Pomeranian

Description:

Pomeranians are short and small toy dogs. In fact, they are one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. They have soft dense undercoats with an abundance of outer coat that is coarsely textured. They are medium boned and sturdy in appearance, despite of  their small size.

The Pomeranian should have a head that is in good balance to the rest of the body, with a short. They have very alert expressions and often look very much like a small fox. Their ears are very small and erect and are mounted high on the head. Their eyes are dark and almond shaped and very bright and alert in appearance. They have a black nose and teeth that meet in a scissors bite. Their necks are short and they carry their heads quite high.

They have a smooth gait and appear very well balanced. Once trained, they will be a standout in the show ring, because they truly enjoy the limelight and love to be watched.

Life Span:

12-16 years

Litter Size:

1or 2 puppies

Group:

Northern, Spitz Family/Toy Group

Native Country:
Germany
Other Names:
Zwergspitz, Dwarf Spitz, Loulou, Pom

Behavior:
The Pomeranian is a very active dog who is intelligent, courageous, and a loyal companion. But due to its small size can suffer abuse from children. Beneath the pomeranian's fur is a small but muscular little dog.

As a watch dog:
Pomeranians can be trained to be good watchdogs by announcing intruders with loud, sharp barks. Unfortunately, lack of very dedicated training has instead led this breed to a reputation for constant, undirected barking. For this reason, these dogs can prove very stressful company for those unaccustomed to their vocal nature.
Grooming:

The Pomeranian easily adapts to life in the city, and is an excellent dog for country living with its strong hunting instincts from its wild ancestors.
Advice
A daily or twice weekly brushing is essential to keep the thick, plush coat, which sheds seasonally, free of mats. Brushing also helps to prevent dry skin and dandruff.

Temprament:

The Pomeranian is a cocky, extraverted, devoted and affectionate little guy. They are intelligent, easy to train, and they love to please their owners. They like to keep their bright little brains busy and thrive on learning new tricks and commands. They are excellent at comforting the elderly or ill. They just love to snuggle up and nap in a person's lap. They don't require much exercise, but will require lots of your attention. They will want to be included in whatever you are doing, and have been known to be a bit nosey. They make a natural watchdog and will bark a warning when anyone approaches your home. They are distrustful of strangers. However, they are also known to bark recreationally. They will do well with other dogs, but be aware that the Pom doesn't know that he is tiny, and will be fearless with a dog of any size, which can get him into trouble. You will have to supervise your Pom when he is interacting with other dogs. You will also need to supervise young children to ensure they are respectful and gentle with their Poms. A Pomeranian will make you an excellent, loving companion and will entertain you each and every day.

Activity Requirements:

Pomeranians can live happily in homes of all sizes. They are small enough to live in apartments, but active enough to flourish in a large home. They should be walked daily to burn off energy, and this helps maintain temperament. They enjoy running, so some yard time every week will be welcome.

Poms need to keep their minds active. They are smart dogs and if left to their own devices will get into mischief, so to keep them happy many owners enroll their Pomeranians in agility training to keep both mind and body in tip top shape.

Trainability:

Poms are notoriously difficult to train. They like to be the boss and do not take kindly to someone telling them what to do. They are stubborn, bossy, manipulative and require gentle but firm leadership. It can be easy to back off of training because they are so small and they can charm the pants off even the most heard-hearted trainer, but consistency is the key to training.Food is an excellent motivational tool, as is lots of happy, exuberant praise.

History:
The Pomeranian originated from the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland, which were eventually brought into Europe in Pomerania. This region, bordered on the north by the Baltic Sea, has been under the control of the Celts, Slavs, Poles, Swedes, Danes and Prussians, at various times. This region extends from the west of the Rügen Island to the Vistula river - there it became popular both as a pet and working dog. The name Pomore or Pommern, meaning "on the sea" was given to the district about the time of Charlemagne.

Breeders in Pomerania improved the coat and bred the dogs down for city living, but they were still 20 pounds or more when they reached England.