The Pomeranian or simply Pom, is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States of America. It has become very famous because it is considered the celebrities’ dog, being a clear example of the classic “purse dogs”.
Have you always liked this breed and want to know more?
In this article we tell you everything we know about the Pomeranian, a fluffy cloud of friendliness and determination, with the characteristic tail always up.
Pomeranian and German Spitz in history: comparison
There is a bit of confusion, but the breed is the same.
The main difference between the two dogs is the size.
There are different sizes of German Spitz: wolfspitz, giant, medium, miniature and dwarf; also called Pomeranian.
The name derives from Pomerania, a historical region of Central Europe that overlooks the Baltic Sea (present territory divided between Germany and Poland).
Its origins are very old, dating back to 3,000 years ago; its ancestor the “canis palustris” lived no less than in the Stone Age!
In the following years, towards the end of the 700s, due to its skills as a companion dog, the Queen of England welcomed the Pom in her royal palaces.
Currently, although it has spread throughout the world, the Pomeranian is raised mainly in America and Europe.
The characteristics of the Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a small dog, its height is between 20-22 cm and the weight varies from 3 to 5 kg.
The snout is very distinctive and it has elongated, dark-coloured eyes. The ears are small and pointed, the neck is long and wide and is surrounded by a soft and thick mane.
The Pomeranian’s coat is very dense and long and can be of different colours: white, black, brown, orange, grey, red and cream.
In black coat, the undercoat and skin have to be black; in brown and white coats, on the other hand, they have to be uniform.
The trunk is squared and the chest is descending and convex; the tail is of medium length, turns towards the back and forms a distinctive curl of the breed.
Don’t be fooled by its tiny size, the Pomeranian is a very robust dog!
The breed is normally healthy, but because of its small size, it has shorter respiratory tracts and, especially in summer, you have to be careful because it tends to suffer from heat stroke.
In old age, we come across some common problems like tracheal collapse and kidney failure.
It is a very long-lived dog, it can live an average of up to 16 years, but some specimens even reach 20 years.
The temper of the Pomeranian
As we had anticipated, the Pom is a perfect companion dog, suitable for apartment life, which creates an unbreakable bond with its owner, it will defend him tooth and nail!
It is a very faithful and obedient dog; it needs a lot of attention but also rules.
It is not particularly suitable for families with small children, because it is very possessive and jealous and could enter into competition with children.
But with proper training, coexistence is possible!
The Pomeranian has to be the owner of the house, so we advise against adopting it if we already have other dogs at home.
It is also a perfect guard dog, thanks to its excellent hearing it is able to hear even the slightest noise and to warn immediately.
That is why we find it in the category of guard dogs and it is often used to alert true guard dogs.
The Pomeranian is endowed with a rare intelligence; we can often see it in circuses because it learns any type of exercise very fast!
Coat care, how to keep the hair beautiful and fluffy?
The Pom has very dense hair, which needs care with frequent thinning.
You can ask your favourite canine groomer to groom it or, if you feel up to it, you can try it yourself and give your furry friend the look you like the best.
He needs daily brushing to avoid knots and tangles, he loves being brushed and receiving flattery while being brushed!
It is not necessary to bathe him often, but we will need to use delicate products suitable for his coat type.
This breed has the characteristic of a thick waterproof undercoat, which allows it to dry faster after bathing.
Thanks to all these peculiarities, it is suitable for dog shows, where it parades proud and sure of itself!
Did you know that the Pomeranian sheds its hair?
The periods change depending on whether it is female or male. For the male, moulting normally takes place twice a year and is very light, with no noticeable excessive hair loss. For females, on the other hand, moulting can occur more often, especially when they are in heat. First the females replenish their coat, to prepare better for pregnancy, to lose it once the puppies have arrived and menstruation returns.
Another curiosity of this dog is its teeth, which must be controlled because of its small size, tartar forms easily.
Finally, the Pom does not need a lot of training, but it is important to make it go for a daily walk, to keep him fit and prevent obesity.
Had you decided to get a guard dog and were you thinking of the classic breeds?
Mix work with pleasure: adopt a Pomeranian, a fluffy cloud of sympathy and determination.
