Pomeranian

Weighing in at just 1.4 to 3.2 kilograms (3 to 7 pounds) as adults, the Pomeranian is among the smallest dogs in the spitz family, yet it holds itself with the upright stance and alert bearing you would expect from a much larger northern breed. A plush double coat, a tail plumed over the back and a neat, wedge-shaped head give the Pom its unmistakable look.

Outgoing and endlessly curious, the Pomeranian keeps close tabs on whatever is happening around it and often trails an owner from room to room. It barks readily at new sounds or visitors, so while its size rules out any real guarding ability, it makes a keen little watchdog.

Because exercise needs are modest, the breed suits apartment and unit living well. Indoor play and a couple of short walks cover most of a Pom's activity requirement, though a daily routine and some mental stimulation still keep it settled.

Who the Pomeranian suits

The Pomeranian suits owners after a small, attentive companion who don't mind regular coat maintenance. It copes well in a flat or unit and works especially well for people who are home for much of the day, since this is a breed that thrives on company and can turn noisy when left to its own devices for too long. Households with toddlers need to be careful, as the Pom's small bones are easily hurt during rough play. Anyone prepared to work on barking through consistent training will get the most out of this alert, chatty little dog.

Long before it became a lap dog, the Pomeranian's ancestors were working spitz dogs of the far north: thick coated, prick eared, curl tailed animals bred to pull sleds and herd stock in bitterly cold country. Those early dogs were considerably larger than today's Pom, with some specimens weighing 9 to 14 kilograms.

The breed's name comes from Pomerania, a historical region on the Baltic coast that now straddles northern Germany and Poland. Breeders there worked the spitz stock down in size and refined the coat, although even these smaller dogs still dwarfed the Pomeranian we know now.

It was in Britain during the 1800s that the breed found real popularity. Queen Victoria bred and showed Pomeranians, and her fondness for smaller dogs is widely credited with pushing breeders toward the toy size that later became standard; over the course of her reign, the average show Pom shrank markedly.

Breeders through the late 19th and early 20th centuries kept selecting for the compact body, dense double coat and the range of solid colours now associated with the breed. Major kennel clubs recognised the Pomeranian during this period, and it has stayed a popular toy companion ever since. In Australia, pedigree Pomeranians are registered through Dogs Australia, the country's national body for purebred dog registration.

The Pomeranian has a square, compact build, roughly as long as it stands tall. Its most striking feature is the double coat: a soft, dense undercoat beneath a longer, coarser outer coat that stands away from the body and gives the dog its round, puffy silhouette. A ruff of longer fur frames the neck and chest, and a wedge-shaped head with a short muzzle, small pricked ears and dark, alert eyes finishes off the foxy expression. The tail sits high and lies flat over the back, fanning out in a plume of long hair.

Coat and colours

Poms come in a wide spread of accepted colours, with orange and red the most familiar, though black, cream, white, brown, blue, sable and parti-colour patterns all turn up as well. Puppies often change colour and coat texture as they grow, and the full adult coat can take more than a year to come through properly. The outer coat blows out in seasonal cycles, usually once or twice a year, and the undercoat needs regular brushing in between to stop it matting.

There is nothing small about a Pomeranian's personality. Bold and spirited, these dogs generally meet new situations with curiosity rather than caution, and they form tight bonds with their owners, wanting to be part of whatever is going on.

At home, a Pom is affectionate and playful with its family. Around strangers it turns watchful, usually announcing anyone at the door with a burst of barking before it settles down. Early socialisation goes a long way toward keeping that wariness in check. Well-socialised Poms generally get along fine with other small dogs and cats, though their confidence can tip into taking on much bigger dogs, which is a real risk given the size mismatch.

The breed is sharp and picks things up quickly, but it can also be independent and a touch stubborn, so training calls for patience. Barking is the trait owners notice most and needs consistent management from puppyhood. Left alone too long, a Pomeranian tends to get bored and vocal, so the breed suits people who can offer regular company.

Grooming

• Brush the coat two to three times a week, and more often when it's blowing its coat, to stop the dense undercoat matting
• Pay close attention to behind the ears, under the legs and around the rear end, where tangles form first
• Bathe every few weeks or as needed, then dry the coat thoroughly so the undercoat doesn't stay damp
• Trim nails every few weeks and check the ears for wax or debris
• Brush the teeth regularly, since toy breeds are prone to dental crowding and disease

Exercise

• Give one or two short walks a day plus some indoor play
• Aim for roughly 30 minutes of activity in total, adjusted to suit the individual dog
• Use toys and games for mental stimulation, which this curious breed needs just as much as physical exercise
• Ease off in hot weather, as the heavy coat makes Poms sensitive to the heat

Environment

The Pomeranian settles well into flats and units and doesn't need a yard to be happy. Thanks to that heavy coat, the breed handles cold far better than heat, and Australian summers, hot and dry across much of the country, are a genuine concern for a dog carrying this much undercoat. Keep water and shade on hand whenever the temperature climbs, and avoid exercising a Pom in the heat of the day. Around the house, keep an eye on the dog near stairs, furniture and larger animals, since its small frame is easily hurt.

A complete, balanced food formulated for small or toy breeds suits the Pomeranian well. Small-breed kibble comes in pieces sized for a tiny jaw and is usually more calorie-dense per cup to match a fast metabolism. Portions are correspondingly small, which makes it easy to overfeed a Pom without meaning to, so measuring food out properly matters. Fresh water should be available at all times.

Toy-breed puppies are prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), so they're generally fed more often than adults until they're a bit older. Watch young puppies for weakness, trembling or lethargy, and get onto a vet if any of these show up.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories, since extra weight puts real strain on a small dog's joints and windpipe. A good commercial diet generally covers everything a Pomeranian needs, so supplements aren't usually necessary unless a vet recommends one for a specific condition. Dental chews can help keep the tartar build-up common in toy breeds under control.

On the whole, the Pomeranian is a healthy breed with a good innings, typically living 12 to 16 years. As with most toy dogs, the main health concerns trace back to its small size: crowded teeth, fragile joints and a delicate windpipe. Responsible breeding and regular veterinary check-ups go a long way toward managing these risks.

Preventive care

• Book annual vet check-ups, with more frequent visits for puppies and older dogs
• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date
• Brush teeth regularly and arrange a professional dental clean as advised
• Use a harness rather than a neck collar to protect the trachea
• Keep the dog at a healthy weight to ease strain on joints and heart

Quick to learn but independent by nature, the Pomeranian needs consistency more than cleverness at training time. Short, frequent sessions hold its attention far better than one long slog, and the breed responds well to praise and food rewards but shuts down under harsh correction. Two things tend to matter most: getting barking under control and house training, both of which take patience with a toy breed.

Early socialisation counts for a lot here. Exposing a Pomeranian puppy to different people, sounds and animals early on helps head off the wariness and reactivity the breed can otherwise develop.

Basics

1. Start socialisation and gentle handling as a puppy
2. Teach name recognition and a solid recall first
3. Work on sit, drop and stay in short five to ten minute sessions
4. Introduce a quiet cue early to manage the breed's tendency to bark
5. Use crate routines and a set schedule to support house training
6. Practise calm greetings so the dog isn't barking at every visitor

Breeding Pomeranians takes real care because of the breed's tiny size. Females reach sexual maturity within their first year, but a responsible breeder waits until a bitch is fully mature and has cleared health screening before breeding from her. Screening for patellar, cardiac and eye conditions helps cut down on inherited problems.

Gestation runs about 63 days, the same as most dogs, but litters are small, usually just one to four puppies. With both dam and pups so small, whelping complications are more likely, and some births need veterinary assistance or a caesarean, so a vet should be involved throughout.

Newborn Pomeranian puppies are tiny and vulnerable, unable to regulate their own body temperature well in the first weeks, so they need a warm, draft-free space. Frequent nursing and close monitoring for hypoglycaemia matter a great deal at this stage. Puppies are usually weaned at six to eight weeks and should stay with the dam and littermates long enough to develop normal social behaviour before heading to new homes.

How to register a Pomeranian in Australia

Every state and territory keeps its own Companion Animal Register, and council rangers scan as a matter of course, so a Pomeranian with a current record is home before dinner. Register your dog free with United Pet Club: the profile carries your details beside his photo for his whole life, and no renewal ever turns up.

The vet does the implant and not one thing more; the register entry is yours. Register the microchip free on the lifetime plan: every brand an Aussie vet reaches for qualifies, moving house costs nothing to record, and the number stays searchable round the clock. Create your free account and sort the lot in one go.