Are Pomeranians Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, these playful pooches don’t have the qualities to deem them hypoallergenic or suitable for those with allergies to dogs.
The Pomeranian
Pomeranians are thought to be distant relatives of much larger working dogs from the Arctic — this could explain their thick, dense fur. The breed originated in Pomerania, Northern Poland, off the Baltic sea coastline. Over the years the breed, which is also nicknamed ‘Pom,’ has decreased in proportion and is now rather small with many classed as teacup-sized.
These pooches are a popular choice of companion and are currently ranked within the top 20 most popular breeds in the US. Pomeranians are well known for their thick coats and it’s recommended that they’re brushed regularly to remove any debris or dead hair.
Even though their shed level is relatively low compared to other dogs, they typically blow out their coats during seasonal changes — from winter to summer months, which can make them less desirable for people with dog allergies.
Although the adorable teacup Pom is desired by many, this breed has been manufactured over the years to produce such a tiny little beauty. Hence, it begs the question, ‘are teacup Pomeranians hypoallergenic?’There is no doubt these dogs are a lot smaller than the usual breed, however, they’re still likely to shed. With this in mind, you may be surprised that some allergy sufferers can tolerate the small amount of fur they lose.
Poms are known for their energetic, feisty behavior and are naturally curious about their environment. They love being the center of attention, but with their headstrong character, training these little furballs can prove to be a fairly challenging task!
Did You Know…
Pomeranians are closely linked to American Eskimo Dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Norwegian Elkhounds, and Samoyeds.
The first Pomeranians weighed between 20 to 30 pounds. However, they were scaled down as Queen Victoria wanted to turn these big beauties into cute little lap dogs.
For a synopsis of the details below, skip to our Pomeranian breed summary further down the page.
Pomeranian Quick Facts
| Hypoallergenic Dog: | No |
| Shedding: | Low |
| Drooling: | Low |
| Size: | Small |
| Breed Group: | Toy |
| Lifespan: | 12-16 years |
| Energy Level: | Medium – High |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Family Dog: | Yes! |
What’s Coming up on This Page?
The Pomeranian’s Physical Characteristics
Pomeranian’s Coat
Pomeranian’s Temperament
Pomeraininan’s Grooming
Exercise & Training
Pomeranian’s Health Issues and Care
Pomeranians hypoallergenic Alternatives
Conclusion
If you have specific questions about the Pomeranian dog breed, check out our FAQ section.
About the Breed
The Pomeranian’s Physical Characteristics
The adorable Pomeranian is well known for its small stature. Typically weighing around 3-7 pounds and standing at a height of 7-12 inches, these bow-wows are super simple to pick up and carry. Both males and females fall within these weight and height ranges, with very little if any difference between them.
Pomeranian dogs are known for being smart, curious, and energetic balls of fluff. This can be the perfect choice for a family pet that’s less intimidating than a larger dog. This pampered pooch loves to be the center of attention, thus will fit in well with families who can oblige.
However, bear in mind that families with smaller children may not be the best home for a Pom. They need to be handled carefully and younger children may think of them as a toy — like their appearance would have you believe.
Pomeranian’s Coat
Pomeranians have a distinctive coat. They have a puffball of fur around their chest and neck, and their bodies have a thick double coat, made up of:
- Soft undercoat: this keeps them snuggly and warm in the winter months.
- Long outer coat: this is the part of their coat that you can touch, groom, and wash.
These pooches require regular grooming as when they blow out their fur, they can become matted easily. A good routine consists of regular brushing and bathing. This will help keep their coats fluffy and silky.
If you suffer from allergies this breed isn’t recommended, they will shed fur around the house. This loose fur can carry allergens such as dander or pollens which can trigger an allergy spike.
Pomeranian’s Temperament
Pomeranians are typically known for their playful extroverted character. They are intelligent and loyal to their families but don’t let their cuteness fool you! Armed with a yappy bark, these tiny personalities believe they can take on even the biggest dogs.
These pooches are sociable characters. Their bold presence makes them the perfect playmate for anyone interested. However, they must be trained appropriately around children.
Pomeranians should also be well supervised when with young children as their small stature could leave them open to getting injured in an overactive environment. This can leave them feeling afraid and inevitably aggressive/fearsome of little people.
Exercise & Training
Encouraging Good Behavior in Your Pomeranian
Pomeranians can be highly sociable pets. Their persona, however, is much bigger than their size. They have the personality traits from their ancestors ‘the German Spitz.’ These were very large sled dogs and you can see that Pomeranians possess a similar outgoing energetic personality, much like their distant relatives.
With all this bubbling energy these bow-wows must be trained from an early age to expel what could become aggressive behavior. They generally respond well to positive reinforcement but this has to be a regular occurrence for it to take effect.
One of the most important factors would be socialization. Taking your new Pom to places where it will meet other people and other dogs can be a valuable tool to prevent aggressive behavior. Some Pomeranians can be cheekier than others, which is why many owners attend structured dog classes as well.
These dogs carry a loud yappy bark. This can become a troublesome trait, so getting this under control early will help you and your neighbors further down the line.
Similar Breeds
Pomeranians Grooming
Grooming all dogs is a part of the care an owner takes responsibility for. Owners of the Pomeranian breed need to understand that it’s essential to keep a regular grooming routine to keep the coat at its best.
Pomeranians have an adorable pom-pom appearance. Their dense undercoats and wiry top coats mean that they need frequent brushing to prevent matting, especially during the months where they shed their fur. Brushing should be done at least three times per week but it’s advised to be done more regularly during the blowout months.
Alongside brushing, Pomeranians need regular nail trims, eyes wiped, and ensuring their rear ends are kept clean.
This beautiful breed should be bathed as often as every week. They must not be left longer than three weeks. Washing their coats regularly will help detangle any matts and prevent their skin from becoming sore. Falling into a good washing routine early helps with behavior in the bath and sets the core foundations for healthy skin and fur.
Find out what equipment you will need for grooming your dog.
Pomeranian’s Health Issues and Care
This breed is known for certain medical issues, including:
- Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia (CM/SM) — inherited from their ancestors, this is where the back of the brain can protrude from the skull. It’s a rare condition that leads to neurological problems.
- Luxating patella — knee caps can slip and make mobility very difficult.
- Insufficient closure of the fontanel — known as the soft spot, this usually closes by 10 months, but in many Poms, it doesn’t. It can cause brain inflammation, which will need treatment.
- Tracheal collapse — manifests as a distinctive cough. It cannot be cured but symptoms can be treated.
- Broken bones and ligament damage.
Pomeranian Hypoallergenic Alternatives
Pomeranians are beautiful creatures. Perfect for anyone who wants to have a bundle of fluff running around, and perfect if you prefer a smaller than average dog. Unfortunately, due to their incredible coats, they aren’t the best breed to own if you suffer from pet allergies!
That said, all may not be lost if you want a dog similar to the Pom! Check out these breeds, they bear the same characteristics as a Pomeranian but are allergy friendly. Whether it’s their personality traits or a thick body of fluff, you can be sure that they would suit any home that requires the hypoallergenic touch!
- Is a Pomsky hypoallergenic? This is a mixed breed. These dogs are branded the ‘designer dog.’ With all the personality traits of a Pomeranian and husky combined, these tail-waggers aren’t the best breed if you’re looking for a totally hypoallergenic friend, but they do shed at a lower rate than the average toy pup.
- The Maltese is a pawsome alternative breed. They’re classed as hypoallergenic because they don’t excessively shed their fur. This breed is perfect for dog lovers with low activity levels, as they don’t require high levels of exercise.
- A breed that hardly sheds or drools is the Poodle. Their coats are different from that of a Pom, and if you choose a larger breed, their size can also differ. However, a teacup Poodle will grow to be a similar size.
- Another beautiful breed would be the Bichon Frise. These pooches have the same loyal attributes as the Pomeranian and many can match in energy levels. Their non-shedding coat makes them a desirable breed for those with allergies.
- Taking home a Chinese Crested may not be the most obvious choice, but it’s a solid alternative. With minimal fur to shed, they’re classed as hypoallergenic. And, while appearance-wise, this breed is undoubtedly the opposite of a fluffy Pom, they have a lively side, which is a trait similar to the Pomeranian.
Conclusion
Suffering from pet allergies is no joke. Unfortunately, choosing the Pomeranian breed is not the best choice for you. Their coats are doubled up and they shed, albeit at a low level.
That said, we’ve mentioned some spectacular alternative breeds that could become a part of your family.
Spend time researching hypoallergenic bow-wows, as many allergy sufferers are affected in different ways. And, if you think you have found ‘the one,’ visit them regularly to establish whether your allergies are affected.
So, in conclusion, are Pomeranians hypoallergenic? In a nutshell, no. But there are many allergy-friendly breeds with wonderful wagging tails dying to meet you.
Pomeranian’s FAQs
Are Pomeranians Good for People Who Have Allergies?
To give a straight answer — no! However, these puffballs are one of the better breeds. They have a small stature, which means they shed a lot less than your average-sized dog. If you’re dead set on a Pom, check if your allergies can tolerate this tiny tail-wagger before making one a part of your family.
Are Teacup Pomeranians Hypoallergenic?
With a coat as thick as the teacup Pomeranian, it’s shocking to believe that they only shed a little. Do expect to find their fur around the house but it would never be excessive. This is something that many allergy sufferers can tolerate, although they are not considered a hypoallergenic Pomeranian.
Which Dog Is the Most Hypoallergenic?
Although no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic, these are some of the best dogs to own if you do suffer from dog allergies:
Are Yorkie Pomeranians Hypoallergenic?
This is a designer breed that shares many traits from both breeds but there is no guarantee that they will be hypoallergenic, like a Yorkshire Terrier. As Poms are not hypoallergenic there is a high chance that the Porkie will follow them.
What Is a Shih Pom?
This is another mixed breed — a Shih Tzu crossed with a Pomeranian. Although they’re small, cute, and extremely loyal, there is no guarantee that these dogs will inherit their Shih Tzu parent’s hypoallergenic coat.
Does A Pomeranian Shed A Lot?
Pomeranians don’t shed as much as other breeds, but their shedding is still significant. This is mainly because they’re one of the furriest small dogs around.
Pomeranian’s Facts Summary
| Breed | Pomeranian |
| Hypoallergenic? | No |
| Size | Toy-small |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years |
| Temperament | Energetic, curious, feisty, stubborn, intelligent. |
| Colors | Black, white, orange, red, sable, black and tan, chocolate, cream. |
| Coat | Double-coated |
| How much grooming? | High |
| How much shedding | Low |
| Dander levels | Low |
| Saliva–Drooling and licking frequency? | Low |
| Energy levels | Medium/High |
| How much exercise do they need? | A little. |
| Health problems | Yes — health and genetic conditions. |
| Suitable for kids? | Dependant on age of children. |
| How much do they bark? | A lot — but can be trained. |
| Can they be left alone? | Yes. They enjoy their own company as adults for anywhere between 6-8 hours. They feel happy and independent when alone. |
| Intelligent? | Yes. |
| Trainable? | Yes. |
| How popular as a pet? | Popular in the US. |
