Pomeranians are known for being lively, friendly companions – but what about kids? Adding a pet to your family can be a fantastic experience and great addition to any home.
As a beloved small dog breed, Pomeranians have become increasingly popular in households that include children, as many people care for them like family members.
But when it comes down to it, are Pomeranians good with kids? In this blog post, we'll cover all the aspects to consider before deciding if bringing one of these delightful pups into your house is the right choice for your unique situation.
So if you're wondering whether or not these furry friends make good companions around little ones - read on!
As a Pomeranian breeder, I am often asked if Pomeranians are good with kids and are Pomeranians good family pets. Lots of families ask if Pomeranians are good family dogs.
Are Pomeranians Good With Kids? Quick Facts
- Pomeranians are known for being lively and friendly companions.
- When considering a Pomeranian as a family pet, it's essential to consider if they are good with kids.
- Pomeranian size is vital for kids – they are small dogs and fragile but can still be excellent pets.
- Toddlers may not understand the respect a pet Pomeranian dog demands, which can potentially harm them.
- Children require supervision during interactions with Pomeranian puppies, and young children may scare them.
- It is unwise to leave small children alone with a Pomeranian dog, as the difference in size can lead to injuries.
- All children under ten must sit on the floor while holding or playing with a Pomeranian puppy.
- Pomeranians and small children can have beautiful relationships, but Pomeranians can react defensively if threatened.
- Teaching children how to behave around dogs, in general, can reduce the risk of aggressive behavior from Pomeranians.
Vital Factors to Consider With a Pomeranian and Kids
Pomeranian Size is The First Consideration
A Pomeranian dog is a good size for families who want a family dog that isn’t intimidating. He can be picked up easily by the children. They can take him for walks without having him escape because he’s too strong for the children to handle.
These are all big pluses. However, small dogs can be fragile. You’ll need to teach your young children how to pick him up correctly, walk him, play with him without being rough, and do many other tasks that may hurt your dog if not done correctly. The Pom isn’t a dog breed you can wrestle with like you would with a bigger dog.
Tiny Pomeranian Puppies are Fragile
Because Poms are fragile, it’s not recommended that you get a baby puppy as a pet if young children are part of your family. Instead, consider an older Pomeranian puppy over the age of six months. Show breeders sometimes have older puppies available for good homes.
Are Pomeranians Good With Babies?
Toddlers are too young to understand the respect demanded by a pet Pom. If a toddler snatched a pom’s toy from his grasp, he may snap or bite as a defense action. He may bite if a toddler behaves roughly or pulls on the pom’s tail or fur.
The Pomeranian and Children Safety Precautions
Children require supervision during interactions with small Pomeranian puppies. Young children should also be cautioned and reminded that these small dogs are not as robust as the bigger dog breeds.
Noisy young children may scare Pomeranians because they’re not used to being around children who move suddenly, make loud noises, and generally have fun. A Pom may run and hide somewhere and refuse to come out if he feels scared.
Young children must NEVER go near a Pomeranian puppy without being supervised by an adult, and Poms shouldn’t become annoyed by the behavior of the child/children.
If your pet had a previous owner mistreated him, it’s likely he’ll bite as a defense mechanism. That’s simply no good.
Small children should be careful when they’re with the pom. Avoid picking him up because if done incorrectly, he may be dropped, resulting in a broken leg or more severe injuries.
Don’t Leave a Pomeranian and Children Alone
It’s unwise to leave a small child with a Pomeranian, regardless of how well they get along. The difference in size and the relationship between both (versus that between an adult pom and a small child) can make a major difference in how each treats the other.
For example, the child might be playing with the puppy, and he falls onto the Pom. This might seriously cause damage because of the pom’s young, fragile body. Health problems that may be caused include anxiety, increased trouble with knees, broken bones, and lung problems.
There’s also the situation where a small child is playing with a Pomeranian, and, for some reason, the child riles up the Pomeranian. It’s possible that the dog may not warn by growling or barking before snapping, potentially biting flesh and causing a break in his skin. I have seen my Pomeranians do this if they have felt threatened in some way. I know this also happens with other Pom puppies.
It’s vital that you never leave Pomeranian puppies and small children alone in each other's company. They haven’t yet learned to respect each other’s boundaries. This precludes children under the age of four years from participating.
Remember the age factor if placed in this situation. It is simple to let small children and Pom puppies play together as long as parents supervise them, and it’s more fun for everybody involved if the young ones play and the adults laugh and enjoy the show.
The Ideal Age for Children to Play with Pomeranian Puppies
I’m the mother of four children and three grandchildren, and they all spent time with my Pomeranians. The most important rule to observe with a Pomeranian and kids is that all children under ten must sit on the floor while holding or playing with a puppy.
Pomeranian puppies, like most babies, have a very short attention span and will quickly decide to jump out of a child’s arms. I had an extremely bad experience with my youngest son when he was about eight, breaking the rules and taking a puppy outside onto our back veranda. The puppy saw something interesting and jumped out of his arms.
She landed hard on the concrete floor, breaking her hip in many parts. This event happened in the blink of an eye. I can happily report that, after expensive surgery, this Pomeranian puppy fully recovered.
I’ve watched my Pomeranian dogs enjoy playing with children, and I believe that children of any age, including infants, can have fun with Pomeranians. This is because Pomeranians are exciting, happy friends who can be tender when necessary. They’re smart, so they’re likely aware they may interact with someone less capable than an adult or another Pomeranian.
The problem is that Pomeranian dogs are a bit like little stuffed toys that happen to be alive. They’re so fun to play with that everyone wants to be around them.
But their cuteness can’t protect them or the children who play with them, so the best policy for letting small children and Pomeranians play with one another is to keep a close eye on them.
Can Pomeranians Hurt Small Children?
Pomeranian dogs and small children often have beautiful relationships. It becomes a stimulating blend when you add a young child’s happiness and natural curiosity to a Pomeranian's playfulness and bountiful charisma.
However, there will also be certain boundaries involved in this relationship. Pomeranians are cute and cuddly but can react defensively if threatened.
If you’re a parent, teaching your children how to behave around dogs, in general, is wise. Then there’s a significantly reduced risk of making a dog feel threatened enough that he attacks without warning. Teeth and claws can quickly hurt a young child, especially if there’s no warning before the dog strikes.
There shouldn’t be a situation where a dog needs to behave aggressively when playing with a young child. However, that fact is that your Pomeranian will defend himself if he feels threatened by the child in any way.
For example, if your Pom is playing with your child and then gets hit, it’s unlikely that your Pomeranian won’t immediately become aggressive (especially if they have known each other for a while). However, if the child keeps hitting your Pom repeatedly, it’s impossible to know what your Pom may do, whether he will bark, bite, growl, scratch, or some combination.
The main problem is that young children don’t yet understand how much strength they should use when playing with a Pom pup. If both play, it’s impossible to know how each may react. They have to test each other’s limits, which is best done while supervised.
Pomeranians can certainly hurt young children, but the reverse is also true. They will likely behave well because they have similar temperaments and sizes, but that’s never guaranteed.
Final Thoughts About Are Pomeranians Good With Children?
While they may not be the ideal pet choice for kids, they can certainly be suitable companions with the proper measures in place. Parents should ensure their children are gentle and never leave them alone with the dog to minimize potential risks.
Many kid-friendly dog breeds are available that could make excellent companions for children while still providing unconditional love and affection from a furry friend.
Ultimately, it is up to the guardians’ best judgment to decide what type of pup works best for their family. With proper guidance, research, and safety precautions, parents and kids alike can enjoy many joyous years with their beloved four-legged companion.
While Pomeranians are terrific as pets, don’t get a puppy under six months as a pet if you have children under the age of ten years. A Pomeranian with older kids is a perfect mix.
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References and Further Reading:
[1] Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
[2] English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
[3] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
[4] Milo G. Denlinger "The Complete Pomeranian."
[5] Kimbering Pomeranians "1891-1991".
[6] William Taplin's "The Sportsman’s Cabinet."
[7] E. Parker "The Popular Pomeranian."
[8] Lilla Ives "Show Pomeranians."