Toy Pomeranian

SMALL IN STATURE, BIG IN PERSONALITY

DID YOU KNOW?

The Pomeranian was selectively bred down to 'toy' size during the 19th century.

BEWARE

A common marketing ploy is to advertise 'teacup' Toy Poms. These tiny dogs generally come with a whole host of health problems due to their small size and the in-breeding required to breed at this size. Some of these health issues include cardiac problems, a predisposition to seizures, hydrocephalus and blindness. These foxy-looking little dogs may be small in stature, but their personalities make up for all they lack in size. With lifespans of 12-15 years, these vivacious dogs make great pets.

BREED ORIGIN

Descended from large sledge-dog breeds and originating in Germany, the Pomeranian is the smallest member of the Spitz family of dog, which includes the Samoyed, Alaskan Malamute, and Schipperke. These dogs all share similar characteristics of a thick, fluffy coat; pointy ears; and furry feet, which help them cope with the cold temperatures they were designed for. An attractive addition to most of these breeds, including the Toy Pomeranian, is the distinctive 'spitz' tail that curls upwards over the back.

DID YOU KNOW?

These little dogs are amazingly fast for their size!

PERSONALITY

Vivacious, alert, cute and feisty are just some words used to describe these dogs. They are ideal for small houses because they don't need much space, but they do require regular walks. They can be suspicious of strangers and are not afraid to confront dogs bigger than them, which can get them into trouble from time to time, and although they make great indoor watchdogs, they do also tend to bark a lot, so this is definitely something you would want to address from the start. Many folks may see them as handbag dogs, but these bold little dogs are more than capable of participating in things like agility and obedience, as well as being loyal and affectionate sidekicks.

APPEARANCE

The Pom comes in various solid coat colours, with red, black, white, brown and cream being the most common. Their double coat is actually not too difficult to care for and only really requires regular brushing. They often have abundant frills around the neck, shoulders and chest. Their little almond-shaped eyes are dark, and they have a recognisable plumed tail that fans out over their back.

HEALTH

When it comes to Poms, the most common health concerns would be patella luxation, collapsed trachea and Cushing's Disease, but they are generally known to be healthy dogs. As with most small breed dogs, though, dental disease is a common concern, and so they will need regular dental checkups to stay on top of this.

SUITABILITY

If you feel like a Toy Pomeranian is the dog for you, do your homework and get in touch with a reputable breeder or contact rescue centres. If you are looking for affection, fun and cuteness overload, this is the breed for you!