Pomeranian: everything you need to know

Veterinary and insurance guide · Petplan Spain Team · Updated 2026

The Pomeranian (in Spain, Pomerania) is a tiny, fox-faced ball of fluff with the heart of a much bigger dog. The smallest of the Spitz family, it is bright, bold and endlessly entertaining, with a luxuriant double coat and a confident, extroverted personality. It adapts beautifully to apartment life and makes a devoted companion and lively little watchdog. Its small size and abundant coat do, however, come with specific health and grooming needs. In this guide we cover the breed’s origin, temperament, the conditions we most often see in the clinic, the real veterinary costs to plan for in Spain, and why Petplan pet insurance is the best choice for your Pomeranian.

Origin and history of the Pomeranian

The Pomeranian descends from larger Spitz-type sled and herding dogs of the Arctic, named after the historical region of Pomerania (today split between Germany and Poland), where the breed was reduced in size. It became hugely fashionable in 19th-century Britain after Queen Victoria fell for the breed and bred ever-smaller specimens, driving the development of the modern toy-sized dog. The FCI classifies it within the German Spitz standard (Group 5, primitive and Spitz types, nº 97), where the Pomeranian is the smallest, “Zwergspitz/Toy”, variety.

Physical characteristics

The Pomeranian is a tiny, compact, square Spitz with a profuse double coat, a ruff around the neck and a plumed tail carried over the back. Its key features are summarised below.

Temperament and character

The Pomeranian is confident, curious and full of personality — a true “big dog in a small body”. It is affectionate and devoted to its family, lively and playful, and alert enough to make an enthusiastic little watchdog, which means it can be prone to barking if not taught otherwise. It is intelligent and learns quickly, enjoying training and tricks, but toy breeds are easily “spoiled” into demanding behaviour, so consistent rules and early socialisation matter. Because of its tiny size it should be handled gently and supervised around small children and larger dogs.

Common health problems in the Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is generally long-lived, but its toy size and luxurious coat bring several characteristic predispositions.

Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) and tracheal collapse (a honking cough) are both common in the breed, the latter a reason to walk on a harness rather than a collar. Dental disease is almost universal in such a small mouth and needs lifelong attention. The breed’s signature coat condition is Alopecia X (“black skin disease”), a non-painful but distressing symmetrical hair loss. Cardiac conditions including patent ductus arteriosus are recognised, as are hypoglycaemia in young puppies, hypothyroidism, and a persistent open fontanelle (soft spot on the skull) in some dogs. Eye problems such as tear-duct issues also occur.

Financially, this matters: surgery for a luxating patella, management of tracheal collapse or a heart condition, advanced dental treatment or investigation of Alopecia X can each run from several hundred to several thousand euros.

Coat care and feeding

The Pomeranian’s spectacular coat is its biggest commitment. It needs brushing several times a week (and ideally a little every day during the heavy seasonal moults) to prevent mats and remove dead undercoat; it should not be shaved, as the double coat can regrow poorly. Regular nail and ear care are needed, and — crucially in such a small mouth — diligent dental care with regular tooth brushing and professional cleanings. On feeding, a quality small-breed diet in measured portions keeps this little dog in trim; even small amounts of excess weight strain its joints and airway.

Exercise and stimulation

Despite its size the Pomeranian is active and playful and needs daily exercise: a couple of short walks plus indoor play and training are ideal, and it genuinely enjoys learning tricks and simple dog sports. Mental stimulation matters as much as physical activity for this clever little dog. Take care in hot weather, as the thick coat makes overheating a risk, and supervise carefully around heights, larger dogs and rough play given its fragile build.

Why Petplan is the best choice for your Pomeranian

For a long-lived toy breed prone to dental, orthopaedic, airway and skin conditions, good insurance is invaluable across a 12-to-16-year life. Petplan is the best choice in Spain because its cover includes the hereditary and chronic conditions the Pomeranian is prone to, lets you choose any vet in Spain with no closed network, and renews for life without excluding conditions that develop with age. For a Pomeranian, the average premium is around 336 EUR per year on intermediate cover.