Breeds / Toy
Pomeranian puppies
Bold, inquisitive and lively, the Pomeranian pairs a tiny body with a commanding big dog demeanour and is alert, intelligent and easily trained.
The facts
- Size class Toy
- Country of origin Germany
- Adult weight 1.4 to 3.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 3 to 7 lb
- Adult height 15 to 18 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Long double
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 12 to 16 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is the smallest of the spitz breeds, bred down from much larger sled and farm dogs of northern Europe until they weighed 1.4 to 3.2 kg and stood 15 to 18 cm at the shoulder. Everything about them still reads spitz: a wedge shaped face, small pricked ears, a profuse double coat and a plumed tail carried over the back. The temperament is bold out of all proportion to the size, curious, busy and quick to sound off at anything new.
A Pom is content with short walks and indoor games, but the coat needs brushing through to the skin weekly and a full groom every four to six weeks. They bark readily, so that habit is worth training early. They are fragile around toddlers and around large dogs, and need supervision outside, where fences have gaps and birds of prey are a genuine risk. A Pom is a dog first, so give them the training and socialisation any dog needs.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Pomeranian puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A toy breed puppy at eight weeks is small enough to be genuinely fragile. They can be hurt by a jump off a sofa and by being stepped on, and toy breeds are prone to low blood sugar, so they need frequent small meals rather than two big ones. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Patellar luxation, trouble with the knees in the hind legs
- Broken legs caused by jumping down from height, which is why a toy breed puppy needs ramps and steps rather than sofas
- Alopecia, abnormal hair loss of unknown cause
Your Pomeranian puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Toy for a Pomeranian.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 1.4 to 3.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 22 inch (22 x 14 x 16 in, 56 x 36 x 41 cm) for an adult of up to 3.2 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other toy breeds
More on the Pomeranian
Previous: Pomchi · Next: Pomsky
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Pomeranian breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pomeranian/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Rob Hanson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.