Other names: Dwarf Spitz, Loulou, Pom
Origin
Pomeranians are almost certainly descended from the sledge-pulling dogs of the Arctic and are probably related to the Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound and the Samoyed. The first reliable records of the breed came from Pomerania, a region bordering the Baltic, and date from the 1800's, although these dogs were much larger (around 13kgs). Litters of around 10 puppies were being born and soon the smallest of these were preferred. By the mid 1800's, the breed had spread to European countries and in 1888 Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed and brought it home from Italy. She, herself, extensively showed her dogs (which still weighed between 5 - 8kgs) at British Dog Shows, which encouraged the popularity of the breed. British breeders then bred them for a smaller size with more and more coat. Therefore, although the breed is named after their homeland, they are considered to be an English breed.
Description
These dainty little dogs sparkle with character and friendliness. They look life miniature foxes, with an outercoat which has long, erect hairs and a thick undercoat, giving them the appearance of a ball of fluff. They move freely in a bouncy and buoyant way.
| Size | Toy |
| Colour | Poms come in twelve colours! Choose from black, brown, chocolate, beaver, red, orange, cream, orange sable, wolf sable, blue, white or particolour. |
| Coat Length | Medium Long |
| Weight/Height Range | These dogs should measure between 18 to 22cms for the smaller variety and 22 to 28cms for the larger ones and weigh between 1 to 3kgs; bitches can be heavier than dogs. |
| Ailments | Poms are considered to be one of the hardiest of the toy breeds but certain problems are known to occur. Loose knees, open skulls, low blood sugar, loss of teeth, dwarfism and eye problems have all been reported. Dislocation and broken bones can be common and great care must be taken with puppies to deter them from jumping. |
| Breed Classification | Pomeranians are members of the toy group and are the smallest of the five sizes of German Spitz. They are now used as companions and in the show-ring. There are two sizes: the smaller ones which are produced for the show-ring and the slightly larger ones used for companionship. |
Feeding & Ownership
Poms cost very little to feed as they are not big eaters, preferring to pick regularly rather than sit down to a set meal.
| Food Cost | Up to $5 |
| Other Expenses |
This is not an expensive breed to keep. Care must be taken to ensure they do not damage their fragile bones or vet fees will be unavoidable. |
Personality
The breed is full of its own self-importance and likes nothing better than to strut about either in the show-ring or when out for a walk! They are lively and energetic little dogs who are very loyal to their families. Poms love to be carried about and handled but do not overdo this, as they can become jealous and even a bit nippy! They make excellent guard dogs as they are very vocal and would certainly deter intruders. Despite their gentle and affectionate natures, care must be taken, especially with younger children, that they are not tormented or man-handled, as this can cause them to be nervous. They will accept other animals in the household but will not hesitate to attack outsiders, regardless of their size.
| Intelligence | Poms are intelligent and eager to learn and, therefore, are quite easy to train. However, perseverance is a must when it comes to house training. It is important to train them only to bark once or twice when the doorbell rings and then to be quiet as they are prone to producing a barrage of fairly shrill yapping! |
| Energy | Medium |
| Suitability for Children | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | High |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | Poms are very undemanding in their exercise requirements and are quite happy with short walks or a run in the garden. They are able, however, to walk quite a distance before becoming tired. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | High |
| Ease of Transportation | High |
| Level of Aggression | High |
| Other Animal Compatibility | High |
Grooming
During adolescence extra grooming is required to assist the coat change, but once this has happened, grooming can be reduced to once a week. Check regularly for matting in the undercoat. Do not use too fine a comb as this will damage the undercoat which will spoil the fullness. The coat should be well combed with a coarse comb and then lightly brushed. Occasional trimming is required around the feet.
| Grooming Requirements | Once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Little |
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