Teacup Pomeranian Breed Guide (Traits, Cost & More)

If you are thinking of purchasing a Teacup Pomeranian, then it is important to first do your research. For example, did you know Teacup Pomeranians come in more than nine different colors and patterns?

Or that they are more prone to certain injuries and ailments? These sweet and adorable little dogs can make a great family pet, but it’s important to learn all you can before welcoming one into your home. Below, you’ll find an entire breed guide for the Teacup Pomeranian highlighting common traits, average cost, and much, much more.

Overview of the Pomeranian Breed

Despite their name, Pomeranians don’t come from the region of northern Poland and Germany known as Pomerania. Rather, they come from the Arctic, where they were bred from Spitz and Wolfspitz breeds to pull sleds. Original Pomeranians weighed about 20 pounds and were covered in a very thick and heavy white coat. 

Of course, many of today’s Pomeranians are very different from their Arctic ancestors. Only the most overweight Pomeranians reach near 20 pounds, while their original white coats have been replaced with myriad color options. Instead of sled dogs, they’re mainly lap dogs and companion pets. Today’s Poms are ideal for small-space living.    

Pomeranians have been a popular dog breed since the 1800s when England’s Queen Victoria had as many as 35 pet Pomeranians. Since then, royalty and celebrities have continued to choose Poms as their pet of choice. Marie Antoinette, Paris Hilton, Lisa Vanderpump, and Sylvester Stallone have all owned Pomeranians. 

Teacup Pomeranians are not a distinct breed. Rather, the term “teacup” is used to describe any Pomeranian weighing between three and seven pounds. Specifically, the American Kennel Club (AKC) describes a true Teacup Pomeranian as being seven pounds or less.  

Although Teacup Pomeranian is the most commonly used name, they can also be known as Miniature Pomeranians, Mini Pomeranian, Pocket Pomeranians, Toy Pomeranians, Teddy Bear Pomeranians, Dwarf Spitz, Loulou, or Zwergspitz. 

How to Recognize a Teacup Pomeranian 

Teacup Pomeranians resemble standard Poms in every way but their size. A Pomeranian dog must weigh seven pounds or less in order to be considered a “teacup.” Those on the lower end of the weight scale may even be referred to as Micro Teacup Pomeranians. They are one of the smallest dogs among all dog breeds.

These miniature Poms have the same fluffy thick coat that feels very soft to the touch. They also have the same compact body; pointy, fluffy ears; and large dark eyes. Pomeranians tend to have one of three different head shape types.

They could have a fox head type as you’d find on the similar German Spitz. A Pom might also boast a head shape that makes it look just like a little teddy bear. But the most common — and most sought after — head shape for Pomeranians is the babydoll face. 

Most people think of Pomeranians as being a solid cream or gold color. Actually, Pomeranians come in quite a variety of colors and patterns. Common solid colors for Pomeranians include white, cream, golden, brown, and black. Red is also common, with shades ranging from fox-like red to red-orange to rust-colored. Unique lavender Pomeranians have a coat that looks almost greyish purple.   

A patterned Pomeranian could have a coat that is brindle or Merle — that is, speckled with red, grey, or light blue. Orange Pomeranians sometimes have black stripes in their coat, while Poms described as “beaver” are brown with some form of pigment.

Finally, a sable Pomeranian has a dark solid color covering most of its body but has a sable color on its legs, ear tips, nose, and under its chin.  

Photo: LoveYourDog

Teacup Pomeranian Personality and Temperament 

According to the American Kennel Club, Pomeranians are “cocky, commanding, and animated as [they gait].”  They are very playful, and Pomeranian puppies are especially full of energy. Despite their playfulness, their temperament is known to be very sweet.

Pomeranians are also smart and obedient and usually learn easily to potty train and follow basic commands. Pomeranians are known as very loyal dogs. They often play favorites by latching on to just one person. Cuddling with their human ranks as one of the Pom’s favorite pastimes. 

Although Pomeranians are family dogs, aggression towards children is not an uncommon observation among Pomeranian owners. Like any breed of dog, this trait does not represent all Pomeranians, though it is something of which to be aware. 

A more common issue for Pomeranians as a breed is separation anxiety. Like many small breeds of dogs, Pomeranians find it very stressful to be alone without their human. Dogs with separation anxiety often form health issues, and tend to be destructive towards themselves and their environment when left alone.

For this reason, these dogs would best fit with a family that does not often travel, or that travels to places a small Pomeranian would be welcome.  

Are Teacup Pomeranians Easy to Train? 

When it comes to whether or not Pomeranians are easy to train, the general consensus is yes. Pomeranians tend to be very smart dogs. They like to be obedient and to please their humans. Some Pomeranians even compete against other small dogs in agility training, an impressive testament to their cleverness. 

Are Teacup Pomeranians Good Family Dogs? 

Teacup Pomeranians can be an excellent fit for a family, but it is perhaps more important that a family be an excellent fit for a Pomeranian. Pomeranians are known as very loyal, so they may choose one member of the family with whom to form a solid bond.

Some Pom owners report that their dogs exhibit some aggression towards children, though any aggression is typically aimed at unfamiliar children rather than kids living in the same household as the dog. As with any small or teacup breed, the Mini Pom’s size makes her very delicate.

A rambunctious child falling on, stepping on, or dropping your pet could result in serious injury or even death. Teacup breeds can also feel overwhelmed in situations that are loud or overly active. In fact, dogs that do exhibit aggression tend to do so when provoked with too much activity, unwanted attention, loud noises, or when accidentally or purposely injured. 

And as is the case with any breed of dog, it is important that children are taught to treat Pomeranians with respect. Tugging on their ears or tail, getting too close to their face, purposely scaring them, or bothering them when they are eating or sleeping should not be tolerated. 

For these reasons, Teacup Pomeranians are recommended for households with either no children or with older children who can comprehend the proper way to treat an animal. 

How Long Do Teacup Pomeranians Live?

According to the American Kennel Club, the expected life span of a Teacup Pomeranian is 12-16 years. In general, dogs that are smaller in size and weight tend to live longer lives than bigger, heavier dogs. Teacup Pomeranians that live as long as 16 years will have excellent genetics, and will have been very well taken care of by its family. 

A Teacup Pomeranian that lives 11 years or less may be more prone to serious health issues because of bad breeding or may have suffered a serious injury or trauma. 

Photo: Bubbly Pet

How to Take Care of Your Teacup Pomeranian 

It’s very important to take good care of your Teacup Pomeranian. Dogs that are well taken care of live longer, happier lives. Happy and healthy dogs make much better companions, too! 

Puppy Care

While your Teacup Pomeranian is still a puppy, be sure to make a vet appointment so it can get all of its necessary shots. About two weeks after its last round of vaccinations, you can begin taking your tiny Pomeranian puppy on walks and to visit friends. 

Socialization is very important for all puppies and dogs. Carefully and thoughtfully introduce your new Pomeranian to as many men, women, children, and other dogs as possible. This will help to ensure your dog is friendly and tolerant towards anyone it meets. 

Grooming

One of the many things that make a Teacup Pomeranian so cute is its full and fluffy coat. But a Pomeranian’s fluffiness also means that it needs to be groomed more frequently, so be sure to consider the cost of grooming into your monthly budget. 

At the very least, your Pomeranian should be brushed at home 3-4 times per week. This will keep any mats or tangles from forming. Additionally, your Pomeranian should be professionally groomed once every 4-6 weeks. The professional groomer will brush your dog’s fur, clean his ears and glands, and trim his nails. 

Exercise

Like most small dogs, Teacup Pomeranians don’t require a ton of exercise. However, Poms are playful and active, and some daily exercise is necessary. Dogs that do not get enough exercise find other, more destructive ways to work out their pent-up energy. 

The best kind of exercise for a dog like a Pomeranian is a brisk daily walk. The distance you and your Pom walk will depend on your individual dog, but any walk will give your dog the opportunity to stretch his legs and get his blood flowing.

This is important for a Pomeranian’s heart and muscle health, as well as his mental health. While your Pomeranian is a puppy, it’s important to remember that too much physical exertion can be bad for your dog. Too much exercise can add wear and tear to your dog’s joints, and can even affect her growth. 

Food & Care

A proper and balanced diet is crucial for Pomeranians, who are prone to health problems like low blood sugar and seizures. Avoid feeding your Teacup Pomeranian human food, and ensure your chosen dog food is: 

• At least 18% protein (or 22% protein for puppies less than a year old)
• At least 5% fat (or 8% fat for puppies)
• High quality!

If your Pomeranian is your one-and-only pet, you may find it easiest to allow your dog to free feed. That is, eat from a full bowl throughout the day, whenever it gets hungry. The food you feed your Pomerian, even your Pomeranian puppy, should be dry.

Dry food helps to maintain strong, healthy teeth, which is very important for a breed that tends to lose its teeth easily as they age. Finally, don’t forget to brush your Pom’s teeth at least once a week! 

Veterinarian costs can be quite high so it’s always a good idea to get pet insurance for your Pom.

Common Health Issues of Teacup Pomeranians 

Some of the ailments that commonly affect Pomeranians have already been mentioned. Other prevalent health problems include: 

• Luxating Patella: This occurs because many Pomeranians suffer from knee joints that are either too weak or have a patellar groove that is not deep enough. Luxating patellas can be very painful and will cause your dog to limp.
• Cryptorchidism: This affects only male dogs, and occurs when one or both testicles fail to descend. While cryptorchidism won’t affect your Pom’s daily life, it may make neutering him a slightly more complicated process.
• Tracheal Collapse: When the tracheal rings of a Pomeranian’s windpipe begin to weaken, it can cause the trachea to collapse.
• Black Skin Disease: This is another ailment that affects mainly male dogs. It mostly occurs during the puberty stage and is evident by hair loss. 

These are all common health concerns amongst small “designer” dogs. However, the most common issue affecting Pomeranians is trauma, which remains the leading cause of death for Pomeranians besides old age. Viral infections and gastrointestinal issues also make the list of health conditions of which to be aware. 

You can help to ensure your Pomeranian is as healthy as possible by feeding high-quality food, taking your dog for regular exercise, promptly treating health issues, and maintaining proper vet care. 

How Much Does a Teacup Pomeranian Cost? 

If you have researched the Pomeranian breed and have determined that a Teacup Pomeranian is the right fit for your family, then you are probably wondering how much a little Pomeranian costs. When you search for Teacup Pomeranian puppies for sale, you are likely to find that prices range from about $400 to about $1,500.

However, the most expensive Teacup Pomeranians can sell for as high as $5,000! A purebred Pomeranian will be priced higher than a mixed breed Pomeranian, while a puppy that exhibits more rare colors or patterns might also cost more than a color that is more common. 

It is very, very important to purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder. Not only do reputable breeders produce healthier dogs, but they also contribute less to the massive unwanted pet population. Reputable Pomeranian breeders:

• will meet you in person
• will ask you questions about your home, family, and lifestyle 
• will have the puppy’s parents 
• will breed just one type of dog
• will have carefully screened the puppy’s parents for any breed-related health issues
• Will provide a health certificate stating the puppy is healthy
• will breed only 1-2 times per year

A Final Word: 

If you’re looking for a small purebred dog that is active, yet likes to cuddle, then a Teacup Pomeranian may be an excellent choice. Named because of their small size, these fun little dogs are known to be extremely loyal.

Though they are vulnerable to some of the same injuries and ailments that plague Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and other teacup breeds, Teacup Pomeranians can live up to 16 years with the right care and attention.