The Pomeranian is a favourite among toy dogs and it’s easy to see why. Lively, bold and intelligent, ancestors of this fluffy dynamo were companions for Marie Antoinette, Mozart and Michelangelo. The Pomeranian is part of the Spitz group of dogs and the breed’s family tree begins with larger sled dogs from Iceland and Lapland.
Queen Victoria was a great fan of the breed and made the ‘Pom’ popular in the late 1800s in England. The Queen liked her Pomeranians smaller and the dogs were bred down from their original size to the little fellows we know today.
Distinguished by their fluffy appearance and a feathered tail that hovers merrily over their back, Pomeranians have a keen, alert expression on their fox-like faces. Their impressive double coat comes in a variety of bright colours. Poms are very loyal to their owners and very independent at the same time. It is important to let them know who is boss from an early stage, as Poms can exhibit selective hearing when it comes to doing what they’re told!
Poms are best suited to adult households or families with older children, and need gentle handling. They are perfect for smaller abodes as they are very active indoors, although they enjoy a good walk as well. An excellent watchdog, they should be taught to be quiet after initially barking at strangers or visitors, since Pomeranians can be noisy. Fortunately, these little dogs are very quick to learn and easy to train.
Pomeranians are curious, always on the go and definitely not lacking in self-esteem – they can be quite the little Duchess. They love the company of humans and enjoy being pampered. Their long double coat needs to be brushed frequently and they shed hair. It’s important for a Pomeranian to have regular dental check-ups because the breed is prone to teeth problems.
The average Pomeranian lifespan is 10 – 12 years but many of these dogs live longer than this. The average weight of a Pomeranian is two kilograms, and a puppy can cost upwards of $500, depending on breed quality. With a warm-hearted and busy Pomeranian by your side, you can be assured that life will be anything but dull.