Pomeranians are generally active, friendly, and affectionate toward their family. They tend to have a "big dog in a small dog body" attitude. They are alert watchdogs, and if left untrained can have issues with barking. Good socialization and early training is important for a well-rounded and well-behaved Pomeranian. Poms make great lap dogs and love attention. They are wonderful service dogs with the correct training and even therapy dogs. They are good with children but not sturdy enough for rough play, so older children are preferred.

Pomeranians are highly adaptable. They are comfortable in most settings, from a large home with a large yard to an apartment. Poms do well in most climates and have a double coat that suit them well for the colder climate. Poms can overheat easily in the hotter climates, so special attention must be paid and they should be kept inside most of the time. Pomeranians crave companionship and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

Although the Pomeranian is a toy breed they are generally healthy. Some health conditions to be aware of are: luxating patellas, allergies, hip dysplasia, dental problems, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, congestive heart failure, and epilepsy. Many of these conditions, aging aside, can be identified and avoided through careful screening of the parents. Don't be afraid to ask about the genetic history of the parents!

Pomeranians have a moderate activity level and do not need that much exercise to be happy. They may have bursts of energy, but do only need a little exercise daily to stay happy and healthy. Daily walks and playtime will make you the apple of their eye! Poms can be escape artists, so make sure you keep and eye on them when they are outside. They can also be at risk from large predatory birds, other predatory animals, and dognapping humans. It is important that you keep an eye on your Pom when they are outside.

Pomeranians are fluff balls with a double coat and they will shed. The undercoat is dense and soft while the overcoat is long, straight, and more coarse in texture. They require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling. Monthly bathing is sufficient unless they need it more often (get into something, etc). Taking your pom to a professional groomer is a good idea every 4-6 weeks to maintain their coat. Trimming your poms nails regularly is very important, once to twice a month to keep them short. Teeth brushing is also important and daily brushing sessions will help to keep tartar build-up at bay and reduce the risk of dental problems. Pomeranians are prone to tooth decay, gum disease, and early tooth loss. Start your puppy with these things early and it will not be a struggle for the rest of their life.

This dog breed is highly trainable! Pomeranians are highly intelligent and easily trained. This also means it is easy to train them into bad habits, so consistent training is the key. Housebreaking a small dog can be challenging, so be prepared to approach it with a lot of patience and focus on consistency. Crate training can also help you with housebreaking. Because they are such small dogs, jumping off of high furniture can damage their joints or even break their bones, a set of stairs will be a frequently used piece of equipment. Poms are prone to barking, they are alert watchdogs, but this can become a nuisance. Careful and consistent training for them to stop barking on command will be a big help. Poms are fun to train to compete in sports like agility, rally, and obedience. Confirmation showing is also a joy with this breed.

A Pomeranian usually stands 8-11 inches tall and weighs between 4-7 pounds.
Pomeranians generally live from 12-16 years.

Pomeranians are German by origin. Queen Victoria is credited with downsizing the breed to the current toy status and for starting the rise in popularity. Emile Zola, Marie Antoinette, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart also were the proud owners of pomeranians.