The Pomeranian is a tiny dog—a toy breed weighing just 3 to 7 pounds—with a long coat and distinctive neck ruff that harken back to their spitz heritage. Poms are typically friendly but can be bossy and barky, so they’re not the dog for everyone.

Families with young children might not be an ideal home for a stubborn Pom, but the breed often gets along well with older and calmer children. With proper training, the perky Pomeranian can make an excellent, loyal companion who can even serve as an effective guard dog. And like many small dogs, they live for a long time, up to 16 years.