Hardly any breed has risen so steeply in the last ten years as the Pomeranian. On Instagram and TikTok the Pomeranian is a star: the "Boo" look with a round teddy head, the fox smile, the handbag size. What the videos do not show: the Pomeranian is a real Spitz. Alert, loud, self-confident, with a clear mind and a coat that needs its own care philosophy. If you expect a quiet plush dog, you get a little guard with a big voice.
Breed profile
- Origin: Germany, smallest variety of the German Spitz, bred further in England and the USA as the Pomeranian
- Size: 18 to 22 cm
- Weight: 1.5 to 3.5 kg
- Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
- Coat: Double coat with dense undercoat and standing-off topcoat, in orange, cream, black, white, sable, blue
- Character: Alert, self-confident, clever, playful, closely bound to his people
Character: A big Spitz in miniature
The Pomeranian does not know he weighs two kilos. He reports everything: the postman, the neighbour, the noise in the stairwell. This alertness has been bred over centuries, because Spitzes were farm dogs that were meant to raise the alarm. It can be channelled, but not switched off.
At the same time he is incredibly quick to learn, playful and affectionate. He follows his person everywhere, learns tricks in minutes and is reserved with strangers at first, then charming. He is not a cuddle dog who lies on your lap for hours, but an active little companion who watches and thinks along.
What Instagram does not show
1. The teddy cut destroys the coat
The "Boo" look comes from shaving off the topcoat. The problem: in a Spitz the topcoat often no longer grows back properly after a clip. The result is called alopecia X, bald patches and woolly, dull fur that no longer protects the dog from heat and cold. A Pomeranian is not clipped. He is brushed, three times a week down to the skin, daily during the coat change, and trimmed at most on the paws and the rear.
2. The teeth
As with all miniature breeds, the teeth are crowded, and the Pomeranian loses them early if nobody pays attention. Tooth brushing from puppyhood, chews, an annual dental check. Many Spitzes have already had a professional dental clean under anaesthetic by the age of six. That costs 300 to 600 euros.
3. The windpipe
Tracheal collapse, a collapsing of the windpipe, is common in the breed. The typical sign is a dry, goose-like cough when excited or pulling on the lead. So: always a harness, never a collar. Add to that patellar luxation and, in some lines, heart problems. Reputable breeders have kneecaps and heart examined.
4. The barking
A Pomeranian without training barks at everything. With training he barks at important things and stops on command. The difference lies in the first months: allow the alarm, then teach "Thank you, that's enough" and reward him when he is quiet. Anyone who ignores this has a problem in a rented flat.
5. Teacup madness
Offers for "teacup Pomeranians" under 1.5 kilos for 3,000 to 5,000 euros are extreme breeding. These dogs have open fontanelles, low blood sugar, heart defects and bones like matchsticks. A healthy Pomeranian weighs two to three kilos and costs 1,800 to 2,800 euros from a VDH breeder.
What he needs every day
- Brushing instead of clipping. Three times a week, with an undercoat brush and comb.
- Harness. Without exception.
- Training like a big dog. Puppy school, bark training, staying alone.
- Exercise. He is sportier than he looks: an hour a day, agility in miniature is welcome.
- Heat protection. The double coat is a burden for him in summer. Shade, water, no midday sun.
Who is the Pomeranian right for?
For city people who want an alert, active small dog and have time for coat care. For first-time owners who attend dog school. Not for families with toddlers (too fragile), not for people who need a quiet dog, and not for anyone who wants to shave him because then he looks like he does on the internet.
The Pomeranian is the textbook example of a breed chosen from a photo and disappointing in everyday life. If you are at the start of the decision, “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (Which dog REALLY suits you?) turns the order around: first your flat, your neighbours, your patience, then the breed.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Pomeranian shed? Yes, heavily twice a year, moderately in between. Not a dog for allergy sufferers.
Can he stay alone? With training, four to five hours. He tends to bark when alone, so practise early.
Pomeranian or Klein Spitz? The Klein Spitz is slightly bigger at 23 to 29 cm and sturdier, often the better choice for families.
Fox face as a motif
The fox face and the ruff of fur make the Pomeranian an ideal motif for the 3D Cartoon style, and the big eyes carry any illustration. For the photo: freshly brushed, backlight in the afternoon so the fur glows, camera at floor level.
The double coat is a burden in summer and its greatest asset in a picture. Acrylic glass brings out the highlights in the ruff that go flat on paper. If you prefer it softer, choose canvas. Both are in the dog portraits.
Keep reading
- Chihuahua: why the yapping is home-made: the same size misconception, a different character
- Havanese: beginner-friendly does not mean undemanding: small and friendly, but much calmer
- Autumn coat change: what the dense coat means twice a year
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