Pomeranians

History

Breeders in Pomerania improved the coat and bred the dogs down for city living, but they were still 20 pounds or more when they reached England.

English breeders, through trial and error and Mendelian theories, are credited for reducing the dog's size and developing the many colors. The Pomeranian of today is small due to selective breeding, but the breed still retains the hardy disposition and thick coat typical of dogs in cold climates.

Orange Sable Pom's face Queen Charlotte first introduced the Pomeranian to English nobility, however; the Pom gained international popularity when her granddaughter Victoria returned from vacation in Florence, Italy with a Pomeranian named Marco.

(It should be noted that the Pomeranian as a modern breed did not exist until the 19th century, The dogs owned by Queen Charlotte & Queen Victoria were much larger and were European Spitz. Probably a German Spitz and a Volpino Italiano. The same is true of any other historical pom owners from before the 19th century)

The closest relatives of the Pomeranian are the Norwegian Elkhound, the Schipperke, the German Spitz (and American Eskimo Dog), the Samoyed, and the whole Spitz group.

Appearance

At an average of 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.2 kg) according to AKC standards, the Pomeranian (Pom) is the most diminutive (diminutive means tiny/small, etc.) of the northern breeds.

The head of the Pomeranian is wedge-shaped, making it somewhat foxy in appearance. The ears are small and set high. Its tail is characteristic of the breed and should be turned over the back and carried flat, set high.

A "parti-color" Pomeranian The Pom's coat is its glory, two coats, an undercoat and a top coat; the first is soft, thick, and fluffy; the latter is long, straight and coarse. The undercoat is shed once a year by males, by intact females when they are in season, after delivering a litter, and during times of stress.

The AKC recognizes thirteen colors or color combinations: black, black & tan, blue, blue & tan, chocolate, chocolate & tan, cream, cream sable, orange, orange sable, red, red sable, and sable. The dogs that have 2 or more colors (usually mostly white, with others), are called "Parti-Color". The AKC also recognizes five "alternative" colors: Beaver, brindle, chocolate sable, white, and wolf sable.

One breed standard calls for a cobby, balanced dog. A cobby dog is as long or shorter than he is tall; try to picture him as a circle in a square. A balanced Pomeranian fits together logically and in proportion. For instance, a small, delicately boned Pom with a large head looks unbalanced because his head type doesn't match his body type. A balanced Pom displays legs in proportion to his body: neither so short as to make him appear dumpy nor so long as to make him look like he is walking on stilts.

This standard also calls for an expression that imparts great intelligence, showing that the Pom has an alert character and that he behaves accordingly. The pom's alertness makes him a superb watchdog. He is also a great companion, but not for young children. He is a proud little dog and doesn't like children pulling on his hair.

Temperament

The Pomeranian is a very active dog who is intelligent, courageous, and a loyal companion. The Pomeranian may not interact well with small children, and due to its small size can suffer abuse from children.

Pomeranians can be trained to be good watchdogs by announcing intruders with loud, sharp barks or yips. Unfortunately, lack of very dedicated training has instead led this breed to a reputation for constant, undirected barking. For this reason, these dogs can prove very stressful company for those unaccustomed to their vocal nature. But stating "NO!" in a firm, gentle voice will let them know when it is wrong for them to bark.

The Pomeranian easily adapts to life in the city, and is an excellent dog for country living with its strong hunting instincts from its wild ancestors.

Health

Pomeranians are generally a healthy, hardy, and long-lived breed— Poms often live 12 to 16 years or so.

The most common problem in Pomeranians is luxating patella. Also Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome and hip dysplasia can occur, but are rarer in this small breed. Patent ductus arteriosus (a heart disease) and collapsing trachea have become serious problems in Poms. Dry eye, tear duct disorders and cataracts that can appear in young adulthood and often lead to blindness are also common. Skin diseases are quite common, especially allergies (that often leads to acute moist dermatitis or "hot spots") and follicular dysplasia (also known as alopecia X). Other problems that occur regularly include hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and hypoglycemia. Occasionally, hydrocephalus can occur in Pom puppies. Poms, like many Toy breeds, are prone to bad teeth and harmless episodes of reverse sneezing.

Grooming Tips

Coat care for the Pomeranian is similar to the Pekingese. A daily or twice weekly brushing is essential to keep the thick, plush coat, which sheds seasonally, free of mats. A Pomeranian's coat need very little trimming only every now and then. Combing is seldom necessary and sometimes totally unnecessary. Regular ear and nail care is recommended, along with peak seasonal bathing. However, it is unadvisable to bathe Pomeranians too frequently as excessive bathing can damage their skin and coat by removing essential oils. Pomeranians are also prone to teeth problems, and it is recommended that their teeth be brushed at least once a week. Ideally, their teeth should be brushed daily.