At a glance the quick version
UKC allows 3-7 lb (about 1.4-3.2 kg) with 4-5 lb (about 1.8-2.3 kg) ideal; FCI asks only that weight suit the size.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, stand-off double coat
A tiny, square-built Spitz with a foxy face, small pointed ears set high and bright, alert eyes. The long, straight outer coat stands away from the body over a thick, soft undercoat, forming a lion-like ruff around the neck, and the heavily plumed tail curls up over the back.432
Personality what they are like
A bright, bubbly companion with a big personality in a very small body. Poms are watchful and quick to notice anything new, strongly bonded to their people and easy to train. They can be bold around bigger dogs and like to announce visitors, so early training on quiet manners pays off.43526
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low to moderate. Short daily walks and play, around 20-30 minutes a day, keep them happy; they also enjoy learning tricks and obedience.56
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush the double coat once or twice a week, down to the undercoat, and daily during shedding seasons. The coat is presented as naturally as possible with only tidy-up trimming.563
Home where they are happiest
Well suited to flat or apartment living as well as houses with a small garden, in town or country. The FCI standard notes the Spitz is sturdy in all weather.64
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete small-breed dog food in small, measured meals. Some Poms are choosy eaters, so a consistent routine helps.5
Company who they like around
A people-oriented dog that likes to be close to its owner. Good with children who are raised with it and handle it gently, and generally gets on with other pets; watch interactions with much larger dogs because of the size difference.54
The story where it all began
The Pomeranian belongs to the German Spitz family, which the FCI describes as descending from very old Central European Spitz dogs. The type is named after Pomerania on the Baltic coast, and early Pomeranians were far larger working dogs of up to about 13-14 kg. A 1764 diary by James Boswell contains one of the first written mentions of a 'Pomeranian dog'. Queen Charlotte brought two to England in 1767, and her granddaughter Queen Victoria became the breed's great champion, showing a small red sable dog in 1891. Her enthusiasm for smaller dogs helped reduce the breed's size by about half during her lifetime. An English breed club followed in 1891, the AKC recognised the breed in 1900 and the UKC in 1914.4236
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Two Pomeranians were among the very few dogs to survive the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, carried aboard lifeboats by their owners.2
- 2
Queen Victoria's love of small Poms is credited with shrinking the breed to roughly half its former size during her lifetime.2
- 3
A Pomeranian named Jiff set Guinness World Records in 2014 for the fastest 10 m on hind legs (6.56 s) and fastest 5 m on front paws (7.76 s).7
- 4
Pomeranians are said to come in the widest range of colours of any dog breed.2
- 5
The first Pomeranian to win Best in Show at Westminster was Great Elms Prince Charming II in 1988.2
- 6
Early Pomeranians could weigh up to around 13 kg (30 lb), much bigger than today's toy dogs.3
- 7
Pomeranians usually have small litters, averaging roughly two to three puppies.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Recognised as the Pomeranian (Zwergspitz) variety of the German Spitz, Standard No. 97, Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 4 (European Spitz); definitive acceptance 1 Jan 1957; current standard published 3 Sep 20241
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Toy Group; the breed was first seen in the UK in 18706
- AKC
- Toy Group; registrations from 1898, full recognition 19002
- UKC
- Companion Dog Group; recognised 19143
Popularity Ranked 19th of AKC-registered breeds in 2025, up three places from 22nd in 2024.8
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pomeranian. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Deshedding spring and autumnExtra brushing while the coat blowsevery day
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseAbout 60 minutes a dayevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: German Spitz No. 97 fci.beused for recognition, origin
- Wikipedia: Pomeranian dog en.wikipedia.orgused for history, recognition, fun facts, popularity
- UKC Pomeranian standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, weight, coat, colours, history
- FCI Standard No. 97 (German Spitz incl. Pomeranian) fci.beused for height, colours, coat, temperament, history
- Hill's Pet: Pomeranian hillspet.comused for height, weight, lifespan, exercise, grooming, diet, social needs
- The Royal Kennel Club: Pomeranian royalkennelclub.comused for colours, exercise, grooming, living space, lifespan, history
- Guinness World Records: Jiff the fastest dog on two paws guinnessworldrecords.comused for fun fact
- AKC: Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2025 akc.orgused for popularity
- AKC: Pomeranian akc.orgused for group, general description
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.