14 Pomeranian Pros and Cons

Pomeranians might be a tiny dog as a breed, but their size does nothing to impact their popularity. The American Kennel Club ranks them as the 23rd most popular breed in the United States out of 193 recognized breeds as of 2019. These dogs reach a height of only 6-7 inches when fully grown, weigh between 3-7 pounds, and their life expectancy reaches as long as 16 years.

The breed historically was a favorite of the commoners and royals because of their overall happy nature, making them an ideal companion for almost everyone. Their facial expressions almost always convey joy and a vivacious streak that you won’t see in other dogs. Don’t take their size for granted either because their personalities are larger than life.

These dogs are intelligent and alert, making them a useful guard dog at home in most situations. Although a Pomeranian isn’t going to take down an intruder (unless their looks adore that stranger to death), they are pesky and perky enough to let you know that there is something going on. When you combine these traits with their love of companionship and short outdoor adventures, this breed can be very wonderful to bring home.

List of the Pros of Pomeranian Ownership

1. This breed offers a lot of personality in a very tiny package.
The ancestors of the modern Pomeranian could weigh up to 30 pounds, so you will see some of the personality traits of larger breeds with this one. That means you will never end up with a boring experience with your pet. They are stubborn, spirited, tenacious, and bold. If you can funnel the energy of this breed into positive activities, then you can have a lot of fun together. It works best when you keep your lessons short and to the point since this breed loses interest easily.

2. They have high levels of energy that come out in short bursts.
Pomeranians don’t need as much maintenance as larger breeds since their tiny bodies can only produce a specific amount of energy at one time. That means you can get away with only one good walk when this breed is home with you. There are still some playtime requirements to meet with these dogs, especially with some beloved toys, but you will discover that the complaints about this breed being a high-maintenance dog are somewhat overstated.

3. You can train this breed to be quieter if you start early.
Although Pomeranians like to be vocal, it is possible to train these dogs to reduce their urge to bark with a careful training approach. You will never want to reward your pet for barking in any way because it will immediately reinforce the behavior. Any reaction, which includes giving them any attention afterward, can lead to unwanted behaviors that become difficult to change. Even if you are successful with this approach, it is essential to remember that what you find to be tolerable may not be agreeable to your neighbors.

4. This breed really loves their human adults.
Pomeranians are a very attentive breed when there are adults in the home. They have a sixth sense when it comes to knowing what your emotional state happens to be. When they want to play with you, it isn’t always a personal request. This breed can sense your stress and anxiety, wanting to help you to start feeling better. They are highly affectionate, but this breed will also let you know immediately if they are tired of being snuggled. If you miss their cues, then there might be a nip waiting for you in the future.

5. Their size is an advantage for smaller homes.
Because of the smaller size of a Pomeranian, you can still have a dog as part of your family even though you have a small home. You don’t need to have a large yard to accommodate this breed either, which gives you a secondary advantage with this issue. Some Poms can even be trained to use a litter box or designated area so that you don’t need to run them outside for the bathroom constantly. All you need to have is enough space to ensure that there is a place to run around.

6. Your food expenses with a Pomeranian are going to be minimal.
Because an adult Pom can weigh as little as three pounds, your food expenses are going to be minimal with this breed. The usual diet includes about one half cup for every pound of weight. That means your ongoing expenses can help to make up for the significant purchase price, which can be upwards of $4,000 even without AKC (or equivalent) papers that show lineage. If you want to have a show dog, the expense could be upwards of $10,000.

7. It is easy to find a Pomeranian if you want one.
Because of the popularity of this breed, you will find that it is fairly easy to locate a Pomeranian if you want to add one to your family. Their playful, extroverted nature should be on display when you meet the pup for the first time, even if you are adopting a shelter dog. They do require gentle handling which can be a challenge for younger children to manage, so you’ll want to take your family situation into account before finalizing any arrangements to bring this breed home with you.

List of the Cons of Pomeranian Ownership

1. Pomeranians are a noisy breed.
The Pomeranian might be small as a breed, but they still think of themselves as a mighty lion. Their energy will take them all over your home, especially if they hear the doorbell or a knock at the door. This dog tends to vocalize its every thought, whether that’s as a greeting when you get home or a desire for food at 3 AM. Their barking is surprisingly loud, which means that they are not always suitable for apartments, condominiums, and other close-living situations.

2. You cannot leave your Pomeranian alone outside at any time.
The size of the Pomeranian gives you an advantage from an indoor perspective, but it is a disadvantage from an outdoor one. These dogs are the same size as the prey that many predators in all environments hunt. If you leave this breed unattended, then it could be spotted by an eagle, another canine, and other hunters and prowlers which might be in the area. Because of their barking habits, these dogs will also alert potential predators to their location, which creates a further problem for them as well.

3. Poms need to have a place of their own when living in your home.
Pomeranians have a fierce independent streak that you must respect when adding one to your family. This breed likes to come and go on their schedule, which means there are times when they won’t want attention even if they did just a few minutes before. This disadvantage also means that you will need to give this pup a home of their own – and that doesn’t include your house. Having a crate available for your pet is a fantastic idea because it will give them a quiet space where they can relax if they get too wound up.

4. This breed likes to be the alpha dog.
Pomeranians don’t really care about their size from a pack perspective, which means they have no problems being bossy when around other dogs. Their attempt to become the pack alpha doesn’t always work out so well for them, especially if a larger breed gets fed up with the behavior. It is not unusual for these dogs to find themselves in trouble because they attempt to be dominant in situations where that is a bad idea.

5. You will need to socialize Poms with other toy breeds.
Pomeranians stay small throughout their life, which means it is up to you to keep them away from situations where there might be confrontations with other dogs. Because their dominant behaviors are not welcome with strange dogs, an injury can happen quickly and suddenly. One bite from a larger dog can be enough to break a Pom’s neck. Even the act of picking up this breed and giving it a good shake can become a life-threatening event. You must be proactive with your walking routes and socialization activities to ensure this disadvantage doesn’t appear. That often means you will be hanging out with other toy breeds, which might be a challenge if there are no other owners around.

6. Joint problems are a common health issue for Pomeranians.
One of the most significant health concerns for Poms is a condition called luxating patellas. This condition causes the kneecap to improperly set at the joint, allowing it to move around in ways that can be painful for the dog. It is a health issue that can even cause some of them to become lame. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common concerns with this breed as well. Your main option to treat those conditions may end up being surgery, which could cost several thousands of dollars.

7. Eye and ear problems can occur with this breed too.
There are several different eye health issues of which you need to be aware when you decide to have a Pomeranian join your family. Ectropion and cataracts are the two most common issues, although it is not unusual for the dog to suffer from dry eye problems too. You can typically avoid most of the serious conditions by checking the lineage of a puppy first, and inspecting the parents for cloudiness along the pupils.

Ear problems with Poms typically involve infections, so you will want to watch for signs of discomfort. Rubbing the head, scratching, and general malaise can occur at varying degrees. You’ll want to take your Pom to your vet right away if you see these issues.

These Pomeranian pros and cons take an honest look at what it takes to add this breed to your family. Their foxy personalities and ultimate levels of being adorable make them a tempting proposition in most situations, but these dogs might not be right for everyone. They like to vocalize their emotions all of the time, which can get on the nerves of your larger dogs, other family members and neighbors. Consider each key point in this guide carefully before making your final decision.