Is A Pomeranian A Good First Dog

Having a dog in your life is one of life’s greatest joys. A dog can bring you so much love and companionship but, what breed should you get? Is a Pomeranian a good first dog?

Pomeranians are good dogs for first-time owners if your lifestyle matches the breed’s characteristics and needs. Pomeranians require lots of time and attention with routine grooming and exercise.

In this article, I break down what it’s like to own a Pomeranian and what questions you should ask yourself when considering if a Pomeranian is right for you.

Are Pomeranians Good For First-Time Owners

A Pomeranian can be a good dog for a first-time owner.

The best dog for a first-time dog owner needs to match their energy levels, time available, and family dynamic.

Pomeranians are not overly energetic. Your Pomeranian will enjoy playing, running around the backyard, joining you on your errands, and cuddling up on your lap.

If you are looking for a dog that will go hiking with you or spend hours chasing balls at the park a Pomeranian may not be the right fit for you.

Pomeranians do not like to be left alone. Will there be someone at home the majority of the time? Pomeranians are not the type of dog that you can just leave home alone all day when you go to work.

Do you have young children and other pets? A Pomeranian may not be the best fit in a home with young children. Due to the petite stature of a Pomeranian, they can often be injured by an excited child. Another consideration would be if there are other pets in the home. How likely is that other pet to adjust to a new dog?

Are Pomeranians Good With Kids?

Do Pomeranians Require A Lot Of Time

Pomeranians are known for being prone to separation anxiety. They are wonderful companions that truly want to be by your side at all times.

I would not recommend getting a Pomeranian if it will be left alone for hours.

What should I do if I work away from home every day?

If you are away from home every day for an extended period of time I would suggest bringing your dog to doggy daycare or having a family member or really good friend spend some time with your dog.

Besides the fact that Pomeranians do not like to be left alone, they also want a lot of attention.

If you do not have a lot of time to give a dog, a Pomeranian may not be the best fit.

Are Pomeranians Hard To Care For

Pomeranians are not any harder to care for compared to other dogs.

All dogs need food, shelter, love, attention, exercise, grooming, and health care.

Pomeranians really enjoy being part of the family. They will love traveling with you on your daily adventures if possible.

Being the fluff balls that they are they do require some regular brushing. It isn’t necessary to bring them to a groomer. You should be able to provide grooming care at home if you wish.

Pomeranians don’t need a sprawling yard in order to get some exercise, a tiny yard or a walk to a local dog park will be perfect.

Be aware of some health conditions that Pomeranians are prone to like collapsed tracheas (never use a dog collar, always use a harness), luxating patellas, and eye conditions.

What Can I Expect From A Pomeranian

You can expect the addition of a new best friend if you welcome a Pomeranian into your family.

A Pomeranian is always anxious to greet you cheerfully at the door with an excited bark or many.

Although they may be small these fluffy dogs are up for the job as watchdogs. They will alert you to any perceived danger and are always on the job

Your Pomeranian will enjoy a few breaks in the day to go outside and run around and play.

If you happen to leave the house to run some errands your Pomeranian is sure to enjoy the adventure with you.

They enjoy eating and trying to get whatever you have to offer from treats to human food.

After a long day of following you around the house, all they want to do is snuggle up next to you and get some love and rest.

Do Pomeranians Have Good Personalities?

How Do I Know If I Am Ready For A Dog

You need to be ready and understand everything that goes into being a responsible pet owner.

Getting a dog is a lifetime commitment, with your dog relying solely on you for all of its care.

Consider the time, physical, mental, and financial commitment that being a dog owner requires.

Tips For First-Time Dog Owners

Here is a quick little checklist for first-time dog owners when preparing for your new friend.

• Do Your Research
• Prepare Your Home For Your New Dog
• Make A Training Plan
• Find A Veterinarian
• Look For A Support System
• Prepare For Set Backs
• Know The Costs Involved With Dog Ownership

Do Your Research

There is a lot you need to consider when you are thinking about getting your first dog.

Making sure that you select a dog that is the right fit for you and your lifestyle

Be aware of your budget and the costs involved with having a dog.

Prepare Your Home For Your New Dog

Before you bring home your new furry friend make sure you puppy or dog-proof your home.

Look for any dangers your dog could get into and be aware of all the things your dog could chew, including electrical cords.

Besides puppy proofing make sure you have purchased all of the things your dog may want or need, food, bowls, toys, and a bed.

Make A Training Plan

Determine how you are going to train your new dog. Are you going to be getting professional training or are you going to do it on your own?

Either way, make sure you’ve figured out how you want to work with your dog.

Training is an ongoing task that requires practice, patience, and consistency.

It’ll take time and there will be some bumps along the way.

Find A Veterinarian

Before you bring your new dog home it’s a good idea to find a vet nearby for all of your dog’s future care.

Look For Your Helpers

When you are considering getting a dog it’s good to think about who you know that may be a good support system for you and your dog.

There may be times when you have to work late or go out of town.

Who would be able to help care for your dog during these times?

It may be a family member, friend, or even your nearby doggy daycare.

Whoever it may be, make sure you have a plan in place for these needs ahead of time.

Be Prepared For Set Backs

Be prepared for setbacks especially if you are getting a puppy.

It takes time for a dog to be fully trained and adjusted to its new home.

Over time you will both grow and move past the challenges of the early stages.

Be patient and provide lots of love and guidance for your dog.

Know The Costs Involved In Dog Ownership

Dog ownership can get expensive beyond the initial price of purchasing your new dog.

The lifelong expenses of food and care need to be considered when getting a dog.

What Should I Look For In A First Dog

Some people say having a dog is like having a child that never grows up.

It’s very true in some ways. Your dog will always require care, love, and attention.

The decision to get a dog will change your daily routine and life for the entirety of the dog’s life.

What you get in return is priceless companionship and unconditional love.

• Consider the personality and qualities of a dog or breed size and appearance
• Consider the amount of time you have
• Evaluate your yard space
• Do you have children in your home
• Do you have other pets in your home
• Does grooming and dog hair bother you
• Will barking be a problem
• Do you need a dog that’s easily trained
• Do you want a watchdog

How To Choose The Right Dog

The AKC has a fun breed selector quiz that may help you narrow down the right breed for your lifestyle. Take the quiz results with a grain of salt.

For me, it came up with a German Short Hair Pointer which would actually have way too much energy for us.

The IAMS Dog Breed Selector had better results and offered other close match options.

What Breed Characteristics Should I Look For

Some of the characteristics to consider when looking for a dog are.

• Adapts well to apartment living if it applies to you
• Gets along well with children and others
• Amount of shedding
• Grooming requirements
• Gets along with other dogs and animals
• Does the dog drool a lot
• Does the dog require a lot of exercise
• Is the breed prone to separation anxiety?
• Is the dog breed easy to train
• Does the dog have a high energy level
• Is the dog friendly towards strangers
• Is the dog breed prone to health problems

What Breed Characteristics Should I Avoid

Depending on your lifestyle the following characteristics should be avoided in a first dog.

• Dog breeds that are aggressive
• Dogs that are highly sensitive
• Dogs with strong independence
• Dogs that are difficult to train
• A breed that requires more space and exercise than you can provide
• Breeds that aren’t good with children and other animals
• Overly vocal dogs
• Dogs with too much energy

Dog Breeds For First-Time Owners

It’s hard to make a list of dog breeds that are good for a first-time owner because each owner is unique and has their own lifestyle and preferences.

Keep that in mind when considering a new dog.

The following dog breeds tend to be better choices for first-time owners.

• Cavilier King Charles Spaniel
• Boxer
• English Springer Spaniel
• Papillon
• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever

Dog Breeds To Avoid As A First Time Dog Owner

The following breeds may not be best for a first-time owner.

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Airedale Terrier
• Bullmastiff
• French Bulldog
• Siberian Husky
• Saint Bernard
• German Shepherd
• Australian Cattle Dog
• Dalmation
• Weimaraner
• Rottweiler
• Alaskan Malamute
• Chinese Shar-Pei
• Chow Chow
• Akita
• Greyhound

Final Thoughts

Deciding to get a dog for the first time is a big decision that is also super exciting.

Make sure you really evaluate your lifestyle and expectations of life with your new dog before making that choice.

Doing your research on many different dog breeds, speaking to owners, and spending time with some dogs are great ways to ensure that you select the best dog for your family.

A Pomeranian may be a wonderful fit for you (they are for us).

Some of the reasons why Pomeranians have fit so nicely in our family include.

• Time– We almost always have someone at home with our dogs or bring them with us
• Yard Space– We have a typical suburban yard that is fenced-in. It’s plenty of space for our dogs to run
• Love and Dedication– We are a bit obsessed with our dogs to the point where we could be considered a “Crazy Pom Family”.
• Kids and Pets– Our kids were just old enough when we got our first Pomeranian that they didn’t cause any harm. Our cats were also well-adjusted to living with dogs.
• Support System– We have a local daycare and boarding location if needed. We also have a couple of family members nearby who help care for our pets when needed.

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