Breeds 101: Meet the Pomeranian

Today’s “Breeds 101” focuses on the Pomeranian. The Pomeranian has a larger than life presence when entering a room despite its small stature. Poms have been seen seated next to queens in the past, and they are very popular today coming 23rd out of 195 on the AKC most popular breeds list.

Officially a member of the toy group, Poms also belong to an unofficial family group called the “Spitz Group.” Pomeranians originate from much larger Spitz-type sled dogs that were from the arctic regions. It was in Pomerania, where the dog, aided by Queen Victoria, reached its much smaller size and gained its namesake.

According to the AKC Breed Standard the Pomeranian is a “compact, short-backed, active toy dog of Nordic descent. The double coat consists of a short dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured longer outer coat. The heavily plumed tail is one of the characteristics of the breed. It is set high and lies flat on the back.” Poms can also come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

While very small in size, standing only 6-7 inches high and weighing 3-7 pounds, they have a huge personality. Poms are known to be very inquisitive with an animated gait and smiling face.

The Pomeranian is a bold and fiercely charismatic pup in a pint size package that has been beloved for centuries.

Easily recognizable with its thick double coat, the Pom does require regular maintenance to keep comfortable and mat free. It is best to have an at home brushing routine in addition to regularly scheduled professional grooming.

As a member of the toy group, a common medical concern is a luxating patella. Other conditions the Pom is typically screened for include “hypothyroidism, collapsing tracheas, congestive heart failure, seizures, and alopecia X (black skin disease).” Overall, these small dogs are generally very healthy and have a longer lifespan of 12-16 years.

Due to their small size, while out playing it is important to keep a watchful eye on them as they are known to be escape artists. Poms can also be mistaken as small prey by large birds so they shouldn’t be left out in a large open area unsupervised.

Pomeranians have a long history of being beloved, famous Pom owners include: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Marie Antoinette, Paris Hilton, and Sylvester Stallone. Pomeranians haven’t always needed a famous human counterpart though, there are many well known Poms that made a mark on their own. Some of these famous Pomeranians include Boo and Jiff Pom.