History:
The Pomeranian was originally descended from the ancient Spitz breeds of the far north which were brought to Europe and used to herd sheep. The Pom ancestors weighed up to 30 pounds. Marie Antoinette, Emile Zola and Mozart all owned Pomeranians. In the late 1800’s, Queen Victoria became a Pomeranian fancier, and established her own kennel for their breeding. She showed her dogs, with some success, making the breed very popular in England. Because Queen Victoria preferred smaller dogs, many breeders began selecting for small size. Now the Pomeranian has been bred down from his original size to a customary 4-5 pounds. Today’s Pomeranian is primarily a loving companion and beautiful show dog.

Description:
A tiny fluffy dog with a wedge-shaped head and small pointed erect ears. Some have faces that breeders liken to a fox, others have baby-doll or “pansy” faces.  All have bright, dark, almond-shaped eyes and a dark or self-colored (matching the coat) nose and eye rims. Poms also boast a distinctive feathered tail that fans forward over the back. There is an abundant ruff around the neck and chest area. The profuse stand-off double coat usually comes in solid colors. Any solid color is allowed, but the most common are red, orange, white or cream, blue, brown or black. Sometimes the coat is parti-colored (white with colored markings), black-and-tan, or wolf or orange sable. The outer coat is long, straight, and harsh, and the undercoat is soft and dense. The ideal weight is 4-6 lbs.

Notes:
Not recommended for young children. May be snappish. Good companion for elderly people. Generally good with other pets if properly introduced. One of the most independant of the Toys. Newborn pups are very tiny and fragile. Pomeranians may be picky eaters, but most tend to overeat and become fat. Some bloodlines are prone to slipped stifle, dislocated patella (knee-cap), heart and skin problems, and eye infections. Since Pomeranians are prone to early tooth loss, feeding dry food is recommended to help keep teeth and gums in good condition. Be sure the veterinarian also keeps the dog’s teeth clean. Keep the dog quiet in hot weather to avoid overheating.

Personality:
Willful, bold, loving, temperamental. An extroverted, lively little dog who thinks he’s big. Excellent watchdog with a resonant bark. Proud and happy. Alert, curious and busy. Rather sharp tempered. Can be aggressive with other animals–introduce the Pomeranian and other pets slowly and with supervision. Intelligent, but needs a firm hand in training. This breed may become too demanding if the owner allows it!

Behavior:
Friendliness: Reserved with strangers.
Independence: Fairly independent.
Dominance: High.
Other Pets: Generally good with other pets.
Combativeness: Tends to be fairly dog-aggressive. 

Grooming and Physical Needs:
Grooming: Regular grooming needed.
Coat: Fluffy coat.
Shedding: Constant shedder.
Exercise: Very little exercise needed.
Indoors: Very active indoors.
Apartments: Good for apartment living.
Outdoor Space: Does all right without a yard.
Climate: Prefers cool climates.
Longevity: Short (under 10 years).