The Pomeranian is a tiny dog—a toy breed weighing just 3 to 7 pounds—with a long coat and distinctive neck ruff that harken back to their spitz heritage. Poms are typically friendly but can be bossy and barky, so they're not the dog for everyone.
Families with young children might not be an ideal home for a stubborn Pom, but the breed often gets along well with older and calmer children. With proper training, the perky Pomeranian can make an excellent, loyal companion who can even serve as an effective guard dog. And like many small dogs, they live for a long time, up to 16 years.
Learn all about the Pomeranian’s history, care needs, temperament, and more.
Group: Toy (American Kennel Club)
Height: 6 to 7 inches
Weight: 3 to 7 pounds
Coat: Long double coat
Coat Color: Many colors and combinations, though the most common are red, orange, cream, sable, black, brown, and blue
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
Temperament: Bold, alert, lively, affectionate
Hypoallergenic: No
Origin: Germany and Poland
Tiny Pomeranians generally have a bold and lively temperament. Their personality is much bigger than their diminutive size, and they're quite vocal. They can act as alert watchdogs, but their excessive barking could be an issue for apartment or condo dwellers.
These dogs tend to be affectionate with family, and may bond tightly with one person. But they're still not a great option for a first-time dog parent.
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | Medium |
| Kid-Friendly | Medium |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Playfulness | Medium |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Trainability | Medium |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Bark | High |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
The Pomeranian is a descendant of spitz-type sled dogs from Iceland and Lapland (Finland). Several hundred years ago, these Pom predecessors made their way to Pomerania, located in what is now Poland and Germany, according to the American Kennel Club. While there, breeders somewhat diminished the dogs' size. The modern Pom is the smallest spitz-type dog breed. And this breed is related to the Samoyed, Norwegian elkhound, and keeshond.
The Pomeranian's popularity rose when members of the British royal family took a liking to the small dogs. At that time, the breed was still larger than today's version, weighing around 30 pounds. But in the late 1800s, Queen Victoria became a breeder and won a dog show with a particularly small Pomeranian, according to the AKC. After that, it became popular to breed the dogs even smaller.
Some notable Pomeranian owners throughout history include Marie Antoinette and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the AKC says. Two Pomeranians also were among the three dogs who survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
The Pomeranian gained popularity in the United States around the turn of the 20th century and today remains a popular dog breed. The AKC recognized the breed in 1888.
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Pomeranians need consistent training and regular exercise to be happy, healthy dogs. Their thick coat also requires a fair amount of upkeep. Plus, owners must be cautious about Pomeranians in hot weather, as well as with predators and any rough encounters with people or other pets.
Pomeranians have a medium energy level that shouldn’t be underestimated just because they’re small. They should get at least one hour per day of physical activity, including walks and playing with toys.
They also should have the chance to freely run around each day (and they don’t need much space to do it). Moreover, puzzle toys can help to provide the mental stimulation Poms need.
While Poms do fairly well in cold weather, their thick coat can cause them to overheat in hot weather. So even though they generally have good endurance, keep outside activity to short sessions in the heat. Also, be sure to protect your Pom from predators—including large birds—when outside.
The Pomeranian has a long, thick double coat that requires frequent grooming. Plan to brush your Pom's coat at least weekly to remove loose fur and prevent tangles and mats. Poms also typically go through heavier seasonal sheds as the weather changes in the fall and spring, during which you'll likely have to brush multiple times a week to keep up with the loose fur. In addition to brushing, these dogs may also require a sanitary shave around their genitals to keep waste from sticking to the fur, and a professional groomer can do this for you.
A bath with a thorough brushing will be required roughly every four to six weeks. At that time, you also should clean your dog's ears, and you might have to express their anal glands. A groomer or vet’s office can do that for you if you’re not comfortable with it at home.
Because Poms can tear excessively, check the eyes daily and use canine eye wash to cleanse the area. You’ll also have to trim your dog’s nails roughly every four to six weeks, especially if you hear them clicking on hard surfaces. And because these dogs are prone to dental issues, you should aim to brush their teeth ideally every day.
Pomeranians are moderately trainable dogs. While they are smart, they also can be stubborn. So, consistency and patience are essential when training a Pom. Begin training and socialization early in puppyhood.
Work on housetraining right away so your dog doesn’t begin to develop any bad habits that are hard to break. Also, socialize puppies with different people and in various environments to help curb their tendency to bark at strangers.
Pomeranians can coexist with other household pets when given the proper training and socialization. But Poms generally won’t back down from a fight, even with a larger dog. Plus, they can be injured during rough play. So, make sure all household pets—and people, especially young children—are well-mannered and gentle to safely live together.
Furthermore, Pomeranians can hurt themselves when jumping on and off furniture, including couches and beds. So, it’s important either to train them to use a ramp or teach them to stay off furniture.
Pomeranians are typically healthy dogs. But they are prone to a few common health conditions, including:
The Spruce / Emilie Dunphy
The tiny Pomeranian requires a small amount of food compared to larger breeds. It's common to feed them a nutritionally balanced quality dog food twice daily, but these dogs can do well eating at least three times a day to help prevent hypoglycemia. How much food your dog requires will depend on their size, activity level, and other factors.
Discuss dietary needs with your veterinarian, and consistently monitor your pet's weight. Even a weight fluctuation of 1 pound is significant for these little dogs. Also, make sure your dog always has access to fresh water, especially in hot weather and during exercise.
You should know Pomeranians are expensive. Expect to pay around $1,000 or more for a puppy, though this price can vary widely for older dogs and adoptable dogs. Dogs from champion bloodlines, for example, can cost $3,000 to $5,000.
If you're interested in acquiring a Pomeranian, check your local animal shelter and breed-specific rescue groups for dogs in need of homes. Be sure you have the time and energy to devote to training and caring for a dog who can sometimes be stubborn and vocal.
There are several organizations that can help you locate a reputable breeder or rescue, including:
The fluffy, adorable Pomeranian is very smart and affectionate. But they can also be a handful when it comes to socialization, training, and grooming. It’s important to consider this breed’s needs before bringing one of these dogs home.
As with any breed, if you think the Pomeranian is right for you, be sure to do plenty of research before getting one. Talk to other Pomeranian pet parents, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more.
If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:
There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!
Because of their small size, Pomeranians can be injured from rough handling by a child. So, a Pom might not be a good fit for a family until the kids are old enough to learn to handle dogs with care.
Pomeranians are friendly and can build strong bonds with their family. However, they can be protective little watchdogs, and may be wary of strangers.
Pomeranians are vocal dogs with a high tendency to bark. Although they can be good apartment dogs because they don't require a lot of space, they might disturb nearby neighbors.
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