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Pomeranian

Veterinarian Reviewed on December 23, 2007 by Dr. Janice Huntingford


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Physical Characteristics

Breed Group:

Toy

Weight:

Pomeranians are a very small dog weighing between 1.5 and 3.5 kg

Height:

A maximum of 25 cm

Color(s):

Pomeranians come in a variety of colors including black, black and tan, blue, tan and blue, chocolate, chocolate and tan, red, and red sable.

Coat:

They have a soft, thick undercoat which is shed yearly.

Overview

Character:

Pomeranians are intelligent and good companions. They are well suited to apartment life but may become destructive if left alone for too long. Without training they can bark excessively as they are given to anxiousness when approached by strangers.

Country of Origin:

Germany

History:

Descendents of sled dogs from Iceland and Lapland, when Pomeranians were brought to Europe they were actually much larger, weighing as much as 20-30 lbs. Throughout their history, they were bred down in size in order to accommodate city living. Generally speaking, English breeders were responsible for reducing their size and increasing their variety of coat colors.

Queen Charlotte was the first of the English to introduce the Pomeranian to nobility and her granddaughter later made them popular. Still, these dogs were much larger than current breeds of Pomeranian.

Name:

They are named for the region in Germany from which they originated, Pomerania.

Temperament:

As they are quite small, they are prone to anxiety and barking unless properly trained. They can make very loyal and loving companions and because of their size make excellent pets for people who live in apartments or small homes. They suit both life in the city and the country as they have a solid hunting instinct.

Care

Training:

As they are intelligent, they are usually easy to train. Training at a young age is mostly important because of their tendency to bark, which is high-pitched and sometimes annoying. Basic training techniques prove effective but a positive approach should be taken as they do not respond well to punishment.

Activity:

They are very active dogs as their ancestors were hunters. They can get all the activity and exercise they need if they have access to a small yard. Short daily walks are usually sufficient for a Pomeranian but as they are hardy dogs, they’ll cope quite well with a more rigorous routine.

Ownership:

These dogs make excellent pets, especially for people with limited space. Some attention should be given to the fact that they are prone to anxiety when left along for long periods and can demonstrate destructive behavior. In addition, even when trained, they bark a lot so you should not consider owning a Pomeranian if barking will be a problem for you.

Breeders

List of dog breeds

Read also: French Spaniel
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Our Expert

Dr. Janice Huntingford
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan

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