Black Pomeranian: Puppies, Colour, Genetics and Care

How Big Do Black Pomeranians Get?

A black Pomeranian should be the same size as a Pomeranian of any other color. Coat color has no bearing on the breed’s correct size, weight, structure, or proportions.

Pomeranian size requirements differ among the Dogs Australia, American Kennel Club, and FCI breed standards. Dogs Australia and the AKC primarily use weight, while the FCI standard specifies height.

These differences do not mean that one standard is more correct than another. They reflect the requirements used by different canine organizations. A Pomeranian being exhibited should be assessed under the standard applying to that particular show.

Are There Teacup Black Pomeranians?

Black Pomeranian Puppies

A true solid-black Pomeranian puppy is born black. The coat should be black without tan points, while the nose, lips, eye rims, and paw pads should also possess strong black pigmentation.

Black Pomeranian puppies go through the same stages of coat development as every other Pomeranian. Their fluffy baby coat gradually sheds and is replaced by the longer, fuller adult double coat. During this transition, a puppy may temporarily look less fluffy, unevenly coated, or slightly grayish.

How Can You Identify a True Black Puppy?

A very young puppy can appear almost entirely black while actually possessing another color or pattern. Check the coat and pigmentation carefully:

Is a Black Pomeranian Puppy Suitable for Every Home?

Black Pomeranian puppies can adapt well to many households, including appropriately managed apartment homes. However, no puppy is automatically suited to every family simply because of its small size.

A Pomeranian requires companionship, early socialization, patient training, regular grooming, appropriate veterinary care, and protection from rough handling. Prospective owners should select a puppy for its health, temperament, soundness, and suitability for their lifestyle—not for coat color alone.

Are Black Pomeranians Rare?

Black Pomeranians are not officially classified as rare. Black is an established Pomeranian coat colour with a long history within the breed.

However, a well-bred solid-black Pomeranian may be harder to find than an orange or orange sable puppy. Fewer breeders regularly produce solid blacks, so availability can vary considerably. Being less commonly available does not necessarily mean that the colour itself is rare.

Be Careful of “Rare Black Pomeranian” Advertising

Prospective owners should be cautious when advertisements use words such as “rare,” “exclusive,” “exotic” or “teacup” to justify an inflated price. These marketing terms do not provide any assurance about the puppy’s health, temperament, pedigree or quality.

A responsible breeder should be willing to discuss the puppy’s parents, health history, expected adult size, temperament, socialisation and suitability for your household.

Finding and Buying a Black Pomeranian Puppy

Finding a well-bred black Pomeranian puppy may require patience. Begin with recognised kennel organisations, Pomeranian breed clubs and experienced registered breeders who can provide reliable information about their dogs, breeding practices and puppy care.

Do not choose a puppy based on colour or price alone. Health, temperament, soundness, correct Pomeranian type and suitability for your household are much more important than finding the darkest coat or the cheapest puppy.

Questions to Ask Before Paying a Deposit

Warning Signs When Buying a Black Pomeranian

Be cautious when a seller has puppies permanently available, uses photographs that appear on multiple websites, refuses to show the puppy by live video or pressures you to make an immediate payment.

Other warning signs include claims of guaranteed “teacup” size, exaggerated descriptions such as “extremely rare,” no information about the parents and an unwillingness to discuss health, registration or veterinary care.

Do Black Pomeranians Have Health Problems?

A solid-black Pomeranian is not automatically less healthy than a Pomeranian of another recognized color. Black Pomeranians can be affected by the same inherited, structural, and age-related conditions found throughout the breed.

Coat color alone cannot predict a puppy’s future health. Responsible breeding, appropriate health screening, veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, dental care, and maintaining a healthy body weight are all more important than whether a Pomeranian is black, orange, cream, or another color.

Does a Black Coat Cause Alopecia X?

No. Alopecia X is sometimes called Black Skin Disease because the exposed skin may become darker after hair loss. The name does not mean that the condition affects only black-coated dogs.

Pomeranians of many colors can develop coat loss. A veterinary examination is important because hormonal disorders, parasites, allergies, skin infections, and other medical problems can also cause thinning hair or bald patches.

Questions to Ask the Breeder

Contact your veterinarian if your Pomeranian develops persistent coughing, breathing difficulty, lameness, eye discomfort, unexplained hair loss, irritated skin, or any other concerning change. Early assessment is always preferable to attempting to diagnose the problem at home.

History of the Black Pomeranian

Black is one of the historic colors of the Pomeranian. Early written descriptions show that black dogs existed alongside white, cream, and other colors long before the smaller orange Pomeranian became the familiar image of the breed.

The early Pomeranians were considerably larger than today’s dogs. As the breed developed and became smaller, fashions in coat color also changed. Black Pomeranians were highly valued during parts of the breed’s early history, but orange and orange sable eventually became more prominent in breeding programs and the show ring.

An 1803 Description of the Pomeranian

William Taplin described the Pomeranian in The Sportsman’s Cabinet, published in 1803. His account is particularly valuable because it records the breed’s appearance, larger historical size, and known colors—including black.

“POMERANIAN; or, WOLF-DOG. The dog so called in this country is but little more than eighteen or twenty inches in height, and is distinguished by his long, thick, and rather upright coat, forming a most tremendous ruff about the neck, but short and smooth on the head and ears; they are mostly of a pale yellow, or cream-color, and lightest on the lower parts.

Some are white, some few black, and others but very rarely spotted; the head broad towards the neck, and narrowing to the muzzle; ears short, pointed, and erect; nose and eyes mostly black; the tail large and bushy invariably curled in a ring upon the back.

Instances of smooth, or short-coated ones are very rarely seen; in England he is much more familiarly known by the name of fox-dog, and this may originally have proceeded from his bearing much affinity to that animal about the head; but, by those who in their writings describe him as a native of Pomerania, he passes under the appellation of the Pomeranian-dog.”

Taplin’s observation that “some few” were black shows that the color was already established, even though it was apparently seen less often than cream or pale-colored dogs at that time. His description also illustrates how different the early Pomeranian was in size from the modern Toy breed.

How Color Fashion Changed the Breed

During the development of the modern Pomeranian, breeders began placing greater emphasis on orange, red, and sable coats. High-quality black females were sometimes bred to dogs of other colors as breeders worked toward their preferred color, type, and pigmentation.

This change in fashion meant that black and white Pomeranians were no longer always the dominant colors in breeding programs or the show ring. However, black Pomeranians continued to be bred, exhibited, and recognized as an important part of the breed.

Black Pomeranians in the Show Ring and Breeding Programs

Black Pomeranians have been bred and exhibited for generations. Although orange and orange sable eventually became the colors most frequently seen in the show ring, outstanding black Pomeranians have earned major awards and made important contributions to the breed.

The intense pigmentation and dramatic outline of a well-presented black Pomeranian can be extremely impressive. However, the dark coat may conceal the dog’s expression, outline, and movement—particularly under poor lighting or when the handler wears dark clothing.

Historic Black Pomeranian Champions

Champion Banner Prince Charming, owned by Mrs. Frank Smythe, holds an important place in American Pomeranian history. He was awarded Best in Show at the first American Pomeranian Club Championship Show.

Champion Finch’s He Walks on Water

One of the most influential modern black Pomeranians was Best in Show Champion Finch’s He Walks on Water, affectionately known as Travis. Bred by the late Dianne Finch, Travis became an exceptional show winner and a highly influential sire.

Travis was awarded 12 Best in Show wins and is recorded as having sired 67 champions. His achievements demonstrated that a beautiful black Pomeranian could compete successfully at the highest level while also contributing significantly to future generations.

“Presentation is everything when exhibiting a Black Pomeranian. Because dark coats can hide expression and outline under bright lights, careful trimming is essential to create a clean, balanced silhouette. Use products designed for dark coats to enhance depth and shine, and always show your Pom in contrasting colors so their stunning black coat truly stands out in the ring.”

Breeding Black Pomeranians

A black Pomeranian can be valuable within a carefully planned breeding program, particularly when the dog possesses strong pigmentation, correct coat texture, sound construction, good health, and desirable breed type. However, no dog should be selected for breeding because of color alone.

Black Pomeranians may be bred to blacks or to dogs of other compatible colors, depending on the breeder’s objectives and knowledge of the pedigrees involved. The visible colors of the parents do not reveal every color gene they may carry, so pedigree research and appropriate genetic testing can be useful when planning a litter.

Repeatedly breeding only for intense black color while overlooking coat quality, health, or overall type can weaken other desirable characteristics. Every planned mating should consider the complete dog and the strengths and weaknesses found throughout both pedigrees.

Black and White Pomeranian Dogs

A black and white Pomeranian has a striking coat that beautifully highlights the breed’s alert expression, compact outline, and abundant double coat. Depending on the placement and amount of white, the dog may be described as a black and white parti-color Pomeranian or a black mismark.

Although these descriptions are sometimes used interchangeably, they do not mean exactly the same thing. The main difference is whether white or black forms the predominant coat color.

Common Black and White Markings

Every black and white Pomeranian has an individual pattern. Some have large, balanced black patches over a white coat, while others are almost entirely black with only a small amount of white.

The terms used to classify these dogs can vary slightly between countries and canine organizations. However, a simple distinction is that a parti-color is predominantly white with colored patches, while a mismark is predominantly one solid color with a smaller area of white.

Are Black Pomeranians Hard to Keep Clean?

Black Pomeranians are generally no more difficult to keep clean than Pomeranians of other colors. Their dark coats can make minor tear staining and small marks around the eyes and muzzle less noticeable than they would be on white or cream dogs.

However, dust, dandruff, loose undercoat, and pale hairs can be more visible against a glossy black coat. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair, prevent mats, distribute the coat’s natural oils, and maintain a healthy shine.

Like every Pomeranian, a black Pom requires brushing several times a week, regular nail trimming, ear care, dental care, and bathing when necessary. The likelihood of mats and tangles depends more on the thickness and texture of the coat than on its color.

Preventing a Black Pomeranian’s Coat From Fading

Extended exposure to strong sunlight can cause a black coat to develop a faded, rusty, or reddish appearance. This may be particularly noticeable during the Australian summer. Your Pomeranian does not need to be kept indoors continually, but prolonged periods in harsh direct sunlight should be avoided.

Provide shade when your Pom is outside and choose cooler times of the day for walks and play. A gentle conditioner formulated for dogs can help keep the coat moisturized and healthy. Only use a sun-protection product if it is clearly labeled as safe for dogs, and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

White or Gray Hairs on a Black Pomeranian

Individual white or gray hairs may begin appearing around the muzzle as a black or dark sable Pomeranian matures. Because they contrast strongly with the dark coat, these hairs can be noticeable earlier than they would be on a lighter-colored dog. This is generally a normal cosmetic change associated with maturity rather than a cleanliness problem.

“Regular brushing is the best way to keep a Black Pomeranian’s coat clean, glossy, and free from loose undercoat. I also avoid leaving black Pomeranians in harsh sunlight for long periods, as excessive sun exposure can fade the coat and produce reddish tinges.”

Recommended Coat-Care Products for Black Pomeranians

The following grooming products may help with routine brushing, bathing, conditioning, and maintaining a healthy black coat. Always select products formulated specifically for dogs and follow the directions on the label.