Many little dog breeds have a bad reputation for nipping and yapping incessantly, driving no-nonsense pet owners to favor bigger dogs. But despite their small stature and dynamic personalities, small dogs certainly deserve their day in the sun. The fluffy Pomeranian is one such breed, and below are several reasons why owning a Pomeranian might be the right choice for you:
Reasons to Consider Getting a Pomeranian
Pomeranians come in a variety of colors. Though the most common shades of fur to see are black or tan, the American Kennel Club recognizes no less than 23 color combinations. Meaning, fashion-conscious women could have a different Pom to match all their winter coats if they wanted to! A little extreme? Maybe- but one thing is for sure, there are no color restraints when it comes to Pom-puppies.
Pomeranians the perfect size to travel with. The standard Pomeranian tends to be about 4-7 pounds according to the AKC (American Kennel Club). Some breeders offer toy, teacup, or miniature Pomeranians, but breeding anything smaller than 3 pounds would be actual be unhealthy for the fragile dog. However, because Pomeranians seldom weigh more that 7-8 pounds, they are very easy to travel with, whether on a train, plane, on road trips, or simply venturing out and about in the city. Another plus about having a little canine? Small dogs tend to live longer than the big breeds, and Pomeranians generally enjoy a long life, surviving between 12-16 years.
Poms are “spitz dogs.” These dogs share certain common ancestral roots as the Husky dogs, whose “spitz” ancestors came from arctic regions. Though this breed of dog originally hailed from the frigid country of Iceland, the name Pomeranian comes from a region in Germany near the Baltic Sea called Pomerania. The dogs in this region were bred as hefty sleigh dogs, and gradually became preferred as toy pets and lap dogs. With their characteristic thick weather-proof double coats, pointed noises, and curling tail, the Pomeranian is the smallest spitz breed. Other dogs in the spitz family are Samoyeds, Akitas, Huskies and Malamutes. This explains why Pomeranians are also tenacious and protective- they get that from the spitz side of the family!
The larger Pomeranian from the late 18th century
Pomeranians are royal pets. During Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century, this breed rose in popularity due to the preference of the British Monarchy. The queen met a Pomeranian while abroad in Italy, and wanted to bring the same kind of dog back with her. The Pomeranians then were stockier and weighed about 20-30 pounds, until one runt in a little inspired breeders to try and create a smaller version. Queen Victoria greatly influenced the development of the breed into the 4-7 pound size Pomeranians we know and love today.
Pomeranians have been the choice pet of prestigious individuals. These peppy little pooches have proven the companion of choice for many noteworthy pet parents. Theodore Roosevelt owned a Pomeranian named Gem, and Elizabeth Rothschild, a wealthy passenger on the Titanic and managed to escape in a lifeboat with her little Pom. Michelangelo and Marie Antoinette owned Pomeranians, and a long list of celebrities have also chosen the fluffy pets, including Elvis Presley, Bill Cosby, Liza Minnelli, Kate Hudson, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Kelly Osborne and Nicole Richie.
Pomeranians rank as one of America’s top 20 favorite dog breeds. Though they dangle dangerously close to the limit, between 13-19th place in line since 2008, out of nearly 200 breeds, being in the top 20 is an impressive feat. A Pomeranian was once awarded “Best in Show” at the Westminster Kennel Club, beating out every other dog breed, and winning over the heart of thousands of attendees and judges.
Pomeranians are very social and loving pets. They love being with their owners, and often struggle with separation anxiety when left without them. They make great companion dogs because they love attention, love to play, learn tricks, take walks, and enjoy meeting new people. Pomeranians are also useful pets in that they are naturally territorial watch dogs that will let their humans know if anything is amiss.
Though not every personality may best be suited for a Pomeranian, there are plenty of reasons to consider adding a fuzzy little Pom-Pom to your home!
