Good care starts with getting to know your dog.

Know your dog · Pedigree breed

Pomeranian care guide.

A small spitz with a substantial coat. Get to know the dog beneath the fluff, from gentle handling to everyday feeding.

General education · See individual source dates below

Original illustration of an adult Pomeranian
Original illustration. An illustrative example, not a breed identification or health assessment.

Where Pomeranians come from

The Pomeranian was developed from the larger German Spitz. The Royal Kennel Club records its appearance in Britain in 1870; Queen Victoria helped bring the breed wider attention. Its small stature belongs to that breeding history, not to a separate “teacup” care category.

Read the evidence: Pomeranian: breed background — Royal Kennel Club

Personality, without the promises

The breed standard describes an outgoing, lively companion. That is a broad ideal, not a guarantee about your puppy. A useful way to get to know a Pomeranian is to watch what they choose: exploring, playing, resting or keeping their distance. Give them space to opt out of handling.

Read the evidence: Pomeranian: breed standard — Royal Kennel Club

Yes, this is a double coat

A Pomeranian has a soft undercoat beneath longer, straighter outer hairs. A fluffy surface can hide knots underneath. Ask a groomer to demonstrate a gentle brush-and-comb technique for your dog’s coat, rather than choosing tools just because they are marketed for small dogs.

Read the evidence: Pomeranian: breed standard — Royal Kennel Club · Coat care: preventing matted hair — USDA APHIS

Small dog, real learning

Practise useful everyday skills such as coming when called, settling on a mat and comfortable handling. Keep the challenge small enough for your dog to succeed; size does not remove the need for training.

Read the evidence: Reward-based training — Australian Veterinary Association

Food for the individual

Choose complete food for the appropriate life stage. Adjust feeding to body condition and activity with veterinary guidance; health concerns or prescribed diets need individual advice.

Read the evidence: Nutrition — Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Movement at their pace

Pomeranians still need opportunities to walk, sniff and play. The Kennel Club places them in a lower exercise category than working gundogs, but a breed guide is not an exercise prescription. Plan around your dog’s age, fitness, comfort and weather, with veterinary advice if their tolerance changes.

Read the evidence: Pomeranian: breed background — Royal Kennel Club

Puppy, adult and mature years

Young dogs: introduce experiences gently; stop when worried. Try a brush appearing beside the mat. Discuss safe socialisation with your vet.

All ages: choose safe activities your dog enjoys. An idea to try: finding a familiar toy placed nearby. These are options, not breed requirements or a test of intelligence.

Mature dogs: adapt activities to ability with veterinary advice. For example, bring the toy closer instead of asking for a longer search. Keep companionship and enjoyable choices in their day.

Read the evidence: Puppy socialisation — UC Davis Veterinary Medicine · Environmental enrichment — Purdue Canine Welfare Science · Senior dog enrichment — Cornell University

Health conversations worth having

PDSA highlights slipping kneecaps, inherited eye problems and tracheal collapse among the breed’s possible concerns. A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask about parental health screening and discuss limping, persistent coughing or changes in vision with your vet. The Royal Kennel Club also lists eye screening in its breed advice.

Read the evidence: Pomeranian health — PDSA · Pomeranian: breed background — Royal Kennel Club

Brushing and cleaning

Make coat checks part of calm time together. Pay attention where the collar rubs and behind the ears. Work gently and pause if your dog is uncomfortable. A groomer can tailor maintenance to shedding and coat density; there is no single bathing or clipping schedule for every Pomeranian.

Read the evidence: Coat care: preventing matted hair — USDA APHIS · Pomeranian health — PDSA

Keep care comfortable

Reward-based training is preferable to fear or pain. Pause if handling becomes difficult.

Avoid cotton buds in ears. Pain, redness or persistent odour needs a vet, not more cleaning.

Do not pull at severe mats or cut close to skin. Ask a professional for help. Bathing frequency should suit the individual.

Read the evidence: Reward-based training — Australian Veterinary Association · How to clean your dog’s ears — Cornell University · Coat care: preventing matted hair — USDA APHIS

Sources & scope

Source retrieval dates are recorded individually below. Written as general owner education by Good Dog; not clinically reviewed or endorsed by the organisations linked below. Breed standards describe ideals, not guarantees. Screening advice can change. These are selected considerations, not a complete list of conditions.