Pomeranian Breed
Information
There are many good books and information available on the Pomeranian.   The    
following is just a quick account of the Pomeranian, although the page will be added to
or updated on a regular basis.   Remember that any Pomeranian puppy is a commitment
for an average of 12 to 15 years.


Brief History Summation

The most common known history of the Pomeranian is that this Northern Spitz breed was
named after a German province named Pomerania.   Poms have a sledding and guard dog
background.   The modern Pomeranian is descended from Queen Victoria challenging
British breeders to breed the Pom into a smaller toy version from its 30 to 40 pound size in
the late 1800's.   She had been introduced to these charming dogs from her German aunt,
Queen Charlotte, returning from Italy in 1888 with some.
However, there are depictions of similar dogs in ancient Greece tombs, vases and
drawings.
The Northern Spitz family includes dogs such as the Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound,
Samoyed, Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky.

Poms in the Present

Although each country has its own Pomeranian breed standard, the most common here is
the Canadian Kennel Club version.   This is a short piece taken from the CKC Breed
Standard: "The Pomeranian in build and appearance should be a compact, short-coupled
dog, well knit in frame. He should exhibit great intelligence in his expression, docility in
his disposition, and activity and buoyancy in his deportment, and be sound in action.
There should be two coats, an under and an outer coat; the first a soft, fluffy undercoat,
and the other a long, perfectly straight and glistening coat covering the whole body,
being very abundant around the neck and forepart of the shoulders and chest where it
should form a frill of profuse, standing-off, straight hair extending over the shoulders.
The hindquarters should be clad with long hair or feathering from top of rump to the
hocks. The texture of the guard hairs must be harsh to the touch."
The average breed sizes are from 3 to 7 pounds.   There are actually 13 different Canadian
recognized coat colors: orange, sable (orange, wolf, cream, blue & red to name a few),
cream, black, parti-colored, black & tan, blue, chocolate, red, white, beaver, brown, etc.   
However, there are many more colors, known through the American Kennel Club such as
brindle and merle.   The prevalence of orange or sable Poms in many breeding programs
and shows are because they are the most common color favored by show judges, and thus
normally the best quality as they are more focused on.
An adult Pom is a big dog in a little dog body.   They have the emotional needs of a three
year human toddler and the intelligence of a 15 year old human teenager.   They have
individual personalities just like people.   Neutered males seem to make better pets,
although of course there are plenty of wonderful female pets as well.
Poms are fine with children and other pets under supervision when properly trained,
socialized and raised in a family home environment, as they are very social by nature.   
Depending on the size, most Poms enjoy a backyard, although apartment living is
suitable when supplemented by recreational time like going for walks.

Care

Pomeranians are considered part of the Toy group and should be treated as such.   Their
heads, legs, and joints are susceptible to injury.
They are small and require access to fresh water and dry food at all times.   
They need frequent brushing with slicker and Pin brushes.   Nails should be clipped
about every two months, but this varies with the dog.   Poms have small teeth and need
regular dental care, whether brushing every day or using a dental product such as Petzlife
to remove plaque (very easy).   Shedding or blowing out their coats occurs a couple times
a year, usually in Spring and Fall.   Poms shed in clumps, which makes them easier to
clean up with around the house and more hypoallergenic than many breeds.   Females
shed more than males.   Adult Poms should be bathed about every four months as
frequent bathing destroys the coat hair and protective oils.   Under NO
CIRCUMSTANCES should a Pom ever be shaved.  This will generally destroy the coat to
the point where it will not grow back or properly.
Aside from deworming and travelling, Poms should only be vaccinated every two to three
years.   The American Veterinary Medical Association has changed its protocols as
research has proven that more frequent vaccination has led to auto-immune disorders,
cancer, vaccinosis and reactions to vaccines.


Puppies

Puppies and young dogs are fed a soft/wet food mix in addition to dry.   Depending on
their size, socialization and development they can be placed in a new home from 8 to 12
weeks minimum.   They are like human babies and need limits (routines, confined potty
area, regulated food and nap times).
Puppies are given two to three sets of basic shots and deworming.   After the second shot
the Puppy can be exposed to other dogs and take puppy kindergarten classes.   They are
spayed or neutered at six months.
Most Pom puppies have a teenage stage termed the "uglies".   The cute fluffy Pom baby
will grow out of proportion, have scraggly hair, and sometimes pack a rebellious attitude.  
 This is all caused by growth, hormones and teething.

Breed Problems

Unfortunately no breed is perfect.   Again these are very simplified explanations, and more
information is provided in depth in many books and websites.   The most common breed
problems in the Pomeranian are loose knees or luxated patellas, low blood sugar or
hypoglycemia, hair loss or alopecia and heart murmurs.
Luxated Patellas are caused by the breed being bred down to such a small size causing
shallower joints.
Although individual cases vary in severity, many times treatment by rest and
supplementation with calcium, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin will have Poms
"travelling sound" in a couple of months.   Surgery is not recommended normally and is
very invasive.   According to the OFA, 49% of the Poms tested had some degree of
looseness in their patellas.   Patellas also can shift and change over the life of the dog,
depending on age and activity.
Hypoglycemia is mostly prevented by not overexercising and letting the Pom have access
to food at all times.   Again, remember this is a Toy dog.
There is no scientifically confirmed singular cause (other than shaving) to hair loss at this
time.
Heart murmurs are present when a puppy is born and are found at a health check.
Of course there are many rarer things that can happen or develop in a Pom, as in all
breeds of dogs.


Sources

The Canadian Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club

Orthapedic Foundation For Animals

The Pomeranian Club of Canada

The Pom Reader

The American Veterinarian Medical Association

The New Pomeranian by Sari Brewster Tietjen

The Pomeranian magazine

Pomeranians by Joe Stahlkuppe

Pet Product News

Veterinary Practice News



Thanks for doing your research on owning a Pomeranian!
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