Pomeranian (dog)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pomeranian | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Alternative names | ||
| Deutscher Zwergspitz Toy German Spitz |
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| Country of origin | ||
| Germany | ||
| Common nicknames | ||
| Pom or Pomie or Kubba-choo | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| FCI: | Group Section 4 #97 | Stds |
| AKC: | Toy | Stds |
| ANKC: | Group 1 (Toys) | Stds |
| CKC: | Group 5 - Toys | Stds |
| KC (UK): | Toy | Stds |
| NZKC: | Toy | Stds |
| UKC: | Companion Breeds | Stds |
The Pomeranian is a breed of dog in the spitz family, named for the Pomerania region of Historical Eastern Germany, which is today part of northern Poland and part of eastern Germany, and classed as a toy dog breed because of its small size. Originally part of the German Spitz breed, and of the Zwergspitz, or Toy German Spitz, designation, the breed as a whole did not fully exist until the 19th century.
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[edit] Origin
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" in Slavic languages was given to the district about the time of Charlemagne.
[edit] History
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.
English breeders, through trial and error and Mendelian theories, are credited for reducing the dog's size and developing the many colors. The Pomeranian of today is small due to selective breeding, but the breed still retains the hardy disposition and thick coat typical of dogs in cold climates.
Queen Charlotte first introduced the Pomeranian to English nobility, however; the Pom gained international popularity when her granddaughter Victoria returned from vacation in Florence, Italy with a Pomeranian named Marco.
(It should be noted that the Pomeranian as a modern breed did not exist until the 19th century. The dogs owned by Queen Charlotte & Queen Victoria were much larger and were European Spitz, probably a German Spitz and a Volpino Italiano. The same is true of any other historical pom from before the 19th century)
The closest relatives of the Pomeranian are the Norwegian Elkhound, the Schipperke, the German Spitz(and American Eskimo Dog), the Samoyed, and the whole Spitz group.
[edit] Appearance
At an average of 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.2 kg) according to AKC standards, the Pomeranian (Pom) is the most diminutive of the northern breeds.
The head of the Pomeranian is wedge-shaped, making it somewhat foxy in appearance. The ears are small and set high. Its tail is characteristic of the breed and should be turned over the back and carried flat, set high. When born, the tail is not spread out; it may take months for it to grow over the Pomeranian's back, and flatten.
The Pom's coat is its glory, two coats, an undercoat and a top coat; the first is soft, thick, and fluffy; the latter is long, straight and coarse. The undercoat is shed once a year by males, by intact females when they are in season, after delivering a litter, and during times of stress.
The AKC recognizes thirteen colors or color combinations: black, black & tan, blue, blue & tan, chocolate, chocolate & tan, cream, cream sable, orange, orange sable, red, red sable, and sable. The dogs that have 2 or more colors (usually mostly white, with others), are called "Parti-Color". The AKC also recognizes five "alternative" colors: Beaver, brindle, chocolate sable, white, and wolf sable.
One breed standard calls for a cobby, balanced dog. A cobby dog is as long or shorter than it is tall; try to picture it as a circle in a square. A balanced Pomeranian fits together logically and in proportion. For instance, a small, delicately boned Pom with a large head looks unbalanced because its head type doesn't match its body type. A balanced Pom displays legs in proportion to its body: neither so short as to make him appear dumpy nor so long as to make it look like he is walking on stilts.
This standard also calls for an expression that imparts great intelligence, showing that the Pom has an alert character and that he behaves accordingly. The pom's alertness makes it a superb watchdog, and a great companion, However they are very fiesty and stubborn at times (they need a lot of attention).
[edit] Temperament
The Pomeranian is a very active dog who is intelligent, courageous, and a loyal companion. But due to its small size it can suffer abuse from children. Beneath the pomeranian's fur is a small but muscular dog, similar to a Chihuahua.
Pomeranians can be trained to be good watchdogs by announcing intruders with loud, sharp barks or yips. 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. But stating "NO!" in a firm, gentle voice will let them know when it is wrong for them to bark.
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.
[edit] Health
Pomeranians are generally a healthy, hardy, and long-lived breed. Poms often live 12–16 years. Some very healthy Poms have even been known to live 18-20 years.
The most common problem in Pomeranians is luxating patella. Also Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome and hip dysplasia can occur, but are rare in this small breed. Patent ductus arteriosus (a congenital heart defect) and collapsing trachea have become serious problems in Poms. Dry eye, tear duct disorders and cataracts that can appear in young adulthood and often lead to blindness are also common. Skin diseases are quite common, especially allergies (that often leads to acute moist dermatitis or "hot spots") and follicular dysplasia (also known as alopecia X). Other problems that occur regularly include hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and hypoglycemia. Occasionally, hydrocephalus can occur in Pom puppies. Poms, like many Toy breeds, are prone to bad teeth and harmless episodes of reverse sneezing.
[edit] Grooming
Coat care for the Pomeranian is similar to the Pekingese. 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. A Pomeranian's coat needs very little trimming only every now and then. Combing is seldom necessary and sometimes totally unnecessary. Regular ear and nail care is recommended, along with peak seasonal bathing. However, it is unadvisable to bathe Pomeranians too frequently, as excessive bathing can damage their skin and coat by removing essential oils. Pomeranians are also prone to teeth problems, and it is recommended that their teeth be brushed at least once a week. Ideally, their teeth should be brushed daily.
[edit] References
- Spirer, Louise Ziegler; & Spirer, Herbert F. (1965). This is the Pomeranian. TFH Publications. ISBN 0-87666-354-4.
- Liebers, Arthur; & Sheppard, Georgia M. (1959). How to Raise and Train the Pomeranian. TFH Publications. ISBN 0-87666-352-8.
- Tietjen, Sari Brewster (1989). The New Pomeranian. Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-251-0.
[edit] External links
http://www.learnallaboutdogs.com/dogs/pomeranian/index.php Information on the Pomeranian
