Pomeranian Health

Pomeranians are ranked #13 in popularity for 2008 with AKC, and popularity has come with a price. There are a lot more Pomeranians bred by people who don't know or care as much about the health problems in the breed as they should, than those bred carefully and responsibly.

In order of occurance, the most common health problems in the breed are:

1. Luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps)
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Coat loss problems such as Black Skin Disease and Alopecia
4. Collapsing trachea
5. Heart problems such as murmers
6. Hypoglycemia (occurs most commonly in puppies, adults with this have a serious metabolic disorder and it's very unusual)
7. Epilepsy
8. Eye disorders, including PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
9. Hip Dysplasia

If you're looking for a Pomeranian puppy, ask your breeder about these problems in the parents of your new family member, as well as their relatives. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains a database for Patellas, thyroid, cardiac, and hip screenings. CERF is the exam body for eye disorders, and dogs free of problems are frequently registered with these bodies. (Conversely, a dog that is NOT registered is not necessarily effected. Breeders of toy breeds are somewhat behind the curve of health testing as it is used in GSDs, Labs and Goldens to breed healthier dogs.)

The good thing, of course, is that most dogs- even ones with these conditions- can still have good quality of life for many years. Luxating patellas outnumber all other problems by a pretty significant amount, and the most common type of problems seen there are simple grade 1 patellas, where the knee occasionally slips under stress. Those dogs shouldn't be bred, or do a highly active career like agility, but anything less is generally going to be fine, and they won't be in any pain unless they somehow injure themselves- which can happen to a dog with good patellas, too!

More severe grades of luxating patella can be treated surgically. It's not a cheap surgery, but it's typically very successful, with most dogs who undergo it making a 110% recovery.