The Teddy Bear Pomeranian – As Cute as They Get
The teddy bear Pomeranian is not a specialized breed of this little dog. The name refers to its appearance, specifically the look of its head. In any litter of purebred puppies, you can expect to see some differences. Not all of the puppies will look exactly alike and not all of them will grow up to look alike. A breeder will often do his or her best to provide you with a teddy bear type, but there is no guarantee that the dog will retain those particular features as it matures.
It’s More a Matter of Chance than of Breeding
Most breeders breed for a standard size dog, and most litters will produce puppies that will be a standard size adult when they mature. There are, however, quite often one or two puppies in a litter that will be larger or smaller than their siblings, and remain so. All Pomeranians, or “Poms,” are toy dogs. One that is smaller than the rest may rate a Teacup classification, but that is because it was born that way and not because it was bred to be smaller.
It’s the same with the teddy bear moniker. Some in a litter will have the fox face that is more typical for the Pom. Others will have a slightly wider face and snout and are said to be baby doll face Poms. Those with the widest face and snout and shortest muzzle tend to be referred to as teddy bear Poms because the puppies head looks more like that of a bear than that of a dog. What its head will look like at maturity can be hard to predict.
If you are looking for a mini, toy, or teacup Pom, you may have to look long and hard to find a reputable breeder who advertises one of these types. Breeders usually advertise Poms without attaching any particular adjective. Some may advertise toy Poms, but all Poms are toy breeds. A few may advertise standard Poms, but even then all of the puppies in a litter may not develop into adults that are standard for the breed. If a breeder has teddies to offer, it may be because that breeder is producing a large number of animals, a few of which are likely to fall into that category.
Most Teddies Are Not Poms
Teddies are becoming extremely popular, but when most dog lovers talk about teddies, they are not necessarily talking about Poms but hybrid crosses between the Bichon Frise and the Shih Tzu. These are, undeniably, extremely cute animals. They are teddy bears, but they are not Poms. Other breeds that can lay claim to this designation are Yorkshire terriers, toy poodles, and even dachshunds. You have to search specifically for a Pom.
You won’t find the designation in the AKC listings either, as it represents a description and not a breed or sub-breed. Your teddy bear Pom will most likely qualify in AKC competition, as it is close to what is considered to be standard. The AKC standard for Poms is not determined by the American Kennel Club, but by the American Pomeranian Club, which is made up of a large number of Pom owners and breeders who are, as a group, careful not to exclude any of the three main types previously mentioned. In other words, the “standard” is not all that narrowly defined, but teddies probably come as close to being the perfect pooch as any from the standpoint of the standard.
A High Priced Puppy
Costs for one of these teddies can vary considerably. The best of the breed are bred for show and are also the most expensive. Those that are basically bred to serve as pets will be less expensive, but are more apt to have physical issues associated with the breed. That is not to say they will be unhealthy animals, but merely that you get what you pay for. A Pom bred for show can easily cost between $1,000 and $2,000 and sometimes more.
If you insist on a teddy, you may have to pay a little more. The reason for this is that Poms generally do not have large litters. A litter of two or three puppies is pretty standard, and the chance of one of those puppies being a teddy isn’t all that great. To get what you want you will often have to let a breeder know well ahead of time and then be prepared to wait. You might even find yourself on a waiting list.
It’s probably safe to say that the vast majority of Pom owners have no intention of ever showing their pets and are content to have them as cute companions. This means that as a pet owner you’re not restricted to doing business with those who are breeding Poms for show. With a little searching, you should be able to find a reputable breeder who can offer a teddy at a lower price, but don’t expect rock bottom prices for this popular type of Pom. A female can still only produce two or three offspring at a time, so unless the breeder is running a puppy mill (something you want to avoid), you may still find yourself on a waiting list.
There are also the shelters to consider. If you get a Pom from a shelter, you will at least know that it has been given good care while in the shelter. People aren’t all that apt to give away teddies, but sometimes may not have a choice, or the dog you adopt may simply have been lost.
There is one thing you should be aware of if you happen to choose an adorable Pom puppy. These little dogs go through what you could call an ugly stage. All of them do. They lose their baby hair while at the same time growing their adult coat. This usually happens when they are seven to eight months old, and the ugly stage will likely persist for a month or two. Don’t be alarmed or disheartened, as the end result will be an adorable little dog that hopefully has retained its teddy bear features.