Pomeranians are known for their small stature, general fluffiness, and big personalities. These tiny dogs are larger than life and fit in well with attentive and loving families. They will certainly not be strangers to stealing the show and thriving on the attention. Here are a few facts about Pomeranians:

1. Pomeranians are a spitz breed.
2. They are a globally popular toy breed.
3. Pomeranians generally do well with older children.
4. These fluffballs need some extra grooming.
5. Poms will be vocal.
6. They enjoy learning new things.
7. Pomeranians can be escape artists.
8. Pomeranians survived the sinking of the Titanic.
9. There are several coat color variations.
10. Pomeranians pop up throughout history.
11. It’s unlikely that Michelangelo had a Pom.
12. Poms tend to love to cuddle.

1. Pomeranians Are a Spitz Breed

Poms are one of the smallest dog breeds and are the smallest of the Spitz-type dog breeds. But, don’t let their small size fool you – these dogs have big hearts and often have a “big dog” attitude to match. They are distantly related to the original sled dogs of the Arctic, more specifically, the Icelandic and Lapland sled dogs.

The Pom, in particular, descends more recently from the German Spitz and is known in some countries as the Zwergspitz. So, though they may be small and fluffy, these dogs are also sturdy and built to withstand colder temperatures. Although the modern Pom won’t be pulling heavy sleds through the snow any time soon, they tend to enjoy some playtime with you in it.

2. They Are a Globally Popular Toy Breed

The Pomeranian was recognized by the AKC as part of the Toy Group in 1888. They have been a popular companion breed for quite a long time, but they are also one of the most popular toy dog breeds in the world. This is generally considered thanks to Queen Victoria, who fell head over heels for the tiny fluffballs while on a visit to Florence, Italy.

She returned from the trip and brought a few Pomeranians home with her, where she became a serious Pom breeder and exhibitor. During the process, she not only helped create the smaller Toy Pom we know today, but she also helped solidify their popularity around the world.

3. Pomeranians Generally Do Well With Older Children

Although Pomeranians make a great family dog, and they do get along well with children when well-socialized, they tend to be a better fit for older children who understand that a toy dog is not a toy. Younger children can easily injure the tiny Pom with an accidental fall or rough play, especially super tiny Pomeranian puppies.

There are plenty of responsibilities that come with owning very small dogs, and this is one of them. Plus, Poms can often have “big dog” demeanors and attitudes. This means that they won’t be afraid to stand up for themselves. They also don’t tend to put up with the potentially aggravating antics common with very young children.

Overall, Poms are loving and affectionate dogs with their families, but they certainly won’t hesitate to let you know when you’ve rubbed them the wrong way. Tiny loving fluffballs they may be, but don’t underestimate the Pom’s innate sense of sass!

4. These Fluffballs Need Some Extra Grooming

Poms are one of the fluffiest dog breeds and are known for their voluminous double coat. Although it helps keep them warm in colder temperatures, it will require some extra grooming. It’s important to brush them daily to keep their coat tangle-free and avoid matting.

In addition to home coat care, you’ll also want to visit a professional groomer every 4-6 weeks for the full spa treatment to keep your Pom looking like the star they are. Professional grooming can help with keeping their nails trimmed, but you want to make sure they stay short, so you may need to do some nail filing or trimming at home between sessions.

You will also want to brush your Pomeranian’s teeth or use an enzyme toothpaste every day. As a small dog, they are even more at risk for developing dental diseases, like gum disease and tooth decay, so proper dental care for dogs is important. Caring for their teeth on a daily basis, in addition to cleanings at the vet when needed, helps to reduce the tartar and plaque buildup that can lead to these painful problems and helps keep your Pom’s smile bright (and their breath a little fresher).

5. Poms Will Be Vocal

Pomeranians are still a Spitz breed. Like other Spitz breeds, these dogs will be vocal. They will make noises to let you know how they feel, and they can also be prone to barking a lot if you do not work with them on it early on or if you accidentally train them into it. You can train your dog to stop barking early on to help curb the behavior and keep it from becoming excessive.

6. They Enjoy Learning New Things

Despite the occasional stubborn streak, Poms are generally obedient and eager learners. They pick up things quickly and love learning new things. Because they pick up on things quickly, they can get bored with repetitive training. So, once they’ve mastered commands, move on to something new.

You can try layering tricks to teach your dog for more advanced commands that use something they already know as a foundation. Poms also tend to enjoy a variety of activities, so you can even try out different dog sports once they are finished growing to see if they really love one of them. Pomeranians are even one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs! They have excelled at being medical alert dogs.

7. Pomeranians Can Be Escape Artists

Pomeranians may be much smaller than Siberian Huskies, but they can also be escape artists. This is something to keep in mind when you let your Pom off-leash, even in a fenced yard. You can have a sturdy fence with secure gates to keep your dog from escaping the yard, but you still want to supervise your Pom’s outside time.

Because they are so small, large predatory birds and other predatory animals can be a threat to them. It’s important that you keep an eye on your Pom and that you do not leave them alone when they are outside, even if it’s your own fenced backyard.

8. Pomeranians Survived the Sinking of the Titanic

The sinking of the Titanic is a legendary tragedy that changed the maritime industry. So many of the shipping regulations, standards, and safeguards we have today can be traced back to this maritime disaster. Of the roughly 2,200 passengers aboard, only 706 people survived the sinking. In addition, three dogs also survived the Titanic disaster.

First-class passengers often traveled with their pets. From historical records, at least 12 dogs were on the ship. Larger dogs were often kept in the cargo area kennels, while smaller dogs were often kept in the first-class cabins with their owners. Of the dogs on the ship, two Pomeranians and a Pekingese would survive by being carried onto lifeboats by their owners, who were first-class passengers and likely had the dogs in their cabins.

9. There Are Several Coat Color Variations

Like Poodles, Pomeranians can come in a ton of different colors. There are nearly two dozen recognized coat color variations for Poms. From white and black to various shades of red, orange, brown, cream, and more, it seems like you can find a Pom in almost any color – and that’s before you get into the color combinations! Pomeranians can also have bicolor, tricolor, or merle coat colors and patterns!

10. Pomeranians Pop Up Throughout History

As a popular companion breed that has been around for a long time and a notable favorite of nobles, it’s no surprise that Pomeranians pop up throughout history attached to significant figures. Aside from being Queen Victoria’s favorite breed and a favorite of Marie Antoinette, these little puffballs have been at the side of artists, leaders, and more, and still remain popular with modern celebrities.

The leader of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, had a Pomeranian. His name was Belferlein. Luther would sometimes call him Tölpel, which means “fool” in German. Luther often referenced the dog in his writings. Despite the theology of the time, Luther was known for believing that dogs did have souls and would go to heaven.

Mozart also had a beloved Pomeranian named Pimperl. The composer even dedicated an aria to his dog! Sir Isaac Newton also had a Pom, though it is unclear if the dog played any role in Newton’s scientific discoveries.

11. It’s Unlikely That Michelangelo Had a Pom

There is a legend that Michelangelo had a Pom by his side while he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but this has not been verified. Given what we do know, it’s likely that this is historically inaccurate. Despite the amount of surviving notes, letters, drawings, biographies, etc., we don’t have a mention of him owning a dog, let alone a Pomeranian.

Also, the timelines don’t necessarily add up. He painted the Sistine Chapel between 1508 and 1512, and Pomeranians did not become their smaller modern size until the late 1800s. Before this, Poms ran larger at 20-30 pounds and worked as sled dogs in Germany and Poland. If there truly was a small spitz dog with him at the time, it would have been more likely to have been the Volpino Italiano, which was an older Italian spitz dog breed favored by Renaissance nobility.

However, there is doubt on this as well, given that Michelangelo was known for living an extremely frugal life and also known for being extremely dedicated to his projects. Plus, these types of dogs were expensive to obtain and to care for, which is why they were historically more associated with nobles and royals.

12. Poms Tend to Love to Cuddle

They aren’t called a companion breed for nothing! These little dogs are true companions and usually love nothing more than to cuddle with their favorite humans. Pomeranians thrive on attention and affection from everyone, and especially the person they are most bonded to. They are often described as Velcro dogs because they just want to be near you.

Is a Pomeranian Puppy Right For You?

Pomeranians thrive on attention and affection. Their favorite activity seems to be cuddling with their families and making them laugh with their comedic antics. They are a great fit for a single owner or family who can give them the time and attention they need to be happy and healthy.

These are just a few facts about Pomeranians. If you think this dog breed could be the one for you, learn more about them and check out the available Pomeranian puppies. Who knows? You could find the perfect addition to your family, and your new best friend!