How Smart Are Pomeranians? Everything We Know About Their Intelligence

The Pomeranian, affectionately known as the “Pom Pom,” is named for the Pomerania region of Central Europe. This toy breed captured the hearts of European royalty and families alike. Their alert and affectionate personalities, beautiful coats, and smiling faces make them one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. But how smart are Pomeranians? Keep reading to learn more about their intelligence and how they compare to other breeds. 

Exploring the Intelligence of Pomeranians 

So, how smart are Pomeranians? Before answering this pressing question, we must understand how canine intelligence is measured. Dr. Stanley Coren, famous canine psychologist and author of The Intelligence of Dogs, is best known for his dog intelligence research. Coren says intelligence is one-half genetics and one-half environment. Therefore, instincts, training, and how dogs are cared for comprise the core aspects of their cognitive capabilities.  

Coren measured canine intelligence through obedience trials with the help of more than 100 obedience judges from the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs. He measured one area of canine intelligence: obedience and working intelligence. The other two categories, instinctive and adaptive intelligence, are also important, but more challenging to measure. A dog’s innate skills and adaptability depend on their genetics and personal experience, making it difficult to assess their skills and compare them across breeds accurately. 

Pomeranians are small, fluffy, and playful. They want to have their favorite people around and be the center of attention. But don’t let their sweet faces fool you. Pomeranians are also bold, sassy, and vocal. They bond with their humans quickly and enjoy their companionship. These traits make these extroverted fluff balls excellent family pets, therapy dogs, agility competitors, and artistic companions. 

Let’s see how their intelligence affects their ability to perform in these roles.

The Cognitive Capabilities of Pomeranians: Understanding Their Problem-Solving Skills and Brain Size

The Pomeranian, sometimes called the dwarf spitz, is smaller than most dogs. This toy breed stands only 7-12 inches tall and weighs between 3-7 pounds. Due to their small stature, it may be surprising that they come from the sled dogs of Iceland instead of another small breed like a terrier. Due to their small frames, their brains are the size and density of nearly one-third of a small egg. But how does this information get us closer to an answer to “How smart are Pomeranians?”

Their brains and bodies may be small, but they are incredible problem-solvers. Pomeranians and similar small-sized breeds are often overlooked as service dogs. Their small stature and limited strength prevent them from completing tasks that some individuals with disabilities need help with. However, they are sometimes service dogs to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.  

Although they can’t provide physical support or lift heavy objects, they can retrieve small objects, alert their owners to important sounds, and detect epileptic seizures or low blood sugar. Pomeranians are also great emotional support dogs. Their soft fur and easy temperament are what make them comforting to some individuals struggling with symptoms of various psychiatric disorders or to those with autism.

Pomeranians’ Learning Aptitude: How Quick and Adaptive Are They?

Adaptive intelligence refers to a dog’s ability to learn for themselves. How well do they learn from their mistakes or solve problems without interference? Luckily, Pomeranians excel in this intelligence category. Their capabilities surpass their size. 

Pomeranians are a popular choice for families because they are compact and easygoing. The breed is suitable for different environments and can adapt to any living situation, from a house to an apartment. They are great at quickly figuring out puzzle toys because they are in tune with their environment. Pomeranians have a high adaptive and emotional IQ, so they adjust according to their environment.

Despite their size, Pomeranians are vocal. Whether they are trying to intimidate someone standing in their space, feel overstimulated on a walk, or want your attention, they will bark to let you know how they feel. Knowing how to ask for what they want or signal to their owners when something is amiss strengthens their bond with their humans. For the most part, this ability is an advantage in training and the overall relationship with your canine companion.  

Intelligence Ranking: Where Do Pomeranians Stand Among Other Breeds?

Regarding intelligence rankings, Pomeranians are commonly overlooked. Coren’s intelligence criteria evaluated how many repetitions each dog needed to learn a new command and how successfully they obeyed a previously known command on the first try. According to the obedience tests, the Pomeranian ranks 23rd out of over 130 tested dog breeds. This score was high enough to place Pomeranians in the second smartest dog class: the “excellent working dog” group. 

Overall, the scores mean Pomeranians can learn a new command in five to 15 repetitions and successfully obey a known command on the first try around 85% of the time. That means you can teach a Pomeranian a simple trick within minutes. On the contrary, the average dog breed will learn a new command after 25 to 40 repetitions and obey a previously known command on the first try around 50% of the time. Therefore, Pomeranians are at least twice as smart as the average dog and are much more obedient. 

The dogs in the category above are considered the “brightest.” This category includes the border collie, poodle, and German shepherd. Dogs in the same category as the Pomeranian include the corgi, cocker spaniel, and standard schnauzer. Breeds ranking below the Pomeranian in the “average intelligence” category include the boxer, dachshund, and Siberian husky. But keep in mind that breeds with average or low obedience and working intelligence can have other skills or excel in the other intelligence categories. 

Unlocking Pomeranians’ Intelligence Potential: Training Techniques and Mental Stimulation

We know the answer to the question, “How smart are Pomeranians?” Now, it’s time to learn how to unlock their high intelligence potential.

Training

Pomeranians are smart, which makes training relatively easy. They can quickly learn new tricks and commands with consistency and positive reinforcement. In fact, they should pick up on new skills faster than the average dog. They also interpret human emotions well, making bonding and communicating with them easier than more independent breeds.   

When it comes to outdoor training and exercise, it’s best to keep sessions short. These fluffy dogs are prone to heatstroke. You also don’t want to overstimulate your dog. Long training sessions can be physically demanding and decrease the quality of the lessons. With this in mind, they are surprisingly skillful in many canine sports, including agility. However, they are especially well-suited for dog shows, also known as conformation. Pomeranians enjoy the spotlight and know how to steal the show.  

Mental Stimulation

Daily mental stimulation is crucial to canine health and happiness. As mentioned, Pomeranians are active dogs. They want to put their problem-solving skills to the test. One of the best ways to keep your Pomeranian challenged is by using interactive puzzle toys. If you want to include a reward, try treat-dispensing toys. They can provide your dog’s daily meals to spice up their routine or prevent them from eating too fast. 

For more physical activities, fetch, walks, and agility training will keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Daily activities also reduce their chances of separation anxiety, which Pomeranians are prone to. As a result, these activities are a great way to spend time with your furry friend while taking care of them throughout the day.