Pomeranian

Breed Profile

The Pomeranian (often known as a Pom) is a breed of dog of the Spitz kind, which is named after the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany in Central Europe. The breed has been catapulted to stardom by royal owners in the 18th century. Queen Victoria owned an exceptionally small Pomeranian, which made the smaller variety gain popularity.

Temperament

Pomeranians are typically kind, playful and energetic, although they can be aggressive with other dogs when trying to impose themselves. Pomeranians are alert and not oblivious to their surroundings, and barking at any new stimuli can transform into a habit of barking excessively in any given situation. Pomeranians have a high IQ and respond well to training. They can be very successful in getting what they want from their owners. They are known to be extroverted and enjoy being the center of attention.

Color & Coat

Coat: Pomeranians don a thick, double coat. The outer coat is long, straight, and harsh in texture while the undercoat is soft, thick and short.

Color: The most common colors are orange, black, or cream/white. The merle Pomeranian is a recent color developed by breeders. It is a combination of a solid base color with lighter blue/grey patch which gives a mottled effect.

Living Environment

The Pomeranian is fare well in apartments. Whilst Pomeranian can live indoors, they require their daily dose of daily exercise. They are, however, sensitive to hot weather. Owners should train their Pomeranian to bark only when necessary and not more than a couple of times. Otherwise, your dog may keep barking all day long. On a positive note, the Pomeranian loves to play, is known to stand on its hind legs and bark for more.

Health

The life expectancy of a Pomeranian ranges from 12 to 16 years. If given a proper diet and it daily dose of exercise, it will have few health problems.  The breed does have similar health issues to many dog breeds, although some issues such as hip dysplasia are uncommon because of the Pomeranian’s lightweight build.