Pomeranian

Height: 8 - 11 inches
Weight: 3 - 7 pounds
Life span: 12 - 16 years
AKC group: Toy
AKC rank: 14

Breed History | Background:

Pomeranians descend from the ancient Spitz family of dogs. Like their Spitz ancestors, they have many features to combat cold weather, including a thick coat, small ears, and a bushy tail to warm the nose when curled up sleeping.
Not much is known about how the Pomeranian evolved from the Spitz, except that the early Pomeranians were much larger than today’s, weighing around 30 pounds.
The Pomeranian comes from Pomerania, in what is now part of northern Poland and Germany.
They were eventually prized as pets through out Europe. Some Pomeranian owners included Michelangelo, Mozart, and Isaac Newton.
Pomeranians were the first dogs to live in the then-new Buckingham Palace, moving in with Queen Charlotte in 1761.
In 1888, Queen Victoria, a Pom fancier, changed the size of the breed by importing what was then a tiny Pomeranian that weighed only 12 pounds. The dog, Marco, set the trend for smaller Poms.
The Pom was not as popular in America as it was in Europe, but it was AKC recognized by 1900. By the 1930s, it was one of the ten most popular breeds in America. Since that time it has come in and out of the top 10.

Behavioral concerns:

Makes a fun-loving and energetic companion.
Playful and good with children, but children must be supervised because they could easily hurt such a small dog.
True to its Spitz heritage, it is spunky, bold and adventurous.
A one family dog, tending to be aloof toward strangers. Early socialization so that it willingly accepts new people is important.
Some can be cocky and even aggressive toward other dogs.
Learns quickly, but can be stubborn.
Does best with reward-based training involving food or games.
Some tend to bark a lot, which should be discouraged from an early age.
Housetraining can be more challenging than with many other breeds.

Suggested exercise needs:

Makes a lively and alert housedog.
Although many of its physical exercise needs can be met with indoor games, it still needs the mental stimulation of walking and sniffing outdoors.
A walk around the block once or twice daily will meet its outdoor needs, not counting bathroom breaks.
Many Poms have been trained to use indoor potty systems.
Dog parks are not generally a good idea unless only small dogs are allowed together.
Games and tricks provide needed mental exercise.
Excursions in doggy purses can also provide entertainment.
Its thick coat provides some protection against cold weather, but its small body size nonetheless makes it vulnerable to the cold.

Grooming:

Coat is made up of a soft thick undercoat covered by a longer harsh outer coat.
Brushing and combing twice weekly—more when shedding heavily—is necessary to prevent matting.
The hair around the anus must be checked daily for hygiene issues.
Shedding is above average.
Regular tooth brushing may prevent periodontal disease, which is common in Poms.

Suggested Nutritional Needs:

Pomeranians tend to stay in good weight. The thick coat can sometimes obscure weight problems, so be sure to use your hands to feel.
Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.
Because of their small size, it takes only a little overfeeding or a few snacks to create an overweight dog.
Pom puppies should be fed often to prevent hypoglycemia, a serious condition to which very small puppies are prone. Meals of high protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates may also help guard against this condition.

Medical conditions seen:

Glossary