Belonging to a group of dogs, known as the
Spitz family, the Pomeranian is a descendant of working sled
dogs from Lapland and Iceland. Surprisingly, however, he did
not earn his name for the places that he originated but,
rather, for the place that he was bred down into a toy size.
Pomerania, now known as the present day Germany and Poland,
made up the Baltic sea’s southern coast. It is here that the
Pomeranian was bred down from his larger 20-30 pound size,
and became the toy variety that we know and love today.
The Pomeranian owes a great deal of his success to
royalty. It was a Pomeranian by the name of “Marco” who
became the well-known companion of Queen Victoria of England
in 1888. Hailing from Florence, this little dog would
quickly become her beloved companion and, in turn, the Queen
would be the first person to actively promote the breed by
showing her Pomeranians. Typical of most of the little
companion dogs of the monarchy, the Pomeranian became an
overnight sensation and it became quite fashionable to keep
them as pets. This probably helped the Pomeranian breed to
survive during a time when many breeds were commonly out
crossed and altered by breeders.
The Pomeranian was being shown in the United States, as
early as 1892, thought they did not receive specialty show
status until 1911. The first Pomeranians to be shown in the
United States were quite noticeably different than today’s
Pom; with larger ears and heavier bone structure, the early
Pomeranian winners were generally under 6 pounds and lacked
the dense, beautiful coat of modern dogs. Since those days,
the Pomeranian has been refined further, creating a
beautiful and elegant little toy dog that resembles a very
huggable teddy bear. It’s no wonder that he remains a
favorite amongst those who love the toy breeds.
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The Pomeranian is a very compact little dog
of the toy variety. With ideal individuals weighing between
3 to 7 pounds, it is an ideal size for a lap dog. The
Pomeranian breed standard, however, stresses that quality
always comes before size and the Pomeranian is judged
accordingly. With a very thick and soft undercoat, coupled
with a harsh outer coat, the Pom often is likened to a teddy
bear or a smaller, pointed-nosed Chow Chow. While
ruddy-coated and black individuals seem the most common, the
Pomeranian comes in any color, including “broken” patterns
and brindle.
The Pomeranian has a very cocky and spirited
personality, and can often get himself into hot water,
challenging dogs that are much larger than himself. If you
have larger dogs, be prepared to supervise and keep a close
eye on Mr. Personality, before he gets himself into trouble.
Pomeranians should always be kept on a leash, when outside,
for this very same reason.
As with any toy breed, Pomeranian puppies
should be watched around small children. Being dropped or
tripped over can seriously hurt your little Pomeranian, or
worse. Many toy breeders will not even sell a Pomeranian
puppy to someone with a child under 5 years of age, for this
very reason. Not in an attempt to be mean, but to save you
and your child heartbreak, and to protect that adorable
little puppy, they have the right idea in keeping the
puppies safe. Older Pomeranians should also be watched as
pulled ears and tails can result in your Pom snapping in
retaliation.
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Pomeranians are small dogs that can get plenty of exercise
just following you around the house. This makes the breed an
exceptional choice for dog lovers with limited mobility,
elderly people and people with disabilities. Loveable lap
dogs, Pomeranians are very content to spend every minute of
the day in your presence, whether cuddled up warm and cozy
in your lap, or snug in a comfortable small dog bed at your
feet. That being said, a Pomeranian will gladly partake of a
lively walk or jog with owners who are able to get out and
get some exercise and fresh air.
The Pomeranian has a thick double coat that
needs daily attention. A good brushing every day will keep
this coat looking soft and shiny, tangle free and fluffy.
You don't want to miss too many brushings, as your
Pomeranian's coat can become matted and tangled, making
grooming difficult, and a trip to the groomers for a
clipping necessary. It's also a good idea to learn how to
clip your Pomeranians nails on a regular basis, starting
from early puppyhood. Care needs to be taken to avoid
cutting the "quick" of the nail. Once you become proficient
at this, nail clipping will be a routine event. All dogs
should have their teeth brushed every day to prevent gum and
tooth decay, and ears should be given a wipe with an ear
cleansing solution that cleanses and acidifies the inner ear
environment to avoid ear infections.
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Taking your time to train your Pomeranian
will help him to become a better companion, but it does take
a great deal of effort and patience. Do not yell at him but
speak sternly when he yaps or chews on something that he
shouldn’t, and always positively reinforce the good behavior
that you desire. If you can gain and maintain your
Pomeranian’s attention, you will find him a bright and eager
student. If you take the time to train him and give him all
the love that he desires, you will find a sweet and loving
little companion who will love to hop into your lap at every
opportunity.
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Pomeranians can be prone to a number
of hereditary health problems. That is why choosing a responsible
breeder from which to purchase your Pomeranian puppy
is very important. Responsible Pomeranian breeders
will be well educated about the breed and carefully screen their
breeding dogs for disorders that can affect these dogs.
