Pomeranian Characteristics
Life expectancy: 12 – 15 years
Adult weight: 8 – 12 lbs.
Adult height: 3 – 7 in.
Origin – Pomerania, Europe
Pomeranian, or the widely used name, Pom-Pom, is a toy dog from the northwest of Poland, Pomerania. These dogs are not only popular among the populations of various countries but also among the nobility. Queen Victoria of England is one big name who owned a Pomeranian during her lifetime. Even in the US, this breed is among the top 20 dog breeds ever.
Also known as the Dwarf Spitz, this breed is a descendant of the German Spitz. The popularity of this breed in Europe is owed to the royal family of England. They may be small, but they’re a very sturdy and energetic breed. Their temperament is usually friendly, lively, and playful. Sometimes their small size can become a reason for overcompensation with their aggression to prove themselves.
This is an intelligent breed that comes in a variety of coat colors, including white, black, brown, red, orange, cream, blue, sable, black and tan, brown and tan, spotted, brindle, and even combinations of these colors. Their color is over a thick-double coat which has long and straight hair. One of the most unique features is the lion-like mane which develops under the chin with all those long hairs.
What is the price of a Pomeranian?
Several factors can influence the price of a Pom Dog, like the dog’s age, breeder’s reputation, dog’s bloodline, coat color, and location, to name a few. We will break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, healthcare, grooming, and miscellaneous expenses. According to the OVMA and Made in CA, here are the average costs of puppy ownership in Canada.
Buying: $1500 – $3000
There are different avenues you can choose to get your Pomeranian from like reputed breeders, puppy farms, and rescue shelters. A reputable breeder typically charges anywhere between $1500-$3000 for a Pom dog. These are pet-quality pups we are talking about. Show quality Pomeranian puppy prices can be as high as $10,000. A micro or teacup Pomeranian price could be about $1800 on average. For a Black Pomeranian, you can expect the price to be around $2000 since this is the rarest color for this breed. The beautiful white Pomeranian can also cost you around $1500.
If your search looks like ‘teacup Pomeranian puppies for under $500,’ then adopting one from a rescue shelter is a great option for you. Pups from a rescue may not particularly come with a health guarantee, and there is no guarantee that the shelter will have the breed or age you are looking for, but many shelters provide healthcare to these pups, like vaccines and spaying/neutering before adoption. You could get a Pom dog from your local shelter for around $100-$300 on average.
Monthly costs for a Pom dog
Diets: $20-$40
These dogs are extremely small. You’ll know when you keep a dog like a Golden Retriever or a Great Dane beside them. This means that their food requirements are lower than those bigger breeds too. The monthly cost for Pom Pom dog food can cost around $30 for good quality, vet-recommended kibble.
Grooming: $40-$50
Beauty comes with a cost. Their double-coated, long-haired coat will need proper grooming at least 6-8 times a year to help maintain its beauty. Each professional grooming session could cost around $40-$50. If you decide to groom your pup at home, you may save some costs, but it’s recommended to send them to professionals during shedding season. Daily brushing, regular nail trimming, and teeth and ear cleaning would also be advised for at-home grooming. A kit including the above items could cost around $60-$80.
Medical Costs: $700-$1200
During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300, and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.
One-time costs for a Pomeranian
Initial Costs: $400-$500
Before taking your dog home, you must get some initial items to set up their new home. Some items include a bed, crate, food and water bowls, collar and leash, poop picker and bags, toys, training pads, odor spray, a first aid kit, and a harness. These initial expenses can be around $400-$500.
Microchipping: $50-$70
The cost can vary depending on where you live, but the average cost is around $50. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks.
Vaccinations: $250-$300
There are certain core vaccinations that a Pomeranian would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.
There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Pomeranian. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.
Miscellaneous: $300-$350
There may be some miscellaneous expenses that can come up over the life of your pet, like dog walking, training, dog sitting, traveling, and park visits. You should plan to keep around $300-$350 aside every year for these expenses.
Lifetime Pomeranian Cost
Adding the initial buying/adoption cost, one-time and recurring costs, medical, grooming, and food, you can expect to spend around $18,000-$19,000 in a Pomeranian’s lifetime. This does not include the cost of medical emergencies should they happen to your pet.
Conclusion
These beautiful-looking, royal, and highly intelligent Pomeranian dogs will be the life of the family. Be ready for loads of cuddles and licks once you get a Pom-Pom home. Apart from the medical costs, the overall lifetime costs of a Pom dog are reasonable compared to some other dog breeds. So go ahead and get these tiny furry baby bombs home!
Happy Parenting to you, and Lots of Love to your Pup!
As Spot’s resident cat enthusiast, I am dedicated to researching and sharing information that helps pet owners take the best care of their pets. Pet ownership comes with it’s share of challenges, but my goal is to help make this journey easier.
“Annual Cost of Owning a Puppy,” OVMA, https://www.ovma.org/assets/1/6/CostOfCare%20PuppyDog%202022.pdf, n.d.
“Pet Spending Statistics in Canada,” Made in CA, https://madeinca.ca/pet-spending-canada-statistics, Jan. 4, 2024.