Pomeranians are among the most sought-after dogs in the toy breed niche. The compact little doggies are loved for their cute aesthetic and equally adorable personalities. When it comes to color variations of the Pompom pooch, few can match the popularity of the Black Pomeranian.
The Black Pomeranian is a purebred Pomeranian characterized by its all-black coat. Its coat must be solid black and uniformly colored for the dog to be considered a Black Pomeranian. Contrary to popular beliefs, the Black Pom is neither a new nor a separate dog breed but is simply a color variation of the purebred Pomeranian dog breed.
If you are reading this, then you probably already have one of these fluffy black beauties or maybe you are seriously considering getting one. Whatever the case, you have come to the right place to learn everything that you need to know about Black Pomeranians and how to take care of them.
How Rare Is A Black Pomeranian?
Black Pomeranians are among the rarest variations of the Pomeranian dog breed. This is because the genes responsible for the all-black coat are both recessive and rare.
The fact that they are recessive means that you need 2 all-black Poms to produce Black Pomeranian puppies. Even with this pairing, there’s still the chance of other genes getting expressed which results in markings that disqualify the pups from being considered Black Poms.
Unfortunately, there are many mixed breed dogs marketed as Black Pomeranians due to the imbalance between demand and availability. Here are a few more features of the purebred Black Pom that will help you ensure you get the real deal.
Coat Characteristics
The coat on a purebred Pomeranian, including Black Poms, should be a double-layered coat with a short and dense undercoat and a long, straight top coat. This is according to the American Kennel Club standards for all purebred Pomeranians.
When it comes to the color, the shade of black should be solid and dark even in bright lighting. Furthermore, there shouldn’t be any other color markings anywhere on the Black Pomeranian’s coat.
Toy Breed Build
Black Pomeranian, like any other purebred Pomeranian, is built like a toy dog. It typically weighs between 3 to 7 lbs, and measures 6 to 7 inches in height. If the Black Pom you are considering is larger than these dimensions, it is unlikely to be a purebred.
Fox-Like Facial Features
Black Pomeranians also stand out with their fox-like facial features. These include perky, triangular ears and their distinctive tapered snouts.
Are Black Pomeranians Healthy?
Black Pomeranians can live for anywhere between 12 years and 16 years. This is the same expected lifespan for any other purebred Pomeranian.
However, the fact that a lot of interbreeding within litters is done to produce the very rare Black Pomeranian, there are some health issues that may occur more commonly in Black Poms than other color varieties.
For some perspective on what you can expect in terms of your Black Pomeranian’s health, here are some of the common health issues that they face.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is a joint disease that is very common in small dog breeds including toy pooches like the Black Pomeranian. It occurs when the patella bone in the knee joint becomes loose which then results in instability of that joint and the limb.
If not addressed, this will interfere with the Black Pomeranian dog’s active lifestyle and could result in complications like arthritis.
Entropion
Entropion is an eye condition in Black Pomeranians where the eyelid rolls inwards on itself. This brings the eyelashes into contact with the eyeballs and could cause irritation or, in severe cases, corneal ulceration.
Entropion can either affect one or both eyes of the Black Pomeranian and it is a condition that will require prompt veterinary attention for the dog.
Congenital Heart Diseases
One of the most common congenital heart issues in Black Pomeranians is a disease known as patent ductus arteriosus. This is a small duct that connects two of the great vessels of the heart while the Black Pomeranian puppy is still in the womb. In normal puppies, the duct will obliterate within a few days of the Black Pomeranian being born.
If this fails to happen, the resulting exchange between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood could lead to several health complications, not limited to, shortness of breath, severe coughing, lethargy, and exercise intolerance.
How To Take Care Of Black Pomeranians?
Black Pomeranians are fantastic pets for first-time dog owners. This is largely due to the fact that they are very easy to take care of. All you have to do is take some time to understand their needs based both on their coat type and their size.
If this is your first time on the rodeo, we have you fully covered. Let’s take a look at some of the most important care practices for a Black Pomeranian to ensure you raise a happy and healthy doggy.
A Balanced Diet
A healthy diet is important for several aspects of a Black Pomeranian’s health and wellbeing. In addition to being a source of energy for their lively lifestyles, good quality dog food in balanced nutritional proportions is important to keep the beautiful black coat on a Black Pom healthy.
We recommend you try Pet Plate which is made from high quality, natural ingredients and specially formulated for every dog’s individual needs.
It is also a great idea to include multivitamin supplements in your Black Pomeranian’s diet regimen for vitamins like vitamin C and E which will do wonders for their beautiful coats.
Regular, Low-Intensity Exercise
Black Pomeranians are not exactly the best athletes in the dog species. While they may be very energetic, their vulnerability to hypoglycemia and numerous joint issues means you need to keep their physical activity levels mild to moderate.
We recommend about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise every day for a Black Pomeranian. Make sure it is something low-intensity like a walk or a simple game at the park.
Good General Grooming
Keeping your Black Pomeranian well-groomed is another important part of taking good care of them. Make sure to clip their nails every 2 weeks or so, wipe their faces and eyes daily with doggy wipes, and keep their mouths clean with dental water additives.
How Smart Is A Black Pomeranian? Temperaments Of Black Pomeranians
Black Pomeranians may be super goofy but this does not mean they are not intelligent. The little doggies are actually quite smart and can be very easy to train. You just have to use reward systems to keep them motivated to learn.
One other thing that makes Black Pomeranians such a joy to have and live with is the fact that they have amazing personalities. While they do sometimes get a bad reputation for being loud and aggressive, they are more often than not absolute sweethearts.
Here are a few other temperament traits you can look forward to with your Black Pomeranian.
Copycat Personality
Something very interesting about Black Pomeranians is the fact that they tend to match the energy and personality of the humans whom they spend most of their time with. If you are lively and playful, they will be lively and playful.
If you are more laid-back and even-tempered, your Black Pomeranian will be the coolest cucumber out there.
Their ability to adapt in terms of personality is another reason why Black Poms are definitely worth considering for a first time pet.
Affectionate
Black Pomeranians are not shy about expressing their love for their favorite humans. Whether it is snuggle attacks or following you around everywhere, you can rest assured you have gained a loving best friend when you take a Black Pom home.
Needy
The negative side of the affection you can look forward to from Black Pomeranians is the fact that they can be very needy and clingy. Black Pomeranians typically do not do well with being left alone for long periods of time.
Therefore, if you are typically not at home for most of the day, Black Pomeranians may not be a good fit for you.
Do Black Pomeranians Shed? Grooming Tips For Black Pomeranians
Black Pomeranians shed minimally which may not be what you expected given their dramatically fluffy nature. However, they are not hypoallergenic and may not be the best options for dog lovers who suffer from dog allergies.
The beautiful, black coat on a Black Pom is one of its best features. Therefore, taking good care of these doggies means taking good care of their coats. Here are 2 of the most important coat grooming tips you need to know to keep your Black Pomeranian beautiful.
Brush 3 To 4 Times A Week
Despite the fact that Black Pomeranians do not shed very heavily, you still need to brush their coats on a regular basis. This will help you get rid of the little fur that is inevitably shed before it is littered all over your home.
In addition to deshedding, regularly brushing your Black Pomeranian will help prevent matting and tangling of their long and upright fur.
We recommend you use the Furminator Undercoat Tool for the best deshedding and detangling results as its strong, metallic bristles were built to deal with thick coats like that of the Black Pom.
Wash Every 3 Weeks
Black Pomeranians can get stinky, especially given the fact that Pomeranians in general soil themselves very often during their potty breaks. This can happen even with proper training due to the long and fluffy nature of their coats.
A bath interval of once every 3 weeks will help you keep odors as well as debris on the coat under control.
To prevent stripping the fur and skin of protective oils from washing so frequently, try using high quality and gentle shampoos like the Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner.
The oatmeal proteins in the shampoo also come in handy for Black Pomeranians with irritated skin and damaged coats.
Related Questions
How Much Does A True Black Pomeranian Cost? A true Black Pomeranian will cost you between $800 and $2,000. However, they can sell for as much as $5,000 especially in places where they are not commonly found. Compared to other Pomeranian color variations, the Black Pom is easily one of the most expensive puppies to buy. This no doubt has everything to do with the fact that they are super rare.
Can Black Pomeranians Swim? Black Pomeranians can swim and are actually naturally good at it. This may come as a surprise to some Black Pom owners as they are not always the most comfortable during bath times. However, when it comes to things like pools and open water bodies, they tend to be comfortable around these water bodies and truly know how to have a good time.
What Is The Rarest Color Of Pomeranian? The Tricolor Pomeranian is the rarest color variation of the purebred Pomeranian dog breed. The chocolate tricolor in particular is very hard to come by and is known for having a combination of chocolate brown, tan, and white fur. Black Pomeranians are also very rare, despite their high demand and popularity.
