Large Pomeranian: The Throwback Spitz Every Owner Should Know About

If you've ever seen a Pomeranian that looks more like a miniature Arctic sled dog than a purse-sized companion, you've likely met a large Pomeranian — sometimes called a "throwback Pomeranian." These dogs carry the ancestral genetics of the original Spitz-type working dogs from Pomerania, and they're generating serious interest among owners who want the Pomeranian personality in a sturdier, more robust package.

The American Kennel Club recognizes the Pomeranian as a toy breed weighing 3–7 lb. But the large Pomeranian — typically 10–20+ lb — is not a separate breed. It's a Pomeranian that falls outside the AKC standard due to retained ancestral size genes. Understanding what that means for health, temperament, and daily care is critical before bringing one home.

What Exactly Is a Large Pomeranian?

A large Pomeranian is a purebred Pomeranian whose adult size exceeds the AKC breed standard of 3–7 lb (1.4–3.2 kg). These dogs typically weigh between 10 and 20 lb (4.5–9 kg), though some can reach 25 lb (11.3 kg) or more. The term "throwback" refers to the re-emergence of genes from the Pomeranian's larger Spitz ancestors — dogs that originally weighed 30–40 lb and pulled sleds across Arctic regions.

Key facts at a glance:

Origin and History: From Arctic Sled Dog to Oversized Companion

The Pomeranian descends from large Spitz-type dogs — specifically the German Spitz and related Arctic working breeds — from the Pomerania region along the southern Baltic coast (modern-day Poland and Germany). These ancestral dogs weighed 30–40 lb (13.6–18 kg) and were used for herding livestock and pulling sleds.

The breed's dramatic downsizing began in the 18th and 19th centuries. Queen Victoria of England is widely credited with popularizing smaller Pomeranians after she imported a 12-lb red Pomeranian named Marco from Florence in 1888. Her breeding program actively selected for smaller size, and by the early 1900s, the Pomeranian had been reduced to the toy-sized dog recognized by the AKC today.

However, size genes are polygenic — controlled by multiple genes — and the ancestral "large" alleles never fully disappeared from the gene pool. When two standard Pomeranians both carry recessive large-size genes, a throwback puppy can appear in an otherwise toy-sized litter. This is a normal genetic occurrence, not a defect.

Temperament and Personality: Big Dog Attitude in a Bigger Package

Large Pomeranians retain the core personality traits of their toy-sized counterparts, but many owners and trainers report that the increased size comes with a slightly more grounded demeanor. Here are the five defining traits:

1. Alert and Vocal
Large Pomeranians are exceptional watchdogs. They will announce visitors, delivery drivers, and the neighbor's cat with enthusiastic barking. This trait comes directly from their Spitz heritage — these dogs were bred to alert. Expect 15–30 seconds of barking at novel sounds, with the ability to settle once they've assessed the situation. Early training to manage excessive vocalization is strongly recommended.

2. Confident and Independent
Unlike some toy breeds that cling to their owners, large Pomeranians tend to be self-assured. They'll follow you room to room but don't typically develop severe separation anxiety. That said, their independence can read as stubbornness during training — they'll comply when they see the point, not simply because you asked.

3. Playful and Energetic
These dogs have genuine play drive. They enjoy fetch, tug, and puzzle toys. A large Pomeranian is more likely to engage in sustained play sessions (15–20 minutes) compared to a toy Pom that may tire after 5 minutes. Their sturdier build also means they can handle rougher play without injury risk.

4. Loyal but Selective
Large Pomeranians tend to bond intensely with one or two people. They may be aloof with strangers initially, warming up after 10–15 minutes of observation. This is breed-typical Spitz behavior — not shyness or fearfulness.

5. Intelligent and Curious
Ranked among the brighter companion breeds, large Pomeranians learn commands quickly but bore easily. Repetitive drill training will cause them to disengage. Short, varied sessions (5–10 minutes) with high-value treats work best.

Exercise and Activity Needs

Large Pomeranians need more exercise than their toy counterparts, but they're not endurance athletes. Here's a realistic daily activity breakdown:

Total daily exercise target: 45–75 minutes, split across physical and mental activities.

Large Pomeranians tolerate cold weather well thanks to their double coat, but they are susceptible to heat stress. When outdoor temperatures exceed 80°F (27°C), shift exercise to early morning or evening and always provide shade and water. Avoid forced running or jogging — their compact build isn't designed for sustained high-speed activity, and joint stress accumulates over time.

Common Health Issues in Large Pomeranians

While large Pomeranians benefit from reduced fragility compared to toy-sized Poms (fewer tracheal collapse and patellar luxation cases), they still carry breed-specific health risks. Always consult your veterinarian for a personalized health plan.

Request that your breeder provide Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or PennHIP certifications for hip evaluation, and cardiac clearance documentation. The OFA database allows you to verify health test results for any registered dog.

Grooming Requirements: Managing That Double Coat

The large Pomeranian's double coat is their most striking feature — and their most demanding care requirement. The undercoat is soft and dense; the outer coat is longer, straight, and harsh-textured. Here's what the grooming commitment looks like:

Brushing: 3–5 times per week
Use a slicker brush (such as the Chris Christensen Big G series, $45–$75) for the outer coat and an undercoat rake for the dense underlayer. During seasonal coat blows (spring and fall), daily brushing is necessary to prevent matting. A single matting session can require a $100+ professional shave-down.

Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks
Use a dog-specific, pH-balanced shampoo. Pomeranian coats take 30–45 minutes to fully blow-dry with a high-velocity dryer. Air-drying is not recommended — trapped moisture against the skin can cause hot spots and fungal infections.

Professional Grooming: Every 6–8 weeks
Expect to pay $50–$90 per session depending on your region and coat condition. A full groom includes bath, blow-dry, brush-out, nail trim, ear cleaning, and sanitary trim. Never shave a Pomeranian's coat — the double coat may not regrow properly, resulting in permanent patchy alopecia (post-clipping alopecia is well-documented in Spitz breeds).

Nail Trimming: Every 2–3 weeks
Overgrown nails alter gait mechanics and contribute to joint stress. Use guillotine-style or scissor-style clippers; if you can see the quick (pink tissue inside the nail), trim 2mm above it.

Ear Cleaning: Weekly
Pomeranians have small, erect ears that can accumulate wax and debris. Use a veterinary-recommended ear cleanser — never cotton swabs inside the ear canal.

Training and Intelligence

Large Pomeranians are bright dogs — they typically learn basic commands (sit, down, stay, come) within 5–15 repetitions. However, their Spitz independence means they'll test boundaries regularly. Here's what works:

Trainability Rating: 7/10 (High intelligence, moderate compliance)

Recommended Methods:

• Positive reinforcement only — high-value treats (freeze-dried liver, small cheese pieces), clicker marking, and verbal praise
• Short sessions — 5–10 minutes maximum; Pomeranians lose focus quickly
• Variety — rotate between obedience, tricks, and scent work to maintain engagement
• Early socialization — expose to diverse people, dogs, surfaces, and sounds between 8–16 weeks of age to prevent fear-based reactivity

Common Training Challenges:

• Excessive barking: Teach a "quiet" cue by marking and rewarding silence. Never yell — the dog interprets this as you joining in.
• Leash pulling: Use a front-clip harness and reward loose-leash walking with treats at your hip. Avoid retractable leashes, which reinforce pulling.
• Housebreaking delays: Pomeranians can take 4–6 months to fully housebreak. Maintain a strict schedule (outside every 2 hours for puppies), reward immediately upon elimination outdoors, and use enzymatic cleaners for accidents.

Force-free, LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) methods produce the best long-term results. Shock collars, prong collars, and alpha rolls damage the trust relationship and can trigger fear-based aggression in this sensitive breed.

Family Suitability: Kids, Pets, and Apartment Living

With Children: Large Pomeranians are significantly better suited to families with children than toy Pomeranians. A 15-lb dog can tolerate gentle handling from children aged 6+ without the fracture risk that a 4-lb dog faces. However, supervise all interactions — no child should carry, squeeze, or drop a Pomeranian of any size. Teach children to let the dog approach them, not chase or corner it.

With Other Pets: Same-species socialization is important. Large Pomeranians generally coexist well with other dogs, especially when introduced as puppies. Their high prey drive (inherited from Spitz ancestors) means they may chase cats, rabbits, or small animals. Cat cohabitation is possible with careful desensitization but is not guaranteed. Never leave a Pomeranian unsupervised with pet rodents or birds.

Apartment Living: Excellent apartment dogs, provided their exercise needs are met. They don't require a yard — two daily walks and indoor play sessions are sufficient. The main apartment challenge is barking; invest in early quiet-cue training to avoid neighbor complaints. Their moderate size means they're usually welcome under apartment weight restrictions (typically 25–40 lb limits).

Cost of Ownership: What to Budget

Large Pomeranians are not cheap, and buyers should be cautious of breeders charging a premium specifically for oversized puppies — responsible breeders price based on health testing and care, not novelty traits.

First-year costs are typically $3,500–$6,500 when you include the puppy purchase, initial veterinary care, supplies (crate, harness, grooming tools, bed), and spay/neuter. Budget toward the higher end if you live in a metropolitan area with elevated veterinary and grooming fees.

Is a Large Pomeranian Right for You?

A large Pomeranian suits owners who want the Spitz personality — alert, playful, loyal, and a bit stubborn — in a dog that's sturdier and more active than a toy Pom. They work well for:

• Apartment dwellers who can commit to twice-daily walks
• Families with children aged 6+ who want a small but not fragile dog
• Owners willing to invest time in grooming (or budget for professional care)
• People who appreciate an independent, confident companion rather than a clingy lap dog

They are NOT ideal for:

• Owners seeking a quiet dog (Pomeranians bark — a lot)
• People unwilling to brush their dog 3–5 times per week
• Those who want a dog that obeys instantly without question (Spitz independence is a feature, not a bug)
• Families with infants or toddlers who cannot yet interact gently with dogs

Sources: American Kennel Club — Pomeranian Breed Standard, Merck Veterinary Manual — Pomeranian, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.