Pomeranian
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Overview
The Pomeranian is the smallest member of the Spitz family. Modern Pomeranians are the diminutive cousins of much larger Northern sled dogs. Queen Victoria's affection for tiny Pomeranians made the toy size universally popular. Today, most Poms only weigh between 3 and 7 pounds and stand 5 to 11 inches tall. Pomeranians are dignified little dogs known for being the companions to many famous owners, including Mozart, Martin Luther, and Michelangelo. Today, they often make appearances peeking out of the purses of their celebrity owners.
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Personality
Pomeranians are extroverted and inquisitive, but they can be snappish with other dogs or small children. Despite their diminutive stature, Pomeranians make excellent guard dogs because they are naturally suspicious of strangers and rely on their sharp barks to assert themselves. They are naturally territorial and protective of their owners, a trait which is sometimes hindered by their small size. Although their bark is larger than their bite, some Pomeranians, especially males, can forget their size when they meet bigger dogs. Help them learn their limitations by socializing them early and often with other dogs so their territorial instincts don't get the better of them.
Though short in stature, these dogs have no shortage of personality or energy. They love to play, and they are happiest in homes with lots of toys to help them amuse themselves. This will also help them overcome separation anxiety and happily adapt to apartment life. Although they don't need consistent exercise, they love receiving attention and affirmation from their owners. Pomeranians make excellent show dogs because they carry themselves with confidence and they love to show off. They respond well to positive attention, so they will pick up tricks and commands easily. Their intelligence, combined with their eagerness to learn and impress makes them easy to train, but they are sometimes difficult to house break.
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Coat Care
Pomeranians will present a challenge for potential dog owners who struggle to make up their minds because their coats come in the widest variety of colors of any modern dog breed. Popular color combinations include orange, black, tan and cream or white. Look for Pomeranians without white markings on their feet, because dogs with those markings have often been over-bred. If your little dog is cocky in his carriage or has a tendency to strut, it is probably because he knows he looks great. The Pomeranian's thick double coat stands off from the body, forming an elegant frill around their necks and tails. As they grow, their plumed tails fan out along their backs. The outer coat is long, straight and harsh to the touch. The undercoat is soft, thick and short, which helps give the Pomeranian his puffy appearance.
When you brush your Pomeranian, start at the head to help the coat part naturally, and brush forward so you do not brush against the coat's natural shape. The male's coat, which is much thicker than the female's, requires consistent brushing to maintain its shape and prevent matting. Daily brushing with a slicker brush prevents knots and tangles, which can be painful for your pet.
These dogs will love occasional baths with detangling shampoo. Pomeranians generally shed about once a year, when they will need more frequent brushing and bathing to maintain their shape.
Pomeranians will appreciate some trimming between their routine grooming, especially around their fox-like faces and in between their toes.
Many dog owners are apprehensive about trimming their dog’s nails because they are nervous about cutting into the quick. But with the right conditioning and careful cutting, nail clipping can be a simple, stress-free activity for you and your dog.
Provide your dog with plenty of positive reinforcement and even treats to help associate nail clipping with a positive experience. As you start to clip, gently press on your dog’s paws to help him become accustomed to the feeling of having his nails clipped. Then, work gradually, shaving down just a thin portion of the nail at first to make sure you don’t reach the quick. Clip one nail, reward your dog with a treat, and stop to give him some positive reinforcement before moving on. Gradually increase the number of nails you clip in one sitting to help your dog get used to the process. Never trim extremely long nails down to a short nail in one sitting, because this is an excellent way to accidently quick the dog’s nail. Instead, work gradually, shaving small portions of your dog’s nails off each time.
You can tell if you’re getting close to the quick by the texture of your dog’s nail. The nail is hard closer to the surface and becomes softer as you get closer to the quick. If your dog’s nail starts to feel softer, that’s a good indication that you’re getting close to the quick.
Not all breeds and coat styles require routine trimming in and around the eyes and ears but all should undergo regular inspection and cleaning around these sensitive areas. Doing so will help prevent the development of infections that could seriously damage these amazing organs.
It is always important to routinely clean your dog's eyes and ears, and examine for potential infections. Small dogs, like Pomeranians, and dogs with extremely profuse coats, like Newfoundlands, American Eskimo Dogs and Keeshonds, have ears that need to be checked weekly for infection and cleaned with a cotton ball. Gently wipe a cotton ball moistened with mineral oil, olive oil or witch hazel in your dog's ear, being careful to avoid the ear canal. Never use a Q-Tip, which could cause damage to the inner ear if your dog suddenly shakes or jerks his head. Bushy hair growth within the ear can be thinned with tweezers or blunt scissors. Use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around the eyes, ears and face. Small dogs like Pomeranians and Pekingese, and dogs with white coats like American Eskimo Dogs and Samoyeds, are prone to developing tear stains around their eyes, so clean around their eyes with a cotton ball or soft cloth and use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around their eyes.
Pomeranian's tiny teeth prone to dental problems. Brush at least once a week.