The high intelligence level of this breed tends to make training a fairly easy experience for most owners. Pomeranians do have a tendency to bark, and so should be trained early in life to not bark more than a few times when there are visitors or if the doorbell happens to ring. As far as exercise goes, short walks and regular playing sessions in the yard are usually sufficient enough activities to keep most Pomeranians happy. These are energetic dogs, who are very intelligent and eager to learn. Although they are known to display fierce loyalty to its family, they don't tend to enjoy very much attention from children. This dog does, however, get along quite well with other dogs and household pets.

Hailing from Germany, the Pomeranian's colors can range anywhere from orange, to black, brown, white, or grey. Their coat consists of hair which is long and straight, and includes a thick undercoat. The Pomeranian's coat should have a light combing schedule of every three weeks or so, followed by periodic light brushings. It is important to note that excessive grooming can damage the undercoat. Pomeranians come in two sizes, with the smaller version having a shoulder height of 7 - 8 inches, while the larger type stands at a shoulder height of 9 - 11 inches.

Pomeranians  or “Poms” are one of the smallest toy dog breeds. The Pom is lively, spirited and animated. This breed is a keen-eyed extrovert who is very inquisitive and must check out all activities going on around him. The Pom is a proud and confident, even cocky, toy dog that requires early and thorough socialization with strangers to minimize its tendency to bark. This toy breed is intelligent, eager to learn and takes readily to positive and gentle training methods.

Health Facts

Pomeranians have a life expectancy of from 12 to 16 years and have a number of common health problems. These health disorders include: congenital heart defects (patent ductus arteriosus); patellar luxation; eye disorders (progressive retinal atrophy and entropion); tracheal collapse; and low blood sugar in very small Poms. . Watch out for early dental problems which are common in this breed. You should always neuter non-breeding males no later than 6 months of age to prevent leg-lifting problems. Because Pomeranians are expensive, there are a number of unscrupulous breeders selling puppies that are too big for the standard or ones that have a number of genetic problems. Always buy from a reputable breeder and always ask to see the parent’s OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) .

Small dog maintenance comes down to two things: brushing and vacuuming. Some breeds are almost maintenance-free and only require an occasional brushing and don't drop virtually any hair so you don't have to vacuum.

You need to brush a long-haired dog daily so his coat doesn't become a matted and tangled mess! However, you can avoid this if you keep his coat clipped short (just clip it short every few months--it only takes about 30 minutes to do) and then you only have to brush it occasionally (problem solved!). So you aren't limited to just the short-haired breeds if you don't have time for regular brushing. You still can choose a longhaired breed; you just have to clip his coat short to make it easy to maintain.

If you don't have time to be vacuuming up hair, either, then you will want a low-shedding breed.

Watchdog

Virtually all small dog breeds make good little watchdogs--they will all make some sort of commotion (growling or barking)--when a stranger enters their turf. But some breeds are better at this job than others. A few are highly alert and will bark unrelentingly if a stranger is on "their" property.

Allergies -- Hypoallergenic Small Dogs?

Contrary to popular belief, it's not dog hair that causes allergies (sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose) it's dog dander (or dead skin flakes) that does. This microscopic dander floats through the air and when inhaled or when it lands in the eyes it triggers the allergic-reaction.

All dogs with skin (which is all of them) produce dander. So there is no such thing as dog, big or small, that doesn't produce it and is therefore totally safe for allergy-sufferers. However, because small dogs have less skin, they produce less dander. It is also thought that breeds who are low hair shedders also shed less dander.

So if you have allergies to dander, first consider a small dog (your on the right site).

And, to be safe, if you do have allergies arrange to spend some time around some dogs of the breed you are interested in (maybe at a breeders home)--to make certain that they don't trigger your allergies... before you get one!