Is a Pom for you?

Although we think Poms are the most perfect breed of dog in existance, they definitely aren't for everyone or every household!

10 things you should know before bringing a Pom into your life

• They can be hard to housebreak. With patience and diligence, it's not impossible, but setting them up to succeed every time (frequent outings and lots of rewards for doing the right thing, as well as supervising so they can't make mistakes) generally does the trick.
  
• Because they're so popular, it can be hard to find a good breeder, and there are a lot of health problems that substandard or indifferent breeders don't screen for. Cavet emptor!
• The beautiful double coat doesn't shed as much as some other breeds of dog like shepherds and labs, but Poms do require regular home grooming to look their best. Plan on brushing nightly for 10-15 minutes or three times a week for a little longer to keep tangles and mats from forming- more if your dog has a soft or cottony coat.
• Poms can be barkers. Most can be trained out of it, but even well-trained Poms will bark occasionally. If a dog that is absolutely silent is a priority for you, look at a different breed.
• Pomeranians adore people. If not properly socialized and over-spoiled, they can be at high risk to develop separation anxiety and other neurotic behaviors.
• Poms are small dogs, even as adults. As babies, they're ridiculously tiny and can be very delicate. As adults, most have no concept of their actual size, and responsible owners should be aware of the risks of having such a small dog, especially around larger dogs and small children. (This doesn't mean never. This means be careful and use your common sense.)
  
• All Pomeranians are cute, especially as puppies. It can be very difficult to resist the huge pleading eyes. Be strong! Pups need limits, just like kids.
  
• Poms are known for being outgoing, but socialization is key to really have them be nice pets and members of the community. This means socialization on the ground- not just in people's arms!
  
• Poms are opinionated little guys. Proper training, proper boundaries, and good socialization are all important in preventing them from becoming snappy little tyrants.
  
• Poms are addictive- it's hard to have just one!