Breed library

Pomeranian

Pomeranian photograph.
Pomeranian.JPG - Blackoranges. Public domain. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pomeranian.JPG. License: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pomeranian.JPG#Licensing. License: Public domain.

Breed overview

The Pomeranian (also known as a Pom, Pommy or Pome) is a breed of dog of the Spitz type that is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany in Central Europe. Classed as a toy dog breed because of its small size, the Pomeranian is descended from larger Spitz-type dogs, specifically the German Spitz. The breed has been made popular by a number of royal owners since the 18th century. Queen Victoria owned a particularly small Pomeranian, and consequently, the smaller variety became universally popular. During Victoria's lifetime alone, the size of the breed decreased by half. As of 2017, in terms of registration figures, since at least 1998, the breed has ranked among the top fifty most popular breeds in the United States, and the current fashion for small dogs has increased their popularity worldwide.

  • Breed classification: German SpitzBreed reference breed group.
  • Country of origin: GermanyBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The breed is thought to have acquired its name by association with the area known as Pomerania which is located in northern Poland and Germany along the Baltic Sea.
  • Although not the origin of the breed, this area is credited with the breeding that led to the original Pomeranian type of dog.
  • Proper documentation was lacking until the breed's introduction into the United Kingdom.
  • Two members of the British royal family influenced the evolution of the breed.
  • Named Phoebe and Mercury, the dogs were depicted in paintings by Sir Thomas Gainsborough.

Size and appearance

Pomeranians are small dogs weighing 1.36 - 3.17 kg and standing 8 - 14 in high at the withers. They are compact but sturdy dogs with an abundant textured coat with a highly plumed tail set high and flat. The top coat forms a ruff of fur on the neck, which Poms are well known for, and they also have a fringe of feathery hair on the hindquarters. The earliest examples of the breed were white or occasionally brown or black. Queen Victoria adopted a small red Pomeranian in 1888, which caused that color to become fashionable by the end of the 19th century. In modern times, the Pomeranian comes in the widest variety of colors of any dog breed, including white, black, brown, red, orange, cream, blue, sable, black and tan, brown and tan, spotted, brindle, parti, and blue Merle, plus combinations of those colors. The most common colors are orange, black, and cream/white.

  • Body mass reference: 1.361 - 3.175 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 3 - 7 lbs. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 17.78 - 30.48 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 7 - 12 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height category: short
  • Weight category: toy

Personality and behavior

Pomeranians are alert and aware of changes in their environment, and barking at new stimuli can develop into a habit of barking excessively in any situation. They are somewhat defensive of their territory and thus may bark when they hear outside noises.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.31 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.41 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.95 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.02 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.93 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.37 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.50 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.96 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.30 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.88 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.70 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.85 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.95 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.41 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Pomeranian.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

Health and lifespan

A UK study found a life expectancy of 12.2 years for the Pomeranian. A Japanese study of pet cemetery data found a life expectancy of 14 years, below the average of 15.3 years for cross-breed dogs below 10 kg.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The Pomeranian is considered to be descended from the German Spitz. The breed is thought to have acquired its name by association with the area known as Pomerania which is located in northern Poland and Germany along the Baltic Sea. Although not the origin of the breed, this area is credited with the breeding that led to the original Pomeranian type of dog. Proper documentation was lacking until the breed's introduction into the United Kingdom. Two members of the British royal family influenced the evolution of the breed. In 1767, Queen Charlotte, Queen-consort of King George III of Great Britain, brought two Pomeranians to England.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Pomeranian dog - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Pomeranian dog, revision 1376385166. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pomeranian_dog&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Pomeranian.JPGWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Public domain. Pomeranian.JPG - Blackoranges. Public domain. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pomeranian.JPG. License: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pomeranian.JPG#Licensing.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.