Pomeranians are small "toy dogs" that are very popular in the United States. The dogs are known for their thick, rounded coats and their bold, exuberant personalities. Pomeranians are small and considered "square-portioned." They come in a variety of different colors including orange, cream black, sable, and red. The dogs typically have curled tails and small ears. Pomeranians are typically very friendly with their owners, though they can bark excessively when they meet a stranger for the first time. The dogs are also often unfriendly towards other dogs that they may come into contact with.

The pets are small but still require daily activity to keep them healthy. Veterinarians say that the pets need to be taken on short walks or played with inside. The animals also need to have a coat brushing at least twice a week to keep the fur from getting snagged and tangled. Vets recommend that all Pomeranian owners keep their dogs inside as these are not outside animals.

The Pomeranian has a life span of 12 to 16 years. The pets have a tendency from a variety of health conditions including open fontanel. This is a condition that occurs when parts of the skull don't close over after birth. In dogs, this normally happens when the skull bones at the top of the head fail to close. The problem often triggers hydrocephalus. This is another brain danger that occurs when there is too much fluid around the brain which places pressure on the cranium and surrounding tissues. A pet with an open fontanel will often have a dome-shaped head and will suffer from swollen ventricles.

Pomeranians also suffer from shoulder luxation on a regular basis. This is a condition where the animal's shoulder will spontaneously dislocate. It can be extremely painful, and if untreated it can lead to further conditions or infections. Sometimes shoulder luxation can only be corrected through surgery, but you will want to take your canine to a local veterinarian to get a professional decision before you choose to get a shoulder luxation-correction procedure done.

In addition, these dogs can suffer from hypoglycemia. This is a low blood sugar condition that can cause your pet to show signs of muscular weakness or lapse into seizures. Puppies with a low drop in blood sugar can sometimes even go into a coma, and if the blood sugar drops dangerously low it can result in death. Most of the time episodes of hypoglycemia will take place without warning. Owners should watch out for these attacks in Pomeranians and get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible if the dog should fall into seizures.

These pets are also prone to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which is an eye condition that can eventually lead to blindness. Animal Eye Care says that this is an inherited disease that is within the retina and occurs in both eyes simultaneously. The condition is not painful, but will eventually lead to blindness. If your pet's pupils are constantly dilated, this may be a sign that you animal is suffering from PRA. Some medical techniques may be able to delay blindness in dogs with PRA.

Also, Pomeranians are at risk to patellar luxation. This is considered a major danger for these pets, because it is often difficult to correct. Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap moves out of its normal location and floats around in the leg. It can be extremely painful and can cause a dog to go lame after a short amount of time. If your Pomeranian is suffering from a medical condition, contact a local vet immediately to get assistance.