Pomeranian identification: what to look for
A Pomeranian is a tiny spitz: a puff of stand-off coat, a short fox-like face, small pricked ears and a tail fanned over its back. A clear photo is enough for a free breed check.
Also known as: Pom, Toy German Spitz, Zwergspitz, Dwarf Spitz
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About the Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is the smallest member of the German Spitz family. It takes its name from Pomerania, on the Baltic coast, and was bred down in size in Britain during the nineteenth century, helped by Queen Victoria’s fondness for small Poms. The AKC and the Kennel Club list it as a separate toy breed, while the FCI classes it as the Toy German Spitz (Zwergspitz). Poms are bold, alert and lively, quick to bark at anything new and very attached to their people. They adapt well to flats but still enjoy daily walks and games.
At a glance
- Type
- Pedigree breed
- Size
- Toy
- Adult weight
- 1.4–3.2 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Exercise
- Moderate
How to recognise a Pomeranian
- Abundant double coat: a soft, dense undercoat under a long, harsh outer coat that stands off the body, with a thick ruff around the neck.
- Short muzzle on a wedge-shaped head, giving a fox-like look, with bright, dark, almond-shaped eyes.
- Small, high-set ears that stand erect and are often partly hidden in the ruff.
- Tail set high and carried flat over the back, covered with a fan of long hair.
- Orange, red and cream are most familiar; black, chocolate, white, sable, blue, black-and-tan and parti-colours also appear.
- Compact, short-backed body on fine legs; in full coat the whole dog looks almost round.
Photo tip. Photograph the dog side-on with the tail visible over the back. Muzzle length and leg length are what separate a Pomeranian from a larger German Spitz.
Pomeranian or look-alike?
German Spitz (Klein and Mittel)
Larger sizes of the same spitz family, standing taller with a slightly longer muzzle and proportionally longer legs. Size is the main clue; a Pom looks rounder and more compact.
Japanese Spitz
Always pure white and noticeably larger, with a longer, more pointed muzzle and a leaner body. A white Pomeranian has a shorter face and a rounder outline.
Long-coat Chihuahua
A long-coated Chihuahua has much larger ears, an apple-domed skull and a flat, silky coat with fringes, rather than the stand-off double coat and ruff of a Pomeranian.
Keeshond
Far bigger, in wolf-grey with black tips and pale “spectacles” around the eyes. Grey-shaded Poms exist, but a Keeshond’s size and heavier head set it apart.
Pomeranian mixes
Pomeranians are common parents in small crosses: the Pomchi (with a Chihuahua), the Pomapoo (with a Poodle), the Pomsky (with a Siberian Husky) and Yorkie crosses. The fluffy stand-off coat, pricked ears and plumed tail often survive, though coat length and texture vary a lot within a litter. Size depends heavily on the other parent, especially in Pomskies. The identifier usually suggests Pomeranian next to the other breed, or a related spitz such as the German Spitz Klein when the dog is larger than a typical Pom.
Health and care
- Slipping kneecaps (patellar luxation) are common in the breed. Ask the breeder about patella checks, and watch for a skipping step on a hind leg.
- Small jaws crowd the teeth, so dental disease is frequent. Brush daily if you can, and start the habit while your Pom is a puppy.
- A weak windpipe (tracheal collapse) is known in Poms and causes a honking cough. Walk them on a harness rather than a collar.
- Brush the double coat down to the skin two or three times a week. Some Poms develop alopecia X, a painless coat loss starting on the back and thighs.
- Tiny puppies can run low on blood sugar if meals are skipped. Feed small, regular meals, and keep treats modest so adults stay trim.