.
Did you know?
Queen Victoria kept many Pomeranians, including a favourite named Marco, and helped make the smaller size fashionable in Britain.