Breed of the Week - Pomeranian

by Laura Baechle

The Pomeranian is descended from the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland. The breed name Pomeranian comes from an area on the Baltic between eastern Germany and western Poland.

Originally much bigger in size than today’s three-to-seven pound acceptable weight, these larger dogs were sheep herders and, in Russia, were used to pull sledges. They herded reindeer and offered protection from wolves. Their shaved fur provided material for clothing and blankets.

A member of the Spitz family, the Pomeranians relatives include Schipperkes, German Spitzen, Samoyeds, Norwegian Elkhounds, and Keeshonden.

The Pomeranian was first recognized by The Kennel Club (England) in 1870. but the breed didn’t catch on until 1888 when Queen Victoria fell in love with a Pomeranian on a visit to Florence and brought the dog, Marco, back to England. In an effort to emulate the beloved Queen’s example, the breed’s popularity rapidly increased. On her dying day, the Queen’s favorite Pomeranian, Turi, was by her side.

The breed was shown in the United States in the American Kennel Club Miscellaneous class as far back as 1892 but regular classification was provided in 1900 in New York. The American Pomeranian Club held its first specialty show in 1911. The Pomeranian is now well established as a favorite in the Toy Group.

Extroverted in nature, the Pomeranian, or “Pom” as they are called, is a dog with attitude. Seemingly unaware of their diminutive size, they are amazingly protective, highly energetic, untiring, and vivacious; the Pomeranian is also loving, soft, gentle, and completely content to sit in one’s lap.

Grooming
The magnificent double coat of the breed is an example of a “stand-off” coat, with a soft, dense undercoat and straight, harsh-textured outer coat standing off from the body. Around the neck, shoulders, and chest, the coat is abundant and forms a frill. The tail is a profusion of longer hairs and stands high on the back of the dog. This necessitates regular grooming which can be a pleasurable experience for all. Interestingly, Pomeranians have been known to “groom” themselves much like a cat in between brushing sessions.

Activities
Because the Pomeranian is an intelligent and quick learner, obedience training is a great pleasure for these dogs, in fact, they enjoy learning a “trick” or two. While tiny in size compared with most other dogs, they participate in agility with great success. Since they are lap dogs, they make excellent therapy dogs.

Health Issues
Luxating or dislocated patellas, which are knees that slip out of place, are the most common problem in the breed. Be sure to check the knees of any prospective puppy. The knees are graded by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) as grades one through four. A one or two are not unusual for toy breeds but higher grades may require surgery in the future. According to the OFA, “The most opportune time to gather breeding data is at 6-8 weeks of age prior to the puppy's release to the new owner”.

Hypothyroidism or low thyroid is very common in Pomeranians. Ask to see the results of the thyroid tests of the parents of the puppy you are considering. The OFA also maintains a registry for dogs with hypothyroidism in the bloodlines.

Ask the breeder if you can see both parents of the puppy you are considering. Pomeranians are susceptible (although rarely) to Severe Hair Loss Syndrome (SHLS), also know as Black Skin Disease which usually occurs in males of the breed. Puppies will have a profuse coat with no guard hairs. Once the puppy coat is shed, it does not grow back. Another version happens at a later age.

I have two Pomeranians, and I love them dearly. Angel, a nine year old cream colored neutered male, is really my daughter’s dog, but he is an extremely affectionate animal. Way too big (seventeen pounds!) for a Pomeranian, he is not overweight, just big. I tell people they grow things bigger in Indiana, which is where we bought him.

My other Pom is a whole male parti mix, Domino. And the name suits him. Domino is the one with “attitude.” But he, too, is a softie. He carries his favorite toy, a red and yellow plush bone, with him on EVERY walk. On the rare occasion that we lose the toy, it is on my doorstep the next day as everyone knows that is Domino’s toy.

I love having two Poms as they keep each other company, and they play together. I could not live alone without them, I am a Type 1 diabetic and they are “sentry dogs”, a type of Service Dog that alerts diabetics of impending low blood sugar reactions.