Pomeranian

Pomeranian: BREED BOX Country: Germay Size: 4-6lb (2-3kg), 8.5-11in (22-28cm) Temperament: Active, Ultra inquisitive Grooming: Regular grooming Recognition: CKC, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR

The Pomeranian, or Pom, is an active, extroverted and immensely popular Toy dog in the United States and many other countries. These little dogs have a compact body and a lively and alert attitude. They are a member of the spitz family of dogs and at one time, when they were larger, they were used to herd sheep. They are quite small now and serve as devoted companions and excellent family dogs.

Breed History

The Pomeranian is a member of the spitz family of dogs and is descended from the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland. It’s not certain where Pomeranians actually came from but the name of the dogs comes from Pomerania, along the southern coast of the Baltic sea, in present-day Germany and Poland, where the dogs were probably bred to be smaller. The dogs were once around 30 pounds in size and used for herding but were eventually bred down to their Toy size.

In 1870 the Kennel Club in England recognized the spitzdog and the dogs increased in popularity. Queen Victoria favored the breed and brought a Pomeranian home with her from Italy in 1888, making them very popular in England. Queen Victoria was largely responsible for making the smaller Pomeranians popular. She also established a large breeding kennel for her Pomeranians.

The Pomeranian was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888.

Appearance

In appearance the Pomeranian is notable for its fluffy coat and foxy face. The breed has a pointed face and nose, ears that are mounted high on the head and carried erect, and a brushy, plumed tail that is set high and lies flat on the dog’s back. The coat is profuse and stands out away from the body as with other breeds of the spitz family. There is a soft, dense undercoat and a thick, harsh-textured outer coat. The Pom has a dark button nose and very dark eyes that focus straight ahead.

All coat colors, patterns and variations are allowed but red and orange dogs are seen most often.

The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed and active Toy dog.

Poms typically weigh between three and seven pounds. They usually stand between seven and 12 inches tall at the shoulder.

According to the breed standard the Pomeranian is cocky, commanding and animated when he moves.

In The Home

The Pomeranian is an intelligent, active, confident little dog. They make wonderful house pets. They are generally docile and vivacious. Poms are typically very loyal to their families and very affectionate. They are also very inquisitive. They tend to be one of the most independent of the Toy breeds. They can make very good watch dogs since they are very alert and notice what’s going on. They are not generally clingy dogs.

As with all Toy dogs, Pomeranians should receive good socialization from an early age in order to avert behavior problems as adults. Take your Pom puppy places with you on a leash. Encourage friendly strangers to pet your puppy. Introduce your puppy to other friendly dogs who are leashed. Let your puppy encounter new situations and places. The more new things, people and pets your Pom sees as a puppy, the better adjusted he will be as an adult. Socialization as a puppy can prevent many behavior problems such as separation anxiety, nuisance barking, destructive behaviors such as chewing and other issues.

It’s also a good idea to establish yourself as the person in charge in your home. If you allow your Pom to do whatever he likes he can develop some very bad behaviors. Teach your Pomeranian some basic obedience commands and maintain your position as the person in charge. Use positive reinforcement as a training method and your Pom should respond very well to training.

Your Pom does need some moderate daily exercise such as a daily walk. They are very active little dogs and they will enjoy some exercise. With their spitz heritage, Pomeranians do usually prefer cooler weather so be careful of your dog in hot weather and don’t allow him to over-exert himself. Pomeranians make very good apartment dogs.

Poms usually get along well with other pets and they are good with children as long as the children are careful not to injure the dog.

Care

Pomeranians do require frequent regular grooming because of their profuse coat. They shed constantly and they need to be brushed daily to keep their coat from matting. However, there is very little trimming for a Pomeranian. Paws and the tail area are trimmed to keep them tidy. You will also need to clean your dog’s ears regularly to prevent ear infections and trim you dog’s nails regularly.

As with other dogs, the Pomeranian is subject to some health problems. If you are interested in a Pomeranian you should talk to a breeder about potential health issues in the breed. Ask about health testing. Health testing can often prevent health problems from being passed along to a dog’s offspring.

Health issues found in Pomeranians include the most common problem — luxating patellas, or slipped kneecaps. They are also subject to tracheal collapse. They can rarely suffer from a skin condition known as “black skin disease” or alopecia ex. Overall, however, the Pom is a very healthy breed. The Pomeranian has an average lifespan of 12-16 years and they are usually quite sturdy.

Where to Find a Pomeranian

Pomeranians are quite popular, especially in urban areas. If you are interested in getting a Pomeranian you will probably be able to find a breeder. The AKC parent club for the Pomeranian in the United States is the American Pomeranian Club. They can provide you with information about Pomeranian breeders as well as more information about the breed. The club can also give you information about rescue groups for Pomeranians.

It’s also possible that there may be a Pomeranian in your local shelter. Rescue volunteers try to remove Pomeranians from shelters as soon as they find out about them so they won’t be put to sleep, but they don’t always hear about every dog. Visit your local shelter to find out if they have any Poms.

Pomeranian Pictures

"Pomeranian Pictures": More >>

Pomeranian Reviews

Number of reviews: 1