| This is dog is occasionally referred to as the Miniature | | | | consistently given and he is rewarded with edible |
| Spitz dog or European Spitz. In its native land of | | | | treats or kind words. The Pomeranian has a tendency |
| Germany it is the smallest member of the German | | | | to become somewhat of a "spoiled brat." When his |
| Spitz group. The Pomeranian is also sometimes called | | | | bad habits surface he may simply ignore commands |
| the German Spitz in Germany. | | | | to "act better." He is rarely seen in agility trials; |
| In Germany the Pomeranian was bred to its present | | | | however, the Pomeranian does well in obedience |
| size in Pomeranian during the nineteenth century. Its | | | | trials. |
| ancestors were of the Spitz type and larger. Among | | | | Appearance |
| the Pomeranian's ancestors are the Samoyed, | | | | A Pomeranian stands about 7 to 8 inches tall and |
| Norwegian Elkhound, Chow Chow and other northern | | | | weighs from 3 to 7 pounds. The tiny Pomeranian has |
| European breeds. It is possible that the Pomeranian | | | | a short body, straight legs and well-balanced overall |
| was reduced in size from the large white sled dog | | | | appearance. He has erect ears and a fox like |
| that originated in Iceland and Lapland. Exact time of | | | | expression that gives this little dog an alert |
| origin is unknown. Queen Victoria of England took a | | | | expression. Pigmentation of the nose, lips and eyelids |
| great liking to the Pomeranian and helped to increase | | | | are always dark, usually black. |
| its popularity in her palace in 1888. | | | | The Pomeranian's coat is double and profuse. |
| Other Spitz types were used as herding dogs and | | | | Acceptable colors are red, orange, cream and sable, |
| sled pullers. The Pomeranian, however, has always | | | | black, brown and blue. |
| been a lapdog. It came to America in the late | | | | Grooming the Pomeranian |
| nineteenth century and was shown in the | | | | The coat of a Pomeranian is made up of an |
| miscellaneous class in 1892 by the AKC. American | | | | undercoat and an outer coat. The undercoat is soft |
| Kennel Club recognized the Pomeranian officially in | | | | and fluffy. The outer coat is fairly long, straight and |
| 1900. Since that time he has become quite popular as | | | | harsh and covers the entire body. |
| a pampered little pet. | | | | There is an abundance of coat around the neck and |
| Personality | | | | the fore part of the shoulders and chest that forms |
| The Pomeranian is sometimes a little too courageous | | | | a frill that extends over the shoulder. The |
| for its own good. He serves well as an alarm dog, | | | | forequarters are well feathered and the thighs and |
| but its barking sometimes becomes a habit that | | | | hind legs are well feathered to the hocks. |
| needs to be discouraged. The Pomeranian has one | | | | The Pomeranian requires regular attention to keep it |
| primary purpose and that is to please its owners. It | | | | clean and attractive. Thorough brushing once a week |
| sometimes shies away from children that play too | | | | is required to keep the coat in good condition. |
| rough. The Pomeranian may not be a good choice for | | | | You will need a slicker/pin brush, medium-tooth metal |
| a household with children or as a child's pet. They | | | | comb, scissors and cotton buds. |
| socialize easily with cats and other small family pets. | | | | Brush against the lie of the coat to give the |
| The Pomeranian is definitely one of those big dogs in | | | | Pomeranian its round pompom appearance. Brush first |
| a little package. They usually won't back down from | | | | with the slicker/pin brush working from the top of |
| a much larger dog. This aggressiveness can be | | | | the head, layering the hair as you go and be sure you |
| self-destructive as obviously a bigger dog could make | | | | reach the skin level. Then work through the coat |
| mince meat of a tiny Pomeranian. | | | | with the comb to remove any tangles left behind |
| The Pomeranian is eager to learn and is devoted to | | | | from the brushing. |
| its family. He is affectionate and has a very loving | | | | You might consider using a dry bath on your |
| nature toward its own family. He is delightful and is | | | | Pomeranian's coat when in full coat. When the |
| always ready for a quick game with those he loves. | | | | Pomeranian is in full coat, use a suitable |
| The Pomeranian responds to command if they are | | | | pH-alkaline-balanced shampoo and rinse well. |