Pomeranian Dog
The Pomeranian, usually known as ‘Pom’ is a Spitz-type dog breed that is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany in Central Europe. Pomeranian has classified as toy dog breed for its small size. The dog is descended from larger Spitz-type dogs, especially from German Spitz.
Pomeranian is a small-sized dog typically weighing 1.9 to 3.5 Kg (4.2 to 7.7 lb) and 5 to 11 inches (13 to 28 cm) high at the withers.
Appearance
Pomeranian is a compact and robust dog with abundant textured coat with extremely plumed tail set high and flat. The top coat make a ruff of fur on the neck, which Pomeranian is well known for. The dog also has a fringe of furry hair on the hindquarters. The initial varieties of Pomeranian were white or sometimes brown or black. Queen Victoria adopted a small red Pomeranian in 1888, which caused that color to become stylish by end of the 19th century. Now-a-days, Pomeranians come in broad varieties of colors of any dog breed, including white, brown, black, red, orange, cream, blue, sable, brown and tan, black and tan, spotted, brindle, and amalgamations of some of these colors. Hence, the most common colors are orange, black or cream/white.
The merle Pomeranian is a new color produced by the breeders. It is a blend of a solid base color with lighter blue/grey patch that gives a dappled appearance. The most common base colors for such dogs are red, brown or black, although it can also appear with other colors. The blends such as brindle merle or liver merle are not accepted in breed standard. Additionally, the eye, nose and paw pad are marshmallow color, changing parts of the eye to blue and the color on the nose and paw pads to become mottled pink and black.
Pomeranian has a dense dual coat. Although grooming is not difficult, but breeders suggest that the coat should be maintained daily for its quality along with continuous shedding and trimming every 1–2 months. The outer coat of Pomeranian is long and harsh in texture whereas undercoat is short, thick, and soft.
Pomeranian Temperament
Pomeranian is a friendly, lively and energetic dog; but it can be aggressive occasionally with other dogs. The Pomeranian remains attentive, watchful and aware of the changes in environment, and barking at new stimuli can develop into a habit of barking extremely in any situation. The dog can be slightly defensive of the territory and may bark when hears outside noises. Pomeranian is an intelligent and easy trainable dog which can be very successful in getting full attention from owners. Pomeranian is a demonstrative dog which enjoys being the center of attention, but the dog becomes dominant if not well trained and socialized.
Exercise and Training
Pomeranian is a small but lively dog breed. While Pomeranians benefit from frequent attention, they need comparatively little exercise and training. It is suggested to take them on several daily walks and let them run around an encircled place. The toys can be used in training Pomeranians to spend time alone.
Popularity
Pomeranian is a popular dog breed in the USA, featuring constantly in the top 20 registered dog breeds at American Kennel Club since 1998. In 2012 & 2013, it remained in the top 20 and ranked at #19. Pomeranian is not registered in top 20 breeds in United Kingdom in either 2007 or 2008. In Australia, its popularity has declined since 1986 due to peak registration of 1,128 Pomeranians with the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) in 1987; only 577 Pomeranians were listed in 2008. However, in 2004, only 491 Pomeranians were registered at ANKC.
History
The forerunners of today’s Pomeranian breed were big working dogs from the Arctic regions. These dogs are usually known as Wolf-Spitz or Spitz-type, which is German for ‘sharp point’. The Pomeranian is thought to be descended from German Spitz. The breed is considered to have acquired its name by association with the region called Pomerania which is situated in northern Poland and Germany beside the Baltic Sea. Although not the origin of the breed, this region is credited with the breeding which led to original Pomeranian type of dog. Proper documentation of the breed was lacking until the breed's introduction in the UK.
The first contemporary recorded reference to the Pomeranian breed is from 2nd November 1764, in a book entry in James Boswell's Boswell on the Grand Tour: Germany and Switzerland. The Frenchman had a Pomeranian dog named ‘Pomer’ whom he was greatly fond of. The descendants of a Pomeranian and a wolf bred by an animal trader from London is deliberated in Thomas Pennant's A Tour in Scotland from 1769.
Two members of the British Royal Family started development of the breed. In 1767, Queen Charlotte, Queen-consort of King George III of England, conveyed two Pomeranians to England.
Queen Victoria, Queen Charlotte's granddaughter, was also a fan and she established a large breeding kennel. One of her favorite dogs was a relatively small red sable Pomeranian which she conceivably named ‘Windsor's Marco’ and was reported to weigh only 5.4 kg (12 lb.). When she first presented Marco in 1891, it caused the smaller-type Pomeranian to become instantly popular and the breeders started selection of only smaller varieties for breeding. During her lifetime, the size of Pomeranian breed was reported to have decreased by 50%. Queen Victoria worked to enhance the Pomeranian breed by importing smaller Pomeranian of diverse colors from many European countries to add to her breeding program.
The first breed club was established in England in 1891, and the first breed standard was transcribed shortly afterwards. Similarly, the first member of Pomeranian breed was registered at American Kennel Club in 1898, and it was acknowledged in 1900. The first Pomeranian named ‘Glen Rose Flashaway’ won the Toy Group at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1926.
In the standard published in 1998, the Pomeranian is included in the German Spitz standard, along with the Keeshond, by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. According to the standard "Spitz breeds are captivating" and have a "unique characteristic, cheeky appearance."
Also see: Cute Pictures of Pomeranian Puppies