Although it is tiny in stature and dainty in demeanor, the Pomeranian is actually a hardy little dog that does not suffer from many health problems. Of course, your best bet at getting a healthy Pomeranian is to buy one from a reputable breeder and be sure that the parents are healthy and free from defects. That being said, there are still some things you should look out for with your little Pom. One problem that affects many of the toy breeds including Pomeranians is a slippage of the kneecaps which is called patella luxation.
This happens when the knee caps kind of slip out of their sockets, you might notice your dog walking sort of bowlegged. When you take your dog for regular veterinarian checkups your vet will probably feel around him by the knees to make sure everything is okay. If your Pom does have patella luxation and it is affecting him adversely it can be operated on. This is an inherited problem so Pomeranians with this should not be bred and you should be sure not to buy a puppy whose parents have this problem. The Pomeranians coat is his crowning glory, however Poms can have a problem with coat loss which is called black skin disease.
With this problem, the dogs hair starts to follow a little bit at first but he can lose almost all the hair on his main body. The skin underneath turns black. this can be caused by many things in there really isn't much of a treatment for a however if you see your Pomeranian losing his hair you should take him to the vet and have them checked for hypothyroidism or a fungal infection. Pomeranians can also be prone to a collapsing trachea where their trachea does not work properly and they may make honking or choking noises especially when they get excited. Pomeranians that are younger than a year can occasionally get Perthes disease which causes lameness in the hip due to a loss of blood to the hip. It can be very painful for the dog and surgery can be done to correct it.
Dogs with this problem should not be bred and you should check the parents of any puppies you consider buying to make sure that they do not have this problem. In general, you will have very few health problems with your Pomeranian if he is cared for properly. Feed him good quality foods and take him to the vet regularly. Even though Pomeranians are tiny they still enjoy exercise and taking your dog for walk every day can help keep his weight down as well as keep him in good health. Getting a good quality puppy In the first place will help to ensure that your dog does not suffer from any genetic defects so that you can have a loyal and loving companion for many years.
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.pomeranian-pages.com where you can learn more about choosing and caring for your Pomeranian.
