Is a Pomeranian Right for You?
Tiny dog. Very large personality.
I've had Pomeranians for a long time, and one thing I can tell you is that their size is a little misleading. They're small dogs, but they don't tend to behave like they know it.
Most Poms want to be involved in whatever is happening. They're smart, nosy, funny, affectionate and usually pretty convinced that whatever you're doing concerns them too. Personal space isn't always their strong suit.
They're also not stuffed animals. They bark. They shed. Some can be stubborn to potty train. They need regular grooming, and the really tiny ones require a little more care simply because they're so small.
None of that makes them difficult dogs to own, but they're a much better fit when you know what you're signing up for.
Temperament
Pomeranians tend to be very people-oriented dogs. They like attention, they like knowing what's going on, and many of them will happily follow you from room to room all day.
There's quite a bit of variation from one Pom to another, though. I've had puppies who walk into a new situation like they own the place and others who prefer to watch for a while before deciding everything is safe. Some are happy being held forever and some have things to do, thank you very much.
They're also alert little dogs, which is the polite way of saying that many of them will absolutely tell you when someone is at the door. Or in the driveway. Or possibly thinking about entering the driveway.
Temperament is one of the biggest things I look at when matching a puppy with a family. The puppy who's perfect for one home isn't necessarily the best choice for another.
Children & Other Pets
Pomeranians can do very well with children and other animals. The bigger concern with young children usually isn't whether the Pom likes kids. It's whether everyone understands just how small and easily injured a tiny puppy can be.
A two-pound puppy and a sturdy eight-pound adult Pom are very different dogs physically.
Small puppies can be hurt by being dropped, stepped on or jumping from furniture. That's something I take seriously when helping a family choose a puppy. Sometimes the tiniest puppy in the litter simply isn't the best fit for a particular household, even if that's the puppy everyone initially falls in love with.
Children should be old enough, or closely supervised enough, to handle a small dog appropriately.
With other pets, introductions and supervision matter just as they would with any breed. A Pom may be convinced he's the same size as your Labrador. Your Labrador is under no obligation to agree.
Grooming & Coat Care
The Pomeranian coat is beautiful, but it isn't maintenance-free.
They have a double coat with a soft undercoat and longer guard hairs. Regular brushing helps remove loose coat and prevents tangles and mats, especially behind the ears, around the legs and in other areas where the coat rubs together.
Then there's the puppy coat stage.
Most Pom puppies eventually shed that fluffy baby coat while their adult coat is coming in. Around here you'll hear it called the monkey stage or puppy uglies, and sometimes the name is unfortunately accurate. They can go from looking like a perfect little ball of fluff to looking like someone assembled the dog with spare parts.
It's temporary.
I don't recommend shaving a Pomeranian's coat down. Keeping the coat brushed, doing sanitary trimming as needed, keeping the belly area manageable, and having a good grooming routine are better ways to care for the coat.
Exercise & Daily Life
Poms don't need a tremendous amount of space, which makes them adaptable to a lot of different homes. They do, however, need something to do.
Walks, playtime, training, exploring and puzzle toys are all good outlets. They aren't dogs that need hours of hard exercise every day, but they aren't decorations either.
They generally enjoy being part of the household and going places with their people. Their size makes that pretty convenient—as long as you remember that a small dog still needs the same training and boundaries you'd give a larger one.
Otherwise you may eventually discover that the smallest member of the household has somehow become management.
Health & Size Considerations
There are a few things that come with owning a toy breed that are worth knowing ahead of time.
I prefer harnesses for walking rather than putting pressure on a Pom's neck. Dental care is important because they have a lot of teeth packed into a very small mouth. Jumping from high furniture and other falls can also be a much bigger deal for a small dog than people sometimes realize.
Very young or particularly tiny puppies also need to eat regularly. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can become serious quickly in a small puppy who isn't eating well. I send my puppy families home with information and supplies for this because I'd much rather have someone know about it before they ever need it.
Of course, your veterinarian should be your source for medical advice and any concerns about your individual dog.
Living With a Pom
If you want a completely silent dog that never sheds, needs very little grooming and doesn't care what you're doing, I probably wouldn't point you toward a Pomeranian.
If you like a dog with a lot of personality, though, they're pretty hard to beat.
They're affectionate, entertaining, clever little companions, and they're small enough to fit into your life without acting particularly small at all.
For me, that's a large part of what makes them Poms.