Having a Pomeranian is one of the most amazing experiences anyone can ever have, even if you’ve had different types of pets in the past. They’re not only one of man’s best friends, but they’re incredibly adorable, cuddly, loyal, and smart. My family and I have had numerous Pomeranians, and we wouldn’t trade them or the experiences we’ve made with them for anything.
What makes a Pomeranian so special can be equated several traits that, when combined, represent a unique pet that’ll become a perfect fit for your family. Whether the trait is physical or temperamental, it’s important to get an idea of what you’re getting yourself into when getting a Pomeranian. Even if you already have a Pomeranian or two, you may not have experienced all the traits that your Pomeranians have to offer.
So what should you know before owning a Pomeranian?
1. Coat Upkeep
A lot of dogs today must be jealous of the beautiful, puffy coat of a Pomeranian. Pomeranian coats are large and in charge, which helps them stay warm and protected from the elements. But with a great coat comes great responsibility, so it’s important that all Pomeranian parents keep their Pomeranian’s coat in good shape.
As a matter of fact, Pomeranians have two coats: an inner and outer coat. Their inner coat (aka base coat) is very dense and keeps them warm in cold weather and maybe a bit toasty during the Summers. Their outer coat is much lighter but has the purpose of protecting their inner coat from the elements. To keep their coat healthy, you should brush them every day with a high-quality brush. They’ll love the feeling and attention!
It’s important to keep their coats clean and healthy, especially the inner coat since if it’s damaged it has a low chance of growing back. Make sure that when anyone cuts your Pomeranian’s hair that they are trained professionals and know not to cut your Pomeranian’s inner coat.
2. Lots of Barking
Some people like to talk a lot, some cats like to “meow” a lot, and some dogs like to bark a lot. Pomeranians are definitely in the category of barking a lot, which can be fun at the best of times and truly annoying at the worst of times. Their social behavior seems to require they get some sort of attention from everyone around them when they have energy, and it sure is difficult to ignore.
Pomeranians have a very happy and boisterous attitude, which is evident with the amount of barking they do. However, they’re also big barkers because they’re extremely loyal and protective of their owners. While there are certainly times when they’re barking at some squirrels, strangers, or even you when they’re excited, many times, in my experience, they do it as a way to warn you so they can keep you safe. They only want the best for their parents!
3. Napoleon Complex
Have you ever seen a Pomeranian walk around and almost expect everyone to pay attention to them right away? Sometimes it feels as if they’re royalty and I’m sure they’re playing this to their advantage. They might even be in a quarrel with another bigger dog, and they just won’t back down!
Pomeranians definitely have a so-called “Napoleon complex” just like many other small dogs. As a matter of fact, they were once royalty. Queen Victoria was one of the main contributors to the creation of what we now know as the modern Pomeranian. Whether or not this is the reason for acting like a big dog in a small dogs body, it’s one of the cuter traits they have.
4. Easy to Keep In Shape
All pets need to get exercise as they need to burn the energy they store up during their many daily naps! Just like any other pet, Pomeranians also need to get their daily exercise. Whether that’s through walks, playing fetch, or running around the house, it’s an important aspect of any Pomeranian’s life especially if your Pomeranian needs to start losing weight.
With the size of a Pomeranian being so small, there’s actually not many calories to burn. Since they don’t eat a terrible amount compared to larger dogs, all they need is a short daily walk. As long as it’s something simple like going around the cul de sac or taking a short trip down the street, their small bodies will find it sufficient as a daily exercise.
5. Not 100% Kid Friendly
Many families consider getting a dog at least sometime during their lives, and who wouldn’t want to get a Pomeranian. They seem like an excellent fit for small children since they’re both around the same size. It’s almost obvious that they’d have so much fun!
The truth is that Pomeranians can get injured rather easily when playing with small children. The problem is usually that the child is still testing out the limits of their strength as they’re growing, and might hurt the Pomeranian by roughhousing a bit too much. Not only that, but since Pomeranians are fairly proud dogs, any negative interaction between the child and Pomeranian could result in the Pomeranian lashing out.
If you’re going to get a Pomeranian and you have children, make sure your children are at least three years old before getting a Pomeranian. If they’re younger and you have one already or just can’t wait, try not to leave them alone with one another so you can keep an eye on them.
6. Loyal Companions
Dogs are known to be man’s best friend because they’re arguably the most loyal animals to people on the planet. Well, Pomeranians are no different and that definitely shows in their character. They may be barking at someone to warn you of danger or they may run up to you and start spinning in circles the moment you get home.
Once you get on the good side of a Pomeranian, they’re going to stay loyal to you forever. They’ll try to protect you and keep you safe whenever they have the chance. It’s kind of funny to think about this since they’re so small, but it’s just something embedded in their genes.
7. Separation Anxiety
Dogs love their owners so much that the thought of you two separating for even a couple hours can feel like the world is collapsing for them. Pomeranians are known for being very attached to their owners, which is probably one of the reasons Pomeranians are so popular. They return the love you give them 10 fold!
However, this can cause them to experience separation anxiety whenever you leave them, even if you leave them with other people they feel safe around. For example, one of my Pomeranians (Taco) used to always get sad, start crying, and wait at the front door when I leave the house. My family said she virtually never left that spot until I get home, too!
At first, this is one of the traits that seems rather cute because they love you so much they can’t stand the thought of being away from you. However, it’s definitely not healthy and should be addressed with an experienced dog trainer who has experience with reducing separation anxiety in dogs.
8. Excited Spinning
One of the most emblematic traits from a Pomeranian is that they spin in circles non-stop whenever they get extremely excited. Whenever I come home, say the word “walk”, or even touch my Pomeranians’ dog leashes, they all start barking and spinning in circles around my feet.
Other dogs are known to spin in circles whenever they get excited, but Pomeranian parents know that it’s definitely a normal occurrence. This is really showing you how happy and excited they are about what’s to come. I like to rile them up when they start doing this so that the spins go on for a while!
9. Luxating Patella
There are several common Pomeranian health problems that all Pomeranian parents should be aware of. One of the most common of all health problems experienced by Pomeranians is a luxating patella, which is when their kneecap shifts in and out of their kneecap socket. While it’s surely uncomfortable for your Pomeranian, thankfully it’s not painful.
Sadly, luxating patellas can happen even if there’s no physical harm inflicted on your Pomeranian’s kneecap. They’re genetically predisposed to it, so it’s important to keep an eye out for it. If you even notice your Pomeranian strangely because one or both of their back legs aren’t bending, it’s likely they have a luxating patella.
The great news is that luxating patellas can be fixed through surgery and even by using simple knee braces. Talk to your veterinarian about it the next time you see them!
10. Collapsed Trachea
Common Pomeranian health problems are often times genetic, which means it’s just a matter of time until they occur. Having a collapsed trachea definitely fits into this category. Tracheal collapse occurs when the cartilage around your Pomeranian’s windpipe breaks down causing the windpipe to collapse on itself, resulting in restricted airflow.
A tracheal collapse won’t cause your Pomeranian any pain, but it can be uncomfortable and reduce the amount of energy they have when in an active state. There are surgical procedures that address collapsed tracheas, but they’re some of the most costly procedures a dog can have. That’s why most Pomeranian parents opt-in to using cough medicine for dogs with collapsed tracheas.
If you ever notice your Pomeranian coughing with a loud goose-like honking noise, gagging after drinking water or eating a bite of food, or breathing heavily after physical activity, it’s possible your Pomeranian has a collapsed trachea. Under these circumstances, you should see your local veterinarian immediately to investigate out your options.
11. Black Skin Disease
Among the most common Pomeranian health problems, one of the most detrimental with the longest lasting effects is Black Skin Disease (aka Alopecia X). This is a skin disease known to pop up in small breeds, including Pomeranians, and results in skin discoloration and permanent hair loss.
This is truly one of the saddest diseases because it’s not detectable until it starts happening. If you notice your Pomeranian is losing their hair and their skin starts to turn dark gray to black, you’ll want to contact your veterinarian as soon as humanly possible. This is a skin disease that has irreversible effects, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for your Pomeranian.
12. Food Allergies
Dog food nowadays has so many food additives, preservatives, and chemicals that many of the ingredients on the labels are unpronounceable. Instead of including all-natural, organic ingredients in dog food, large dog food brands have taken shortcuts to ensure they can keep their costs low when producing food for our dogs.
Pomeranians and other small breeds are highly susceptible to these additives, preservatives, and chemicals resulting in food allergies. Many ingredients, including wheat, corn, and certain meats, are known to cause allergic reactions in Pomeranians.
Your best bet to avoid any allergic reaction is to carefully monitor which foods your Pomeranian eats and reacts poorly to so you can avoid those ingredients while also purchasing all-natural, high-quality dog food for your Pomeranian.
13. Bad Teeth
I’ve heard that dogs have some of the cleanest mouths in the world and that they’re actually cleaner than human mouths! Unfortunately for Pomeranians, they can have some issues with keeping their teeth clean, which can cause some fairly stinky breath.
For whatever reason, Pomeranians are known for having bad teeth. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to keep them clean! I always give my Pomeranians dog treats that clean their teeth, which means I don’t have to brush their teeth as often. However, I do still brush their teeth with toothpaste and a toothbrush once every two weeks. I was doing it every week, but that seemed a bit excessive.
14. Very Extrovert
We’re all aware of the differences in personalities when it comes to introverts and extroverts. When it comes to Pomeranians, they are some of the most extrovert animals you’ll ever meet! They absolutely love being the center of attention and they’re certainly good at commanding it.
Whether your Pomeranian is barking, begging, or just getting in the middle of things, expect them not to pull back the reins on this behavior. We’ve touched on how Pomeranians are very loyal and enjoy the sport of barking, but those are just effects of their extroversion.
However cute and charismatic they might be, don’t let them always manipulate you into giving them what they want, like treats or human food. They can be quite convincing!
15. Potty Training Can Take Time
Whether you live in a house, apartment, farm, or wherever, you’ll always need to potty train your dog if you have one. Pomeranians are no different, but, strangely enough, they seem to be more difficult to train than other dogs in my experience.
I’m not entirely sure the reason for this, but Pomeranians can have a difficult time learning to not pee or poop inside the house. With some of my other dogs (who are not Pomeranians), they were usually able to learn fairly quicker than my Pomeranians. Maybe it’s a psychological thing and I’m giving them more leniency because they’re so cute. I hope not!
16. Good Lifespan
When it comes to the lifespan of small dogs, Pomeranians actually live for quite some time compared to other small breeds. As a matter of fact, Pomeranians can life between 12 and 16 years! My Pomeranian, Rowdy, recently passed away from old age and he was 16 years old, so he hit the maximum of that range.
While Pomeranians can live longer or shorter than these ranges, these are simply estimates. If you take care of your Pomeranian by making sure they get adequate exercise, the right kind of food, and enough rest on a daily basis, there’s no reason for them not to live a long and happy life.
17. Colors Can Vary
Out of all the breeds of dogs in the world, Pomeranians have some of the most diverse sets of colors out there. Colors can include white, black, sable, orange, red, cream, chocolate, brindle, merle, and the list goes on. Pomeranian puppies are always born with a lighter color than what their mature color is, so don’t expect them to stay the same color in adulthood.
Most Pomeranians are of the sable, orange, and cream variety, while the other colors are less common. In my case, all the Pomeranians I’ve ever owned were one of the colors, but I did have one that was black. So cute!
18. High Purchase Price
I think it’s fair to say that no dog is cheap in the long run since they need to eat a healthy amount of food, to visit the doctor from time to time, and to play with new toys sometimes. However, Pomeranians are one of the more popular breeds to own, and that’s reflected in their initial purchase price.
If you’re going to buy a puppy Pomeranian, you’ll likely spend anywhere between $600 and $1,500 with an average of about $900. Of course, if you get an older Pomeranian or get them from a rescue shelter, you’ll pay much less. If you’re looking for a pure bread Pomeranian with more exotic colors, be ready to spend multiple thousands!
19. Very Portable
With everything being so portable nowadays, why can’t our dogs be just as portable? Pomeranians are relatively smaller dogs compared to the rest of the dog world, which makes them exceptionally easy to take around with you. There are even backpacks made specifically for small dogs like Pomeranians!
Apart from taking your Pomeranian around in a backpack, it’s also becoming more and more common to bring them along in a doggie stroller. These are some of the cutest products I’ve ever seen and know for a fact my Pomeranians would appreciate it when they’re tired from their walk. Plus, if I want to go running with them, I can easily bring them!
20. From the Land of Pomerania
All dogs today have come down from a long lineage of ancestral dogs that they themselves came from wolves. While Pomeranians today are known for their cute and cuddly characteristics, they weren’t always this way. As a matter of fact, they come from a long line of Arctic work dogs from regions located in Poland and Germany called Pomerania.
Pomeranians were bred down to a small size from the original Wolf Spitz breed. These were strong working dogs that required strong character, loyalty, coats, and allegiance to their masters to ensure they got the job done while keeping their masters safe. All of the qualities that make Pomeranian’s the way they are have largely to do with their ancestral origins.
Get Yourself a Pomeranian
I hope you learned something about what it’s like to own a Pomeranian. Whether you already have a Pomerania or you’re in the market for one, you’ll most definitely appreciate their amazingly unique qualities that are unmatched with other dog breeds when it comes to owning a Pomeranian.
I implore you to check out your local dog stores, shelters, and even breeders if you’re interested in getting a Pomeranian today. Have fun with your Pomeranian!
