Cute & cuddly – but takes a little bit of extra care
The Pomeranian, also known as a Pom or Pom Pom, is part of the Spitz family of dog breeds. A sturdy and healthy breed known for their companionship tendencies and pleasant demeanour (as well as being a cute ball of fluff), Pomeranians have become one of the most popular toy breeds in Australia and around the world.
Origin
Named after the old Central Europe region Pomerania (now a part of Poland and East Germany), Pomeranians were eventually brought across to England where they were very popular with royal families and aristocrat types. They were eventually bred to the smaller toy size common today, although larger variations are still popular with German breeders.
Appearance
A relative of the larger German Spitz, Poms are roughly 13-28cm in height and usually weigh between 2-3.5kg. Famous for their fluffy appearance, Poms sport a luxurious double-coat of hair, which can look either fabulous or fabulously messy depending on their upkeep.
Health & Wellbeing
Pomeranians are one of the sturdiest toy breeds, with an average life expectancy of 12-16 years. Common health issues for the breed include Luxating Patella (common for many breeds), Tracheal Collapse (common with many small breeds, particularly if they gain weight in their later years) and seizures (possibly caused by hypoglycemia, liver shunts, epilepsy or a head injury). Poms can also suffer from a rare condition often called black skin disease (BSD), causing hair loss and hyperpigmentation, which may be hereditary and affects males more than females.
Regular walks, a good diet, weight maintenance and routine vet check-ups should see your pom happy and healthy into their later years, where you might want to keep an eye on their behaviour and temperament more closely.
Grooming & Hair Care
Like many longhaired breeds, regular grooming and a good diet is key to a healthy and luscious coat, so do prior research on the quality of food you’re planning to feed your Pom. Many super premium pet brands sell specialised skin formulas, and you can always buy additional supplements like Omega Oils to add to their food ??? just make sure you try them out with a small amount first in case they have a sensitive digestive system. You don’t want an upset Pom with stomach issues!
It is recommended to brush a Pomeranian’s coat daily (especially during their moulting period) and to routinely remove dead hair with an undercoat rake or a deshedding tool like a Furminator. Most Pom pet parents tend to get their coats clipped by professional groomers semi-annually to maintain a particular style, but if you’re looking to do it yourself make sure you buy a semi-professional pair of pet hair clippers with a blade designed for long, fine hair.
Temperament & Personality
Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap!
Better get used to this, because most Poms will let you know if something’s up! Although not all Pomeranians are compulsive barkers, the breed certainly has a reputation for it. However, a yapping Pom can also make a really good guard dog, as they are very protective of their pet parents and territory??? just don’t rely on them for their biting power while fending off potential intruders!
A quintessential lap-dog, Poms are fantastic companions for all ages. As they don’t need long walks to stay fit (they still need walks through!), they are a perfect match for a middle-aged or elderly pet parent who are unable to handle a high activity dog. Poms are generally a social and extroverted breed, but it’s a good idea to let them be as social as they can while they’re a puppy to get them used to interacting with other dogs, cats and people.
Fun Facts
- Poms come in lots of different colours! White, brown, orange, chocolate, red, lavender and even blue!
- Of the two dogs reported to have survived the Titanic disaster ??? one was a Pomeranian! The other was a Pekinese ??? go the toy breeds!
- Boo the Pomeranian, coined the ‘cutest dog in the world’, is a global sensation with millions of Facebook followers and merchandising deals. With his iconic hair doo setting Pomeranian style trends, life must be good for this rock star Pom.
This Blog was written by the furry family at Petplan Australasia.??Petplan Pet Insurance??specialises in animal and animal industry insurance. Our practices keep the role that pet insurance plays in responsible pet ownership and the health of the pet at the forefront. For tips to keep your pet healthy, make sure you follow us on??Facebook.
