Pomeranian - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Very small

Height: About 30 cm (12 inches)

Weight: Dogs: 1.8 - 2 kg (4 - 4.5 lb)

Bitches: 2 - 2.5 kg (4.5 - 5.5 lb)

Life Span: 15 years

Grooming: Demanding

Exercise: Undemanding

Feeding: Undemanding

Temperament: Extroverted & intelligent

Country of Origin: Germany

AKC Group: Toy

Other Names: Dwarf Spitz, Loulou

Temperament:

The Pomeranian is friendly, affectionate, loyal and active. These small dogs are energetic and have a delightful nature without being clingy towards their handlers. Pomeranians are fairly easy to train and are eager to learn. They generally get along with other dogs and household pets but need to be treated carefully when in the hands of small children. They make ideal pets for those living in apartments with their small size. Pomeranians are boisterous and brave and can sometimes take on much larger dogs than themselves and need their owners to protect them.

Grooming: The coat of the Pomeranian needs to be combed and brushed regularly to maintain the overall look of a ball of fluff. The outer coat should be lifted up so that the bristles of the brush start at the root of the hairs and are then brushed down and outwards.

Exercise:

Pomeranians don't need much exercise and are happy with short walks and playing in the garden. However they are able to walk longer distances without becoming tired.

History:

This breed got it's name from Pomerania, a province on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Pomeranians that existed in the 19th century were considerably larger than the ones we see today. Some of the early Pomeranians weighed as much as 13.5 kg (30 lb). The breed's popularity increased when Queen Victoria owned and bred these toy dogs and also when the British Kennel Club recognized these smaller versions.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Dainty, confident, cuddly and compact.

Color: All whole colors are permitted, but must be free of black or white shadings. Parti-colors are accepted but not desirable.

Coat: The outer coat is straight, long, harsh and stands away from the body. The undercoat is soft and fluffy. The outer coat is more profuse around the neck and shoulders, forming a characteristic mane or frill.

Tail: Set high, moderate length and turned over the back and carried flat and straight. It is profusely covered with harsh, long hair.

Ears: Small, erect and triangular.

Body: The chest is deep with well laid back shoulders. The back is straight and short and the belly is tucked up at the rear. The rib-cage should be well rounded and the body is short and compact.

Additional Comments:

* It is important that Pomeranians are taught to only bark several times when a visitor arrives and then to be quiet. The handler needs to be very consistent with this training to avoid ongoing yapping everytime the doorbell rings.

* Pomeranians are the smallest of the five sizes of the German Spitz.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/pomeranian/