Physical characteristics
The Pomeranian is a small dog with a fluffy appearance. The head is wedge-shaped, with small erect ears. The almond shaped eyes are always dark and bright. The colour of the nose and eye rims is either dark or matches the coat colour. The teeth meet in a scissor bite. The tail is distinctively feathered and carried high. There is often a profuse ruff around the neck and chest. The height of the body is slightly larger than its length.The height is about 6 inches, the weight is 3 to 7 pounds.
Temperament
Like many other small dog breeds (Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas), Pomeranians are stubborn and can be quite... bold. They are proud and alert, but affectionate and loving at the same time. In spite of their small size, Pomeranians must be well-trained; they also must realize who is the boss, otherwise they won't obey and will become very demanding. They are not a good choice for families with small children, but will do quite well with elderly people. A proper socialization is required. Introduction with other pets should be slow and supervised because Pomeranians tend to be animal aggressive. Intelligent, they are good at learning various tricks.Coat and grooming
The double coat of Pomeranians is abundant and standing-off. The outer harsh hair is long and straight; the undercoat is soft and thick. Regular grooming is necessary to keep it in a good condition.Pomeranians come in any solid colour, though sometimes they can be parti-coloured (white with colored markings, black-and-tan, wolf or orange sable). The most common solid colours are red, orange, white, cream, blue, brown and black.
Health
Basically healthy, but prone to obesity and early tooth loss. Do not overfeed. Give preference to dry food to keep teeth and gums in good condition. Some lines are prone to slipped stifle, dislocated patella (knee-cap), heart and skin problems, eye infections.The lifespan is about 10 years.
