A breeder's guide to Pomeranian health testing
Under all that coat is a sturdy little dog, but toy size brings toy problems. Three simple exams cover the most important ones. This VerifiedStuds guide explains the tests the parent club lists, the extras worth adding, and what we require for the Verified Health badge.
The American Pomeranian Club is the AKC parent club. Its list, as published by the AKC, has three exams:
Clearance
Who does it
Earliest final result
Patellas
Veterinary exam, registered with OFA
12 months
Heart
Cardiac exam, registered with OFA
12 months
Eyes
Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist
Any age; valid 12 months
Loose kneecaps are the breed's most common inherited fault. Vets grade a luxating patella from 1 to 4. A normal result means both kneecaps stay in their grooves, and that is what a breeding dog should have.
The heart exam checks for murmurs and for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a vessel that fails to close after birth.
Thyroid panel: low thyroid is common and can affect coat and fertility.
Hip x-ray: for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which damages the hip joint in young toy dogs.
DNA tests: degenerative myelopathy and a few other markers appear on breed panels.
Alopecia X, often called black skin disease, makes adult Pomeranians lose their coat. It affects males more than females, and no clearance exists. Therefore, ask to see the stud's full adult coat, and ask about his father's.
Similarly, tracheal collapse has no test. A honking cough is the usual sign. In addition, very tiny dogs carry more risk in every way, including during birth. So a slightly larger, sound male is often the better choice for a small female.
Brucellosis spreads through mating and has no reliable cure. Therefore, the AKC advises testing stud dogs every six months and females before each breeding. In addition, VerifiedStuds asks for a negative test before every booking. Read brucellosis in dogs for the details.
Ask for his registered name, then look up his patella, heart and eye results in the public OFA database.
Request his adult weight, as well as the weights of his parents.
Find out whether any relative lost coat as an adult.
Finally, check his breathing and his bite when you meet him.
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What health tests should a Pomeranian have before breeding?
A patella exam, a cardiac exam and an eye exam, plus a negative brucellosis test.
What is a luxating patella?
A kneecap that slips out of its groove. Vets grade it from 1 to 4, and breeding dogs should have normal knees.
Is there a test for black skin disease?
No. Alopecia X has no DNA test yet. Family history and the stud's own adult coat are the best guides.
How often should a Pomeranian's eyes be checked?
An eye certificate lasts 12 months, so breeding dogs should be re-examined each year.
What does VerifiedStuds require for Pomeranian studs?
Patellas, a cardiac exam and a current eye exam, with a negative brucellosis test, for the Verified Health badge.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Pomeranian breed information, AKC Toy Group health testing requirements, OFA CHIC program.
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