All About Pomeranian Colors and Eye Colors: A Comprehensive Guide

May 05, 2025 Angelina Browne

All About Pomeranian Colors and Eye Colors: A Comprehensive Guide

By Angelina Browne, Fou Fou Puppies

At Fou Fou Puppies, we adore Pomeranians for their vibrant personalities and breathtaking coats that come in a dazzling array of colors. As a breeder committed to healthy, high-quality teacup and standard Pomeranians, I’m excited to dive into the full spectrum of Pomeranian coat colors, including an in-depth look at all shades of Merle, other color variations, and the fascinating world of Pomeranian eye colors. This comprehensive guide will explore the genetics behind these traits, making it a must-read for Pom enthusiasts or anyone considering welcoming one of these fluffy companions into their home!

The Pomeranian Coat Color Spectrum

Pomeranians boast one of the broadest color ranges of any dog breed, with over 20 recognized coat colors and patterns. These are determined by genetics, specifically pigment genes that control coat color, pattern, and distribution. Below, I’ve outlined every recognized Pomeranian coat color, with a special focus on all shades of Merle, followed by a detailed section on eye colors and their genetics.

1. Solid Colors

Solid colors are uniform across the coat, with minimal markings, resulting from genes that promote consistent pigment distribution.

Black: A deep, jet-black coat, glossy and striking. Genetically dominant (B/B or B/b at the B locus, D/D at the D locus for no dilution). Black Poms have black noses and paw pads.
White: A rare, pure snowy coat. Requires the extreme piebald gene (s^p/s^p) or recessive dilution, often with pink points (E/E or E/e at the E locus for color expression).
Chocolate (Brown): A rich, milk-chocolate shade. Caused by the recessive brown gene (b/b at the B locus), converting black pigment to brown. Chocolate Poms have brown noses and pads.
Chocolate and Tan: A chocolate base with tan markings on the face, legs, and chest. Combines the brown gene (b/b) with the tan-point gene (a^t/a^t at the A locus).
Cream: A soft, pale off-white or ivory. Results from the chinchilla gene (c^ch/c^ch or c^ch/c at the C locus) diluting red pigment, with recessive yellow (e/e at the E locus).
Red: A vibrant, rusty-red coat, often with sable overlay. Requires phaeomelanin pigment (A^y/A^y or A^y/a at the A locus) and full color expression (E/E or E/e).
Orange: A warm shade between red and cream. Similar to red but diluted, often with A^y/A^y and partial chinchilla effects (c^ch/c).
Blue: A rare, smoky slate-gray. A diluted black (B/B or B/b, d/d at the D locus), with blue-gray noses.
Lavender (Lilac): A pale, silvery-purple, among the rarest. Combines brown (b/b) and dilution (d/d) for a pastel effect, highly sought after.
Isabella (Fawn): A light, warm taupe, diluted chocolate (b/b, d/d). Warmer than lavender, with beige undertones.
Sable: A base color (red, orange, or cream) with black-tipped hairs. Caused by the sable gene (A^y/A^y or A^y/a^s) and eumelanin overlay (E/E or E/e). Variations include Red Sable, Orange Sable, and Cream Sable.
Wolf Sable: A grayish coat with black tipping, resembling a wolf. Requires the wolf sable gene (a^w/a^w or a^w/a) and eumelanin expression.

2. Parti-Colors

Parti-colors feature a white base with patches of another color, caused by the piebald gene (s^p/s^p or s^p/s^i).

Black and White: White base with black patches.
Chocolate and White: White with chocolate patches.
Blue and White: White with blue patches.
Orange and White: White with orange patches.
Red and White: White with red patches.
Cream and White: White with cream patches.

3. Merle and All Its Shades

Merle is a pattern, not a color, caused by the dominant Merle gene (M/m) at the M locus. It creates a mottled effect, diluting the base color with patches of lighter, marbled areas and often adding speckled or spotted patterns. Merle can appear on nearly any base color, producing a variety of stunning shades. Homozygous Merle (M/M) is associated with health risks (e.g., deafness, blindness), so responsible breeders pair Merle (M/m) with non-Merle (m/m) dogs. Below are all Merle shades in Pomeranians:

Blue Merle: A black base (B/B or B/b, D/D) diluted by Merle (M/m), creating a marbled gray-blue coat with darker black patches. Often accompanied by blue or heterochromatic eyes.
Chocolate Merle: A chocolate base (b/b, D/D) with Merle, resulting in a mottled brown coat with lighter tan or beige patches. Rich and warm, with brown noses.
Red Merle: A red base (A^y/A^y, E/E) with Merle, producing a marbled reddish coat with cream or lighter red spots. Vibrant and eye-catching.
Orange Merle: An orange base with Merle, creating a softer, mottled orange coat with pale orange or cream patches. Warm and subtle.
Cream Merle: A cream base with Merle, yielding a delicate, marbled cream coat with near-white patches. Rare and ethereal.
Sable Merle: A sable base (red, orange, or cream with black tipping) with Merle, mottling the base color while preserving black-tipped hairs. Variations include Red Sable Merle and Orange Sable Merle.
Blue Merle and Tan: Blue Merle with tan points (a^t/a^t), adding tan markings on the face, legs, and chest for a tri-color effect.
Chocolate Merle and Tan: Chocolate Merle with tan points, combining mottled brown with tan accents.
Lilac Merle: A lavender base (b/b, d/d) with Merle, creating a pale, mottled lilac coat with silvery patches. Extremely rare and delicate.
Isabella Merle: An Isabella base (b/b, d/d) with Merle, producing a mottled taupe coat with beige patches. Warmer than Lilac Merle.

Merle Poms often have unique markings, like speckled noses or asymmetrical patterns, making each dog one-of-a-kind. At Fou Fou Puppies, we carefully breed Merle Poms to ensure health and avoid double-Merle risks, pairing them with solid-colored mates.

4. Brindle

Brindle features a base color (often red, orange, or black) with dark stripes or streaks, caused by the brindle gene (k^br/k^br or k^br/k at the K locus). Variations include:

Black Brindle: Black base with lighter streaks.
Red Brindle: Red base with black stripes.
Blue Brindle: Blue base with darker blue streaks.

5. Tri-Colors

Tri-colors combine a base color, tan points, and white markings, often with the tan-point gene (a^t/a^t) and piebald (s^p/s^i).

Black and Tan and White: Black base, tan points, white patches.
Chocolate and Tan and White: Chocolate base, tan points, white patches.
Blue and Tan and White: Blue base, tan points, white patches.
Isabella Tan
Black and Tan

6. Other Patterns

Beaver Merle: A diluted chocolate (b/b, d/d), similar to Isabella but cooler, with a grayish-brown tone.
Ticked Merle: Small flecks of color on a white base, caused by the ticking gene (T/T or T/t).
Irish Marked: White coat with colored markings on the head and body, less extensive than Parti.

Pomeranian Eye Colors and Genetics

Pomeranian eye colors add another layer of beauty, influenced by coat color genetics and specific pigment genes. While most Poms have dark brown eyes, certain colors and patterns, especially Merle, can produce striking variations. Below are all possible Pomeranian eye colors and their genetic basis:

Dark Brown: The most common eye color, caused by high eumelanin levels (B/B or B/b, D/D). Seen in Black, Chocolate, Red, Orange, and Sable Poms. Genetically linked to the OCA2 gene, promoting full melanin production in the iris.
Light Brown (Hazel): A lighter, amber-brown shade, often in Cream, Orange, or Red Poms. Results from reduced melanin (e/e at the E locus or partial dilution at the C locus), allowing phaeomelanin to dominate.
Blue: A striking, icy blue, most common in Blue Merle or Lilac Merle Poms. Caused by the Merle gene (M/m) affecting melanin distribution in the iris, often with low eumelanin (d/d). Blue eyes are rare in non-Merle Poms.
Green (Aqua): A rare, greenish-blue or aqua shade, seen in some Merle or diluted Poms (e.g., Isabella Merle). Results from a mix of low melanin and light scattering in the iris, influenced by Merle (M/m) and dilution (d/d).
Heterochromia (Split or Partial): Two different eye colors (e.g., one blue, one brown) or one eye with multiple colors (e.g., half blue, half brown). Almost exclusive to Merle Poms (M/m), as the Merle gene disrupts melanin distribution asymmetrically. Blue Merle and Chocolate Merle Poms are most likely to exhibit heterochromia.
Wall Eye (Marbled): A single eye with a marbled mix of blue and brown, unique to Merle Poms. Caused by patchy melanin distribution from the Merle gene.
Yellow (Rare): A golden or yellowish hue, extremely rare, seen in some Cream or White Poms with extreme dilution (c^ch/c^ch, e/e). Linked to minimal melanin and high phaeomelanin.

Eye color is influenced by the same loci as coat color (B, D, E, M), with the Merle gene playing a significant role in blue, green, and heterochromatic eyes. Non-Merle Poms rarely have blue or green eyes, as these require dilution or Merle effects. At Fou Fou Puppies, we monitor eye health, as Merle-related eye colors can occasionally be linked to vision issues, though our breeding practices minimize risks.

Genetics Behind Pomeranian Colors

Pomeranian coat and eye colors are controlled by several key genetic loci, each affecting pigment production, distribution, or dilution:

B Locus (Brown): Determines black (B/B or B/b) vs. brown (b/b) pigment. Affects coat, nose, and eye color (brown eyes in b/b dogs).
D Locus (Dilution): Controls dilution. D/D is full color; d/d dilutes black to blue or chocolate to lavender/Isabella, often lightening eyes.
E Locus (Extension): Governs phaeomelanin (red/yellow). E/E or E/e allows full color; e/e restricts to cream or white, often with lighter eyes.
A Locus (Agouti): Controls patterns like sable (A^y), tan points (a^t), or wolf sable (a^w), influencing color distribution.
M Locus (Merle): Introduces the Merle pattern (M/m). M/M is risky and avoided; M/m creates mottling and often blue or heterochromatic eyes.
C Locus (Chinchilla): Dilutes red/yellow pigments. c^ch/c^ch produces cream; c/c (albino) is rare and not standard.
S Locus (Spotting): Controls white markings. s^p/s^p creates Parti; s^i/s^i adds minor white patches.
K Locus (Dominant Black): Governs brindle (k^br) or solid black (K^B).

Eye color is tied to melanin levels, with the OCA2 and HERC2 genes regulating iris pigmentation. Merle (M/m) disrupts melanin in both coat and eyes, leading to blue, green, or heterochromatic eyes. Responsible breeding avoids homozygous Merle (M/M) to prevent health issues like deafness or blindness, which can also affect eye development.

Why Pomeranian Colors Matter at Fou Fou Puppies

The diversity of Pomeranian colors and eye colors is a testament to the breed’s versatility and charm. At Fou Fou Puppies, we celebrate this rainbow while prioritizing health and temperament. Our teacup and standard Poms are bred with care, ensuring vibrant coats and striking eyes without compromising well-being. Whether you’re drawn to a rare Lavender Merle with aqua eyes, a classic Orange Sable with warm brown eyes, or a Blue Merle with heterochromia, we help you find the perfect Pom for your family.

Each color and pattern tells a genetic story, and we provide guidance on care, grooming, and health to keep your Pom’s coat and eyes sparkling. For example, Merle Poms may need extra sun protection due to lighter pigmentation, while White Poms require regular grooming to maintain their pristine coats.

A Final Word from Fou Fou Puppies

Pomeranians are a canvas of color, from solid Chocolates to marbled Merles, with eye colors that range from soulful brown to mesmerizing blue. Understanding the genetics behind these traits deepens our appreciation for these tiny dynamos. At Fou Fou Puppies, we’re dedicated to breeding healthy, beautiful Poms that bring joy to every home. If you’re ready to welcome a Pomeranian with a unique coat or captivating eyes, contact us—we’ll guide you to your dream pup!

For more information or to inquire about our available Pomeranians, visit Fou Fou Puppies. Happy Pom-loving!

Angelina Browne, Fou Fou Puppies