Is a Pomeranian right for me?

(Dogs 101 Pomeranian: The essential overview of this adorable breed)



Cute, fluffy and small, I have been asked time and time again what breed my dogs and how on Earth people can get one. So, what are these adorable dogs and how do you know whether one is right for you?



Don't get me wrong, I love my dogs and I have a huge passion for the Pomeranian breed, but they aren't for everyone. These dogs demand pampering, constant attention and require intensive training to not become like the well-known Teddy Pom-Pom on Victoria Stinwell's "It's Me or the Dog"





(Teddy Pom-Pom: A Pomeranian Nightmare)



"So what?" you might say, "all dogs are a huge commitment, how much work could such a tiny dog be?"



Well, let's do the run down!





Dogs are not solitary animals


The toy dogs we know today as Pomeranians were developed by Queen Victoria to be a lapdog, meaning not only are they small enough to lie comfortably on a person's lap, they are temperamentally predisposed to do so! Leaving your Pomeranian at home each day while you work AND while you live your own life without including them will leave your dog bored and depressed. They will likely taking up constant barking, destructive habits and become extremely anxious about being separated from their owner. These are hard habits to break once started and make an extremely stressful life for all involved. 



But of course, we have to work to live and keeping your beloved pom your side all the time isn't always realistic. So what can you consider that would make having a Pomeranian companion more realistic?

• Have someone pop in a few times a day to spend time with your dog.
• Drop your dog off at a friends or family members house a few days a week.
• Book your Pom into Doggy Day Care.
• Have two... or three! They can keep each other company. (Keep in mind, they'll still require plenty of time with people)
• Leave them with activities and chew dogs, perhaps even invest in a pet monitor to chat and throw treats to your pom a couple times a day.

You must train them!


Just because these pups are small, doesn't mean they don't require time, patience and training! The good thing is Pomeranians are extremely intelligent and with time dedicated to encouraging positive behaviors, they make great, positive canine citizens.



Unfortunately, a lot of people don't realize this as discussed in a post by this fellow blogger!

Small dogs are less likely to be house trained



If you decide on a Pomeranian, prepare to dedicate time for training at home and look into joining a force free obedience club.


They are high maintenance 


And I'm not just talking about their coats (though that is definitely a factor!)



These dogs have lots of energy and love to play, play, play!!! They know how to demand what they want, so you can expect to spend a lot of time keeping them busy and stimulated. They are cheeky and will get into all sorts of mischief left unsupervised, but they also will want to be near you all the time, so you can kiss alone time goodbye!



They require a lot of time and money put into grooming practices to keep their coats healthy and them looking cute! Poms have a tendency to roll in all sorts of gross stuff, meaning they require regular bathes. They have small tear ducts, making them prone to tear staining, which requires extra cleaning and care. Regularly brushing is also essential to get out their undercoat and reduce matting. Shaving or clipping these dogs is not an option as they're double coats won't grow back and are necessary for them to regulate their body temperature year round. Pomeranians, like any dog, need their nails clipped and ears cleaned often. It's important that this becomes a part of any Pomeranian parents day to day life, even when things get busy!


Potential Health Issues



Unfortunately, these purse sized pets are not excluded from having some health issues. This can quickly add up in cost.



Common health issues include:

• Dental issues - Due to the small size of their mouths, overcrowding is common and you can expect your pom to require at least some teething cleaning and extractions over the years as preventives to tooth loss, gingivitis and periodontitis.
• Hypoglycemia - A state of abnormally low blood sugar levels, is common in Pomeranians, especially as puppies, due to their small size and not carrying much fat. It is essential to keep glucose on hand and watch out for symptoms as letting them drop can quickly result in seizures, coma, brain damage or worse!
• Luxating Patellas - This is congenital disease that results in a displacement of the patella to the side of the joint, depending on the severity of the problem, dogs with luxating patella may need surgical correction or frequent hydrotherapy. 
• Tracheal (Windpipe) Collapse - The collapse of the trachea wall leads to a narrowing of the windpipe. Bronchodilator drugs can treat mild to moderate symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Harnesses are always advised for Pomeranian over collars for this reason. 
• Chronic Vascular Disease - Small and toy breed dogs (such as Pomeranians) are prone to this common heart disease of unknown cause. Dogs with this heart disease have degenerative changes in their heart valves and, without treatment, this can develop into congestive heart failure.
• Distichiasis - A congenital condition where extra row of eyelashes grows from the eyelid and is directed inwards. This is simply by the removal of the extra inward-growing eyelashes either by cryotherapy (chemical freezing), surgery, or electrolysis.
• Alopecia (Hair Loss) - Pomeranians, especially Pom males, are predisposed to this disease. Neutering is the preferred treatment of choice.
• Broken bones - Pomeranians are very fined boned and it is essential to keep them from jumping off things and are cautious with small children around them. A broken bone would be the best case scenario in some incidences! A Pomeranian puppy dropped on their head rarely ends well.

These are just a few considerations when considering adding a Pomeranian to your family! 

Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!