Pomeranian

Behavior

Pomeranians are as outgoing and playful as their nickname, “Pom”, suggests! Pomeranians make loyal, loving pets and are great with children. This breed has a lot of energy and will require frequent exercise and play. Their characteristic “twirl” is a testament to how excitable and playful the breed is. They are not clingy and are actually quite independent, but they do crave daily attention and play. Pomeranians are also very easy to train, due to their positive personalities and willingness to please owners. Training needs to be conducted with a firm hand, as the intelligent Pomeranian can dominate “soft” owners.

Self-confident and intelligent, the breed can be confrontational at times- especially if they are not properly trained. While loving to family members and familiar people, the Pomeranian will typically bark at strangers, making them an acceptable watchdog. Good socialization is required to get the Pomeranian acclimated to other dogs and children. This pet may not be great for households with small children if not socialized correctly, but properly trained Poms may make good pets in any environment. They are a very adaptable and happy breed.

Appearance

The Pomeranian is a small dog, growing to be 8 to 11 inches in height and weighing only 3 to 7 pounds. Pomeranians have medium-length double coats with thick, straight outer coats and a thick layer beneath. This gives them their trademark “fluffy” appearance. Coats come in cream, orange, black, brown, blue, or white- among a few other variations- and may be solid in color or include various tones.

Grooming

Pomeranians are pretty simple to groom and can be cared for well with only basic grooming techniques. Occasional baths with dog shampoo will keep the coat looking nice. The breed has a coat that tends to shed, so regular brushing is a good grooming habit to get into. This breed will also require careful dental care, as their teeth tend to be prone to tartar build-up. Like any other dog, Pomeranians require regular nail clippings and other routine care to remain healthy and happy.

History

The Pomeranian is descended from Lapland and Icelands Spitz dogs. The Pomeranian name is from the Germany and Poland region where they were from, which was once known as Pomerania. Queen Victoria played a large part in the breeds recognition when she brought one back from Italy in 1888. Other famous figures, such as Mozart, who even dedicated an aria to his beloved pet, were also known to favor this friendly breed.  The dog remains a very popular breed in the modern world, being featured as pets and show dogs across the world.