<b>History:</> The Pomeranian was originally descended from the ancient Spitz breeds of the far north which were brought to Europe and used to herd sheep. The Pom ancestors weighed up to 30 pounds. Marie Antoinette, Emile Zola and Mozart all owned Pomeranians. In the late 1800's, Queen Victoria became a Pomeranian fancier, and established her own kennel for their breeding. She showed her dogs, with some success, making the breed very popular in England. Because Queen Victoria preferred smaller dogs, many breeders began selecting for small size. Now the Pomeranian has been bred down from his original size to a customary 4-5 pounds. The Pomeranian's intelligence and talent for showmanship have also made him a superior circus performer. Today's Pomeranian is primarily a loving companion and beautiful show dog.
<b>Description:</> A tiny fluffy dog with a wedge-shaped head and pointed erect ears. Some have faces that breeders liken to a fox, others have baby-doll or "pansy" faces. All have bright, dark, almond-shaped eyes and a dark or self-colored (matching the coat) nose. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. Poms also boast a distinctive feathered tail that fans forward over the back. There is an abundant ruff around the neck and chest area. The profuse stand-off double coat usually comes in solid colors. Any solid color is allowed, but the most common are red, orange, white or cream, blue, brown or black. Sometimes the coat is parti-colored (white with colored markings), black-and-tan, or wolf or orange sable. The ideal weight is 4-5 lbs.
<b>Notes:</> Not recommended for young children. May be snappish. Good companion for elderly people. Generally good with other pets if properly introduced. One of the most independant of the Toys. Newborn pups are very tiny and fragile. Small females often need Cesarean section deliveries. Pomeranians may be picky eaters, but most tend to overeat and become fat. Some bloodlines are prone to slipped stifle, dislocated patella (knee-cap), heart and skin problems, and eye infections. Since Pomeranians are prone to early tooth loss, feeding dry food is recommended to help keep teeth and gums in good condition. Be sure the veterinarian also keeps the dog's teeth clean. Keep the dog quiet in hot weather to avoid overheating. The Pomeranian is very popular, so many inferior animals are bred to satisfy the demand. Purchase only from a reputable breeder.
<b>Personality:</> Willful, bold, loving, temperamental. A lively little dog who thinks he's big. Excellent watchdog with a resonant bark. Proud and happy. Alert, curious and busy. Rather sharp tempered. Can be aggressive with other animals--introduce the Pomeranian and other pets slowly and with supervision. Intelligent, but needs a firm hand in training. Good at learning tricks. The Pomeranian must know the owner is the boss, or he will not listen. This breed may become too demanding if the owner allows it!
<b>Behavior:</>
<C>Children:</C> Best with older, considerate children.
<C>Friendliness:</C> Reserved with strangers.
<C>Trainability:</C> Slightly difficult to train.
<C>Independence:</C> Fairly independent.
<C>Dominance:</C> High.
<C>Other Pets:</C> Generally good with other pets.
<C>Combativeness:</C> Tends to be fairly dog-aggressive.
<C>Noise:</C> Likes to bark.
<b>Grooming and Physical Needs:</>
<C>Grooming:</C> Regular grooming needed.
<C>Trimming & Stripping:</C> Some trimming or stripping (little skill required).
<C>Coat:</C> Fluffy coat.
<C>Shedding:</C> Constant shedder.
<C>Exercise:</C> Very little exercise needed.
<C>Jogging:</C> A poor jogging companion.
<C>Indoors:</C> Very active indoors.
<C>Apartments:</C> Good for apartment living.
<C>Outdoor Space:</C> Does all right without a yard.
<C>Climate:</C> Prefers cool climates.
<C>Owner:</C> Good for novice owners.
<C>Longevity:</C> Short (under 10 years).
<b>Talents:</> watchdog, agility, and performing tricks.
<b>For More Information:</>
Call the AKC Breeder Referral Hotline: 1-900-407-PUPS for the name of a breeder referral representative in your area. Cost is 99 cents per minute.
<b>Photo Caption:</> POMERANIAN
Photo copyright: Cook PhoDOGraphy 1995. All rights reserved.
