Pomeranian Dog Breed: Facts, Size, Colors and Temperament

What a Pomeranian Looks Like: Size, Weight and Coat

A Pomeranian is a compact, square little dog with a wedge-shaped head, small pointed ears, a fox-like face and a plumed tail that lies flat over the back. The coat makes them look much bigger than they are: under the fluff, most adults weigh under 7 lb (3.2 kg).

• Weight: the AKC standard is 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.2 kg), with 4 to 6 lb (1.8 to 2.7 kg) as the ideal for show dogs. The UK Kennel Club asks for 1.8 to 2.5 kg (4 to 5.5 lb), with females slightly heavier than males.
• Height: about 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm) at the shoulder. The breed standards set weight, not height.
• Coat: two layers. A soft, dense undercoat holds up a long, straight, harsh outer coat, with a thick ruff around the neck and chest and feathering on the legs and tail.

Pet Pomeranians from rescue or from older lines are sometimes heavier than the standard. A 9 lb Pom is still a Pomeranian. Ask your vet for a healthy target weight for your dog’s frame rather than chasing a number.

Pomeranian Temperament: What They Are Like at Home

Pomeranians are confident, curious and very attached to their people. Most behave as if they were much larger dogs, which is part of their charm and part of what owners need to manage.

• Affectionate but independent: many Poms love to sit close to their person, yet plenty prefer to walk on their own feet rather than be carried.
• Alert and vocal: they notice everything and bark to tell you about it. This makes them good doorbells, and it can annoy neighbors if you do not teach a quiet cue early.
• Bright and quick to learn: they pick up tricks fast and do well in obedience, rally and agility, but they get bored with repetition.
• Bold with bigger dogs: a Pom may challenge a dog ten times its size. Keep greetings with large dogs calm and supervised.

With early, gentle socialization, most Pomeranians are friendly with visitors and get along with other pets, including cats.

Pomeranian Colors and Markings

Pomeranians come in almost two dozen colors and patterns. Orange and red are the classic colors, but you will also see cream, white, black, blue, brown and sable, plus the patterns below.

• Sable: dark-tipped hairs over a lighter base color.
• Parti: a white base with patches of another color.
• Brindle: dark stripes over a solid color.
• Tan points: tan markings above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest and legs, for example black and tan.
• Merle: a mottled, patchy pattern. The UK Kennel Club does not accept merle in the breed.

No color is healthier or better behaved than another. The AKC standard judges all colors equally. Be wary of sellers who charge more for a “rare” color: a fair price reflects health testing and care, not coat color.

Fox Face, Teddy Bear, Throwback and Teacup: What the Labels Mean

You will see Pomeranians advertised under many labels. None of them is a separate breed or an official type.

• Fox face: a Pom with a slightly longer muzzle and a fox-like expression. This is close to what the breed standards describe.
• Teddy bear: usually a Pom with a shorter muzzle and rounder face, or a Pom with a short, rounded “teddy bear” haircut. It is a look, not a type.
• Throwback: a term some sellers use for a larger Pom that resembles older, heavier spitz dogs. It is still a Pomeranian.
• Teacup, micro, mini or pocket: marketing words, not sizes. There is one Pomeranian breed, with a standard of 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.2 kg).

Dogs bred to be smaller than the standard carry real risks. Very tiny puppies are prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and crowded teeth, and the UK Kennel Club lists an open soft spot on the skull (fontanelle) in adult dogs as a concern. Be careful with any seller who promises a “teacup” adult weight, asks for a deposit before you meet the puppy and its mother, or offers to ship a puppy you have not seen. These are common signs of a puppy mill or a scam.

Where the Pomeranian Comes From

The Pomeranian takes its name from Pomerania, a region on the Baltic coast that is now part of Germany and Poland. It is the smallest of the spitz breeds and descends from larger spitz dogs related to the sled and working dogs of the far north.

The breed was first seen in Britain around 1870. Queen Victoria became one of its most famous fans in the late 1800s: she kept as many as 35 Pomeranians in her kennels and showed her dogs in London. Royal interest made the breed fashionable, and breeders selected for smaller dogs until the Pom reached the toy size we know today.

Today the Pomeranian is a member of the Toy Group in both the US and the UK.

Pomeranian Health and Lifespan

Most Pomeranians live 12 to 16 years. Like many toy breeds, they have a few health problems that are worth knowing about before you bring one home.

• Dental disease: small mouths mean crowded teeth that build up tartar quickly. Brush daily if you can and ask your vet about dental checks.
• Collapsing trachea: weak windpipe rings cause a dry, honking cough, often worse with excitement or pulling on the leash. Walk your Pom on a harness, not a collar.
• Kneecap problems (patellar luxation): the kneecap slips out of place, so the dog skips or runs on three legs for a few steps. It is common in toy breeds.
• Alopecia X (black skin disease): hair loss on the body and tail with darkened skin, usually starting in young adults. It is not painful or itchy, but a vet should rule out other causes.
• Low blood sugar in tiny puppies: very small puppies can become weak or wobbly if they miss meals. Feed small, frequent meals.
• Eye problems: the UK Kennel Club recommends eye testing for breeding dogs.

See your vet if you notice coughing, limping, hair loss, bad breath or a change in appetite or energy. For a fuller look at life expectancy and how to help your dog live longer, read how long a Pomeranian lives.

Grooming, Exercise and Daily Care

A Pomeranian is easy to exercise but takes real work to groom.

• Brushing: brush down to the skin two or three times a week, and daily during heavy shedding in spring and fall. A slicker brush and a metal comb handle most coats.
• Bathing and trims: bathe every month or two. Many owners book a professional groomer every 4 to 6 weeks for a tidy-up. Our Pomeranian grooming guide walks through brushing, bathing and trims at home.
• Exercise: up to 30 minutes a day is enough, split into short walks and indoor games. Poms are quick escape artists, so check fences and gates. For walks, see our guide to choosing a harness for a Pomeranian.
• Food: feed a complete small-breed food in measured portions. Extra weight is hard on small knees and windpipes.
• Teeth and nails: brush teeth daily and trim nails every few weeks.

Training a Pomeranian: Barking, Potty Training and Socialization

Pomeranians are smart and learn quickly with short, upbeat sessions and food rewards. Harsh corrections backfire with this sensitive, stubborn little breed.

• Barking: teach a quiet cue early and reward calm behavior at the window and door. Barking is easier to shape at 4 months than at 4 years.
• Potty training: small bladders mean frequent trips outside, especially for puppies. Use a set routine and praise every success. See our Pomeranian potty training guide.
• Socialization: introduce new people, sounds, dogs and places gently while your Pom is young. Our Pomeranian socialization guide has a step-by-step plan.
• Handling: practice touching paws, ears and mouth from day one so grooming and vet visits stay calm.

For basic cues, leash manners and fixing problem behavior, read how to train a Pomeranian.

Is a Pomeranian a Good Fit for Your Home?

A Pomeranian is a good match if you want a small, lively companion that likes being part of everything you do.

• Good fit: adults, couples, retirees and families with older children who can handle a small dog gently; apartment and city living; people who are home a lot or can take a small dog with them.
• Think twice: homes with toddlers or very young children, since a fall or a squeeze can injure a 5 lb dog; shared walls where barking will be a problem; anyone who does not want to brush a dog several times a week.
• Other pets: most Poms live happily with cats and other small dogs if introduced slowly. Supervise play with large dogs.

Similar Tiny Breeds to Compare

If you like the Pomeranian’s size and spirit, these breeds are worth a look:

• German Spitz: the Pom’s closest relative, a little larger, with the same fluffy coat.
• Japanese Spitz: an all-white spitz, larger than a Pom, often calmer and less vocal.
• Papillon: a toy breed with a long, silky single coat that is easier to brush.
• Chihuahua: even smaller, with a short or long coat and a similar bold character.

Adopting a Pomeranian: Start With Rescue

Pomeranians often end up in shelters and rescues, especially adults surrendered when an owner’s circumstances change. Adopting gives a grown dog a second home, and you will know the dog’s adult size, coat and character before you commit.

1. Search your local shelters and humane societies, and filter adoption websites by “Pomeranian” and “Pomeranian mix”.
2. Contact a breed-specific Pomeranian rescue in your state, province or region. Many place dogs through foster homes, so you can ask how the dog behaves in a real house.
3. Meet the dog, ask about its health records and dental history, and check how it reacts to children or pets in your home.
4. Prepare your home before pick-up: a harness, a small bed, food, bowls, a slicker brush and secure gates.

If you choose a breeder instead, visit in person, meet the mother, ask to see health checks for patellas and eyes, and walk away from anyone selling “teacup” puppies or offering to ship a puppy you have not met.

Tiny Loving Canines is not a rescue and does not rehome or sell dogs. We point you to shelters and rescues so you can find the right Pom near you.

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