Take care not to be fooled. Not all Black Pomeranians are true Black Poms. They possess a few subtle characteristics that set them apart from other black-coloured Pom Poms.
Knowing these unique traits helps properly distinguish which Pomeranians have truly black coats.
1. A true Black Pomeranian is all black.
What do you call a Black Pomeranian? True Black Poms are called Solid Black Pomeranians due to their full black colouration.
Solid black is recognised as one of the official Pomeranian coat colours by several kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club in the UK.
It should be noted that black is a self-colour. This means Pomeranians possessing it will only sport one colour, an extremely pigmented black coat.
For a Pom to be recognised as solid black, he should have a pure black coat without other patches of colour. Other crucial distinguishing features that he must possess are all-black skin pigmentations on his:
- Eye rims
- Lips
- Nose
- Paw pads
- Skin
Seemingly complete Black Pomeranians that do not have these traits will not be acknowledged as true Black Poms.
2. The origins of the true Black Pomeranian cannot be tracked.
Much of the Pomeranian breeding efforts back in the day are lost in time as a result of insufficient recordkeeping. Thus, determining how the Solid Black Pomeranian was exactly developed is difficult, if not impossible.
What we do know is that black is considered one of the original coat colours of the Pomeranian breed, along with white and cream. Various Spitz dog breeds have contributed to the creation of this small dog, including:
- American Eskimo Dog
- German Spitz
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Schipperke
- Samoyed
Some theorise that the German Spitz was the progenitor of the Pomeranian’s solid black coat since he provides the bulk of the small breed’s genetic makeup.
Moreover, German Spitz Dogs were often seen sporting black coats back in the day, which adds more possibility to this speculation.
3. The true Black Pom is not as common as he used to be.
How rare is a Black Pomeranian? In the early years, owning Black Pomeranian dogs was very much fashionable.
However, in the early 1800s, the popularity of these pooches gradually waned as other Pom colours were developed, such as orange and sable. Breeders were more focused on producing these sought-after colours than black.
The increase of colour variations in the breed also affected the probability of creating pure Black Pomeranians. Since the Pom breed’s DNA now carries many colours, it diminishes the chances of breeding true Black Pomeranians.
Both parents must carry the recessive black genes to produce Solid Black Pomeranian puppies. It is also ideal that they do not possess dilution genes, which could decrease the chances of having black puppies in the litter.
Many breeders go for mating 2 solid Black Pomeranians to acquire Solid Black offspring.
Other good options to use as breeding stocks are Red Sable Pomeranians, Intense Red Pomeranians, Black and Tan Pomeranians, and Dark Orange Sable Pomeranians.
4. Some Black Pomeranian puppies are not true black.
Solid Black Pomeranian puppies are born completely black, but so are other colour varieties such as Black and Tan Poms. This makes it very challenging to determine what a black puppy’s true colour will be when he reaches adulthood.
Now is a good time to answer the question: “Do Black Pomeranian puppies change colour?” Most true Black Pomeranians do not change colour as they mature.
However, a few tend to sport greyish tones on their fur as it transitions to an adult coat, which is also known as the puppy ugly stage. Their fur returns to its solid-black colouration when they mature.
Note that some puppies thought to be black may begin to exhibit coloured markings within 8 weeks after birth. They might end up getting wrongly classified as Solid Black Poms. This can happen to:
- Black and Tan Pomeranian: Dominantly black-furred with rust or tan markings
- Tri-coloured Pomeranian: Sports a white undercoat covered with spots typically in colours of black, white, and tan
We came across the question: “Why is my Black Pomeranian turning white?” Some Black Pomeranians gradually show white markings as they become fully grown.
It is a natural result of the puppy ugly stage. Poms with this coat colour is called a black mismark.
Due to the likelihood that a Black Pomeranian puppy’s coat will undergo a colour change, we advise avoiding making coat colour assumptions until he is 2 months old.
5. True Black Pomeranians require meticulous coat care.
Solid Black Pomeranians have a double coat with a thick outer coat and a soft undercoat that sheds rather moderately. However, it undergoes heavier shedding around early summer and winter.
During regular shedding days, it is recommended to brush Black Pomeranians at least 2–3 times a week. When heavy shedding season approaches, it should be done daily to prevent matting.
Another important coat care tip is to limit a Solid Black Pom’s fur exposure to sunlight. Otherwise, his coat colour will eventually start to lose its black pigmentation and have red tinges.
It is also a good idea to apply a coat conditioning spray formulated with sunscreen on his coat before taking him outdoors for a walk.
You may also like: How To Manage Dog Shedding
6. Black Pomeranians are wonderful canine companions.
Is Pomeranian a good pet? Pomeranians are widely loved by many because they make good pets.
Extroverted and friendly, this Spitz breed is ready to mingle with humans and other dogs when they are socialised properly at a young age. Poms thrive on being the centre of attention.
Despite his coat colour, the Pomeranian Black is no different from most Poms. He will likely possess a bold and lively personality too. He loves being around his family and being part of their day-to-day activities.
Since he enjoys spending time with his human companions, being left alone, especially for long periods, can lead him to develop separation anxiety. If you plan to own a Solid Black Pom, ensure you spend enough time interacting with him to keep him happy.
7. True Black Pomeranians are vulnerable to breed-specific ailments.
Solid Black Pomeranians are susceptible to developing similar health problems other Pomeranians commonly suffer from. Some of the prevalent illnesses to watch out for are:
Tracheal Collapse
This is a progressively debilitating disease resulting in the weakening of the trachea’s cartilage rings. Affected Black Pomeranians may develop breathing problems, worsening if the condition remains untreated.
The alarming symptoms of tracheal collapse can be reversed by administering medications such as cough suppressants and bronchodilators. In certain cases, surgery might be necessary.
Patellar Luxation
This is brought on by the dislocation or misalignment of the kneecaps from the femur. This can lead affected Black Pomeranians to have an unsteady gait, which can lead to lameness.
Treatment for patellar luxation may vary depending on the severity. In general, it can be a combination of medications, weight management, exercise restrictions, and surgery.
Entropion
Characterised by the eyelids roll inward, this condition causes eyelashes to rub against the cornea, causing eye irritation or injury. Entropion can only be treated through surgery.
Reduce the risk of owning a sickly Black Pomeranian puppy by sourcing your pooch from a reputable breeder.
The adult Pomeranians they use for breeding should be health-tested and have health certificates. A similar process must be done for the offspring too.
Avoid inquiring about puppies from shady breeders since they care little for their dogs’ health and well-being. They will likely sell you a Black Pomeranian puppy with poor health and an unstable temperament.
8. The Solid Black Pomeranian price tends to be on the higher end.
How much is a Black Pomeranian? As we have mentioned before, true Black Pomeranians are not as common as they were long ago.
Their slight rarity is a prominent factor that can affect their price. The cost of a Solid Black Pomeranian puppy may range from £1,000 to over £2,000.
Always be meticulous when looking for high-quality Solid Black Pomeranian for sale. Some people will attempt to scam you into buying an expensive yet fake Black Pom, which might gradually show markings on his fur.
Look for trustworthy Black Pomeranian puppy breeders with the help of referrals from the vet or your family. Asking around dog shows or dog breeding clubs in your area is also a good idea.
If you are up to it, take time to visit rehoming organisations and animal shelters for adoption. Although you will have fewer chances of finding a puppy, there might be a full-grown Black Pomeranian that needs a loving forever home.
