Pomeranian: Temperament, Size, Care & Health

The Pomeranian is a small, fluffy ball of fur with a fox-like face, prick ears, and a heavily plumed tail carried flat over the back. The AKC calls them the ideal companion: lively, intelligent, easy to train for tricks, and happy to entertain their humans. Although they weigh just a few pounds, they carry themselves like a large dog, and their coat requires significant maintenance. In this dog breed guide profile, you will find the Pomeranian's origins, appearance, temperament, grooming needs, and health risks.

Origin	Germany (Pomerania region)
FCI Group	Group 5: Spitz and primitive types; German Spitz variety (No. 97)
Height	about 6–7 inches (AKC)
Weight	3–7 lbs
Coat	abundant double coat with a frill and hindquarters skirt
Colors	orange, black, cream, white, brown, sable, and many others
Lifespan	12–16 years
Temperament	alert, intelligent, playful, prone to barking
Best suited for	apartments, city living, families with older children

The Pomeranian: A Miniaturized Relative of Arctic Dogs

The Pomeranian descends from larger spitz-type dogs closely related to Arctic sled dogs, with the German Spitz being its direct ancestor. The breed is named after Pomerania, a historical region along the Baltic Sea now divided between Poland and Germany. Centuries ago, breeders there developed smaller dogs from their larger relatives. In some countries, the breed is simply called the Dwarf Spitz (Zwergspitz in German), and under the FCI standard, it is considered a variety of the German Spitz.

The breed was particularly popularized by royal owners. Queen Victoria fell in love with Pomeranians while visiting Florence and became a serious breeder. In 1888, she acquired a small red dog, and at the 1891 Crufts dog show, she exhibited six dogs from her kennel, with Windsor Marco taking first place. According to the AKC, Victoria is credited with reducing the Pomeranian's weight from around 30 lbs down to its current toy size—during her lifetime alone, the breed's size decreased by half. Marie Antoinette, Émile Zola, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart also owned Pomeranians.

Appearance: A Fluffy Coat and a Fox-Like Face

The Pomeranian is a compact but sturdy little dog. The head features a short, fox-like muzzle, small erect ears, and dark, lively eyes. The heavily plumed tail is set high and carried flat over the back. The outer coat forms a lush frill around the neck, and the hind legs have fluffy "skirts." The double coat is a defining characteristic of the breed—it stands off the body rather than lying flat.

Early Pomeranians were white, sometimes brown or black; the red color became popular after Queen Victoria's red dog. Today, Pomeranians boast the widest variety of colors among all dog breeds: white, black, brown, red, orange, cream, blue, sable, black and tan, spotted, brindle, merle, and combinations thereof. The most common are orange, black, and cream. Merle dogs can be deaf, blind, or have eye defects, especially if both parents are merle.

Temperament: Big Dog Attitude in a Small Body

The AKC describes the Pomeranian as an alert, intelligent, and easily trainable dog that quickly learns tricks and games, successfully competes in agility, rally, and obedience, and even works as a therapy dog. They make excellent little watchdogs because they notice every change in their environment. However, this same alertness can turn into a habit of barking at everything, so teaching a "quiet" command from an early age is essential.

The Pomeranian is well-suited for families with children who, as the AKC notes, are old enough to know the difference between a toy dog and a toy. Housetraining can sometimes be a challenge, requiring consistency and patience. This dog thrives in both the city and the suburbs, as indoor play and short walks provide plenty of exercise.

Health: Patellas, Trachea, and Skin

• Luxating patella – A UK study found that Pomeranians had the highest prevalence among all breeds (6.5%).
• Collapsing trachea – Causes a honking cough; it is better to walk them with a harness rather than a collar.
• Alopecia X – Hair loss and skin darkening; the breed is particularly prone to this condition.
• Others – Thyroid issues, congestive heart failure, seizures, cryptorchidism in males, and obesity.

Pomeranian litters are among the smallest, averaging 1.9 to 2.7 puppies.

Care: Brushing Down to the Skin and Safety

• Coat. Brush down to the skin once a week with a pin brush and a slicker brush; professional grooming is recommended every 4 to 6 weeks.
• Teeth. Brush their teeth during your weekly grooming routine, as tartar builds up quickly in their small mouths.
• Jumping. Do not allow them to jump off sofas and beds, as they can easily injure their joints or even break a bone.
• Outdoors. Pomeranians can slip through small gaps in fences, and birds of prey might mistake them for rabbits—never leave them outside unsupervised.

German Spitz Sizes

Variety (FCI)	Size	Notes
Keeshond (Wolfspitz)	largest	grey shaded
Giant Spitz (Grossespitz)	large	white, brown, black
Medium Spitz (Mittelspitz)	medium	various colors
Miniature Spitz (Kleinspitz)	small	various colors
Pomeranian (Zwergspitz)	smallest	wide variety of colors

The Pomeranian is Great for Apartments, But Needs to Learn Quiet Commands

The small, fluffy, and cheerful Pomeranian makes a wonderful companion for those who want a tiny but highly spirited dog. Short walks and indoor playtime are plenty to keep them happy.

• Best for: Apartments and suburban homes, adults and families with older children, people interested in teaching tricks or doing agility.
• Not for: Families with toddlers, neighbors who are bothered by barking, or those who lack the time for coat maintenance.

Pomeranians tend to overestimate their size and may challenge much larger dogs, so it is important to keep them on a leash during walks. Always use a harness rather than a collar, which can put dangerous pressure on their fragile trachea.

How to Choose a Pomeranian Puppy

Ask the breeder for the parents' patella, heart, and eye health test results, and inquire about any history of alopecia X or tracheal issues in the bloodline. Avoid merle puppies bred from two merle parents, as well as breeders advertising "mini" or "teacup" Pomeranians. Because litters are small, you may have to join a waitlist for a puppy from a reputable breeder. Remember that a responsible breeder will ensure puppies are microchipped and registered with a major kennel club like the AKC before they go to their new homes; for more tips on finding an ethical breeder, check out our guide introduction.

You can find other small companions in our Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier profiles, or learn about a larger spitz relative in our Samoyed guide.