Teacup Pomeranian For Sale

So, you were walking down the street and you saw this adorable little dog with the cutest little bark.  You asked the dog's owner what it was and they said, "It's a teacup Pomeranian."  Immediately, you thought you have to have one.  Unfortunately, that may not be possible.  There actually is no such breed as a teacup or miniature Pomeranian.  Pomeranians are naturally small.  The smallest Pomeranian can weigh just three pounds.  A "large" one may be close to eight pounds.  They also don't get any taller than 11 inches.  Because these dogs are so tiny, many breeders will use the identifier "teacup" or "miniature" Pomeranian in marketing.  However, as a precaution, if you come across a Pomeranian that does seem extremely small or low in weight, there may be a problem either with the dog or with the breeder. 

Historically, Pomeranians are descendants of much larger dogs including the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed.  So the original breed of the dog was much larger actually weighing closer to 30 pounds.  In fact, they were originally used as sled dogs in Iceland and Lapland.  They are classified as Spitz-type or Spitzen dogs because of their long fur, pointed ears and muzzles.

Appearance

As described above, Pomeranians are very small dogs.  In fact, some kennel clubs classify them as toy dogs.  They also have a noticeable coat of fur that puffs out around the neck.  All white Pomeranians are particularly striking in appearance.  However, they come in other colors as well including black, cream, black and tan, orange, sable, tan and brown, brindle even blue.  Pomeranians also have a double coat, perhaps a remnant of its former life as a sled dog.  The tail of the Pomeranian is notable as well.  It is covered in long fur and it lies flat on the back.  Pomeranians have dark eyes and noses.

Temperament

Pomeranians are known to be playful and spirited dogs.  They enjoy being around their owner, other people and staying very active.  Pomeranians are said to be very intelligent and fairly easy to train.  Even though they are easy to train, they can become agitated by different situations and begin to bark at almost anything including common outside noises and other animals. Occasionally, a Pomeranian may show aggression toward a person or another animal.  Generally, this is a behaviour that you can correct with training and again getting your pet used to different situations.

If you live in an apartment or condo, that is a great environment for a Pomeranian.  They can handle small living quarters, since they are small themselves.  Pomeranians are inside dogs.  However, they will still want to go outdoors for some fresh air and exercise. 

Pomeranians may also seem to sleep a lot.  They generally will need about 13 to 15 hours a day.  As long as eight of those hours are at night while you are sleeping too, that should be just fine.  Some Pomeranians may even sleep a little more.  One or two hours is not a problem.  If you are concerned that your Pomeranian is sleeping too little or too much, you can always discuss it with your vet.

Chewing Issues

It is normal for dogs to have the urge to chew things which is why they sell chew toys at the pet store.  The problem comes when they want to gnaw on furniture, doors, walls and other parts of the home.  Not all Pomeranians have chewing problems.  But, if he or she does begin to chew on things he shouldn't chew on, it could be because of boredom, teething, nervousness, curiosity or separation anxiety.  Again, this is another behavior that can be corrected through training.  However, while that training is happening, you will want to make sure you remove anything dangerous from the dog's reach, like electrical cords and plants.

Grooming

Because of the long, beautiful fur the Pomeranian has, you have to maintain that look.  That long fur can easily get out of control and begin to get matted.  Generally you can brush the fur after a bath or you can groom it with a wet solution of water and conditioner formulated for pet fur.  However, it should be done when the fur is wet and it should be done daily.  Also, as you are grooming and brushing, don't forget the second layer of the coat which also needs to be groomed.  Avoid trimming the fur yourself.  That is best done by a professional groomer.  Also, you will need to keep your Pomeranian's nails trimmed every few months.  The problem with not keeping up this practice is the nails can quickly become ingrown and cause pain for your dog.  In addition, it may take surgery to correct the problem. 

Health Issues

Generally Pomeranians are very strong, healthy animals despite their small size.  However, like all dogs they can encounter some health issues.  The average life expectancy of the Pomeranian is 12 to 16  years.  Some develop a knee condition called luxating patellas where the knee cap pops out of place.  Another problem is collapsing trachea that can cause fainting spells or odd-sounding or honking coughs.  Cataracts, hypoglycemia and seizures are also common health problems that affect Pomeranians.

Pomeranian For Sale

Finding a Pomeranian for sale can take some time because you want to find the right dog for you.  If you decide to go with a breeder, you will want to make sure you do your homework.  Make sure the breeder is reputable.  Remember, the words "teacup" and "miniature" are not real versions of a Pomeranian.  Be wary of a breeder who pushes that terminology.  The breeder should want to meet you, know about your family and the kind of home you can offer the pet.  Avoid giving any money up front.  The Pomeranian puppy should not be offered for sale at under 8 weeks old.  Those early weeks are a critical time for the animal to learn some socializing skills from its mother and siblings.  The breeder should also keep the animal in a home setting during those early weeks of life.  Also, the breeder should be willing to let you see at least one parent and provide documents about the ancestry of both parents.  Find out how long the breeder has been breeding dogs.  Avoid people who have a dog that happened to get a litter.

Meanwhile, it is perfectly fine to also adopt a Pomeranian through your local animal shelter or a rescue group that specializes in the Pomeranian breed.  Animals from these agencies have the advantage of being house-broken and will only cost a few hundred dollars versus twice that.