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Rescues are NOT a
source for breeding stock. Most rescue dogs are
spayed/neutered before placement. |
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One of the top reasons Poms are turned into rescue is for
housetraining problems. They are not impossible, but are difficult to
housetrain. We do recommend to individuals to consider adopting an older
Pomeranian
if it's your first one. Housetraining is much simpler as the dogs are normally
already trained. They bond quickly to their new owners. They seem to make the
introduction to being owned by an Pom a bit easier on new owners.
If you
are interested in a non-rescue young adult and/or older Pom, many breeders do
have nice altered animals waiting for good pet homes who for whatever reason
have either not turned out for show, or have completed their championships
and are looking for cushy couch homes.
If you
have children, here are some considerations. They are very gentle and loving
with children, but are not good for very young or highly active children.
Unsupervised small children with Poms is not
advised. Very young children do not have the
necessary coordination and respect to handle
such small animals wisely. Ask the breeder
of your pom for specific recommendations in this
regard.
Pomeranians
are not outdoor dogs and cannot tolerate extreme temperatures, especially heat.
They cannot tolerate hot summer days in the sun and must be kept indoors. Also,
they are a family dog and feel abandoned if left alone in a yard. This can lead
to nuisance barking. You will need to watch out for larger dogs, coyotes and
flying predators like hawks, eagles, and owls who are looking for a meal. Also,
there is a high demand for them, and they might be stolen so it is best to never
leave them unattended outdoors if you are planning on leaving the premises.
Pomeranians
are great watch dogs and are unaware of their diminutive size. They have a "big
dog" attitude. This is part of their charm, but it can also be their
downfall. They will not hesitate to attack or chase a large dog of any breed if
they feel
the dog is intruding or if they feel you need protection. They will also leap
fearlessly from your arms, the couch or other high places. This behavior can
lead to broken legs. You have to be vigilant about protecting your dog from
other dogs and from hurting himself by jumping off of high places.
Poms
love to do things with their humans and obedience training of Poms can be done.
However, it is best to realize that this breed, while highly intelligent, is not
going to obey every command. They are willing to work with you, but not
for you. If you are interested an easy to train breed, this may not be the breed
for you.
As with other toy
dogs, Pomeranians can be prone to trouble
with the knees in their hind legs (patella
luxation). Try to avoid this and possible
broken legs by discouraging their jumping
from extraordinary heights. This breed is
also noted to have alopecia (abnormal hair
loss) with unknown cause. Poms commonly are very long lived, frequently living from 14
to 20 years.
Temperaments
are also equally important. Pomeranians should be outgoing and confident. It
should be of utmost importance to the breeder you choose to have temperaments as
a high priority. A timid Pomeranian is not typical of the breed. |
Updated:
December 08, 2008
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