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Pomeranian

Small orange Pomeranian with a thick fluffy coat
Photo: Kardashianpoms — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A tiny, fluffy fox-faced spitz — bold, bright and bursting with personality.

SizeToyBest asFamily companionCoatLongOriginEurope / UK

How to spot it

A very small dog, 18–30 cm tall and just 1.5–3.5 kg, with a thick stand-off double coat, a plumed tail carried over the back, small pricked ears and a fox-like face. It comes in many colours, orange being the best known.

Temperament

Lively, curious and confident — often bolder than its size suggests, and quick to bark at anything new, which makes it a surprisingly alert little watchdog. Affectionate with its family.

Exercise & training

Needs only short walks and indoor play but is clever and enjoys training and tricks. Because it is so bold, teach it not to challenge much larger dogs.

Grooming & care

The abundant coat needs brushing two or three times a week to prevent mats, and more when shedding. Take care of the teeth, which are prone to problems in toy breeds.

Health & lifespan

Around 12–16 years. Watch for a collapsing windpipe, luxating (slipping) kneecaps and dental disease; handle the small frame gently.

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