Pomeranian: temperament, grooming, health, and cost

A puffball with fox ears and enormous self-confidence: that’s the Pomeranian. Poms are among the most popular toy breeds in the U.S., and not just because they look like stuffed animals. They’re clever, cheerful, devoted to their people, and surprisingly bold.

Their size and their coat do come with specific needs. This guide covers the AKC and FCI standards, what Poms are really like, exercise and feeding, how to care for the coat without ruining it, what to know about tracheal collapse and alopecia X, what a Pomeranian costs, and why adoption is worth a look.

Quick facts

Pomeranian history

The Pomeranian belongs to the spitz family, northern-type dogs with pricked ears and a tail curled over the back. The FCI doesn’t treat it as a separate breed: it’s the smallest variety of the German Spitz, which also comes in larger sizes. The AKC and the UK Kennel Club recognize it as a breed of its own.

The first Pomeranians brought to Britain in the 18th century were much larger than today’s dogs. Queen Victoria made the breed fashionable in the late 1800s, favoring small dogs, and breeders followed her lead by selecting for smaller and smaller Poms. The Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1870, and the AKC followed in 1888.

Pomeranian temperament

Anyone expecting a lapdog ornament is in for a surprise. A Pom is:

• Lively and curious: it wants to inspect everything and be part of whatever the family is doing.
• Bold and confident: it doesn’t realize it’s tiny and may challenge big dogs.
• Alert and vocal: a natural watchdog. A trained Pom barks and stops; an untrained one may bark at everything.
• Smart and eager to learn: one of the most trainable toy breeds.
• Very affectionate: it craves company and doesn’t do well alone for long stretches.

Pomeranians, kids, and other pets

With calm kids over about 6–8, a Pom can be a wonderful companion. With younger children, the issue is fragility: a fall from someone’s arms or an accidental step can break a leg. Have kids pet the dog while sitting on the floor and pick it up only with an adult’s help.

Well-socialized Poms generally get along with other dogs and cats. With big dogs, the risk is rough play rather than fighting, so supervise those meetups.

Training and socializing a Pomeranian

Poms learn quickly with positive reinforcement, tiny treats, and 3–5 minute sessions. Priorities:

1. Socialization between about 3 and 12–14 weeks: people, noises, surfaces, and calm, vaccinated dogs. It’s the best prevention against fear and reactive barking.
2. Potty training: tiny bladders mean frequent trips outside. Reward every success and never punish accidents.
3. Managing barking: reward quiet, teach a “go to your bed” cue for the doorbell, and meet your dog’s need for play. Our guide on why dogs bark so much has more strategies.
4. Handling: get your puppy used to the brush, the blow dryer, nail trims, and mouth checks early.
5. Four paws on the ground: scooping your Pom up at every dog or noise keeps it from learning that the world is safe.

How much exercise does a Pomeranian need?

Plan on 2–3 walks a day totaling about 30–60 minutes, with time to sniff, plus indoor play. Poms love tricks and search games, which tire their brains as much as a walk.

• Always use a harness: the breed is prone to tracheal collapse, and collar pressure makes it worse. Our harness vs. collar guide covers sizing.
• Heat: that thick coat makes Poms sensitive to hot weather. In summer, walk early and late. They handle cold better than most toy breeds.
• Jumping: broken front legs (radius and ulna fractures) from leaping off couches or out of arms are common in toy breeds. Use ramps and don’t leave your Pom on high surfaces.

Grooming a Pomeranian

The coat has two layers: a short, dense, cottony undercoat and a long, straight outer coat that stands away from the body. All that volume takes steady work:

Line brushing means parting the coat with one hand and brushing a small section from the roots out, row by row. If you only brush the surface, mats form underneath, right against the skin. Our guide on how to brush your dog walks through the technique.

Somewhere around 4–6 months, puppies shed their baby coat and go through an awkward, scruffy stage often called the “puppy uglies.” It’s normal; the adult coat fills in at around a year or a little later.

Feeding a Pomeranian

An adult Pom weighing 4.5–6.5 lb (2–3 kg) needs roughly 160–240 calories a day, depending on activity and whether it’s spayed or neutered. With many dry foods, that’s around 1/2 to 2/3 of a cup a day, but calories per cup vary, so check your bag.

• Puppies: 3–4 meals a day until 4–6 months because of the risk of low blood sugar.
• Small kibble: toy-breed formulas are easier to chew.
• Treats: no more than 10% of daily calories. In a dog this small, every extra counts.
• Weight: extra pounds hide under the fluff. Feel for the ribs weekly; excess weight worsens tracheal and knee problems.

Pomeranian health problems

A breed risk doesn’t mean your dog will develop a condition. Responsible breeding and regular checkups make a real difference.

Tracheal collapse

The cartilage rings of the windpipe weaken and the airway flattens, making it harder to breathe. The classic sign is a dry cough that sounds like a goose honk, especially with excitement, leash pulling, drinking, or heat. To prevent or slow it down: use a harness, keep your dog lean, avoid cigarette smoke and strong air fresheners, and prevent overheating. Your vet diagnoses it with X-rays or other imaging, and most cases are managed with medical treatment; severe cases may need surgery.

Alopecia X

This hair cycle disorder is common in Pomeranians and other spitz breeds. The dog gradually loses hair symmetrically on the trunk, the backs of the thighs, the tail, and the neck, while the head and front legs keep their coat. The exposed skin often darkens, which is why it’s also called “black skin disease.” It usually doesn’t itch.

Be cautious with what you read online:

• The cause isn’t fully understood. Hormonal and genetic factors are suspected.
• It’s a diagnosis of exclusion: your vet first rules out hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and other hormonal or skin problems with blood tests and sometimes a biopsy.
• No treatment works consistently. Some dogs regrow hair after spay or neuter surgery or other treatments, but the response is unpredictable and often temporary.
• It’s mainly cosmetic. Many dogs live normal lives with their skin protected from sun and cold. Weigh any treatment with side effects carefully with your vet.

Other common conditions

Teeth need daily attention; start brushing in puppyhood, as explained in our guide on how to brush your dog’s teeth. Health tests to ask for in the parents: a patella evaluation, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and a cardiac exam.

Is a Pomeranian right for you?

A Pom is a great fit if you live in an apartment and want a small, cheerful, people-oriented dog, spend a good amount of time at home, and enjoy regular brushing and teaching tricks.

It’s probably not the best fit if:

• You have very young children or a hectic household.
• Dog hair bothers you: Poms shed quite a bit, especially during coat blows.
• Barking is a problem in your building and you won’t work on it.
• You’re regularly away more than 6–8 hours a day.

If you’re comparing breeds, see our list of the best small dog breeds for apartments.

How much does a Pomeranian cost? Price and adoption

In the U.S., a Pomeranian puppy from a breeder who health-tests the parents typically costs roughly $1,500–$4,000, depending on region, lines, and color. Be wary of rock-bottom prices and online ads shipping puppies sight unseen: they often come from puppy mills, with no health testing and early separation from the mother. Ask to meet the mother, see health records, and get a written contract. Puppies shouldn’t go home before 8 weeks, and many toy-breed breeders wait until 10–12 weeks.

There’s also no such thing as a “teacup,” “micro,” or “pocket” Pomeranian variety. These are dogs bred below normal size, with higher risks of low blood sugar, fractures, and dental disease.

Adoption is a great option. Shelters and Pomeranian rescues have purebreds and spitz mixes, often adults whose personalities are already known. Adoption fees typically run about $50–$300 and usually include vaccines, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Our guide to adopting a dog explains the process.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Pomeranian the same as a German Spitz?

Sort of. The FCI, which sets standards across much of Europe, treats the Pomeranian as the toy variety of the German Spitz. The AKC and the UK Kennel Club recognize it as a separate breed. The larger German Spitz sizes share the same basic look but are noticeably bigger, so don’t assume a “German Spitz” puppy will stay Pom-sized.

How much do Pomeranians shed?

More than people expect for such a small dog. They shed some hair year-round and “blow” their undercoat once or twice a year, when it comes out in clumps; unspayed females may also shed heavily after a heat cycle or a litter. Daily brushing during those weeks cuts down on hair around the house and prevents mats. Poms aren’t a good pick for people with dog allergies.

Why does my Pomeranian make a honking or choking sound?

Often it’s reverse sneezing: a few seconds of rapid, noisy inhaling with the neck stretched out, which usually stops on its own and is common in small breeds. The honking cough of tracheal collapse is different and tends to recur with excitement or leash pulling. If you can’t tell which it is, record a video and show your vet.

How long do Pomeranians live?

Typical life expectancy is 12–16 years, and many reach old age in good health. What matters most is daily dental care, keeping your Pom lean, protecting the trachea with a harness, and yearly vet checkups, which should become twice-yearly at about 8 years old.

Can a Pomeranian be left alone?

A Pom can learn to stay alone for a few hours, but it’s a very social dog and long absences are hard on it. Start with departures of a few minutes, leave a stuffed food toy or a sniffing game, and stretch the time gradually. As a general rule, an adult shouldn’t routinely be alone more than 6–8 hours.

Sources

• American Kennel Club (AKC): official Pomeranian breed standard and breed profile.
• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): German Spitz breed standard No. 97.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: tracheal collapse and hormonal skin disorders in dogs.
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): recommended breed health screenings.
• American Pomeranian Club: breed health and responsible breeding information.