Pomeranian, how big will he get?

[jem_bob]

I'm desperately after a tiny Pomeranian for my boyfriend and I. My parents have Poms, who have grown much bigger than we expected (around the 15lb mark) even though we were told they would stay small. I'm really after a small one. I have fallen for a lovely dog who's 5 months old and his owner says he is between 3.5lb and 4lbs. Can anyone suggest what size they would expect him to be when he is adult? He's about a 2 hour drive away and before I drive all that way, I'd like to know that he is going to be what I want. Thanks!

[Schutzengel]

Pomeranians are not really very small, and I wouldn't want to have one that had been deliberately bred to be small. If it's the type of dog you would like, you would be better trying to find a long-haired chihuahua, who would stay small. And the best thing about chihuahua's is that they are generally quite long lived compared to similar breeds. Hope you find a dog that you really love.

[jem_bob]

I've looked into long-haired Chihuahua's but they really don't stay cute when they're adults like Poms do. I don't want a really tiny 'teacup' handbag dog as I think this is cruel and know that they have been inbred and whatnot to achieve this. I don't agree with this at all, and wouldn't want to encourage it. By tiny, I mean the average size Pom (4 to 7lbs). Ours turned out to be Victorian Pomeranians (Spitz Klein) hence their size. I want to ensure that I'm getting a standard Pomeranian that won't grown bigger than the 7lb mark.

[lankeela]

The breed standard for Poms calls for an ideal weight for dogs: 1.8-2 kgs (4-41/2 lbs); bitches: 2-2.5 kgs (41/2-51/2 lbs). They are one of the few breeds where the females are bigger than the males. There are no such things as 'teacup' in any breed, it is a term used by unscrupulous breeders to sell dogs to unsuspecting buyers. Nor is there a breed called a Victorian Pom, there are German Spitz (Klein) and German Spitz (Mittel). Go to a reputable breeder (contact a breed club for recommendations). If a dog is five and a half months now he should not grow much more, but he is already top weight according to the standard.

[lankeela]

Breed Club details:

�NORTHERN POMERANIAN CLUB. Sec: Mrs L Webster. Tel No: 01246 566059
�POMERANIAN CLUB. Sec. Mrs V Christopher. Tel No: 01686 670387
�POMERANIAN CLUB OF NORTHERN IRELAND. Sec. Mrs P Williamson. Tel No: 01960 322606
�POMERANIAN CLUB OF SOUTH WALES. Sec. Mrs J Stone Tel No: none available - please contact The Kennel Club
�SCOTTISH POMERANIAN CLUB. Sec. Miss C M McDowall. Tel No: 01698 791467
�SOUTH OF ENGLAND AND POMERANIAN CLUB. Sec. Mrs G Taylor. Tel No: 020 8393 2511