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Pomeranian Pros and Cons: 24 Things to Know Before Getting a Pomeranian

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Last Updated on 29/06/2023 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on December 23, 2022.

This article will explain in detail all Pomeranian pros and cons and what you need to know before getting a Pomeranian Puppy. If you own a Pomeranian, you’ll no doubt appreciate that it’s a totally unique experience to have, even if you have owned other pets previously to this.

A Pomeranian is naturally man’s best friend but he’s also fiercely loyal, smart, cuddly, and incredibly adorable. Full details of Pomeranian’s pros and cons. Pomeranian intelligence level is high and they are adventurous little dogs with a “Napoleon complex”.

I have a number of Pomeranians and I would never give them up, or the amazing experiences I have shared with them, for anything in the world.

A Pomeranian is an ideal pet because of several traits that, once combined, create the perfect 4-legged furry member of your family. The traits may be temperamental and physical.

The key is to learn what you’re facing if you get a Pomeranian. You may already own one or two Poms, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll already know about all the traits these amazing creatures can offer you and your family.

Pomeranian pros and cons
Pomeranian pros and cons

Pros and Cons of a Pomeranian as a Pet

1. Pomeranian Intelligence Level is High

They thrive on challenges and do well in many dog sports. They need training, or they’ll train their owner. All dog breeds have their own styles of learning and Pomeranians love to be taught new tricks, and they pick things up quickly.

Despite their diminutive size (which they don’t actually realize), Pomeranians will often confront other dogs that are much bigger in size – but they’ll still refuse to back down.
Poms are active, playful, extremely friendly, and fiercely protective of their owners.

2. Pomeranians are Adventurous 

Pomeranian energy level is high, and they are extremely adventurous animals. As for an attribute you wouldn’t expect from a toy dog, they make exceptional watchdogs. If they can hear or see something wrong in your house, their loud bark will quickly have you come running.

If someone rings the doorbell or knocks at the door, the barking will alert you, whether it’s someone you know or a stranger. There go all the store fundraising door knockers.

If a Pom barks, unless he can be seen, it’s a great deterrent. If it’s a stranger and he’s seen, it may or may not be enough to scare them off.

3. Pomeranian Grooming Needs

Lots of owners of other dogs seem to be jealous of a Pom’s glorious, puffy coat. Pomeranians have large coats that protect them from the weather and keep them warm too. However, a large coat means you need to care for it properly.

Actually, a Pomeranian has two coats – an inner coat and an outer coat. The inner coat (aka base coat) is dense and enables him to stay warm in colder weather and somewhat toasty during Summer.

His outer coat is much lighter and it protects the inner coat from most weather conditions. To maintain a healthy coat, he should be brushed daily with a good-quality brush. Your Pomeranian would love that feeling and the attention he’s getting.

24 Things to Know Before Getting a Pomeranian Puppy
24 Things to Know Before Getting a Pomeranian Puppy

It’s necessary to keep your Pomeranian’s coat as healthy and clean as possible. It’s especially critical if the inner coat has been damaged in any way because there’s only a low possibility of regrowth.

Ensure that only a trained professional cuts your Pom’s hair and that they don’t cut the inner coat in any way.
Make sure that when anyone cuts your Pomeranian’s hair that they are trained professionals and know not to cut into his inner coat.

4. Pomeranian Barking

There are people who love talking a lot; some cats love “meowing” a lot; and, of course, there are dogs that really enjoy barking. Pomeranians certainly fit the “barking” category, and it can be funny at times but it can be really irritating during the bad times.

Their behavior demands lots of attention from everyone around them when they’re full of energy, making it impossible to ignore.

Pomeranians are very boisterous by nature and it shows because they bark a lot. However, there are other reasons for them to be classified as big barkers as they’re extremely loyal and fiercely protective of their owners. There will sometimes be a reason for their barking.

For example, if they’re barking at squirrels, cats, or people walking past your home (with or without a dog), and sometimes they’ll bark at you if they become too excited.

In my experience, they’ll often do it as a means of warning you, thereby keeping you safe. They just want the absolute best for their human parents.

5. The Pomeranian Napoleon Complex

Have you ever noticed your Pomeranian walking around like he’s expecting everybody (human and animal alike), to pay full attention to him immediately?

It can feel like he’s a member of royalty and I suspect he uses that to his benefit. He might be having a quarrel with a larger dog but he’ll refuse to concede.

All about Pomeranians
All about Pomeranians

Pomeranians certainly possess a “Napoleon complex,” like numerous other small breeds. They were members of royalty in days gone by. Queen Victoria was a major contributor when it came to creating today’s modern Pomeranian.

Whether this is, or isn’t, the reason why a Pom pretends he’s a big dog in a small body, it’s certainly a Pomeranian’s very cute trait.

6. Easy to Stay Healthy

One aspect of a pet’s care is making sure he can burn off energy that gets accumulated and stored during his numerous naps each day. It’s also necessary that he has enough exercise on a daily basis.

This can entail running around in the house, going for walks, playing fetch in the garden, and more options. This is a vital aspect of your Pomeranian’s life, particularly if he should lose weight.

Because a Pomeranian is small, he won’t have a lot of calories to burn. He won’t consume much food compared to the larger breeds, so a short walk every day is ideal.

Providing the walk is down the street or around the court, a Pomeranian’s compact body will find that’s plenty of regular exercise.

7. The Pomeranian and Kids

Pomeranians are not 100% kid friendly. It’s common for families to want a dog at least once in their lives and, at first glance, a Pomeranian would be perfect. Being small, a Pom seems ideal as he’s a similar size to a small child. It seems that there would be a lot of fun involved.

However, the truth is a bit different. Because of their size, a Pomeranian can be hurt easily if he’s playing with one or more small children.

Children of that size are still adjusting to how strong they are because they keep growing, and the Pom might be hurt if playing gets a bit rough. Pomeranians are also proud creatures and if a negative interaction occurs, the dog may lash out.

If you really want a Pomeranian because you have children, wait until they’re a minimum of ten years old. If you have a child under the age of ten, and a Pomeranian, ensure you never leave them together unsupervised or an accident may happen.

8. Are Pomeranians Loyal?


It’s a well-known fact that dogs are man’s best friend. One major reason is that, when it comes to humans, dogs are the most loyal creatures in the world. Pomeranians certainly match this description and it’s extremely obvious in their unique character.

When you get home from your job, your Pomeranian may run and greet you, tail wagging, and then he’ll spin in circles of joy. He might bark, if somebody rings the doorbell, to warn you of possible danger.

Eventually, after a period of time, you’ll end up on his good side and his loyalty to you will last forever. He’ll attempt to make sure you’re safe and strive to protect you whenever the chance arises.

It’s somewhat ironic that your small Pomeranian feels the need to protect you, considering his size but it’s deeply embedded in his genes.

9. Pomeranian Separation Anxiety


Dogs have so much love for their owners that if you’re even away from home for two hours, it feels like their whole world has collapsed.

Pomeranians have a well-earned reputation for becoming super-glued to the person who owns and loves them in return, just one reason why Pomeranians are extremely popular. If you love your Pom, you’ll be given 10-fold love in return.

However, this is where separation anxiety can occur each time you leave your Pomeranian, even if it’s with other people that your dog knows and feels safe with.

Pomeranian Puppy
Pomeranian Puppy

Behavior can vary from one dog to the next and may include: feelings of sadness, crying and waiting next to the front door from the moment you leave until the exciting minute that you return.

At first, this seems to be a cute trait because it’s a demonstration of how much your Pomeranian loves you and, at the same time, hates you being absent. Pomeranian separation anxiety isn’t a healthy trait and you should find an experienced dog trainer to help reduce the problem for you.

10. Pomeranian Spinnin


One of the strong characteristics of a Pomeranian is that he’ll spin in circles non-stop and at a great speed every time he becomes extremely excited. It can cause you to feel dizzy if you watch it.

For an example of Pomeranian spinning, if you come home and say “walk,” or touch his leash, he’ll begin to spin and bark excitedly at the same time. Now imagine those actions happening when you own a few Pomeranians; it will feel like bedlam.

There are other dog breeds that also behave this way each time they become excited, but owners of Pomeranians know that it’s typical everyday behavior. All your dog is showing you is that he’s ecstatic and happy about whatever is next.

11. Black Skin Disease Pomeranian


There are a number of medical problems that are commonly found in Pomeranians, and many are a result of genetics. However, the saddest disease that a Pomeranian can experience (with not a lot of exceptions) is Black Skin Disease (which is also known as Alopecia X). 

This disease can strike a number of spitz breeds, including Poms, and it can cause permanent loss of hair and discoloration of the skin. It’s a particularly insidious disease in that it strikes without warning.

If your Pomeranian’s hair begins to fall out and the color of his skin changes to dark gray and then to black, you need to talk to your breeder and Vet about possible ways to control the issue.

12. Luxating Patella Pomeranian Issues


There are a few health issues all Pomeranian parents should know. The one that stands out as being the number one problem that Pomeranians experience is the luxating patella, i.e. when his kneecap moves in and out of his socket. 

Unfortunately, this problem often is the result of environmental issues or can also be of a genetic nature endured any damage. Keeping your Pomeranian trim and healthy, feeding a correct diet, and banning your Pom puppy from jumping up and down from furniture can help prevent this issue.

Pomeranian Dog
Pomeranian Dog

It can also be in their genes so you need to be mindful of that fact. If you happen to see your Pom walking a bit differently from his usual way, due to his back leg(s) not bending, he most likely has a luxating patella.

However, there’s positive news. Knee surgery can fix the problem fairly easily so speak to your vet about the problem.

13. Pomeranian Collapsed Trachea

A Pomeranian trachea collapse happens when the cartilage surrounding your Pom’s windpipe breaks down and forces it to collapse in on itself, blocking his normal airflow. Such a collapse is very frightening for both the owner and the Pomeranian concerned.

If he has a collapsed trachea, there are a number of different procedures that can be carried out. However, Pomeranian collapsed trachea surgery cost is usually the most expensive surgical procedure you may face.

Owning one Pomeranian can be costly over the years. There is another, cheaper, and probably not an as efficient choice if your Pomeranian’s trachea has collapsed.

It’s why the majority of Pom parents choose a particular dog cough medicine formulated for canines whose tracheas have collapsed.

Collapsed Trachea in Pomeranians Remedy

PawHealer Trachea Support Phlegm Heat Pattern Herbal Cough Powder, 100g

Pomeranian Collapsed Trachea Symptoms

If your Pomeranian exhibits any of the following symptoms:

  •  Heavy breathing after a period of activity.
  •  Gagging/choking after having a bite to eat or a drink.
  • Pomeranian collapsed trachea cough sounds more like a very loud goose honking.
    The diagnosis might be a Pomeranian collapsed trachea.

If this occurs, you need to take your furry family member to the vet urgently, ringing beforehand, so he’s expecting you and has a vacant table. Then you can discuss potential Pomeranian collapsed trachea treatment options.

14.  Pomeranian Food Allergies

Today’s food products for dogs are full of a lot of chemicals, preservatives, and additives and when you try to read the labels, many of the ingredients are either unpronounceable or in a foreign language.

The major branding companies generally don’t include ingredients that are organic or all-natural because it affects their bottom line. Instead, they opt for as many shortcuts as they can to guarantee their costs remain as low as possible, while still making loads of sales whilst maximizing profits.

Pomeranians and their counterparts in the small breed categories are extremely susceptible to many of these chemicals, preservatives, and additives and they frequently trigger allergic reactions. Corn, wheat, and a variety of meats can also cause allergies in Poms.

The smartest way to deal with such problems is to tightly monitor each different product you feed your Pomeranian and make a precise list of problem foods. Then avoid those ingredients and focus your spending on completely natural, top-quality food for your much-loved ball of fur.

15. Pomeranian Bad Teeth

I’ve heard it said that dogs are high on the list of living creatures with the cleanest mouths on the planet, often being cleaner than people’s mouths.

Sad to say, Pomeranians aren’t at the top of the dog category because they have difficulty keeping their teeth as clean as they should be, thereby leading to bad cases of breath that are downright stinky.

Pomeranians are recognized as having bad teeth but the good news is that there are numerous cleaning options that work for proud owners.  This means I need to brush their teeth (extremely time-consuming if you own more than one Pomeranian).

However, I continue to use a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush their teeth clean every two weeks. Initially, I was doing that big job every week but it felt rather excessive to me because I own quite a few Pomeranians and each one needed the same love, care, and attention.

I use the following additive in their food daily:

Fresh Breath by TropiClean Oral Care Water Additive Plus Hip & Joint for Pets, 33.8oz – Made in the USA

16. Is The Pomeranian Temperament Extroverted?


Everybody understands the personality differences between extroverts and introverts. Pomeranians would appear high up on the list of extroverted animals you’re ever lucky to find. They’re great at commanding any audience and thrive when they’re the center of attention.

Your Pomeranian has a few ways to attract attention including begging, barking, spinning around in circles at speed, or simply getting in the center of the action. Don’t expect your Pomeranian to stop this behavior.

Earlier I mentioned how Pomeranians are extremely loyal and adore barking, whatever the reason – but these are merely part of being an extrovert.

Despite being cute and very charismatic, never let a Pom manipulate you into giving them what they want (E.g. human food or treats). A Pomeranian, regardless of what he does, can be very convincing when he wants to be.

17. Pomeranian Potty Training Troubles Are Common

You might live in an apartment building, on a farm, in a house, or somewhere completely different. However, there’s one common denominator: your Pomeranian will need to learn what suits his surroundings and that’s potty training. Pomeranians aren’t exempt from this but they appear to be harder to train to do this than most dogs.

Pomeranian Puppy
Pomeranian Puppy

I have no idea why but they have trouble learning not to do their business in home. Some of the other canines I own (non-Pomeranians), usually learn this faster than my Poms.

Perhaps it’s something psychological and I am letting them get away with more than I should, just because they’re so adorable. I sure hope this is NOT true.

18. Pomeranian Dog Lifespan

When you look at how long small dog breeds live, you’ll see that lifespan for a Pomeranian is longer than most others. A Pomeranian can live between 12 – 16 years.

The figures I have mentioned are estimations because Pomeranians can lose their lives when they’re younger or older. If you do everything possible to look after your Pomeranian, including sufficient exercise, plenty of rest, high-quality food, plenty of love, and TLC, each day, then living a long, healthy life should be something for him to look forward to doing.

19. There Are Many Different Colors of Pomeranian Dogs

Of all the dogs, breeds, sizes, and shapes that live in this wonderful world, the vivacious Pomeranian breed of dogs come in the most incredible array of colors in the same world.

Different colors of Pomeranians may include red, orange, black, sable, cream, white, merle, chocolate, brindle, etc. Orange, sable, and cream are the most popular of the colors and the rest do appear but less frequently.

When Pom puppies first come out to join their families, they’re often lighter in color, or darker than what they’ll be upon maturity. All Pomeranians I have ever had the pleasure of owning were one of these colors with the exception of merle and brindle Pomeranians.

20. How Much Do Purebred Pomeranians Cost?

Owning any dog won’t be a cheap prospect in the long term because after you pay for the rights to own him, you’ll need to feed him, give him toys to have fun with, take him for trips to the local vet, get involved with other members of your existing family, regardless of the number of legs, And so the list goes on and on.

Pomeranians are very popular dogs and their purchase price will reflect that. If you want a Pom puppy, you’ll need to spend $2000 – $5000 and the average cost will be $3500.

However, if money is an issue, consider an older Pomeranian, or perhaps one currently existing in a rescue shelter, and the price will plummet. If, however, you want a purebred Pomeranian that has colors that are rather exotic, then your starting point is many thousands of dollars.

21. Pomeranian Portability

In today’s modern world, life is quite portable and some people think that dogs should also have some portability. Pomeranians are much smaller than most other dogs, so it’s much simpler to put yours in a specially designed-backpack for dogs, and off you go.

There are owners who take mobility to an even more comfortable level and strap him into his dog stroller. They’re among the cutest dog products and I’m certain my own Pomeranians would love to sit in a stroller when they’re tired after their walk. It would also be terrific if I wanted to take them when I go for runs.

22. Pomeranian Size Has Drawbacks

They can easily hurt themselves when jumping off furniture, getting stepped on, or being dropped. They’re small enough to make you trip if they get in your way.

23. Pomeranian Size Advantages

  •  It costs less to care for smaller dogs in general.
  •  Their food bill is considerably smaller than that of a bigger dog.
  •  They don’t eat a lot so their toilet deposits are smaller in size.

24. From the Land of Pomerania

Today’s Pomeranians have descended from a very long, proud line of ancestral dogs that themselves had descended from wolves. While people describe Poms today as being cuddly and cute, that hasn’t always been the case. Pomeranians have an ancestral line of Arctic working dogs from a region known as Pomerania (located in Germany and Poland).

The original Wolf Spitz dogs were strong working dogs, of good character and loyal to their master, who they fiercely protected, while getting their job done.

All these characteristics remained when Pomeranians were bred down to the smaller cuddy, a cute variety we see today. Most of the qualities that today’s Pomeranians possess come from their proud ancestors.

The Conclusion is To Get Yourself a Pomeranian

I really hope you have a greater understanding of Pomeranian pros and cons and what it might be like if you owned a Pomeranian. Whether you currently have one or more, or you’re potentially a newcomer to the market, you’re sure to appreciate their incredibly unique qualities that no other breed can begin to match.

I strongly urge you to visit shelters, and breeders and think about whether to adopt a Pomeranian dog or purchase, one if you’re considering adding an adorable furball to your family. They have lots of fun with your cute, playful Pomeranian.

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References and Further Reading:
[1] Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
[2] Official English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard , 2017.
[3] Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
[4] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.

The Pomeranian Handbook

About

Denise Leo

Pomeranians are my passion, and I have shared my life with these darling little dogs for many decades. The creator and face behind this website is published author and Pomeranian breed authority Denise Leo of Dochlaggie Pomeranians.

Denise Leo
Denise Leo