Little bears with the cutest of smiling faces as puppies, it is no wonder that the Pomeranian is so popular with people young and old.
They are known for their beautiful, fox like features and their luxurious coat that comes in a number of different colors but the true beauty of this breed is definitely in their temperament.
Despite being a toy breed, the Pomeranian is a loving and lively companion dog with a huge personality. They are feisty, active and incredibly intelligent.
I have dozens of stories of my parents’ Pomeranians getting into things that we swore they couldn’t get into.
But even when they are being their bravest…and usually their most mischievous…the Pomeranian is an amazing companion and breed. They are excellent as family pets and they are happy to go everywhere with their owners.
If you are looking for a companion dog with an engaging temperament to match, then look no further than the Pomeranian.
However, before you do, be sure to learn everything you need to know about the breed, which we will cover in this article.
Pomeranian Appearance
Height: Males and Females: 7 to 12 inches (17.78 to 30.48cm)
Weight: Males and Females: 3 to 7 pounds (1.36 to 3.18kg)
Coat Colors:
It should be noted that the breed standard has three color classifications that dogs will fall under, however, there are a wide variety of markings and colors and this can make it confusing on what is an accepted color.
In addition, different country kennel clubs have different rules for what is an accepted color and what aren’t so if you are interested in showing, check the accepted colors for your kennel club.
It should be mentioned that there are no such thing as a “rare” colors and owners should not pay extra for those colors. In addition, some colors do have health problems linked to the coat color, which we will go through in the health section of this article.
Color Classifications
- Red, cream, sable and orange
- Black, blue and brown
- Any other color, pattern or variation allowed
Colors:
- Orange: Orange ranges from a very light orange to a deep orange. Many orange puppies start out very pale and darken with age.
- Beaver: A dilute brown that ranges from beige cream to orange brown.
- Blue: A dark grey that has a bluish gray coloration to it. Blue can also have other markings or solid.
- Red: Usually a deep rusty red.
- Lavender: This color is the result of breeding a dilute beaver and a dilute blue to produce a greyish chocolate hued dog.
- White: The ideal is a pure white dog with no other coloration on them.
- Cream: A light to dark cream color. The ideal cream is one with zero white coloration.
- Black: Black undercoat and guard hairs. Pomeranians can be completely black or black with markings.
- Chocolate: Ranges from a light brown to a very deep, dark chocolate.
Markings/Coloration
- Sable: More of a coloration than patterns, sables come in red sable, blue sable, orange sable, cream sable, wolf sable and chocolate sable. The coat must have three colors of shading to be considered a sable and one of them is usually a dark grey/black tipping on the guard hairs.
- Tan Points: Found in blue, blue fawn or black, tan points on Pomeranians are similar to the points Dobermans have on the eyebrows, legs, under the tail, muzzle and chest.
- Parti: These are white Pomeranians with color on the body and on the head. There should a white blaze on the head and symmetrical color markings on the head are desired.
- Brindle: Black with brindling of fawn, cream or apricot
- Piebald: A mostly white dog with colored markings.
- Merle: A coat that is mottled colors in a solid or piebald coat. Merle’s can also have miscolored eyes.
The Pomeranian is a toy sized breed of dog that has a rectangular shape, with a slightly taller frame than it is long. The dog should be sturdy, despite being a toy breed, and should have a medium bone. They should have a well-balanced appearance with a level topline. The tail should curl over the dog’s back.
In addition to being sturdy, Pomeranians should have a fox like appearance. The head of the Pomeranian should be in proportion to the body. They should have an alert appearance with bright eyes and a dark, black nose…with the exception of blue, brown or beaver coats.
The eyes are almond shape and should be dark in color. In addition, eyes should be rimmed in black, again with exceptions for blue, brown or beaver coats.
The muzzle of the Pomeranian should have a well defined stop and should be fairly short and fine. It should be straight and creates a head that is wedge shaped.
The coat of the Pomeranian should be a medium length coat that is very thick. It consists of a short, dense undercoat that is very soft and a long outer coat. The coat around the neck, chest and shoulders should create a frill and the front and hind legs should be feathered. The tail should be well covered with a long straight coat.
Pomeranians come in a large variety of colors and markings and litters can include several colors at once. See above for a full list of colors.
Pomeranian Temperament
Personality! That is all the Pomeranian is about. They are full of personality that shines clearly in their dark eyes. The breed is known for being outgoing, charming and vivacious. He loves life and loves being out there meeting new people.
In fact, Pomeranians usually do very well with strange people and animals alike. The breed is known for having a ton of confidence, which is endearing at the best of times and terrifying when he believes that he is as large as the giant dog he’s barking at.
They are usually very alert and this makes them an excellent watchdog as they will bark at anything they deem is suspicious.
The breed is known for being very playful and affectionate. They love their people and thrive when they can be with them. They can be a bit nervous in some situations, especially with young children, and have been known to be a bit snappy in these situations.
However, if you provide your pup with the best training and socialization, he will be less likely to be snappy.
The Small Family Pet
Growing up, my parents always had a Pomeranian and even had multiple for a few years. For us, a Pomeranian is a perfect family pet; however, the breed is not known as being that good for families with young children since they can be nervous with young children and will snap if mishandled.
But with that being said, if you have the right kids and the right Pomeranian, they can do well with children who are a bit older. When children aren’t too loud and who understand when their Pomeranian needs some space.
In the right homes, this is an amazing family pet. They are very affectionate and will bond strongly with their owners and their family.
They are perfect for the elderly because of their temperament and their need to be with someone. With children, make sure they are monitored to prevent rough play. Too rough play can result in a puppy being severely injured.
With other pets, the Pomeranian is a champion. They can be very good with other dogs and small pets; however, they do need proper socialization for them to accept them.
Still, if you have a small family, or older children, Pomeranians can be an excellent choice as a family pet.