Little Pawz -- Pomeranian -- Pomeranian Dog -- Toy Spitz -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Pomeranian is a happy, active little dog that will adapt cheerfully to life in a one-room apartment or a spacious dwelling, revelling in the role of lap dog or enjoying walks with its owner. Alternatively, it will amuse itself adequately in a yard. It makes a faithful and devoted companion.

Size
Weight: Dogs: 4 – 4 1/2 lbs. (1.8 – 2 kg); Bitches: 4 1/2 – 5 1/2 lbs. (2.2 – 5 kg)

Coat and Colour
There should be two coats, an under and an outer coat; the first a soft, fluffy undercoat, and the other a long, perfectly straight and glistening coat covering the whole body, being very abundant around the neck and forepart of the shoulders and chest where it should form a frill of profuse, standing-off, straight hair extending over the shoulders. The hindquarters should be clad with long hair or feathering from top of rump to the hocks. The texture of the guard hairs must be harsh to the touch.

Thirteen colours, or colour combinations, are permissible and recognized, namely: black, brown, chocolate, beaver, red, orange, cream, orange-sable, wolf-sable, blue, white, particolour and black and tan. The beaver colour is a dark beige. A particolour dog is white with orange or black, colour distributed in even patches on the body, with white blaze on head desirable. Black and tan is black with tan or rust sharply defined appearing above each eye, in the ears, on the muzzle, throat, forechest, on all legs and below the tail. Where whole-coloured and parti-coloured Pomeranians compete together, the preference should, other points being equal, be given to the whole-coloured specimen. Sable-coloured dogs must be shaded throughout as uniformly as possible, with no self-coloured patches. In orange-sable, the undercoat must be a light tan colour with deeper orange guard hairs ending in black tippings. In wolf-sable the undercoat is light grey with a deeper shade of steel grey guard hairs ending in black tippings. A shaded muzzle on the sables is permissible, but a black mask on sables is a minor fault. Orange Pomeranians must be self-coloured throughout with light shadings of the same tone (not white) on breechings permitted. A black mask on an orange Pomeranian is a major fault. White chest, white foot, or white leg on whole-coloured dogs are major faults. White hairs on black, brown, blue or sable Pomeranians are objectionable. Tinges of lemon, or any other colour, on white dogs are objectionable. The above colours, as described, are the only allowable colours or combination of colours for Pomeranians.

The classes for Pomeranians may be divided by colour in Open Classes as follows: Black and brown; red, orange, or cream; sables; any other allowable colour.

Exercise
It is wrong to think that toy breeds are of use for little else except sitting decoratively on their owner's kness, and the Pomeranian is no exception. True, they adore being pampered and petted, but they are also lively little dogs, quite able to walk as far as their owner would wish — often further. Alternatively, they will exercise themselves quite happily in a fenced yard.

Grooming
This is not the breed of small dog for those who cannot spare the time for daily grooming. Indeed, the Pomeranian has two coats to care for: a short, fluffy under-coat; and a long, straight top-coat covering the whole body. Daily brushing with a stiff brush is a must. The coat should be dampened with cold water, and the moisture rubbed in with the fingertips; finally the dog is rubbed down with a towel.

Working from the head, part the coat and brush it forward from roots to tips. Make a further parting and repeat this procedure until the whole dog has been covered.

The Pomeranian requires regular trimming, obtain advice from a breeder or dog groomer as to how this should be carried out.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1/3 – 1/2 can (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food, with a biscuit, or 1 1/2 cups dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Pomeranian.

Origin and History
The Pomeranian takes its name from Pomerania, in Germany, and is generally thought to be of mid-European origin. However, it is a member of the Spitz family, which could mean that its history began in the Arctic Circle.

The known history of the breed dates from the mid-18th century when it was introduced to several European countries. It became very popular until, in 1860, the Pekingese usurped this popularity.

The Pomeranian, in those early days, was a very much larger dog, up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg) in weight and it was bred down until, by 1896, show classes for Pomeranians were divided into those for exhibits over and under 8 pounds (3.6 kg). The American Pomeranian Club was formed in New York in 1900.

Celebrity Owners
Fran Drescher owns a Pomeranian named Chester; and Geri Halliwell, Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls, has a Pomeranian named Daddy.