Pomeranian Puppy Growth Stages Explained

You may be about to bring home your new Pomeranian puppy and want to know what to expect within the first year of your Pomeranians life.

Pomeranian Puppies do a lot of growing within their first year of life. They go from being newborns to full-grown adults in the span of 12 months. Pomeranian puppies experience 4 growth stages within the first year.

Pomeranian Life Cycle

Pomeranians go through what can be identified as different life stages throughout their lives.

They can be simplified as

Puppyhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Senior

In this article, I am focusing on the growth of a Pomeranian puppy during its puppyhood, through adolescence, and reaching full-grown adulthood.

How Do Pomeranians Age (10 Life Stages Explained)

Do Pomeranians Grow At The Same Rate As Other Dogs

Every dog does not grow and age at the same rate.

Large dogs like Great Danes grow and age faster than small dogs like Pomeranians.

Do All Pomeranians Grow At The Same Rate

Every dog is unique and will grow at its own pace.

It is not uncommon to see puppies from the same litter grow and mature at different rates.

It’ll all even out eventually.

Puppy Stages From Birth To Adult For Pomeranians

Pomeranian puppies develop and grow tremendously within the first year of life.

A Pomeranian puppy’s growth can be broken down into four separate time periods of growth where you can expect certain milestones to be reached.

Neonatal Period (birth to two weeks of age)
Transitional Period (two to three weeks of age)
Socialization Period (three to twelve weeks of age)
Juvenile Period (twelve weeks to a year old)

At What Age Are Pomeranians Full Grown

Pomeranians are fully grown once they reach one year of age.

Since every dog is an individual some may reach the point of being fully grown a little sooner or later than that one-year mark.

You can expect your Pomeranian to be an adult once it reaches 11 to 15 months of age.

When Are Pomeranians Mature Enough To Mate

Although, it is physically possible for Pomeranians to mate before they reach their first birthday it is seriously frowned upon.

A female should be around two years of age with a male at least one-year-old before mating.

At What Age Should I Start Potty Training My Pomeranian

Experts recommend the ideal age for potty training a puppy is around twelve to sixteen weeks of age.

What Shots Do Pomeranians Get Within The First Year

During the first year, a puppy will receive a variety of vaccinations including.

Distemper
Parovirus
Bordetella
DHHP
Rabies

Some of these shots will need to be received more than once during the first year.

What To Expect In The First Year Of A Pomeranians Life

During the first year of a Pomeranians life, you can expect a complete transition from a newborn puppy to a fully grown adult dog.

It’ll be a joyous whirlwind full of puppy kisses, nibbles, training, growing, and lots of love.

You can expect to be busy and need to invest a lot of time training and nurturing your new little friend.

Pomeranian Growth Within The First Year Of Life

In this section, I provide all of the needs, milestones, and expectations of a Pomeranian Puppies growth during the first year of life.

Before Birth

A typical gestation period for a Pomeranian lasts approximately 63 days.

During this time, it’s important to provide the pregnant mom with all of the care that she needs.

Month 1

During the first month of a Pomeranian puppy’s life, it will be mostly dependent on its mother with some significant growth and milestones within this short period of life.

Neonatal Period

During the first couple weeks of life, a Pomeranian puppy will rely on its mother or human intervention if needed for survival.

A newborn puppy’s eyes and ears are closed at birth and do not open until he or she is around two weeks of age.

Everything at this age is based on reflex suckling, rolling over to become upright, suckling and urinating, and defecating upon its mother’s initiation.

What A Newborn Pomeranian Can’t Do

Puppies can’t hear
Puppies can’t see
Puppies can’t regulate it’s own body temperature
Puppies can’t eliminate on it’s own

Newborn Pomeranian Milestones

Puppies can taste
Puppies can smell
Puppies can feel
A newborn puppy will sleep most of the time
If a newborn puppy isn’t sleeping he/she will be eating
Puppies can recognize pain
First worming

Transitional Period

During the second and third week of a Pomeranian puppy’s life, its mental and physical development proceeds rapidly.

Pomeranian Puppy Needs At 2 To 3 Weeks Of Age

A puppy that is 2-3 weeks of age still can not regulate its body temperature and needs it’s mother as well as human care to make sure they are kept warm.
Puppies are fully dependent on it’s mothers milk

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At 2 To 3 Weeks Of Age

Puppies start crawling
Puppies start to urinate and defecate on their own
Puppies can start to hear
Puppies will start to see

Pomeranian Puppy Needs At 3 To 4 Weeks Of Age

Puppies will continue to nurse
Puppies at this age should be introduced to a variety of noises that are natural to a living enviroment
Puppies should be introduced to different enviroments and textures that are found within a home
Puupies will require their second worming treatment at this age

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At 3 To 4 Weeks Of Age

Puppies will begin to stand and become more stable
A woobly puppy may start to take its first steps
If a puppy hasn’t already started urinating and defecating on its own it will by the end of the first month
A puppy may be able to be introduced to it’s first solid puppy food while it still nurses from its mom

During The First Month Of Life

At the end of a Pomeranian’s first month of life, they will be seeing and hearing clearly may be starting to eat solid foods, possibly taking its first steps and starting to play and interact with their mother and littermates.

This one-month-old Pomeranian puppy has made great gains but, still remains fragile and at risk if it does not receive the care it needs from its mother and human caregivers.

Month 2

The end of the first month and the beginning of month two marks the start of the socialization period where you can also expect an amazing amount of growth, learning, and changes for your Pomeranian Puppy.

Socialization Period

It’s important that the human caregivers provide puppies with plenty of stimulation, handling, training, and care during the socialization period.

Puppies should be picked up often, you should look in their ears and mouth, touch their paws, brush them, bathe them, look under their tail, roll them on their belly.

These things are so important for the future needs and care of your Pomeranian. If they even have an injury or a problem you or a vet may need to touch them and move them in certain ways.

If your Pomeranian is already used to being handled in many ways, it’ll make those future experiences easier and more comfortable for everyone involved.

Pomeranian Puppies Needs At 4 To 5 Weeks

Puppies need lots of handling and new experiances during this stage
Pomeranians are prone to seperation anxiety making it a valuable practice in leaving your Pomeranian alone at times
Inroducing and exposing the epuppies to many different people
Making sure that the puppy is being feed high quality puppy food and that they are handling the new food well
Love and attention

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At 4 To 5 Weeks Of Age

Puppies will start to wean off of their mothers milk
A puppies first teeth may start to appear
Curisoty isn’t just for cats, Pomeranian puppies are curious able everything at this age
Puppies will enjoy plaing with their litter mates

Pomeranian Puppy Needs At 5 To 8 Weeks

Puppies may experiance their first car ride, vet appointment and shots.
Puppies are not quite ready to go to thier forever homes
Make sure the puppy has walked or played on different surfaces
Make sure the puppy has played with different types of ojects
Make sure the puppy has been in numerous locations or environments
Provide the puppy with different challenges (climbing steps, going through a tunnel etc.)
Provide a variety of containers during meal times
Feed the puppies in a variety of locations
Make sure the puppy has heard a wide variety of sounds
COntinue to introduce the puppies to different people of all ages
Start introducing the puppies to other animals
Love and atention

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At 5 To 8 Weeks

Weaning should being or continue at this age
Puppies will start to learn and undestand it’s boundries and limitations

Month 3

The third month of a Pomeranian Puppies life is met with one of the biggest transitions of all.

They leave the comfort of their mothers and littermates and move on to their forever homes.

It is crucial at this age that Puppies receive new stimuli, experiences, and begin training.

You want to make sure that your puppy is comfortable with and can adapt to any situation in life so you don’t end up having a dog that is unstable or easily frightened.

Pomeranian Puppy Needs At 8 To 11 Weeks Of Age

Potty traing should begin
Simple obediance training should begin
Make sure you call your puppy by its new name often
Puppies are at a high risk of trauma from accidents like being dropped or stepped on. You must always be very careful and on the look out for danger
Watch for open doors and make sur eyour puppy doesn’t sneak out
Since your puppy is not fully vaccinated at this point in time it is best to avoid dog parks and other high risk situations
Love and attention

Since a puppy isn’t fully vaccinated until around the age of 16 to 20 weeks you should be cautious of others and places like parks and dog parks where diseases like parvovirus and distemper can be spread.

It’s best to only allow your puppy to be around healthy, completely vaccinated dogs.

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At 8 To 11 Weeks Of Age

You will have a rambunctious and curious puppy on you hands
You Pomeranian will continue to grow and learn as it experiances new things
You can expect lots of love bites and nibbles from sharp puppy teeth at this point in time

Month 4

During the fourth month of a Pomeranians life, it will transition from the socialization period into the juvenile period where the puppy will continue to grow both physically and mentally.

You can expect a combination of puppy behaviors and adult behaviors during this time.

Unfortunately, this is where some negative behaviors and habits can start to happen.

You can expect to experience nipping, chewings, jumping up, destroying things, barking excessively, and overall rowdiness.

Puppies often mentally mature far after they are physically mature. That’s why you often see what appears visually as an adult dog acting like a crazy puppy.

Juvienile Period

Pomeranian Puppy Needs At 12 To 17 Weeks Of Age

Continued socialization
Continured introduction to new people, animals, environments and expericanes
Potty training
Obediance training
Lots of chew toys and direction towards those toys
Love and attention

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At 12 To 17 Weeks Of Age

Puppies at this age should no longer go to bathroom in their beds at night
Your Puppy will start teething and chew everything and everyone in sight
Pomeranian puupies seem to grow overnight during this stage

Fact- Male Pomeranians can breed at seven months of age but, it is not suggested until the male is at least a year old.

Month 5

By the time your puppy is 18 weeks of age, it will think of itself as a fully grown dog, full of attitude and spunk.

You may have your hands full. Pomeranians often think they are much bigger than they are.

During this time pre-teen or teenage stage, your puppy will require a lot of attention, training, patience, and love.

Your puppy will continue to grow physically at a rapid rate and be enjoying everything that life has to offer.

Pomeranian Puppy Needs At 18 To 26 Weeks

As much socialization as possible
Obdience trainign or continues practice of skils and knwoledge
Your puppy may be due for vaccinations during this time frame
Love, attention and patience from it’s owners

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At 18 To 26 Weeks

Your Pomeranian will want to express itself more
You may notice a new sort of independance and personality developing
You Pomeranian may start to think it is a guard dog

Month 6

In month six you can expect a lot of the same behaviors and experiences as you did in the previous month with some new additions.

You will still have a rambunctious, curious, and stubborn puppy at this age.

Pomeranian Puppy Needs At Month 6

Continued training and reinforcement of that training
Discuss spaying and neutering with you vet, it may be time
It’s possible for females to experiance thier first heat cycle around 6 months of age
Males may also start marking if they are not neutered before maturity
You can start to transition to adult food at this point in time

Pomeranian Puppy Milestones At Month 6

Your Pomeranian may be reaching reprductive maturity at this age
Your beautiful puppy may begin experiancing “the puppy uglies” where they transition from their puppy coats into their full adult double coats

Months 7 – 12

In months seven through 12 your Pomeranian will continue to grow and learn.

The “puppy uglies” should be in full swing leaving you wondering if your puppy will ever look as full and fluffy as it once did.

You may even come across people that question if you really have a Pomeranian, we have.

Don’t fret this stage will pass and your puppy will be stunning.

By the time your pup is a year of age, it should have its full adult coat.

How Long Do The Puppy Uglies Last

The puppy uglies can last anywhere between six to ten months. It may happen gradually over time or drastically during a shorter period.

At What Age Do Pomeranians Go Through The Puppy Uglies

Many Pomeranians will start their coat transitions at around 4 to 6 months ending somewhere between 12 and 15 months of age.

Final Thoughts

It seems like a lot happens to your Pomeranian puppy within the first year of life, it does.

My advice is to embrace and enjoy all of the moments even if they are frustrating or hurt (puppy teeth are sharp).

That precious puppy year goes by so fast and you don’t want to miss out on all of the fun.

Once, your Pomeranian has reached adulthood its behavior and routines will become more predictable.

Our Murphy enjoys a time in the morning where we refer to him as “Morning Murphy”, he is feisty, active, and super playful during this time.

Buy, at the end of the day like clockwork, he is ready for cuddling with his favorite hedgehog stuffie.

Willow likes to be more independent but, can become downright persistent when it comes to getting her morning egg.

Duke is the baby. He is only four months old and is a teething monster. He is currently in need of lots of training but, he is super sweet and loving.

They have all captured my heart.