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