Pomeranian Pros & Cons: What to Know Before Getting One
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Pomeranians are fuzzy and adorable pint-sized pups that have captured the hearts of many worldwide. These cute and loving dogs rank 24th on AKC’s 2021 list of the most popular dog breeds in the US.1
A Pomeranian might just be the perfect four-legged addition to your family. Aside from being adorable, “Poms” are also loyal, loving, and cuddly creatures that love to play. But don’t let the adorable faces fool you; they can be a handful and a not-so-perfect addition to your home.
If you’re on the fence about adopting a Pomeranian, we’re here to help. Today, we highlight the pros and cons of owning Pomeranians. That way, you can make a more informed decision about adopting one.
The 11 Pros of Owning a Pomeranian
A Pomeranian would serve as an excellent addition to any household. Here are a few reasons why adopting a Pomeranian is a good idea.
1. They’re Super Cute
Pomeranians are explosions of cuteness in tiny packages. If you want an adorable house pet to cuddle with, this tiny canine will do you justice. Their fox-like faces, pricked ears, and furry exterior give them huge appeal among dog lovers. Groom them right, and they can complement your outfit. They’re tiny enough to bring to parties and events. But if you’re not too careful, they might just steal the spotlight.
2. They’re Great With Children
Pomeranians are bubbly and energetic dogs that love to play. They’re excellent with kids of all ages and make excellent playmates. These dogs peacefully coexist with children and can even protect them. They’re also highly intelligent to interpret toddlers’ rough tugging and pulling as mere play and don’t get aggressive. However, leaving Pomeranians unattended with kids is never a good idea.
3. You Can Live With Them in the City
Pomeranians are small dogs with adult Poms measuring about 8 to 11 inches in height and weighing a paltry 4.4 to 10 pounds. This small size is a huge advantage to city dwellers since they can have Poms as pets without sacrificing too much space.
Pomeranians are great for living within the city or the suburbs and can sleep, play, and stay in small apartment complexes without being too intrusive. Moreover, they don’t have a ravenous appetite that requires abnormal food stocking.
4. They’re Easy to Train
If you’re looking for a dog that you can easily train to do tricks and obey commands, then a Pomeranian is just what the doctor ordered. Unlike their even smaller cousins, the dachshunds, Pomeranians are amicable and a breeze to train.
It’s possible to train your Pomeranian to sit, roll over, and jump without breaking a sweat. Do this successfully, and your prized pooch will be the highlight of your dinner parties. Plus, you’ll have lots of fun training it.
These tiny pups can be trained to be quieter if you start early enough. Over time, they’ll learn to keep things quiet. That way, you can have a loving household pup minus the annoying barking.
5. They’re Extremely Loving
Pomeranians absolutely adore their owners, making them a must-have for anyone who wants a loving pet to keep them company. These canines show their affection by licking and jumping on their owners. They’ll also wag their tails furiously in happiness the moment they see them.
Moreover, this breed has a knack for sensing its owners’ emotions. Don’t be surprised to see your pet running up to lick your face when you’re feeling sad and low. They’re also smart enough to recognize when you don’t want disturbance, and they’ll leave you in peace.
6. You Don’t Have to Spend a Bundle on Food
Dog food expenses can easily dent your budget if you own a ravenous dog breed. Thankfully, Pomeranians have a subdued appetite and require a little food to keep them full. Usually, a cup and a half of dog food per pound every day should suffice.
7. They’re Buzzing With Energy
Pomeranians are always out and about looking for something to get into. These dogs have short energy bursts and liven up their homes. However, they also tire easily and take long naps to recuperate. If you run a busy schedule, all it takes is a daily walk to wear your Pomeranian out. After the walk, you can leave it to rest while you work.
8. Traveling With Pomeranians Is Easy
Traveling with a pet can be a nightmare unless the pet is a Pomeranian. You can fit your Pomeranian in a travel bag and travel wherever you want. Their small size means they can fit in bags that meet travel regulations for both planes and trains.
You can take your Pomeranian with you while on vacation, visiting relatives, and even camping. However, inquire with your travel agent when flying or commuting via train. Some airlines and trains don’t allow pets.
9. They’re Readily Available Countrywide
Adopting a Pomeranian is as easy as walking into an animal shelter or pet store and picking one up. Pomeranians are popular, and you’ll find them in many pet stores and animal shelters across the country. This availability allows you to explore your options and find the best pup for your home. You won’t have to make any compromises to own your dream pet.
10. They’re Mostly Healthy
Despite their small size, Pomeranians are generally healthy and have a strong immune system. These tiny pups rarely fall sick, and when they do, they recover quickly, sometimes without medication. You’ll only need to call the vet for routine checkups and vaccinations.
However, this doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind. Taking good care of your Pomeranian is imperative to a healthy and thriving pup. Overlooking proper healthcare practices only leads to more severe problems down the line.
11. They Have Long Life Spans
Pomeranians live three to six years more than the average dog. While dogs have a lifespan of between 10 to 13 years, Poms live for 13 to 16 years. While this doesn’t mean they’ll be life-long companions, they’ll certainly stay with you for a very long time.
The 8 Cons of Owning a Pomeranian
Owning a Pomeranian has its fair share of drawbacks. Here are some cons of adopting a Pomeranian.
1. Loud Barking
Pomeranians can be noisy, which disturbs the peace in your home. Despite their small size, Pomeranians bark aggressively at anything even remotely threatening. Bred as watchdogs, these pups evolved to have sharp senses for intruders and a loud bark to warn their owners of the same.
As such, they’ll bark at the vacuum cleaner, the TV, and the door when you ring the doorbell. The barking is surprisingly loud and can easily get on your nerves. If you adopt a young Pom, you can train it to be quiet, but doing the same for adult dogs is much harder. If you prioritize peace and quiet, the Pomeranian might not be the dog breed for you.
2. They’re Fiercely Independent
These canines need their own space free from distraction or human interference. This means you must carve out space for your tiny pup in your home. Luckily, you won’t have to sacrifice a lot, but it can still be very inconvenient. If you’re looking for a cuddle buddy, get a Whippet or Cocker Spaniel instead of a Pomeranian. Poms don’t cuddle for too long and typically like to have their independent streak.
3. They Like to be the Boss
Pomeranians have their Napoleon complex, especially around other dogs. Despite their small size, these pups like to see themselves as the alpha. They won’t play nice with other dogs that don’t see them as such. The larger dogs might get fed up with their behavior and become aggressive. This almost always ends badly for the Pom since they’re not large enough to hold their own in a fight.
Your responsibility as the pet’s parent is to keep your tiny pooch away from confrontational situations. You’ll have to stay on your toes when you take your Pom for a walk or to the dog park. It also means you can only socialize your tiny pooch with toy breeds.
Toy breeds are small dogs typically weighing 15 pounds or less when fully grown. Socializing Pomeranians with large dogs puts them at risk of getting hurt in confrontational situations.
4. Expensive Grooming Needs
Owning a Pomeranian means spending a lot of money on grooming and maintenance. It costs to keep this pooch as glamorous as you want it to be. Remember, these canines have a double coat with extra fluffy manes.
You must brush their coats and manes thrice weekly to keep them looking their best. They also need grooming once a month, sometimes once every two weeks. Full-service grooming is expensive, but doing it yourself could cost you more.
Remember, these pups have thick fur that requires a lot of shampoo and conditioner. Not to mention all the brushes you must buy to keep their coats fresh. Add all these to your tab, and these fox-faced bundles of cuteness can be expensive.
5. They’re Harder to Housebreak Than Other Breeds
Picking your Pomeranian up from the shelter is easy; getting them comfortable in your home is the hard part. These canines don’t do well inside unless you train them, which also takes time.
Untrained Poms will do their business wherever they want to. It’ll take time before they learn the purpose of their litter box and not to bark at guests. However, positive reinforcement can go a long way toward housebreaking your new pet so you can both live peacefully.
Meanwhile, take your furry friend outside every 30 minutes after a meal so they can deposit their business. Do this for as long as you have to until they learn to use their litter boxes.
6. They’re Prone to Luxating Patella
Luxating patella is a condition common in smaller dogs where the patella shifts from its normal position. When the patella shifts, the dog will skip or hop to wherever it’s going. Thankfully, the patella returns to its normal position after some time.
Although not life-threatening or even painful, luxating patella can compromise your Pomeranian’s movement. It makes activities like playing and walking with your dog more difficult. Severe cases of luxating patella can be painful, especially if the dog also suffers from arthritis.
Aside from this condition, Pomeranians are also prone to joint complications like arthritis and dysplasia. These conditions are expensive to disrupt the “fun time” you should have with your dog.
7. They Experience Eye and Ear Issues
Eye and ear complications are common with Pomeranians. Some of these complications include cataracts and ectropion. These issues also cost a bundle to treat and can greatly diminish your experience with your furry friend. Check the dog’s lineage for the said diseases before you pick it up. Although all Pomeranians deserve a home, you’re better off with a happy and healthy dog.
8. They Can Be Too Clingy
It’s not uncommon for this dog breed to become too attached to its owners. Everyone wants a loving dog, but no one wants a clingy one. This clinginess gets annoying, especially when you need some alone time. Unbecoming behavior like whining when you leave them for too long could have you locking horns with the neighbors.
Final Thoughts
Pomeranians are adorable and loving dogs that make excellent pets for homes of all sizes. If you’re thinking about adopting one, be sure to take good care of it. All Pomeranians deserve loving families to call their own. Maybe you could share yours with this cute dog.
However, if you live in a noisy and chaotic setting, you’ll want to sit this one out. Only adopt a dog that you can take care of. Otherwise, we wish you and your Pomeranian the very best!
Featured Image Credit: Oksamutnaya, Shutterstock
