The Pomeranian

Surprise! That Pomeranian next door is really a sled dog masquerading in fleecy, toy clothing. You may see Poms as lap ornaments, but if you look more closely, you will find they have the courage of the tiger; and could they discuss the matter with you, they would tell you their ancestors came from a long line of hard-working, northern-exposure kinds of dogs. Those ancestors, in turn, came by their attitude from their forefather, Canis lupus - the wolf.

Dressing for Success

The Pomeranian's impressive tale begins many centuries ago in northern Europe when the wolf from which all dogs are thought to have descended was undergoing great anatomical change. One branch of the northern wolf's heirs - the Arctic or spitz dogs - retained many of the characteristics needed to survive in a frigid climate: heavy, weather-resistant coats, tiny ears less exposed to frostbite, long muzzles to warm the air before it reached the lungs, a bushy tail to cover the face while sleeping in the snow, and short bodies on long legs to keep vital organs snugly above the snow line.

These early northern dogs included hunters and herders like the Samoyed and the Norwegian elkhound, and smaller companion dogs that served as guardians of home and hearth, sounding the alarm when danger approached. That alert, quick-response nature typifies all spitz dogs today, including the Pomeranian, who, size notwithstanding, reflects most of the characteristics of the spitz.

A Slight Misnomer

Spitz dogs were extremely popular in Germany as early as the 1500s. They came in many sizes and colors, and each variety was identified by its own name. As time progressed, five distinct categories of spitz dogs emerged. One of them, the zwergspitz or dwarf spitz, stood 8 ½ to 11 inches at the shoulder and might be found in a white, black, brown, wolf gray or orange coat.

One of the first agents of the zwergspitz's renown was Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, king of England from 1760 to 1820. The two dogs Charlotte imported in 1767 - and their portraits rendered by Thomas Gainsborough - brought national attention to the breed in England.

Queen Charlotte obtained her dogs from the area around Pomerania, a former duchy in a region now shared by eastern Germany and western Poland. Thus, the dogs were called Pomeranians in Britain, even though no German breed has ever been known by that name. To this day the Pomeranian's counterpart in Germany is still called the zwergspitz.

Unlike zwergspitz, which existed in many colors, British "Pomeranians" were white. They were also large by today's standard, weighing 20 to 30 pounds.

Whiteout

Charlotte's granddaughter Queen Victoria was an even greater influence on the development of Pomeranians. Indeed, Victoria altered the breed's size and color forever. A passionate dog fancier, Victoria was enchanted by a 12-pound, red-sable Pom she saw on a trip to Italy in 1888. She purchased the dog, whom she called Marco, and he became not only her constant companion but also a frequent winner at dog shows. Victoria bought three other Poms on that trip to Florence. One of them, a female named Gina, also earned her championship at London shows.

The chic good looks of the Poms favored by the queen - and their endearing charms - made them all the rage in British society. Toward the end of the 19th century, the smaller red Pomeranians replaced the larger, white models in public favor. By that time, too, the Pomeranian had emigrated to the United States. In fact, the first American Pom was entered into the American Kennel Club's (AKC) stud book in 1888. Four years later the first Pom was exhibited in this country, at a dog show in New York, and in 1900 the breed was recognized by the AKC.

Nearly a century later the Pomeranian continues to enjoy worldwide popularity as a household companion and show dog. Last year in the United States the Pom, with 39,712 new registrations, ranked 10th among the 143 breeds registered by the American Kennel Club.

The Pomeranian Today

Through the efforts of breed enthusiasts the Pomeranian's diminutive size (three to seven pounds) and profuse coat have been standardized, yet even the smallest Poms should retain the weather-protective qualities that typified the early Nordic dogs: short body, good length of leg and tiny ears among them.

The variety of colors in which Poms are arrayed has also been maintained. Indeed, there are few colors in which this tiny charmer is not available. The most frequently seen are shades of darkest red to lightest cream, some with sable accents; but many Poms occur in solid black, black and tan, and parti-colors.

Although the Pom is minuscule in size, its temperament, when brought to full potential, displays the same courage as the largest sled dog racing across the frozen tundra. A Pom will also let the world know when it feels its home or loved ones are threatened. Moreover, Poms may well attempt to fight off the largest adversary to protect what and whom they love. Newspaper stories about Poms getting into fights, often fatal ones, with larger dogs attest to the Pom's limitless, if sometimes self-limiting, courage.

As the Owner Is Bent

Properly socialized, well-bred Pomeranians are enthusiastic and loving companions. They are affectionate and adaptive, and they can easily take on the characteristics of their owners. The nervous, flighty owner will find his or her Pom reacting to life in the same manner. Persons who hibernate at home and avoid most social contacts may well find their Poms lacking the graces well-socialized dogs should have.

Small but Sturdy

The mature Pom is a fairly sturdy individual for its size, but the very young puppy is too delicate to withstand rough handling by small children. Most breeders will not sell a puppy to a home where children are not old enough to understand the kind of treatment a young Pom needs.

A healthy, well cared for Pom can live to an exceptionally old age for a dog. Many live well into their teen years, an age comparable to a very senior, senior citizen in human terms. Pomeranians are also inclined to maintain that legendary puppyhood effervescence until the day they travel on to whatever comes next for a well-loved dog.

The Pomeranian's abundant double coat must be groomed regularly. A double coat consists of an undercoat, soft and dense on the Pom, and an outercoat composed of long, straight, glistening, harsh-textured guard hairs. A thick undercoat allows the guard hairs to stand off to dramatic effect from the Pom's body.

A Pomeranian's coat goes through many changes before the adult coat grows in. At about three months a Pom puppy loses that cloud-soft puppy fluff, and for several months what was a little puff ball can look ragged and disrobed. The adult coat begins to appear when the Pom is a year old, but that coat requires months of growth before it is fully mature.

The regular care that must be given to a Pomeranian's coat is especially needed during coat-change and shedding periods. Bathing and grooming are vital to keeping the little dogs clean and healthy. Neglected coats, in addition to matting easily, can harbor undetected vermin, skin conditions and fungus. Left uncared for, the coat will mat to the skin, necessitating a crew cut that is not only embarrassing to the dog but also extremely unattractive. Shaving a Pom eliminates the very benefits of the breed's coat - protection from both cold and heat.

Riders on the Storm

Toy breeds are prone to a hereditary condition of the hindquarter known as patellar luxation. The Pom is no exception. This condition is one in which the cartilage that binds the upper thigh to the lower thigh at the kneecap (patella) slips loose, causing the afflicted dog to limp or to hold its leg entirely off the ground when moving. In dogs born with a tendency to this condition, stress to the hindquarter through rough handling, accident or excess weight can cause the kneecap to slip from its mooring.

In some instances the kneecap can be put back in place and will remain there for varying periods of time. In extreme cases surgery is recommended. This is always a concern because toy dogs can easily succumb to anesthesia.

Close attention must be paid to a Pom puppy's teeth. Baby teeth are normally replaced by an adult set at about six months. In many cases, however, the Pom will retain its baby teeth and have two sets of teeth growing side by side. When this occurs, dental work by a veterinarian may be necessary.

Pomeranians can also lose their teeth at an early age unless constant care is employed. Regular cleansing and brushing is essential.

Many other problems are common to toy breeds. Unfortunately these problems affect the Pomeranian as well, specifically, dwarfism, hydrocephalus and lung conditions. This is why it is important to make sure your puppy comes from a breeder dedicated to producing and to standing behind healthy stock. Be sure to discuss health conditions and the responsibilities they might incur with the breeder selling the puppy in which you are interested.

Historical Pomeranians

Several historical figures are said to have owned "Pomeranians," although the breed did not come to be known by this name until Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England, had imported two zwergspitz, as the breed is known in her native Germany, in 1767. Martin Luther (1483-1546) had a Pomeranian named Belferlein whom he mentioned frequently in his writing. Michelangelo's (1475-1564) Pom watched him as he painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Isaac Newton's (1642-1727) Pom, Diamond, had a taste for Newton's manuscripts. Mozart (1756-1791) had a female Pom named Pimperl to whom he dedicated an aria. Chopin (1810-1849) was so amused by a female friend's Pom that he composed the "Valse des Petits Chiens" for the dog.