Where Do Pomeranians Come From? From 20 kg Working Spitz to Queen Victoria's Lapdog 🐾
Breedpedia Ep.05 — how a 20 kg working Spitz became the 2 kg Pomeranian, in about a minute.
Quick answer: The Pomeranian comes from Pomerania, a region on the Baltic coast of today's Poland and Germany, and it is the smallest member of the German Spitz family. Its ancestors weighed around 30–50 lb (14–23 kg) and worked as herding and watch dogs. In the 1800s, especially after Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed in 1888, Poms were bred smaller and smaller. Today an adult Pomeranian weighs 3–7 lb (1.4–3.2 kg), stands about 6–7 in (15–18 cm) tall, and lives 12–16 years. The tiniest ones are often called teacup Pomeranians, though "teacup" is not an official size.
Where do Pomeranians come from? 🌊
The Pomeranian is a German Spitz, one of the oldest dog families in Central Europe. The FCI breed standard traces the German Spitz back to the Stone Age "peat dog." The breed takes its name from Pomerania, the Baltic coastline that is now northern Poland and north-eastern Germany.
Here's the twist: Pomerania isn't where the breed was born. It's where the first round of downsizing happened. Spitz dogs there were bred down to roughly 30–40 lb (14–18 kg), and the German regional name "Der Pommer" became "Pomeranian" in English in the 18th century.
In Europe, the Pomeranian still isn't treated as a separate breed. The FCI classifies it as the toy size of the German Spitz (Zwergspitz), the baby of a five-size family: Wolfspitz, Giant, Medium, Miniature, and Toy. In the United States and the United Kingdom, it is its own breed. The AKC recognized the Pomeranian in 1900.
What were Pomeranians bred for? 🐑
Of all the toy breeds we've covered in Breedpedia, the Pomeranian is the only one with working-dog blood. The FCI still lists the German Spitz as a "Watch and Companion Dog." Its larger ancestors are said to have herded sheep, pulled small loads, and guarded farms on the cold Baltic coast.
That history shows in the records. Between 1896 and 1900, the English Kennel Club registered 553 Pomeranians, and 247 of them weighed more than 8 lb (3.6 kg). Some weighed as much as 28 lb (12.7 kg). Just 120 years ago, a Pomeranian four times today's size could walk into a show ring.
Queen Victoria and the shrinking Pomeranian 👑
Pomeranians first reached the British royal family in 1767, when Queen Charlotte brought two Poms, Phoebe and Mercury, from Germany. They appear in paintings by Thomas Gainsborough.
The real turning point came in 1888. Queen Victoria, on holiday in Florence, fell for a small red sable Pom named Marco. At 12 lb (5.4 kg) he was tiny for his day. Victoria eventually kept more than 30 Pomeranians at Windsor, showed them at the very first Crufts in 1891, and made small Poms the fashion of British high society.
The story ends with her, too. On 22 January 1901, the day before she died, the Queen rallied briefly and asked, "Then may I have Turi?" Her Pomeranian Turi was the last pet she ever saw.
So the timeline runs: 20 kg working Spitz → Queen Victoria's 5 kg Marco → today's 2 kg Pomeranian. That is the most dramatic downsizing of any dog breed.
The Pomeranians that survived the Titanic 🚢
Twelve dogs were aboard the Titanic in 1912. Only three survived, and two of them were Pomeranians. Margaret Hays carried her Pom, Bebe, into Lifeboat 7. Elizabeth Rothschild held hers all night in Lifeboat 6, and when a crewman on the rescue ship Carpathia refused to take the dog aboard, she refused to board without it. They were rescued together.
That tells you something about the breed. A Pomeranian is the kind of dog people carry out with their lives.
What is a Pomeranian like? Personality 🦊
- Big dog in a small body. Breed standards describe the Pom as alert, inquisitive, and "buoyant in deportment." Owners put it more simply: a Pomeranian thinks it's a big dog.
- Smart. In Stanley Coren's ranking of working and obedience intelligence, the Pomeranian is 23rd of 79 breeds, the highest of any breed in our Breedpedia series so far. Poms learn tricks quickly and love showing them off.
- A natural watchdog. The old guard-dog instinct is still there. Poms notice everything and will tell you about it, which is why they have a reputation for barking. Early socialization and a "quiet" cue go a long way.
- Devoted. The FCI calls the German Spitz "extremely devoted to its owner." Poms bond hard and like to be where you are.
- Apartment-friendly. Two or three short walks plus indoor play covers their exercise needs. They do best indoors and should never live outside.
How big do Pomeranians get? Size and teacup Poms 📏
The AKC standard calls for 3–7 lb (1.4–3.2 kg), with 4–6 lb ideal for the show ring, and a height of about 6–7 in (15–18 cm) at the shoulder. The UK Kennel Club's ideal weights are 1.8–2 kg for males and 2–2.5 kg for females. Most Poms reach their adult size by 7–10 months.
A teacup Pomeranian is simply a Pom at the very small end of that range, usually under about 3 lb (1.4 kg) as an adult. No kennel club recognizes "teacup" as a size, so a responsible breeder will talk about expected adult weight rather than promise a label. Very small puppies need extra care: regular meals to avoid low blood sugar, gentle handling, and supervision around young children. At Kim's Pups we share each puppy's current weight and both parents' sizes so you know what to expect.
Pomeranian colors, fox face and teddy bear face 🎨
Early Pomeranians were mostly white or black. After Queen Victoria's small red Marco, orange and red became the fashion, and today the Pomeranian has one of the widest color ranges of any breed: orange, red, cream, black, white, blue, sable, black and tan, parti, and more.
You will also hear about two "faces." The fox face is the longer muzzle closest to the written breed standard. The teddy bear face (or "baby doll") has a shorter muzzle and rounder head, and became hugely popular after Boo, "the world's cutest dog," went viral in the 2010s. Both are the same breed. Korean vets joke that the Pom is the animal kingdom's "face of a thousand faces," swallowing up fox, bear, and lion looks.
Grooming a Pomeranian ✂️
The famous coat is a double coat: a soft, dense undercoat under a long, straight outer coat. Brush two or three times a week to prevent mats, and expect a heavier shed in spring and autumn. Puppies go through an awkward "puppy uglies" stage at about 4–10 months when the baby fluff falls out before the adult coat grows in.
One important tip: don't shave a Pomeranian. Clipping the coat very short can trigger post-clipping alopecia, where the hair stops growing for months. Stick to scissor trims and tidy-ups.
Pomeranian lifespan and health 🩺
Pomeranians are a long-lived breed, usually 12–16 years. Health topics to discuss with your vet and breeder include:
- Luxating patella: a kneecap that slips, common in toy breeds. Keep your Pom lean and avoid repeated jumps from furniture.
- Tracheal collapse: a soft windpipe that can cause a honking cough. Walk your Pom on a harness, not a collar.
- Dental care: small mouths crowd teeth. Daily brushing and regular dental checks matter.
- Alopecia X ("black skin disease"): a cosmetic hair-loss condition seen in the breed.
- Low blood sugar in tiny puppies: feed small, frequent meals in the first months.
Pomeranians in Korea 🇰🇷
In Korea, the Pomeranian is a superstar. It pushed the Shih Tzu out of the country's "big three" breeds, so the classic trio of Maltese, Poodle and Shih Tzu became Maltese, Poodle and Pomeranian. Korea's most famous celebrity dogs are Poms, too: BTS member V's Yeontan and BLACKPINK Jennie's Kuma, who understands "sit" and "paw" in both English and Korean.
Looking for a Pomeranian puppy? Browse our available Pomeranian puppies, or read how adoption and worldwide delivery work at Kim's Pups.
Pomeranian FAQ ❓
Where do Pomeranians come from?
From Pomerania, on the Baltic coast of modern Poland and Germany. The breed is the smallest member of the German Spitz family, and Pomerania is where it was first bred down to a smaller size.
What were Pomeranians bred for?
Their larger Spitz ancestors were herding and watch dogs. The modern Pomeranian is a companion dog, but it kept the alert watchdog instinct.
How big do Pomeranians get?
Adults usually weigh 3–7 lb (1.4–3.2 kg) and stand about 6–7 in (15–18 cm) tall. They reach adult size at around 7–10 months.
What is a teacup Pomeranian?
A Pomeranian at the smallest end of the breed, usually under about 3 lb (1.4 kg) as an adult. "Teacup" is a nickname, not an official kennel club size.
Do Pomeranians bark a lot?
They are alert and vocal by nature because their ancestors were watchdogs. Early socialization and training a "quiet" cue reduce barking a lot.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs?
Yes, for families who understand that a 2 kg dog is fragile. They are loving and playful, but very small puppies need gentle handling and supervision around young children.
Do Pomeranians shed? Are they hypoallergenic?
They have a thick double coat and shed moderately, with heavier seasonal sheds. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Pomeranian is not considered a low-allergen breed.
How long do Pomeranians live?
Usually 12–16 years with good care.
Why did Queen Victoria love Pomeranians?
She brought her first Pom, Marco, home from Florence in 1888, kept more than 30 at Windsor, and showed them at the first Crufts. Her last request before she died in 1901 was to see her Pomeranian, Turi.
Did Pomeranians survive the Titanic?
Yes. Of the three dogs that survived the Titanic's sinking in 1912, two were Pomeranians.
🇹🇭 ปอมเมอเรเนียน เป็นสุนัขพันธุ์อะไร มาจากไหน?
ปอมเมอเรเนียน (Pomeranian) เป็นสมาชิกที่ตัวเล็กที่สุดในตระกูลเยอรมันสปิตซ์ มีต้นกำเนิดจากแคว้นพอเมอเรเนียริมทะเลบอลติก (โปแลนด์และเยอรมนีในปัจจุบัน) บรรพบุรุษของมันหนักราว 14–23 กิโลกรัม ใช้ต้อนแกะและเฝ้าบ้าน จนกระทั่งสมเด็จพระราชินีวิกตอเรียทรงโปรดปอมตัวเล็กในปี 1888 สุนัขพันธุ์นี้จึงถูกเพาะให้เล็กลงเรื่อย ๆ ปัจจุบันปอมโตเต็มวัยหนักเพียง 1.4–3.2 กิโลกรัม สูงประมาณ 15–18 เซนติเมตร อายุขัย 12–16 ปี ฉลาด (อันดับ 23 จาก 79 สายพันธุ์) ขี้เห่าเล็กน้อยเพราะสัญชาตญาณเฝ้าบ้าน และมีสีขนหลากหลายที่สุดพันธุ์หนึ่ง "ทีคัพปอม" คือปอมที่ตัวเล็กมาก แต่ไม่ใช่ขนาดทางการ
🇮🇩 Pomeranian itu anjing seperti apa dan berasal dari mana?
Pomeranian adalah anggota terkecil dari keluarga German Spitz dan berasal dari Pomerania di pesisir Laut Baltik (kini Polandia dan Jerman). Nenek moyangnya berbobot sekitar 14–23 kg dan bekerja menggembala domba serta menjaga rumah. Setelah Ratu Victoria jatuh cinta pada Pom kecil bernama Marco pada 1888, anjing ini dibiakkan semakin kecil. Kini Pomeranian dewasa hanya berbobot 1,4–3,2 kg, tinggi sekitar 15–18 cm, dan hidup 12–16 tahun. Ia cerdas (peringkat 23 dari 79 ras), cukup vokal karena naluri penjaga, dan punya variasi warna terbanyak di antara ras anjing. "Teacup Pomeranian" hanyalah sebutan untuk Pom yang sangat kecil, bukan ukuran resmi.
🇭🇰 博美犬（Pomeranian）係咩品種？由邊度嚟？
博美犬係德國狐狸犬家族入面最細嘅成員，源自波羅的海沿岸嘅波美拉尼亞（今日波蘭同德國一帶）。佢嘅祖先重約 14 至 23 公斤，負責趕羊同睇門口。1888 年維多利亞女皇愛上一隻叫 Marco 嘅細博美之後，博美就越育越細。而家成年博美只有 1.4 至 3.2 公斤，身高約 15 至 18 厘米，壽命 12 至 16 年。佢哋好聰明（79 個品種入面排第 23），因為有守衛本能所以幾鍾意吠，毛色亦係所有犬種入面最多樣之一。「茶杯博美」只係指特別細隻嘅博美，並唔係官方認可嘅體型。
