Pomeranian: Information from Answers.com

For other uses, see Pomeranian.

This article is written like a manual or guidebook. Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view. (April 2009)

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (October 2008)

Pomeranian

Other names

Zwergspitz; Spitz nain; Spitz enano; Pom; Zwers

Nicknames

Pom

Country of origin

Germany, North-Western Poland

Traits

Classification & standards
FCI	Group Section 49 #97	standard
AKC	Toy	standard
ANKC	Group 1 (Toys)	standard
CKC	Group 5 - Toys	standard
KC (UK)	Toy	standard
NZKC	Canus Futbalicus	standard
UKC	Companion Breeds	standard

The Pomeranian (often known as a Pom) is a breed of dog of the Spitz type, named for the Pomerania region in Central Europe (today part of eastern Germany and northern Poland) and classed as a toy dog breed because of its small size. As determined by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale the Pomeranian is part of the German Spitz breed, and in many countries, they are known as the Zwergspitz (Dwarf Spitz), or Toy German Spitz.

1 History
2 Etymology
3 Appearance
4 Behavior
5 Life Span
6 Popularity
7 Gallery
8 Similar Breeds
9 Notes and References
10 See also
11 External links

History

Pomeranians came with Scandinavian drovers.

Etymology

Pomerania in all languages is derived from Old Slavic po, meaning "by/next to/along", and more, meaning "sea", thus "Pomerania" is literally "seacoast", referring to its proximity to the Baltic Sea.

Appearance

Pomeranian's are small dogs. The Pomeranian has a double coat: a soft and fluffy undercoat with harsher guard hairs. The Pomeranian Breed standard calls for the Pomeranian females to be slightly larger than the male. A Pomeranian can be many colors, but the most common color is orange. A tan color is seen with lighter shadings on the ruff, tail and breechings.

Behavior

Pomeranians are typically very friendly, playful and active. This breed of dog loves to be around their owners, and is very intelligent and easy to train. Pomeranians are somewhat extroverted and can develop the habit of barking excessively in any situation. They are somewhat defensive and bark at any outside noise. Some also say that Pomeranians have a "Napoleon complex" because they are not afraid to stand up to dogs much bigger than they in size. Because of their long double-coat, they tend to seek out cooler environments, and it is common to find them lying down on a cold floor, in the shade out of the sun when outside or on an isolated hard surface. Because of their size, they do well in condominiums and apartments, being able to adapt almost to any situation or environment. Very high maintenance dog. Takes a lot of grooming because of their long hair.

Life Span

Pomeranians typically live between 12 to 16 years, although some have lived to 20. A common health problem in old age is collapsing trachea.

Popularity

This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2009)

In the 1890s the Pomeranian "sports" breed began to be shown in the ring and were about 10 pounds. Since then, the size of the Pomeranian has decreased to 3-7 pounds. The Pomeranian has been among the most popular of dog breeds, consistently in the top 15 of registered AKC dog breeds over the last 10 years. The breed ranked #13 in the 2008 rankings having attained the same ranking in 2007 and 2003. The breed has appeared on television shows and commercials.

Gallery

Smiling Pomeranian.

Pomeranian abashed.

Black & tan Pomeranian.

Similar Breeds

As the Spitz are a very ancient dog type, many smaller types of Spitz resemble each other. Medium to small sized breeds similar in appearance from various places in the world include the Wolfsspitz (Keeshond), Großspitz, Mittelspitz, Kleinspitz, Zwergspitz (Pomeranian), Samoyed (dog), Schipperke, Norwegian Elkhound, Volpino Italiano (Italian Spitz), Laika (Russian Spitz), Finnish Spitz, Indian Spitz and Japanese Spitz.

Types of German Spitz

Pomeranian (dog)
American Eskimo Dog
Keeshond

Related breeds

Notes and References

Various (2005). The Dog Bible. Bowtie Press. ISBN 1-931993-34-3.
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.
American Pomeranian Club, Inc.
American Kennel Club