Dog breed · Toy
Pomeranian
A tiny descendant of large Spitz sledding breeds, the Pomeranian carries an outsized personality in a pocket-sized body. They are alert, confident and often unaware of how small they actually are.
Small12–16 yearsGermany/Poland (Pomerania region)Can suit apartments
Breed characteristics
- Group
- Toy
- Origin
- Germany/Poland (Pomerania region)
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 1.9–3.5 kg (4–7.5 lb)
- Height
- 18–30 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
- Coat
- Long, harsh outer coat with soft dense undercoat
- Temperament
- BoldAlertExtrovertedConfident
History
Bred down in size from larger German Spitz sled dogs, and popularised in Britain after Queen Victoria took up the smaller variety in the late nineteenth century.
Appearance
A compact, fluffy dog with a fox-like face, plumed tail carried over the back and a dense, standing-off double coat.
Exercise and activity
Modest physical needs — 20–30 minutes of walking plus play, but they benefit from real mental stimulation.
Care and grooming
Brush two to three times weekly to prevent matting in the undercoat, and take dental care seriously, as toy breeds are prone to early dental disease.
Health considerations
- Patellar luxation
- Tracheal collapse
- Dental disease
- Alopecia X (coat loss)
- Patent ductus arteriosus