Getting To Know Your Pomeranian

Article Title: Getting To Know Your Pomeranian
Author: Dan Stevens

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed,
and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance,
personality, and health requirements. Here's what you need to
know about the Pomeranian:

One of the most fascinating aspects of this breed is that in
its much earlier and larger incarnations it was used in Lapland
and Iceland for pulling sleds. Eventually, the Pomeranian moved
on to other regions along the Baltic Sea. At this particular
time, the breed was still used as a working dog but then it
started to increase in popularity as a family pet. The name
given to this dog, which was originally Pommern or Pomore,
means "on the sea."

The Pomeranian was introduced into English nobility. While
somewhat popular, it became even more so after Queen
Charlotte's granddaughter, Queen Victoria, returned from Italy
with her new furry friend. Although the appearance was much
the same, the earlier varieties of the Pomeranian were actually
larger than what we see today.

This dog belongs to the Spitz family, which includes other
breeds such as the Samoyed, Schipperke, and even Norwegian
Elkhound, which surprises many people as they are all
considered "toy" breeds due to the small size. Over time,
breeders were able to fine-tune the Pomeranian, which led to a
much better coat and smaller size. In addition, breeding
experimentation provided a greater selection of color while not
interfering with the breed's strong but sweet temperament.

Physical Appearance

Following the American Kennel Club's standards for the
Pomeranian, the average weight is between 3 and 7 pounds and
height is 8 to 11 inches. The appearance of the breed is quite
distinct, having a wedge-shaped head. The result of the small
body and head is a look very similar to that of a fox. In
addition, the Pomeranian has small and high set ears and a tail
that curls over the back while being held tall.

Although all of these characteristics make the Pomeranian the
cute dog it is, the coat is without doubt its pride. In fact,
this dog has two coats. The first is the soft, thick, and
fluffy undercoat while the second is the straight and course
overcoat. Every year, the male dog will shed the undercoat, as
the female goes into heat, once a litter is delivered, and if
experiencing too much stress.

As mentioned, breeding has resulted in a wide range of colors
and color combinations - 13 in all. These options for the
Pomeranian include:

Black
Black and Tan
Blue
Blue and Tan
Chocolate
Chocolate and Tan
Cream
Cream Sable
Orange
Orange Sable
Parti-color (typically white with other colors)
Red
Red Sable
Sable

In addition to the standard 13 colors for the Pomeranian, the
American Kennel Club also recognizes the following:

Beaver
Brindle
Chocolate Sable
White
Wolf Sable

For the Pomeranian to fall within the standards set by the
American Kennel Club, the dog should be well proportioned.
This means the dainty head cannot be too large or small, but
must balance well with the body type. Additionally, the
Pomeranian's legs must be proportionate. In fact, even the
breed's expression is to display alertness, intelligence, and
pride.

Temperament and Personality

Like the Chihuahua, the Pomeranian does not realize it is a
small dog. With a serious bark (or yelp as some may say), the
dog is actually a great watchdog. This breed loves its family,
enjoying good, quality cuddle time. However, it is also an
energetic and agile dog that is relatively easy to train.

Because of the small body size, the Pomeranian makes a great
pet for people without a yard or those with a small yard.
However, because this breed also enjoys exercise, it makes a
great pet for those who like spending time outdoors. In other
words, the Pomeranian is a versatile dog - perfect for many
types of families.

Health

Fortunately, the Pomeranian breed tends to be healthy but like
most other dogs, there are a few possible health risks. With
good care, a dog of this breed could easily live to be 14, 15,
16, or older. Some of the more common concerns with the
Pomeranian include a Luxating Patella, dry eye, cataracts, and
skin ailments.

Health risks that are not quite as common would be epilepsy,
hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, and hydrocephalus. Then on rare
occasion, you might find a dog in this category dealing with
Hip Dysplasia and Legg-Calve Perthes, a degenerative disease of
the hip joint. Of all possible health risks associated with a
Pomeranian, a collapsed trachea, or heart disease known as
Patent Ductus Arteriosus are the most serious.

It is also important to keep this breed of dog well groomed.
Otherwise, the undercoat can become tangled, pulling on the
skin and causing blood circulation problems. Typically,
brushing the coat two to three times a week is sufficient.
Since this breed of dog is also prone to dental problems, most
veterinarians recommend brushing, along with regularly
scheduled cleaning, which would be done professionally and
under anesthesia.

About The Author: Daniel Stevens is the renowned dog trainer
and author of SitStayFetch, a leading dog training guide having
sold over 21,000 copies. See

http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/dogbreeds/pomeranian.php
for more on dog breeds.