Your Perky Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a popular breed, and no wonder. Most dog breeds in the toy group make wonderful pets. Some domesticated dogs were bred to provide some kind of labor service to humankind. Dogs like the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and Doberman Pinscher provide useful services like water rescues, snow rescues and property guard duty. Appropriately enough, these dogs are all members of the working group.

Examples of this group are the Newfoundland and the St. Bernard. The sporting group hunts by pointing, retrieving or setting. Irish Setters, German Shorthaired Pointers and Spaniels all belong to the sporting group. The herding group controls the movement of other animals, like sheep. Collies and Border Collies are members of the herding group.

Then there is the toy group. Although there are small dogs in every group, the toy group specifically includes such dogs as the Maltese, the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian. Dogs in the toy group are bred for one thing and one thing only, to provide human companionship. Your Pomeranian wants to be at your side at all times, except of course, when it’s in your lap.

Pomeranian dogs are quite confident and have even been described as cocky. They are secure in their position as top dog in the household. In fact, it takes a confident owner who is not afraid to show the dog who is boss to take charge of a Pomeranian. Your Pomeranian will demand a fair amount of your attention, so be ready to deal with interruptions and disturbances while you try to read the paper or watch TV. These are little dogs with huge personalities. Pomeranians are inquisitive and intelligent, animated and alert.

Pomeranians become extremely attached to their masters, and can be very protective in situations where they perceive their master is being threatened. Because of their protective nature, Pomeranian dogs tend to be suspicious of strangers and treat new people with caution, and they often voice these suspicions by yapping incessantly when meeting new people, especially on their home turf.

Surprisingly, Pomeranians are perfectly willing to share the household with other dogs, even another Pomeranian dog. If you have never had a Pomeranian dog before, you may want to consult an obedience trainer with your dog to learn how to correct any problems early on.

The Pomeranian, like other dogs in the toy group, has a very fragile bone structure and must be treated with great care to avoid injuring the dog. Therefore, it is essential to learn methods of discipline that do not involve physical punishment or force. Housebreaking may be particularly difficult, but modern tools of the trade like housebreaking pads, along with diligence, will lead to eventual success.

The majority of Pomeranians, puppies and adult dogs alike, can be trained and socialized to be loyal, manageable companions. To be sure, your Pomeranian will provide you with endless entertainment and more than enough companionship to ward off loneliness. If you decide to get a puppy, ask your breeder to suggest an obedience trainer. If you are getting an older dog or a rescue Pomeranian, spend some time with the dog to see what its temperament is like, and seek professional training help if you run into obedience issues.