Pomeranian

Pomeranian: Cat Breed Information Guide 2022

If you’re looking to bring a little sunshine into your life, consider adopting a Pomeranian. These adorably fluffy dogs have great personalities, although they can sometimes be bossy.

They’re small dogs who think they’re bigger than they are, but that’s not really a bad thing. It just means they’re exuberant and ready for a challenge, so if you adopt one of these lovable pups, you’ll need to keep an eye on them.

Adopting a new furry friend is a difficult task, but we at Spot Pet Insurance are here to help. We may not be able to help with the physical side of things, but we can help you prepare yourself to bring a pup into your home. After all, one of the key ingredients to being a good pet parent is knowing your pet.

Hopefully, with the help of our educational resources, you can learn more about your pup.

The history of the Pomeranian

Pomeranians (known as Zwergspitz in Germany) are descendants of the dog families known as spitz breed dogs, the same family that corgis, German spitz, Norwegian elkhounds, and samoyed are said to have come from. All spitzes have fluffy coats, tails, and tiny ears to help protect them from the cold.

Today’s Pomeranians are a small toy breed, but earlier versions of this pup were much bigger, weighing around 30 pounds. However, they still had the same fluffy fur and tails.

Pomeranians get their name from the Pomerania region of Germany and Poland. As time went on, their popularity grew throughout Europe. They were even the first dogs to live in Buckingham Palace in England after it was finished.

Queen Victoria initiated the interest in smaller Poms since the Pomeranian she adopted was around 12 pounds. The Pomeranian continued to decrease in size until we got the smaller Poms of today.

In the early 1900s, the American Kennel Club accepted them as an official breed. Although they weren’t popular initially, the Pomeranian fanbase quickly grew until they became one of the top ten dogs in the United States.

Pomeranian: An introduction to the breed

Purebred Pomeranians are considered toy dogs, even though they usually have the attitude of a much larger dog.

What is a Pomeranian’s coat like? 

Dogs of this small breed have long double coats with an outer coat and undercoat, so they are very fluffy, which makes the nickname Pom even more suitable. Depending on the cut, their fur can have a rounded appearance or look lion-like.

Their plumed tails are curled, and their tiny ears stick up, giving the Pomeranian a perky appearance. Just looking at a Pomeranian could brighten your day.

Pomeranians are usually an orange or reddish coat color, but there are many other colors they can be. They can also have a lot of different markings, like white markings, masks, or sable. Some poms have parti-color coats.

What kind of grooming does a Pomeranian require? 

Since they have a double coat, they should be brushed at least weekly with a slicker brush and a pin brush. It’s also a great idea to find a groomer to help you maintain your Pomeranian’s coat.

Are Poms good family dogs?

Pomeranian puppies and adults alike make excellent companion dogs, and they can be great in lots of different homes. They get along well with young children, although it’s important to make sure your child plays with them gently and responsibly, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them while they play.

They love their families, but they are shy around strangers. They also aren’t partially big fans of other dogs. They are wonderful watchdogs, though. They love to bark to warn you, and they’ll sometimes bark just for fun. They are vocal pups.

What kind of exercise do Poms need? 

Pomeranians need some kind of activity to help them manage their energy levels. You could take them on a walk or play games with them, like tug-o-war or fetch. They do have a knack for escaping, so it’s important to keep an eye on them if you let them out to play in the yard.

It’s also good to give them some mental activities to keep their minds active. All Pomeranians should be trained to walk with a leash and other basic obedience commands. They’re also good at agility training, rally, or even being therapy dogs.

What are some other things you need to consider when adopting a Pomeranian?

Although Pomeranians are great little guys to have around, there are some things you need to be aware of before you adopt one.

As we’ve mentioned before, Pomeranians are pretty little dogs, which means you need to be pretty careful with them. They can’t really rough house with either dogs or kids, and they are potential targets for predators, including birds.

Your Pomeranian being picked up by a bird is pretty unlikely, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out. If you have a yard, you will want to doggy-proof it since Pomeranians are excellent at finding ways to escape.

What are the potential health conditions for a Pomeranian? 

It is an unfortunate fact of life that your pup can get sick. It may not happen, but it’s best to be prepared for any possibility. It is also possible for your pup to develop a hereditary condition.

For example, patellar luxation is a common concern for Poms. It’s unstable, so it luxates (moves) either too far up or down (vertically/laterally) or horizontally (medially). How the kneecap moves depends on the reason for the patellar luxation.

Sometimes your dog’s knee cap will become displaced because the femoral groove is too shallow. Other potential issues could be a malformed femur or tibia.

Although the cause of patellar luxation could be an injury, it’s also very common to see patellar luxation in dogs without injuries, so it appears that a gene can cause it. The particular gene hasn’t been discovered yet, but it can be an inherited condition.

Tracheal collapse is another concern. The trachea is the tube through which your pup breathes. The cause of a tracheal collapse is unknown, but there are some theories.

The most likely theory is that there is an issue with the cartilage and the way it fuses with the trachea, which then causes structural problems. The collapse begins at the top of the trachea.

It becomes flat, which then causes your pup to have problems breathing. It is treatable, but depending on the severity of the collapse, it may not last more than a few years.

Other potential health conditions for Pomeranians: 

If your pet becomes ill or has a hereditary or chronic condition, as long as it isn’t pre-existing, we can help. Spot plans can cover hereditary or chronic conditions, and members have access to 24/7 telehealth services powered by VetAccess.

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