How long can a Pomeranian live at home?

The Pomeranian Spitz is a miniature dog, strong, compact, with lush hair and a good-natured disposition.

The average height of a Spitz at the withers is 28 cm, weight is 3-4 kg.

The head of such a dog is wedge-shaped, the skull is rounded, slightly flattened, the body is covered with fluffy hair with a thick undercoat.

The most common colors are red, white, black, blue, cream and brown.

How many years have they lived at home?

Pomeranian Spitz variety	Minimum life expectancy (in years)	Maximum life expectancy (years)	Average life expectancy (in years)
Super mini or toy (height at withers less than 18 cm)	5	7	6
Mini (height at withers -20-25 cm)	8	10	9
Fox type (height at withers -26-28 cm)	12	15	13
Bear type (height at withers -26-28 cm)	12	15	13

Expert opinion

Usual time at home

Spitz is a dwarf breed that is considered long-lived. The average lifespan of such an animal is from twelve to fifteen years. But sometimes there are exceptions when the dog lives for eighteen years.

The lifespan of a Spitz is influenced not only by the conditions in which the animal is kept, but also by many external factors. These include:

Hygiene.
Environment.
Communication with your owner and other pets.
Nutrition.
Physical exercise.

An understanding and caring owner is the main factor that increases the number of years a pet can live.

The more attentive the owner is to the Spitz, the more happy years he will give him.

Your dog needs the best quality food and regular checkups with a veterinarian.

This plays a big role in the lifespan of a Spitz.

For such a sociable breed, communication with other representatives is very important . Regular exercise is a must for every Pomeranian owner. If all the rules for caring for a dog are followed, there have been cases where Spitz live up to twenty years.

Age compared to human years

Pomeranian Spitz age (year)	Human age (year)
1	14
2	24
3	30
4	36
5	40
6	42
7	49
8	56
9	63
10	65
11	71
12	75
13	80
14	84
15	87
16	89
17	91
18	93

How to determine age?

The age of a dog, including a Spitz, is determined by several criteria: the condition of its teeth, fur and eyes.

If we are talking about a puppy , then you need to pay attention to the number of teeth :

A newborn puppy has no teeth.
At 3 weeks of age, the pet's fangs begin to erupt.
Front teeth appear in a month
At 2 months, the entire deciduous dentition is already present.
At the age of 2-4 months, the puppy’s teeth begin to change to permanent ones.
A 6-month-old pet's primary fangs fall out and permanent ones appear.
By 8 months, the change of teeth is completely completed.

Determining the age of an adult dog by its teeth:

The one-year-old dog has a full row of white and strong permanent teeth.
At 2 years old, the tubercles on the lower toes begin to wear out.
At 4 years old, the tubercles on the upper toes are already erased.
At the age of 5, the tubercles on all incisors wear off, and the teeth begin to acquire a yellowish tint.
At 6 years of age, the incisors become concave and the canines become blunt.
At 8-9 years of age, pronounced abrasion of all teeth is observed.
At the age of 10 and sasha, the dog’s teeth begin to loosen and fall out.

A pet's coat can also tell a lot about its age . Young dogs have a silky, shiny, glossy coat. In an elderly dog, it is dull, unevenly colored, and has bald spots in places.

Age can also be judged by the eyes.

NOTE!

A young healthy dog has clean, clear eyes full of life and excitement.

An older dog often has a dull look, and his eyes are often cloudy and deep-set.

How long do Spitz dogs usually live?

In 1892, the Spitz became famous in America. If we talk about the appearance of the representative of the breed, then this is a small fluffy animal, with a rounded skull and a head that looks like a fox. Beautiful German dogs, which are long-lived, often become prize-winners at exhibitions. Answering the question “How many years does a Pomeranian Spitz live on average at home?”, we note that we are talking about the age of 12–16 years. Sometimes these cute furry creatures can live up to 18-20 years. In order for dogs to live long, it is necessary to follow the rules of care, take care of a balanced diet and the health of the pet.

In addition to the standard small dog, there is also a mini version. This super-dwarf or super-mini is a newfangled brand. The smaller the dog, the higher the price. How long do tiny sized Pomeranians live? Such pets can live no more than 8 years. And only if suitable conditions are created, as well as the opportunity to visit a good veterinarian. Choose a standard Pomeranian with one of the possible coat shades (orange, cream, blue, brown, red). The health and longevity of an animal is more important than its small size and fashion.

Similar article: Description of the amazing Keeshond or wolf-type Spitz

Main causes of premature death

The most common causes of premature death in Pomeranians:

Poor care and unsuitable living conditions. If the pet is not seen by a veterinarian, is not treated for parasites and worms, and does not receive the necessary disease prevention.
Overeating and excess weight. Like most small breeds, the Spitz is prone to obesity, especially in old age. And this, in turn, has a detrimental effect on the condition of the dog’s liver, heart, blood vessels and joints. Overweight pets live 4-5 years less.
Foreign body in the intestine. It happens that a dog picks up discarded food or scraps on the street, as a result of which a foreign object can enter the gastrointestinal tract, which causes intestinal blockage and often ends in death.
Poisoning by poisons. One of the most common causes is rat poison poisoning.
Poisoning from stale food often causes diarrhea, and in advanced cases can be fatal.
Peptic ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract. With a peptic ulcer, ulcers and holes appear in the Spitz's stomach and intestines, which often leads to internal bleeding and death.
Infectious diseases, such as adenovirus, canine distemper, infectious hepatitis.

How long do Pomeranians live at home?

It is almost impossible to meet a Pomeranian homeless on the street. These miniature dogs are not adapted to survive in the “wild” environment and, if accidentally left alone on the street, they are unlikely to be able to live there for even a week.

At home, a loved and pampered Pomeranian can easily live up to 20 years. The subtype to which it belongs will tell you more specifically and the life expectancy of a Spitz. The average life expectancy of bear-type Spitz is 13 years. The minimum age for them is twelve years, the maximum is fifteen years. The fox type is no different in this regard from the “bear cubs”. But miniature toy-type dogs rarely live to be 10 years old. However, the owner can be completely confident that the fluffy toy dog will live to be 8 years old.

How to extend the life of a pet?

In order for your pet to live as long as possible, it requires proper care and appropriate living conditions.

What do we have to do:

Give your pet maximum attention and try to protect him from stress.
Daily walks, active games, communication with people and other pets are the key to health and long life.
The Spitz's diet must be balanced and include all the necessary substances (vitamins, micro- and macroelements). In addition, nutrition should be adjusted according to age.
Be sure to take your pet for a routine preventive examination to the veterinarian twice a year.
All harmful foods should be excluded from the dog’s diet: flour products, smoked meats, sausages, sweets, etc.
Under no circumstances should a Spitz live in a draft, cold or damp place. You should also avoid overheating in the sun.
Hygiene procedures (trimming nails, combing, bathing, teeth cleaning, etc.) should be performed regularly and correctly. This will help prevent many health problems.
The pet must receive a standard preventative vaccine annually.
Your dog should be treated regularly for fleas and ticks.
Every 3 months the pet is given antihelminthic medications.

How to extend the life of your pet

Increasing the life expectancy of a Spitz is possible through proper care. The basic rules that should be followed when keeping a Pomeranian Spitz are:

proper feeding, which is selected depending on the pet’s living conditions and its age. Good food should contain all the nutrients an animal needs;
Regular walks are required, 3 times a day for at least 1 hour;
avoidance of stressful situations;
a planned annual visit to the veterinarian for dogs under 7 years of age, and for pets over 7 years of age – once every six months. At this age, internal organs begin to fail. This is proper dog care;
compliance with the vaccination schedule.

Only if the owner is loving and responsible will the animal live long. The breeder will tell you what care and types of nutrition will be most beneficial for the animal.

Proper nutrition

Proper nutrition for a Spitz can include both natural products and dog food.

If the dog is on a natural diet, then its diet should include the following products:

Cottage cheese.
Kefir.
Curdled milk.
Meat (turkey, veal, chicken).
Offal.
Vegetables and fruits.
Seafood.
Low-fat sea fish.
Porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice).
Vitamin complexes and supplements with microelements.

If you feed your pet dry food, you should choose premium or super premium products for decorative breeds.

Considered one of the best:

Pro Plan dry food, which has many varieties: for puppies, for adult dogs, for aging pets, for dogs with sensitive skin, etc.
Royal Canin dry food is designed specifically for Pomeranians and also has many varieties: for puppies, for pregnant and lactating bitches, for aging dogs, for pets prone to allergies, etc.

If a dog is on a mixed diet, then 2/3 of its diet should consist of proteins . The rest of the menu consists of cereals, vegetables, fruits, fish and dairy products.

Quality maintenance and care

Proper care of a Pomeranian includes several components.

The first thing that needs to be said is attention . Spitz are very emotional and affectionate; rudeness and indifference can cause severe stress and even illness.

The second important aspect is nutrition . The dog's diet should be balanced, and the portions should correspond to the norm. Under no circumstances should you overfeed your Spitz, or feed it from your table.

As you know, the Spitz has thick and lush hair, which requires proper care. Brush your dog at least once a week, bathe it monthly and give it a hygienic haircut.

The next aspect is hygiene . Trimming nails, brushing teeth, ears, and clearing eyes of discharge are mandatory conditions for quality care.

IMPORTANT!

The dog must also be vaccinated annually and examined by a veterinarian twice a year.

Separately, it is necessary to say about molting. During this period, the dog should be combed daily, removing the old undercoat. If this is not done, your pet's fur and skin may suffer.

Another aspect of quality care is regular flea and tick treatment for your pet. In addition, the Spitz is given antihelminthic medications once every 3 months.

Daily walks and moderate physical activity are essential for Pomeranian health..

Without them, his muscle tissue atrophies and excess weight appears. But you shouldn’t go to extremes; excessive loads lead to joint injuries and also cause stress in your pet.

How to care for and prolong life

Every owner wants to increase the life expectancy of the cute Pomeranian Spitz living in his home. Care, love and adherence to certain rules will help you do this. Much depends on the owner’s attitude towards the pet. The Spitz is a small creature that needs to communicate with people, move and play. Give your dog maximum time and protect him from stress. Care and diet should be adjusted depending on the age and weight of the pet.

Similar article: Peculiarities of shedding and caring for Spitz hair

An adult animal that has reached the age of seven is brought in for a routine veterinary examination a couple of times a year. Mineral and vitamin complexes are introduced into the diet (especially in adulthood). They are needed to strengthen bones and joints. Remove fatty foods from your pet’s menu, and partially replace meat products with fish. Overfeeding is harmful for an older pet, as it can disrupt the functioning of the heart and liver. Make sure your dog is not cold or overheated. With a good owner, both a puppy under one year old and a seven-year-old pet are equally active and cheerful.

It is possible to provide a dog with a long and happy life by allowing it to communicate with its owner and other animals. Regular balanced nutrition, compliance with hygiene rules, and physical activity are also important. High-quality toys and equipment, walks in safe and environmentally friendly places will contribute to your pet’s health.

Caring for an older dog

Basic rules for caring for an elderly Spitz:

After the age of 7, it is necessary to visit the veterinarian with your dog several times a year.
The diet must contain vitamins and nutritional supplements intended specifically for older dogs.
If your Spitz is on a natural diet, you should reduce the amount of fat in its diet by about 1/3. Some advise partially replacing the meat portion with fish.
Walks with an older pet should be shorter and physical activity less intense. At the same time, the dog should not be completely deprived of physical activity and outdoor games.
Overfeeding and excess weight are very harmful for an older Spitz. If the dog has become less active, you should reduce the portions slightly.

According to veterinarians, if an older dog is lethargic and lethargic, this is not a sign of age, but a consequence of poor care.

The main condition for a long life is a good owner.

A good owner is the main condition that affects the long life of your four-legged friend. The main condition here is what attitude the owner will have, how long the life expectancy of the shaggy pet will be.

Everything depends not only on good care and excellent feeding, although this is not an unimportant fact. These dogs are very attached to people, they need to constantly communicate with people, play, run, constantly giving their owners a good mood.

If your four-legged friend receives all of the above, he will respond with mutual love and devotion. Which will definitely affect his longevity, and then at the age of ten, he will be as cheerful and active as he was in his youth.

If the owners provide proper care, what is the maximum age of a Pomeranian Spitz? In this case, the Pomeranian Spitz sometimes crosses the twenty-year threshold, this happens extremely rarely, but it does happen.

At the same time, the long-liver does not cause trouble or nervous disorders to its owners. In this case, it is necessary to properly care and feed in accordance with the age of your friend.

Starting from the age of seven, it is mandatory to visit a veterinarian several times a year for preventive maintenance.

Use mineral and vitamin supplements to strengthen bones and joints, and switch your four-legged dog to a special diet for older dogs.

Make a change to natural food by removing a significant portion of fats; fish in this case is better than meat products, so it is better to reduce the meat portion, replacing it partially with fish.

A good solution is to continue various games and activities with an elderly friend; you cannot behave with him like an old man. There is no need to make walks shorter in time, referring to his age, this will not be beneficial, it is necessary for the dog to live an ordinary life.