About the Pomeranian
Of all the German Spitz varieties, the Pomeranian is the smallest — and the family it belongs to is, by the FCI’s account, the oldest in Central Europe. He was bred down rather than simply bred small — which is why a two-kilo Pomeranian still stands, moves and behaves like a proper spitz, ruff, curled tail and all. Queen Victoria’s enthusiasm in the 1880s did the rest.
Spitz character is the appeal. A Pomeranian is bright, busy and unusually easy to teach for a toy breed, and he attaches himself firmly to his household. He is also a watchdog by instinct and will sound off at the door, the lift and the neighbour’s cat. That is trainable, but only if you start early and never reward the noise.
Thirty minutes of walking a day covers him, so this is a true apartment breed. The work is in the coat: thick and double, it needs brushing several times a week right down to the skin, or it mats underneath the guard hairs where you cannot see it. He sheds, and twice a year he sheds properly.
Cyprus heat is the honest caveat. Take him out early and late in summer, keep him on cool tiles rather than a sunny balcony, and never shave the coat down — it shields him from the sun as much as the cold. Small, sturdy and long-lived, a Pomeranian will often pass twelve.
Origin, purpose and temperament follow the official FCI breed standard; exercise, grooming and family suitability follow The Royal Kennel Club (UK). Every puppy is an individual — ask us about the one you are considering.
Living with a Pomeranian in Cyprus
A winter coat in a hot summer. A Pomeranian wears a double coat made for northern winters, and July and August in Cyprus often pass 35 °C. Keep summer walks to 15–20 minutes, before 8 in the morning or after dark, and skip the midday outing. Indoors, give him a place on cool tiles out of the sun. Heavy panting, a bright red tongue or a dog that lies down and will not get up mean: get him somewhere cool at once.
Do not shave him. It looks like the obvious fix, but the coat insulates him against heat and keeps the sun off his skin. In some Pomeranians a coat clipped short grows back patchy, or not at all; vets call this post-clipping alopecia. Brushing out the loose undercoat does more to keep him cool than any clip.
A harness, not a collar. A collapsing windpipe (tracheal collapse) is a known problem in the breed, and a collar that pulls on the throat makes it worse, so use a well-fitting harness from the first walk. At home, remember how small he is: a puppy of a kilo or two can slip through balcony railings, get hurt jumping off a sofa or down stairs, and is easily stepped on.
Ticks and sandflies. A tick disappears into a Pomeranian’s coat, so after each walk run your fingers down to the skin around the ears, neck and between the toes. From about May to October sandflies spread leishmaniasis; ask your vet which protection suits a dog this small. Tick prevention is covered in our puppy care sheet.
