Pomeranian

Temperament

The Pomeranian is a lively, alert dog that bonds very closely with its family. Beneath its plush-toy appearance lies a determined temperament — a direct inheritance from the German Spitz it descends from: watchful, vocal as an alert barker, and self-assured. This breed lives its bond with its caregivers intensely, making it ideal for families with older children who understand its physical fragility, as well as for seniors in an urban setting looking for a small, affectionate and active companion. It learns quickly and responds well to positive reinforcement, though it may be reserved with strangers if not socialised from puppyhood. Its vigilant nature makes it an excellent watchdog in a flat.

Care

The Pomeranian requires consistent care of its dense double coat. We recommend brushing two to three times a week with a long-bristle brush and comb to prevent mats, increasing the frequency during the two seasonal shedding periods each year. Bathing is spaced every four to six weeks with a shampoo formulated for double coats; clipping the coat short is not recommended as it damages the coat structure. Nails should be trimmed every three to four weeks and ears checked weekly. The breed's teeth tend to accumulate tartar, so brushing two to three times a week from puppyhood is advisable. At our kennel in Dénia we accustom puppies to brushing, gentle bathing, and handling of paws and ears from five weeks of age, so the transition to their new home is stress-free.

Adult size

The Pomeranian is the miniature variety of the German Spitz (Zwergspitz according to the FCI, Group 5). The official standard sets a height at the withers of between 18 and 24 cm and an approximate adult weight of 1.9 to 3.5 kg. Breed-standard specimens should not exceed four kilos; below 1.5 kg we are talking about out-of-standard specimens with higher health risks, which is why we do not breed "tea cup" lines. Recognised colours include orange, cream, black, sable, wolf and white; each litter may display different shades even among siblings.

Family life

The Pomeranian fits well with families with children over six years old, provided they are taught not to pick it up roughly and to respect its back and joints. It gets along well with other small dogs and with cats if introduced from puppyhood. It is an excellent breed for flat living due to its size and moderate activity level, although it needs two to three daily walks for socialisation and to burn off energy. We serve families in Dénia, Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm and Murcia, and many live in flats without any issues. It is advisable to work on alone-time tolerance from puppyhood and to redirect barking to prevent it from becoming a habit in the building.

History and origin

The Pomeranian descends from the German Spitz, one of the oldest European breeds, documented in the historic region of Pomerania (present-day northern Germany and Poland) as early as the 18th century. The breed gained popularity in the British court from 1888, when Queen Victoria imported specimens from Florence and contributed to reducing their size through selective breeding. The FCI classifies it in Group 5 — Spitz and primitive type dogs, section 4 — European Spitz, under the name Deutscher Spitz and the miniature variety Zwergspitz. The official standard is maintained by the Verband für Deutsche Hunde (VDH).

Nutrition

A high-quality kibble formulated for mini breeds is recommended, with animal protein as the first ingredient and a kibble size suited to its small jaw. Puppies eat three to four times daily until six months of age; adults eat twice a day. The Pomeranian is prone to hypoglycaemia as a puppy and to obesity as an adult, so portions are weighed and excessive treats and table scraps are avoided. Fresh water should always be available, especially in the Mediterranean climate.

Breed-specific health

The conditions most commonly associated with the breed are patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, Alopecia X (trunk hair loss) and dental problems caused by overcrowding. To reduce risks we use a harness instead of a collar from puppyhood, monitor weight and activity during growth, and schedule ophthalmological and cardiac check-ups at one year of age. Puppies are delivered with vaccinations and deworming up to date, an official veterinary booklet, microchip and health certificate — full details of our health protocol and guarantees can be found on the relevant page of this site.