Pomeranian

AKC Group: Toy

Club: American Pomeranian Club, Inc.

Corresponding Secretary : Cynthia Boulware
Address: 6450 Rolling Heights Cir, Kaufman, TX , 75142-4924
Website: www.AmericanPomeranianClub.org
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog. He has a soft, dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured outer coat. His heavily plumed tail is set high and lies flat on his back. He is alert in character, exhibits intelligence in expression, is buoyant in deportment, and is inquisitive by nature. The Pomeranian is cocky, commanding, and animated as he gaits. He is sound in composition and action.

Size:

The average weight of the Pomeranian is from 3 to 7 pounds, with the ideal weight for the show specimen being 4 to 6 pounds. Any dog over or under the limits is objectionable. However, overall quality is to be favored over size. The distance from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks is slightly shorter than from the highest point of the withers to the ground. the distance from the brisket to the ground is half the height at the withers. He is medium-boned, and the length of his legs is in proportion to a well-balanced frame. When examined, he feels sturdy.

Coat:

A Pomeranian is noted for its double coat. The undercoat is soft and dense. The outer-coat is long, straight, glistening and harsh in texture. A thick undercoat will hold up and permit the guard hair to stand off from the Pomeranian's body. The coat is abundant from the neck and fore part of shoulders and chest, forming a frill which extends over the shoulders and chest. The head and leg coat is tightly packed and shorter in length than that of the body. The forequarters are well-feathered to the hock. The tail is profusely covered with long, harsh, spreading straight hair. Trimming for neatness and a clean outline is permissible. Major Faults: Soft, flat or open coat.

Temperament:

The Pomeranian is an extrovert, exhibiting great intelligence and a vivacious spirit, making him a great companion dog as well as a competitive show dog.

History:

The Pomeranian descended from the Spitz family of dogs, the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland. The breed takes its name from the historical region of Pomerania that makes up the southern coast of the Baltic sea (now present day Germany and Poland), not because it originated there, but because this was most likely where it was bred down to size. In its larger form, the dog served as an able herder of sheep. When it first came to notice in Britain in the middle of the 19th century, some specimens were said to weigh as much as thirty pounds and to resemble the German wolf spitz in size, coat and color.

In 1870 the Kennel Club (England) recognized the so-called spitz dog. In 1888 a Pomeranian named "Marco" was sent from Florence, Italy to become the beloved companion of Queen Victoria of England. Because the Queen was a popular monarch, the breed's popularity grew as well. In fact, the Queen is credited for advocating the trend toward the smaller Poms.

Pomeranians were shown in the United States in the Miscellaneous Class as far back as 1892, but regular classification was not provided until 1900 at New York. In 1911 the American Pomeranian Club held its first specialty show. Early American winners were heavier in bone, larger in ear and usually weighed under six pounds. They had type and good coat texture, although they lacked the profuseness of coat in evidence today.

Diminutive size, docile temper and a vivacious spirit plus sturdiness have made Pomeranians great pets and companions.