Are Pomeranians good in hot weather?
Pomeranians tolerate warm weather reasonably well. Sensible summer habits are still worth having in place before the first heatwave.
How Pomeranians handle the heat
The cooling problem
Pomeranians cool themselves through normal panting without the added handicap of a flat face or a heavy northern coat. A healthy dog of this type manages typical UK summers without much drama.
Practical summer management
Shift walks to early morning and late evening, and skip them entirely on the hottest days. Carry water on every outing, provide deep shade in the garden, and give access to cool floors indoors. The pavement test is simple: press the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds, and if it is too hot for your hand it is too hot for paws.
Never leave any dog in a parked car, conservatory, or caravan, even briefly and even with a window open. Interior temperatures climb to lethal levels within minutes.
Exercise in warm weather
Pomeranians have moderate exercise needs, which makes summer easier to manage. It is straightforward to shift their activity into the cooler hours without leaving them under-exercised.
What temperature is too hot?
There is no single cutoff, because humidity, age, weight, and coat all matter. As a guide, take extra care above 20C and treat anything above 25C as high risk for any dog during exercise. When in doubt, keep them home and cool.
Personality and summer walks
A fluffy ball of confidence. The Pomeranian is vocal, opinionated, and absolutely convinced of its own importance.
A lively dog keeps up a high level of activity even as the temperature climbs, and that liveliness does not automatically switch to caution once conditions get uncomfortably warm. Bold dogs push on into unfamiliar hot conditions without the wariness that might otherwise slow them down, so the pace has to be managed from the owner's side. Curiosity keeps a dog moving and investigating even in warm conditions, since an interesting scent trail does not stop being interesting just because the day is hot.
Heat, training and behaviour
Teaching a dog to settle in the shade
Pomeranians respond reasonably well to basic settle training, which helps on hot days when the aim is simply to keep the dog calm and off its feet during the warmest hours.
Barking and restlessness in a heatwave
Pomeranians are already a vocal breed, and heat-driven restlessness (pacing, panting, an inability to settle) can show up as extra barking rather than the calm rest a hot day actually calls for.
Family and other pets in a heatwave
Pomeranians need closer supervision around children at the best of times, and a hot day adds the extra risk of a dog overexerting itself during boisterous play rather than resting when it should. A cat in the same household should have its own cool retreat well away from this breed, heat or no heat.
Cost and ageing in hot weather
Pomeranians typically live 12 to 16 years, and older dogs of any breed regulate heat less efficiently than a fit adult, so senior pomeranians need shorter, cooler outings and closer watching during a heatwave. Insurance for a Pomeranian in the UK typically costs about £20 to £50 a month, and heatstroke is exactly the kind of sudden, serious vet visit that cover exists for. A Pomeranian puppy, usually priced around £800 to £2500, overheats more easily than an adult dog as well, since puppies have less developed temperature regulation and tire without always showing it.
Full guide to Pomeranians
Read the complete Pomeranian guide →