ToyGermany / Poland

Pomeranian

A pocket-size dog with sled-dog swagger.

Weight: 3–7 lbs
Height: 6–7 in
Lifespan: 12–16 yrs

In short

The Pomeranian is a Toy breed from the Pomerania region of Germany and Poland, bred down from larger sled-type spitz dogs; adults weigh about 3–7 lbs and live 12–16 years. They are bold, vocal and smart, but fragile, so protect knees, back and trachea.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a tiny, bold dog for apartment life
enjoy daily brushing and trick training
have a calm, adult-only or older-kid home

Think twice if you…

need a quiet dog for shared walls
have toddlers or rough play at home
won't brush teeth or coat regularly

The daily plan

Exercise: 30–60 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 15–30 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10

EnergyActive7.0/10

Calm at homeSettles well6.0/10

SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Puffball double coat
A thick double coat that stands off the body; never shave it, as it may not grow back properly.
02
Fox-like face
Pointed muzzle and small ears give the alert, foxy look.
03
Fragile frame
Tiny bones and delicate tracheas mean harnesses, not collars, and no jumping off furniture.

Size & coat

Weight	3–7 lbs
Height	6–7 in
Lifespan	12–16 yrs
Coat	Thick double coat with a profuse outer coat and soft undercoat

Side profile 6–7 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Poms are lively, curious and confident far beyond their size. They are alert barkers and often bossy with bigger dogs. Expect a bright little companion that loves attention and learning tricks.

With kids

Better with older, gentle kids. Toddlers can hurt them, and Poms may snap if handled roughly.

With other pets

Usually fine with other pets, but they may challenge big dogs, so supervise play.

With strangers

Alert and vocal with strangers. Socialization helps prevent excessive barking.

Alone time

Can cope with moderate alone time if trained, but may bark when bored.

Training

Poms are clever and quick, and they love tricks and attention. Housetraining takes patience, so consistency matters.

How often

2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending each one on a win.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on gentle handling, grooming and calm exposure to new sounds and people. This reduces fear barking later.
Self-control

A “quiet” cue and calm greetings matter most. Reward silence and teach an alternative behavior, like going to a mat when the doorbell rings.
What it works for

Food is the top motivator. Use tiny, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories, freeze-dried liver being one option, plus praise and play.

Exercise

Poms need short walks and lots of play spread through the day rather than one long outing. Brain games tire them as much as walks.

Exercise a day 30–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Short daily walks in a harness
Indoor fetch with soft toys
Small-dog agility

Brain work

Trick training
Food puzzles
Hide-and-seek

Best home

Apartment-friendly with daily walks and indoor play; avoid extreme heat.

Watch for Use a harness to protect the trachea, and stop jumping from furniture to protect knees and spine.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Pomeranian (3–7 lbs) lands around 150–275 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 175–325 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 20–35 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 1–2 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 150–275 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 15–30 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 1 piece a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 200–375 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 20–40 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 1–2 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 125–225 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 15–25 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 1 piece a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	175–325 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	20–35 kcal	1–2 pieces
Adult Maintenance	150–275 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	15–30 kcal	about 1 piece
Active / Working	200–375 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	20–40 kcal	1–2 pieces
Senior	125–225 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	15–25 kcal	about 1 piece

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Luxating patellas, tracheal collapse, alopecia X and dental disease are the main concerns. Daily tooth brushing and a harness help most.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Luxating patella	OFA patella evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs
Heart disease	Cardiac exam (OFA)	Once, in breeding dogs

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Pomeranian breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Heart exam
Kneecap (patella) check
One elective test from the breed club list

Also recommended

Hip evaluation
Legg-Calve-Perthes

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate year-round, heavy during seasonal sheds

Brush 2–3 times a week with a pin brush and comb, and daily during sheds. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth daily.

History

Before 1800s

Spitz ancestors

Poms descend from larger spitz-type dogs of the Arctic, used for herding and pulling.
1800s

Royal miniaturization

Queen Victoria’s small Poms helped make the smaller size fashionable in Britain.
1888

AKC recognition

The AKC recognized the Pomeranian in 1888, and it remains a popular toy breed.

Questions owners ask

Are Pomeranians easy to train?

Fairly easy. Poms are clever and love tricks, but housetraining takes patience. Short, upbeat, reward-based sessions work best.

Are Pomeranians good with kids and other pets?

Usually with older kids and calm pets. Toddlers can injure them, and Poms may challenge larger dogs.

How much exercise does a Pomeranian need?

About 30–60 minutes a day, split into short walks and indoor play. Brain games count toward the total.

Do Pomeranians shed?

Yes, moderately. Brush 2–3 times a week and daily during seasonal sheds; never shave the coat.

What health problems do Pomeranians have, and how long do they live?

Luxating patellas, tracheal collapse, alopecia X and dental disease are the main concerns. Pomeranians typically live 12–16 years.

Is a Pomeranian good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes to apartments, with daily walks and bark training. First-time owners can do well if they stay consistent with training.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Pomeranian needs only about 1 piece a day, well inside the 15–30 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Pomeranian ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.