You may be considering adding a Pomeranian to your family or are just curious if these little furballs are fragile. In this article I break down what makes a dog more fragile than another and if Pomeranians are fragile.
Pomeranians are known for being small lap dogs that can be carried around in oversized purses. It’s easy to wonder are Pomeranians fragile. There are many factors that determine if a dog is more fragile than another like common health issues or vulnerability to injury. Pomeranians have their concerns but, they are not as fragile as you would assume.
What Makes One Dog Breed More Fragile Than Another
When determining if a dog is fragile or not there are three characteristics that can be looked at the dog’s health, the likelihood of injuries for the breed, and if the dog is more likely to have emotional issues.
Some Dog Breeds Are More Prone To Health Problems
Overtime time the breeding of dogs has caused some genetic mutations which have caused common helath problems to appear in certain breeds.
Some of the most common health problems we see in dog breeds are.
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds, Great Danes, Labrador Retreivers, Bull Mastiffs, Pugs and Rottweilers often suffer from hip dysplasia.
Respiratory Issues
Dogs with flat faces like the Pug and English Bulldog are more susceptible to respiratory issues. Their flat faces restrict airflow and make it hard to breathe.
Eye Problems
Dogs with bulgy eyes like the Pug can experience eye problems. They can be prone to the eye-popping out of the socket and other eye injuries like scratches.
Epilepsy
Beagles, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds are more prone to epilepsy which is a brain disorder that causes seizures.
Cancer
Oncologists have estimated that 50% of all older dogs will die from cancer. Even with that 50/50 chance, some dog breeds are more prone to cancer than others. Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Boxers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are some breeds with the highest risk.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Pomeranian?
Some Dogs Are More Prone To Injuries
There are many ways your dog can injure itself everything from jumping from too high or getting scratched. Some of the most common injuries are.
- Leg Fractures
- Damaged Ligaments
- Eye Injuries
- Cuts and Scratches
- Tail injuries
Are Pomeranians Good With Kids?
Some Dogs Are More Prone To Emotional Issues
Many dogs suffer from the same mental and emotional issues that humans do.
Seperation Anxiety
There are lots of dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety can panic when their owners show signs that they will be leaving the dog alone. The dog will often bark frantically, destroy things and, have accidents in the house.
Social Anxiety
Does who have been neglected in the past can often suffer from social anxiety when they are around people or other dogs. Social anxiety usually doesn’t happen unless the dog has experienced trauma.
Noise Anxiety
Some dogs get very anxious when they hear loud noises like thunder or fireworks.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Yes, your dog can also suffer from OCD. Signs that your dog may be developing obsessive-compulsive disorder are when they start showing odd behaviors like tail chasing, licking, and pacing.
Depression
Dogs can also get depressed. Dogs that are feeling depressed can often become withdrawn, lethargic, and appear more sad than usual.
Are Pomeranians Prone To More Health Problems Than Other Dogs
Pomeranians are not as prone to some of the common health problems that can affect dogs. There are some health concerns that are often found in Pomeranians that you should be aware of.
Black Skin Diesese (Alopecia)
Alopecia is a disorder that causes hair loss in some Pomeranians. This condition may stem from an inherited adrenal gland defect. Males are often affected by the condition more often than females. Sometimes the hair loss is accompanied by hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) which is referred to as “black skin disease”.
Black Skin Disease is considered cosmetic and doesn’t cause any pain, itching, or inflammation. The loss of fur does make your dog more prone to sunburns and skin infections.
Luxating Patella
Luxating Patellas are an inherited disorder that some Pomeranians can suffer from. The patella slides up and down in a groove on the femur. In some dogs, the patella will slip out of the groove. The condition can vary from being very minor where the patella easily slips back into place or severe where the patella is always out of place. If a luxating patella is severe it can damage the knee joint and may require surgery to repair.
Collapsed Tracheas
Collapsed tracheas are very common with Pomeranians. With many small breeds, the cartilage around the windpipe is prone to injury. Collapsed tracheas may require surgery to repair. Luckily, there are things we can do to help prevent a collapsed trachea, to begin with, like always using a harness instead of collars and bringing your dog to the vet for checkups.
Are Pomeranians Accident Prone
Pomeranians are known for overestimating their size. These little dogs have the impression that they are much larger than they are and can sometimes be referred to as “cocky”. Their larger-than-life personality happens to be one of my favorite traits of a Pomeranian.
Since Pomeranians think they are bigger than they are, they sometimes can get themselves into trouble jumping off of high places. Pomeranians can break bones if they get too brave and jump from a high place and land incorrectly.
Another risk for Pomeranians is being handled too roughly by children or being accidently stepped on.
Do Pomeranians Have Emotional Issues
Pomeranians can suffer from separation anxiety. These adorable fluffy dogs get very attached to their owners and can become very upset when left home alone.
Pomeranians are a breed that shouldn’t be left alone for long hours. They love companionship and enjoy being cuddled. If you are going to be gone for long hours consider taking your dog to daycare or having a friend or family member spend time with your dog.
Can Pomeranians Be Considered A Fragile Dog
Pomeranians are not fragile dogs. They are tough little dogs with big personalilities.
These fluffy dogs often suffer less severe health problems in comparison to other dog breeds.
Although, they can suffer from separation anxiety and broken bones these can often be prevented by providing the best care and attention to your dog.
Final Thoughts
Overall I would not call Pomeranians fragile, that being said there are circumstances that would be less than perfect for a Pomeranian.
A home that has small children is not ideal since kids can often be too rough for a little dog and cause injuries.
If your dog would be left home for many hours a day it may cause your dog to suffer from emotional issues including separation anxiety.
In the right home a Pomeranian will thrive and be your best friend.
Other Articles You May Enjoy
Are Pomeranians High Maintenance (11 Characteristics)
