Discover the Pomeranian, a breed celebrated for its friendly, intelligent, and loyal nature. Recognized as a small toy dog, Pomeranians have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for herding starting in the 18th century.
In this post, we share insights from nearly 100 Sniffspot Pomeranian owners, offering practical advice for new and prospective Pomeranian owners. Whether you’re considering adopting or rescuing a Pomeranian or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with a friendly Pomeranian.
As Sniffspot user Elizabeth says, "My Pom is very lovable and playful with her owners and people she knows."
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024
According to nearly 10,000 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their Pomeranian, we learned that these dogs are friendly and intelligent. The Pomeranian is also known to be very friendly and social with children and cautious around new pets.
When living with a Pom, 65% of our owners indicated that a large house with a fenced yard is ideal. Additionally, 56% of owners found that a apartment or condominium with regular walks is also acceptable. This dog is moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer and owners say that the Pomeranian learns best with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and socialization.
In terms of exercise, 35% of Sniffspot owners say their Pomeranian benefits from moderate exercise every day, including between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. The Sniffspot Pom community would recommend this dog for first-time owners.
The Pomeranian, a small and lively breed, originated from the historical region of Pomerania, which lies on the coast of the Baltic Sea in present-day Germany and Poland. Despite their small size today, Pomeranians are descended from much larger spitz-type dogs that were originally bred for herding and sledding in Arctic regions. The breed became smaller over time, and its popularity skyrocketed during the 18th century when Queen Victoria of England fell in love with the breed, helping to popularize it as a fashionable companion dog.
Queen Victoria’s affection for Pomeranians is said to have inspired breeders to make the breed even smaller, solidifying its status as a toy breed. The modern Pomeranian we know today typically weighs between 3 and 7 pounds and retains its characteristic fluffy coat, erect ears, and fox-like face. Their compact size, combined with a vibrant and bold personality, made them especially popular among European aristocracy and the general public alike.
Today, Pomeranians are beloved for their intelligence, outgoing nature, and striking appearance. Despite their small stature, they maintain a big-dog attitude, often displaying high energy and a strong desire to be the center of attention. They thrive as companion dogs and can adapt well to various living environments, from city apartments to large homes.
As a Pomeranian owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips and what to expect from current Pomeranian owners.
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024
Pomeranian dogs require high maintenance grooming. This means Pomeranian owners should expect frequent grooming, including regular brushing, bathing, and trimming. Pomeranian dogs have a long, double coat, which is ideal for insulation from cold weather. Their long, double coat is considered moderate shed.
To keep your Pomeranian's coat healthy and up to breed standards, brush at least twice a week to avoid matting. Of the coat types for breeds in the toy group, the grooming needs for Pomeranian are considered to be high maintenance.
Pomeranians require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Poms are considered a very athletic, high-energy breed.
Poms make great pets and thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Poms report their dogs especially love playing with squeaky toys, puzzle toys, and running/jogging.
When small breeds like Poms don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out with undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, stubbornness, and separation anxiety. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular moderate exercise to avoid excess energy.
What should you feed your Pomeranian to keep them healthy? As a moderate energy breed, what you feed them is important. A reported 35% of our community feed their Pom commercial dry kibble.
With moderate exercise, Poms should eat 0.25 to 0.5 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 3 to 7 lbs. However, your Pomeranian's ideal weight and food depend on your pet's sex, activity level, and age.
The Pomeranian breed is most prone to dental problems (e.g., periodontal disease, tooth decay) and joint problems (e.g., hip dysplasia, arthritis). A reported 47% of our Pomeranian owners note dental problems like periodontal disease, dental calculous, tooth loss, bad breath, or an oral infection are common for their pets. Pom's risk for these challenges increases as they age.
Similarly, 30% reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Lastly, 26% of Pomeranian owners claim their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis — a common Pom health concern. If you're worried about any of these health issues above, talk to your Pom's vet.
Another important thing to consider when adopting a Pom is whether or not this breed fits with your current family. How friendly are Pomeranians compared to other small-sized breeds?
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024
With moderate training, you can hone your Pom's toy instinct into a friendly and intelligent family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like barking, stubbornness, and separation anxiety. Our community Pomeranian owners comment on their pet's friendliness:
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Whether you're adopting a Pom puppy or an adult Pomeranian, training is a significant part of owning a small-sized breed. Without proper training, your Pom is more likely to display undesirable behaviors such as barking, stubbornness, and separation anxiety. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your Pom.
As a toy breed, Pomeranians benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our Pom community recommended based on their experience with their own dogs:
As dogs bred for herding, Poms are considered moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer.
We asked Sniffspot Pom owners what they love the most about their Pomeranian pups, and here's what they had to say:
Similarly, Pom owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with their Pomeranian:
Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey
According to 72% of our Sniffspot community, Pomeranians are a great first-time dog. This comes from their friendly nature and moderate exercise needs. Pomeranian owners say it best:
Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy Pom owners. These Pomeranian breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:
The average lifespan of a Pomeranian is typically between 12 to 16 years.
An adult Pomeranian weighs between 3 to 7 pounds and stands between 6 to 7 inches tall.
Pomeranian dogs require high maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Pomeranian dogs have a long, double coat, which is well-suited for insulation from cold weather. They are considered moderate shedders.
To maintain your Pomeranian's coat, it's important to brush at least twice a week to avoid matting. Among toy breeds, Pomeranian grooming is categorized as more complicated.
Pomeranians require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Poms are classified as a moderately athletic, somewhat high-energy breed.
Poms are excellent companions and thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Poms note that their dogs particularly enjoy playing with squeaky toys, puzzle toys, and running/jogging.
If small breeds like Poms don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.
According to our data, Pomeranians are very friendly and social with children with children.
Our research indicates that Pomeranians are cautious around new pets with other pets.
As a moderate energy breed, the diet of your Pom is crucial. A significant 35% of our community feed their Pom commercial dry kibble.
For optimal health, Poms should consume 0.25 to 0.5 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight around 3 to 7 pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your Pomeranian's sex, activity level, and age.
The Pomeranian breed is particularly prone to dental problems like periodontal disease, dental calculous, tooth loss, bad breath, or an oral infection and joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Our data shows that 47% of Pomeranian owners reported dental problems like periodontal disease, dental calculous, tooth loss, bad breath, or an oral infection. Pom's risk for these health issues increases as they age.
Additionally, 30% reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Finally, 26% of Pomeranian owners indicated their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis, which are common Pom health concerns. If you have concerns about any of these health issues, consult your Pom's veterinarian.
Whether you're a current Pomeranian dog owner or you're considering adopting a Pom, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for Pomeranian owners.
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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