Teddy bear Pomeranians are the most cuddly and adorable furry companions you’ll ever find. Their unmatched cuteness makes them one of the most popular small dog breeds.
Getting yourself a Teddy bear Pom will surely be the best decision you’ll ever make this year. If you want to know more about these huggable cuties, you have come to the right place.
This article contains all the necessary information about Teddy bear Pomeranians: their appearance, temperament, size and weight, how they came to be, care tips, their average life span, and more.
Teddy Bear Pomeranian vs. Pomeranian: What’s The Difference?
The truth is, the Teddy bear Pomeranian isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club, and it’s no different from a Pomeranian.
The term ‘Teddy bear Pomeranian’ is only used to denote its unique Teddy bear-like features. It’s more of a moniker to characterize the Pom’s physical features.
There are two other Pomeranian faces called the ‘fox-face Pomeranian’ and the ‘baby doll Pomeranian.’ The fox face is the type that fits the American Kennel Club’s breeding standards,
They’re different from Teddy bear Poms in terms of height, shortness of the muzzle, and thickness of fur.
Teddy bear Poms’ appearance greatly resembles that of a Teddy bear. Their short snouts are about ¼ of their head’s size, plus their legs appear more prominent due to the dense fur.
They have full cheeks and dark, beady eyes that are close to their button nose. Their perky little ears and thick double coat (especially on their head) completes their teddy bear-like look.
History
The Pomeranian originated in the Pomerania region of northwest Poland and northwest Germany.
It is a spitz-type dog descended from the strong, wolf-like dogs of the Arctic and is close relative to the Alaskan Malamute, Norwegian Elkhound, and Siberian Husky.
American breeders mainly imported Pomeranians from England in the late 1880s for breeding and exhibitions. The AKC held the first Pomeranian show in 1911.
Temperament
Teddy bear Pomeranians make excellent family pets, but because of their protectiveness, you should introduce them to outsiders cautiously.
These dogs are also perceptive, charming, active, and intelligent. Teddy bear Poms are obedient and keen learners.
They also have outgoing and curious personalities. Because they are territorial dogs, they frequently bark when they hear noises or notice something strange.
Size and Weight
Teddy bear Poms typically weigh between 5 and 7 pounds and can be 5 to 11 inches tall.
They reach their full adult size at 10 months old.
Coat and Shedding
The Teddy bear Pomeranian often has a dense double-layered coat: the inner coat is smooth and delicate, while the outer coat is longer and a bit rough.
Their fur coat can appear in a variety of hues, with orange, black, white, and cream being the most common ones. Other colors include white, brown, red, sable, and black.
There are also those that have bluish coats.
It’s essential to brush the coat frequently since it can tangle easily, especially when the undercoat is shedding.
Shedding happens once every 6 months. Brushing your Teddy bear Poms at least 2-3 times a week is recommended.
Training
A Teddy bear Pomeranian as young as eight weeks old is ready to start learning basic obedience and potty training.
Use especially alluring goodies to motivate your Pomeranian to pick up instructions like “Sit,” “Down,” “Come,” and “Stay.”
Due to their tiny stature, toy breeds like the Teddy bear Pomeranian might be trickier to potty train than larger types.
Teddy bear Poms have small bladders that cause them to need the bathroom more frequently than larger dogs, which makes potty training quite challenging.
It’s best to take your dog to their designated potty place first thing in the morning, right after meals, before sleep, or every one to two hours.
Make sure to compliment and thank your pup right after he finishes his business (by rewarding him with his favorite treat). The puppy will quickly understand why it has to go outdoors.
It will normally take 2 to 4 months for your Teddy bear Poms to complete his potty training.
Socialization is also essential as Teddy bear Poms tend to be aggressive around strangers. Teach them how to react while around humans and other animals.
Taking your Pomeranian to various places where they may experience the new ambiance, people, and canine companions will develop their socialization skills.
If possible, enroll your pet in dog training classes that will provide opportunities to socialize. Doggie classes will also help establish a good pet-owner relationship between you two.
Ensure your puppy’s immunizations are complete before socializing to new places and dogs.
Care Tips
Giving your pet proper care helps improve his quality of life.
Diet and Nutrition
Feeding your dog a healthy, protein-rich diet is necessary to support its overall health. Malnourishment in Teddy Bear Poms is common, and one of the early signs is hair loss.
You can include lamb, chicken, or beef in the protein fraction of your pet’s diet. Flaxseed and salmon oil are also excellent additions.
Helpful tip: dry food is healthier for your dog’s teeth than canned or moist foods. Avoid food with a high starch or sugar content and low quality (contains unhealthy preservatives).
How Often Should I Feed My Teddy Bear Pomeranians
The amount of food your Teddy bear Pomeranian should consume should be proportional to his weight. Your Teddy Bear Pomeranian must consume half a cup of premium dog food for every pound they weigh.
For Pomeranian puppies, it’s recommended to feed them four times a day. Teddy bear Poms one year or older should be fed three times daily.
Exercise
A maximum of 30 minutes of daily physical exercise is essential for Teddy Bear Pomeranians. However, puppies and older Poms don’t need much activity.
Caution
Your dog’s joints experience too much strain from over-exercising. Teddy Bear Pomeranians are prone to hip joint problems, so you should ensure your dog doesn’t overexert itself.
Hygiene
One of the most important defenses against infections is ensuring that your Teddy Bear Pomeranian practices proper general hygiene.
Bathing and Ear Care
Regular bath time helps prevent your Teddy bear Pom’s fur from matting. Excess dirt also weakens the hair foundation.
You can start bathing your Teddy Bear Poms at eight weeks old. Bathe them at least once or twice a month.
You can use a vet-approved conditioner to make your Pom’s coat hydrated and shiny after shampooing.
Always make sure to rinse shampoo and conditioner from your Pom thoroughly. When drying, carefully blot the towel on your dog’s coat. Drying your dog in a circular motion causes its fur to tangle.
Make sure to wait until the coat dries before you brush it using a line and slicker brush.
When cleaning your dog’s ears, use a cotton pad soaked in dog ear-cleaning solution and clean only the visible or outer part of the ear. Do this at least once every month.
Oral Hygiene
Brushing your Pomeranian’s teeth regularly, preferably at least three times per week, with dog toothpaste is crucial to keeping its teeth healthy.
Using toothpaste or toothbrushes made for humans is risky since they frequently include various substances that are toxic to canines.
Also, giving your dog dental biscuits or dental chew toys will help maintain its mouth health.
Grooming
Pomeranians are easy to groom, and frequently grooming your pet will help maintain its elegant and silky coat.
Giving Your Pom Poms A Teddy Bear Cut
This dog breed is well known for its Teddy Bear cut. They can get trimmed for the first time once they’re 12 weeks old.
Groomers would use a No.10 blade shear to clip the hair around the body to about a half-inch length.
Keep in mind that excessively trimming your Teddy Bear Pomeranian’s coat will affect its body temperature as it will quickly feel cold, especially during winter.
Life Span
A Teddy Bear Pomeranian lives for 12 to 16 years on average. Your dog’s diet significantly influences its life span so ensure only to feed them adequate amounts of healthy food.
Teddy Bear Poms are delicate due to their tiny size, so handling them with care will help avoid accidents that may affect their quality of life.
Common Health Issues
Like other dogs, your Teddy Bear Pomeranians are prone to several genetic and acquired health issues that may affect them as they grow older.
Dental Problems
Because of their tiny mouths, Pomeranians have overcrowded teeth.
So, it’s pretty challenging to clean their teeth, especially when food particles get trapped between them. This can lead to various issues with their teeth and gums, such as tartar or plaque accumulation.
Poor oral hygiene aggravates this condition. Your pet might also get gingivitis or gum problems, which could cause premature tooth loss.
Cataracts
Age and eye trauma contribute to cataract development, but this eye problem is also genetic.
Cataract causes your dog’s eyes to produce a murky or cloudy substance due to a protein cluster that grows in the eye lens.
In some instances, there may show a gray or abnormal coloration in the eye or an abnormal appearance once reflected with light.
Depending on how severe the case is, cataracts can cause either partial or total blindness.
Surgical solutions include lens removal and phacoemulsification, which uses ultrasonic waves to emulsify the affected eye and aspirate it.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
The femur head degenerates as a result of this condition. Arthritis and the eventual collapse of your dog’s hip will develop as the femur deteriorates.
Prevention strategies, including weight loss to relieve strain on your dog’s joints, are part of the treatment for minor forms of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
Your Teddy Bear Pomeranian may require surgery in extreme instances.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels are associated with this condition, which can be fatal. Anorexia, convulsions, weakness, lethargy, and shivering are all signs of hypoglycemia.
Typically, tiny dog breeds like the Teddy Bear Pomeranian and pups are affected by this illness. Hypoglycemia may also cause cataracts.
Malnutrition, insulin overdose, extensive exercise, and the ingestion of artificial sweeteners are some common causes of hypoglycemia.
Collapsed Tracheas
Another frequent problem that can affect petite dog breeds is collapsed tracheas. This is an extremely dangerous and fatal condition.
The cartilage around a dog’s windpipe degenerates, causing the windpipe to collapse and obstruct oxygen passage. Tight collars and genes are the two primary causes of collapsed tracheas.
Your Pomeranian may exhibit symptoms of respiratory difficulty like hacking, coughing, or wheezing. It is essential to consult your veterinarian if you have any of these symptoms or indicators.
The most crucial thing you can do is never to put a collar on a Pomeranian. Using a harness is much better and more comfortable.
Likewise, use caution when handling the leash and harness. Pomeranians are tiny and fragile dogs.
Cost
The cost of Teddy bear Poms varies between breeders and sometimes depends on the quality of their parents.
Pomeranians cost about $600 to $1000 (some sources say it can go up to $1500).
Interesting Facts
Here are some fun facts that you probably didn’t know about Teddy Bear Poms:
- Original Pomeranians used to weigh as much as 20 to 30 pounds but were downsized due to breeding.
- Excessively trimming the inner coat may result in hair undergrowth, and your Poms may not be as fluffy as they used to be.
- Compared to other breeds that easily acquire diseases due to their unique physical traits (brachycephalic dogs, for example), Poms are considered a healthy dog breed.
Conclusion
Teddy Bear Pomeranians are adorable dogs with short snouts, beady eyes, cute button noses, tiny ears, and a thick double coat that resembles a teddy bear.
While these dogs must be handled with care due to their small size (weighs 5 to 7 pounds and are between 5 and 11 inches in height), they’re considered a healthy breed and can live up to 16 years.
Regarding their temperament, Teddy Bear Poms are charming, protective, intelligent, and easy to train. These dogs can cost up to $1500.