How Many Puppies Can A Pomeranian Have?

Want to know how many puppies Pomeranians have in a litter?

You’re in the right place!

Pomeranians are so tiny; it comes as no surprise why many people are dying to know how many puppies each Mama Pooch can carry!

image of Pomeranian 3 puppies huddling up together

In this DigDoggy.com guide, you will learn:

  • Average litter size of a Pomeranian
  • At what age a Pom produces the highest quality of pups
  • How to avoid pitfalls and other potential problems

And much more!

What's In This Guide?

      How Many Puppies Does A Pomeranian Have In A Litter?

      1 to 3 puppies are the average litter size for a toy breed Pomeranian.

      Poms aged 2 to 5 years old tend to whelp the largest number of puppies. Poms within this age bracket can produce a litter of 5. In rare cases, some can produce up to 6 pups.

      Regardless of age, the first and second litter will always be fewer compared to the litter that follows.

      What Factors Influence Litter Survivability?

      The arrival of new furry family members is a momentous occasion but the prospect of losing them is regrettably high. While neonatal death in puppies can happen in any breed, it is more often observed in small canines.

      Maternal Neglect

      Small breeds go into heat as young as 6 months but getting your Pomeranian to conceive on her first or second heat is downright cruel.

      Canines that become mothers too early often fail to grasp the responsibilities of motherhood. Almost certainly, these mama dogs could not provide their puppies the level of care they need, or worse, they reject them.

      There are also potential health risks when getting your pooch pregnant before she reaches physical maturity.

      While her uterus may be ready to welcome babies, the rest of her body is not. A female dog should be mature enough physically and mentally to handle the stress induced by labor, delivery, and breastfeeding.

      A dam with deficit maternal instincts tends to reject her litter and turn on her puppies. This behavior may surface from the moment she has given birth or several days later.

      So if you have a female Pom you wish to breed, I suggest waiting for her 3rd or 4th heat.

      Labor Complications

      Small canine breeds, such as the Pomeranian, are prone to dystocia.

      This condition can be defined as the difficulty to give birth either due to maternal (uterine inertia and inadequate size of birth canal) or fetal factors (oversized puppies, malformations, and dead fetuses.)

      Potential complications may arise, including:

      • Death of the mother
      • Stillborn puppy or puppies
      • Infection
      • Toxemia

      Bringing the dam and her puppies to the vet clinic is the wisest course of action if you suspect there might be a puppy stuck in her birth canal.

      Early intervention using medical therapy or surgery will grant the best survival of both the mother and her puppies.

      The cost for a Cesarean birth can be anything from $800 USD or above. That said, you probably now realize why a Pomeranian is expensive to buy.

      Physical Disadvantages

      Some litters will have a runt, a puppy described as being the cutest size-wise. Unfortunately, these furbabies can be dangerously underweight and they are often confronted with health issues.

      The reason is due to them being less of a fighter. So when it comes to mealtimes, they are more likely to be the last ones to latch on Mama’s teats for nutrient-rich milk.

      Human intervention is the key to ensuring runts receive the care they need. With tender loving care. these little fellows will have a fighting chance to return to their normal growth cycle as if nothing is wrong.

      Fading Puppy Complex

      Also known as Fading Puppy Syndrome, it is a colloquial term used to describe puppies that were born vigorous and healthy but died before they reach 14 days of age.

      The proposed causes for this condition are as follows:

      Environmental factors

      • Hyperthermia
      • Hypothermia
      • Maternal neglect
      • Toxic chemicals

      Genetic or congenital factors

      • Physical defects
      • Failure to maintain normal weight

      Infectious agents

      • Bacterial infection
      • Viral infection
      • Intestinal parasites
      • Hemolytic anemia

      Runts, in particular, are more susceptible to Fading Puppy Syndrome due to their physical disadvantages. The bitch may reject this puppy, hastening its death. Symptoms include the inability to suckle, lethargy, diarrhea, and regurgitation.

      The most effective technique to evade the 50% mortality rate is to bring the ailing pup to the vet to receive appropriate treatment.

      image of three Pomeranian puppies in basket

      When Is The Best Time For A Pomeranian To Get Pregnant?

      Pomeranians under a year old are still referred to as puppies, although males are already sexually performant at five months while females can reproduce while they are growing themselves.

      As per advice by the AKC, the best practice for breeding Pomeranians is to wait until:

      • the female is at least two years of age
      • had three to four heat cycles prior to a first mating
      • had skipped one cycle between litters

      The risk for delivery issues and complications arising from medications are eliminated by allowing the dam to finish her puppyhood and reach her full growth.

      Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the AKC will not accept the registration of a litter of puppies if the sire is less than seven months old at the time of mating.

      What Are The Signs Of A Pregnant Pomeranian?

      If you want to confirm if your little lady is pregnant, the vet is your guy! Vets can determine whether or not a dog has a bun in the oven by measuring her hormone levels.

      But how can you tell if your dog is pregnant at home? Here are a few indicators to watch out for:

      • A firm stomach
      • A change in nipple size and color
      • Loss of appetite
      • Lethargy

      Some canines may experience something similar to “morning sickness.” During this stage, your Pom may lose her appetite and become less active than usual. 

      Don’t be alarmed, though. Your pooch will have a bigger appetite during the latter part of pregnancy and she will gain weight.

      You can tell if a Pom is pregnant in as little as three weeks. By touching her belly, you can feel tiny bumps bunched together like sardines.

      The canine gestation period lasts between 63 to 65 days.

      How Many Puppies Can A Pomeranian Have The First Time?

      Pomeranians hardly produce more than three puppies during their first two litters. As per anecdotal evidence, dams aged two to five years produce the largest number of puppies.

      How Can You Predict The Size Of Litter?

      The only accurate way of knowing the number of puppies is to ask your vet to perform an ultrasound.

      An ultrasound machine uses sound waves to create a 2D or 3D picture of your dog’s uterus so the vet can count her puppies and identify what parts they have grown into thus far.

      As unborn puppies move around a lot, you will have to wait two months. During this time, the puppies will move around less, thereby making it easier for your vet to generate an X-ray reading.

      How Many Litters Can A Pomeranian Have A Year?

      On average, a Pomeranian can have twice a year. A heat cycle can last anywhere between 18 to 21 days.

      That said, it is possible for a female to get pregnant and whelp puppies two or even three times each year.

      But assuming you are a responsible pet owner, you will only want to consider having one litter per year.

      How Does A Pomeranians Litter size Compare To Other Small Breeds?

      Just as every canine breed differs by size, personality, roles, and temperament, they also differ when it comes to the average litter size.

      Generally speaking, it is a known fact that small breeds of dogs also have a small litter size.

      Breed Average Litter Size
      Pembroke Welsh Corgi6 to 8
      Lhasa Apso6 to 8
      Shetland Sheepdog4 to 6
      Pug4 to 6
      Italian Greyhound4 to 5
      Miniature Schnauzer3 to 8
      Miniature Pinscher3 to 6
      West Highland Terrier3 to 5
      Cairn Terriers2 to 8
      Cavalier King Charles Spaniel2 to 6
      Maltese2 to 5
      French Bulldog2 to 4
      Beagle1 to 6
      Dachshund1 to 6
      Boston Terrier1 to 6
      Scottish Terrier1 to 6
      Yorkshire Terrier1 to 4
      Havanese1 to 4
      Pomeranian1 to 3
      Toy Poodle1 to 3
      Shih Tzu1 to 3
      Chihuahua1 to 3
      Bichon Frise1 to 3
      Papillon1 to 3

      Final Thoughts On A pomeranians litter Size

      Pregnancy puts any dog in a delicate condition and this is even more so for a small breed like the Pomeranian.

      While many of these pooches can deliver without complications, you need to prepare yourself financially for emergencies.

      To make sure all the puppies make it out alive, you will want to prioritize the health of your pooch.

      The best breeding time for Pomeranians is the time when both the dam and sire are in their prime.

      Age and health-wise, the parents should be at their best in order to produce as many healthy puppies as possible.

      Lara Writes

      Lara Writes

      Lara, a.k.a Alpha Mama, is a great dancer and belter singer, although the world tells her otherwise. However, her greatest pleasure is working with animals. If the Alpha Mama is not being delusional, she manages to create informative articles and clear-cut buying guides. She also likes to share her personal experiences that may ignite your soul or possibly change your life!

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      Lara Writes

      Lara Writes

      Lara, a.k.a Alpha Mama, is a great dancer and belter singer, although the world tells her otherwise. However, her greatest pleasure is working with animals. If the Alpha Mama is not being delusional, she manages to create informative articles and clear-cut buying guides. She also likes to share her personal experiences that may ignite your soul or possibly change your life!

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