Pomeranians come in a wide variety of colors, but red is one of the more uncommon shades. So are red Pomeranians actually rare? Let’s take a closer look.
The genetics behind red Pomeranians
The red coat color in Pomeranians is caused by a recessive gene. This means that both the mother and father need to carry the gene for red in order for a puppy to be born with a red coat. If only one parent dog carries the red gene, the puppies may inherit the gene but they will not visually display the red coat.
For a puppy to be born with a red coat, the genetic makeup is:
- Parent 1: Rr (carries red gene, displays another coat color)
- Parent 2: Rr (carries red gene, displays another coat color)
When these parents are bred together, 25% of the puppies will be RR (red coat) and 75% will be Rr (carry red gene but not display it).
Because both parents have to carry the recessive red gene, the odds of producing red puppies are lower compared to other coat colors that are dominant. This makes red Pomeranians more uncommon than some other color variations.
How rare are red Pomeranians?
It’s difficult to determine exact statistics, but roughly 3% of Pomeranians have a red coat. That equates to about 1 out of every 25-30 Pomeranians being red. So while not extremely rare, red is one of the more uncommon Pomeranian coat colors.
Here is a breakdown of the approximate distribution of Pomeranian coat colors:
- Black – 30%
- Cream – 20%
- Orange – 15%
- Red – 3%
- White – 3%
- Brown – 2%
- Other colors – 27% (blue, lavender, sable, brindle, merle, etc.)
As you can see, black is the most common Pomeranian coat color followed by cream. Red makes up only about 3% of all Pomeranians.
Why are red Pomeranians so uncommon?
There are a few reasons why red Pomeranians are one of the rarer coat colors:
- Breeding preferences – Many Pomeranian breeders choose not to focus on producing red puppies. They may breed for more popular colors like cream or orange instead.
- Recessive red gene – Since both parents must carry the gene for there to be red puppies, it can be trickier to produce reds than colors with dominant genes.
- Kennel club restrictions – In the past, major kennel clubs like the AKC did not allow red Pomeranians to be registered. This discouraged breeding reds.
Due to these factors, red has always been an uncommon shade for Pomeranians. But over time, breeding restrictions have relaxed and more breeders are purposefully breeding for the red color. So red Pomeranians are increasing in numbers, though they are still one of the rarer color variations.
Are red Pomeranians recognized by kennel clubs?
Red Pomeranians can now be officially registered and shown in major kennel clubs and dog shows. However, there was a time when red was not an accepted color:
- AKC – Red was not allowed from 1912-1936. It became an accepted color in 1937.
- English Kennel Club – Did not recognize red until 1948.
- German Pomeranian Club – Red was disqualified until 1998.
With the lifting of restrictions, reputable kennel clubs now fully recognize red Pomeranians. The red coat is deemed just as desirable and show-worthy as other colors.
Are red Pomeranians purebred?
Yes, red Pomeranians are purebreds recognized by major kennel clubs. They meet all the breed standards except for their coat color.
Some people mistakenly assume red Pomeranians are mixed breeds or runts. But red dogs from reputable breeders are 100% purebred Pomeranians with excellent pedigrees.
Do red Pomeranians cost more?
Some breeders will charge higher prices for rare red Pomeranians. Prices typically range from:
- Standard colors: $500-$1,500
- Rare colors like red: $1,000 – $5,000+
However, be wary of breeders who excessively inflate their prices simply for a red puppy. Make sure you are working with an ethical, responsible breeder.
Are there different shades of red?
Just like any other color, red Pomeranians can range from very light to very dark. Some of the red shades include:
- Light red – Also called orange-red or washed-out red. Has hints of cream.
- Golden red – Richer and more intense shade of red.
- Dark red – Deeper, mahogany red. May appear brownish.
There can be a wide spectrum of reds from pale orange to nearly burgundy. Most breeders and owners simply use the catch-all term “red” without distinguishing shades.
Do red Pomeranians fade?
Red Pomeranians coats can lighten as they age. It is quite common for their rich ruby red puppy fur to fade to a lighter shade by adulthood. By the time they are seniors, many reds turn to a washed-out orangey color.
However, some dogs retain their vivid red hue throughout their life. Proper care and nutrition helps minimize fading.
Are chocolate Pomeranians rare too?
Along with red, chocolate is one of the rarest Pomeranian coat colors. Chocolate Pomeranians make up an estimated 2% of the breed. Like red, chocolate is a recessive gene that both parents must carry.
However, chocolate Poms were not recognized by major kennel clubs until even later than red. The AKC did not fully recognize chocolate Pomeranians until the 2000s. Due to the combination of genetics and past breeding restrictions, chocolate Pomeranians are very hard to come by.
Conclusion
With only around 3% of all Pomeranians having a red coat, red is definitely on the rarer side of the color spectrum. It is not extremely rare, but still quite uncommon compared to black, cream or orange Pomeranians.
Red’s scarcity is due to it being a recessive gene as well as past breeding preferences. But now that red coats can be officially registered and shown, ethical breeders are working to produce more of these beautifully unique dogs.
So while they may be hard to find, red Pomeranians are striking, purebred dogs once you do come across one. Their eye-catching ruby coats make them stand out in the Pomeranian crowd.
