Pomeranian: The Breed

                (AKC Toy Group)
The Pomeranian is a cocky, animated companion with an extroverted personality. This compact little dog is an active toy breed with an alert character and fox-like expression. Today, the Pomeranian is a popular companion dog and competitive show dog. They can come in all colors, patterns, and variations although orange and red are the most popular.

 

 

Pomeranian AKC Breed Standards

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog of Nordic descent. The double coat consists of a short dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured longer outer coat. The heavily plumed tail is one of the characteristics of the breed. It is set high and lies flat on the back. He is alert in character, exhibits intelligence in expression, is buoyant in deportment, and inquisitive by nature. The Pomeranian is cocky, commanding, and animated as he gaits. He is sound in composition and action.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
Weight – is from3 to 7 pounds with the ideal weight for show specimens being 4 to 6 pounds. Any dog over or under the limits is objectionable; however, overall quality should be favored over size. Proportion – The Pomeranian is a square breed with a short back. The ratio of body length to height at the withers being 1 to 1. These proportions are measured from the prosternum to the point of buttocks, and from the highest point of the withers to the ground. Substance – Sturdy, medium-boned.
HEAD
Head - in balance with the body, when viewed from above, broad at the back tapering to the nose to form a wedge. Expression – may be referred to as fox-like, denoting his alert and intelligent nature. Eyes – dark, bright, medium sized, and almond shaped; set well into the skull with the width between the eyes balancing the other facial features. Eye rims are black, except self-colored in chocolate, beaver and blue. Ears - small, mounted high and carried erect. Proper ear set should be favored over size. Skull - closed, slightly round but not domed. Stop - well pronounced. Muzzle – rather short, straight, free of lippiness, neither coarse nor snipey. Ratio of length of muzzle to skull is 1/3 to 2/3. Nose - pigment is black except self-colored in chocolate, beaver and blue. Bite - scissors, one tooth out of alignment is acceptable. Major Faults - Round, domed skull. Undershot, overshot or wry bite. Disqualification – Eye(s) light blue, blue marbled, blue flecked.

NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
Neck - set well into the shoulders with sufficient length to allow the head to be carried proud and high. Topline - level from withers to croup. Body - compact and well-ribbed. Chest - oval tapered extending to the point of elbowswith apronounced prosternum. Back - short-coupled, straight and strong. Loin - short with slight tuck-up. Croup is flat. Tail - heavily plumed, set high and lies flat and straight on the back. Major Fault - Low tail set.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders – well laid back. Shoulder blade and upper arm length are equal.Elbows - held close to the body and turn neither in nor out. Legs – when viewed from the front are moderately spaced, straight and parallel to each other, set well behind the forechest. Height from withers to elbows approximately equals height from ground to elbow. Shoulders and legs are moderately muscled. Pasterns –straight and strong. Feet- round, tight, appearing cat-like, well-arched, compact, and turn neither in nor out, standing well up on toes. Dewclaws– may be removed. Major Fault - Down in pasterns.
HINDQUARTERS
Hindquarters – angulation balances that of the forequarters. Buttocks are well behind the set of the tail. Thighs - moderately muscled. Upper thigh and lower leg length are equal. Stifles - strong, moderately bent and clearly defined. Legs - when viewed from the rear straight and parallel to each other. Hocks – when viewed from the side are perpendicular to the ground and strong. Feet –same as forequarters. Dewclaws– may be removed. Major Fault - Cowhocks, knees turning in or out or lack of soundness in legs or stifles.
COAT
The Pomeranian is a double-coated breed. The body should be well covered with a short, dense undercoat with long harsh-textured guard hair growing through, forming the longer abundant outer coat which stands off from the body. The coat should form a ruff around the neck, framing the head, extending over the shoulders and chest. Head and leg coat is tightly packed and shorter in length than that of the body. Forelegs are well-feathered. Thighs and hind legs are heavily coated to the hock forming a skirt. Tail is profusely covered with long, harsh spreading straight hair forming a plume. Females may not carry as thick or long a coat as a male. Puppy coat may be dense and shorter overall and may or may not show guard hair. A cotton type coat is undesirable in an adult. Coat should be in good and healthy condition especially the skirt, tail, and undercarriage. Trimming for neatness and a clean outline is permissible. Major Fault – soft, flat or open coat.
COLOR
All colors, patterns, and variations there-of are allowed and must be judged on an equal basis.
Brindle–Dark cross stripes on any solid color or allowed pattern. Parti– White base with any solid color or allowed pattern.  A white blaze is preferred on the head. Ticking is undesirable. Extreme Piebald: White with patches of color on head and base of tail. Piebald: White with patches of color on head, body, and base of tail. Irish: Color on the head and body with white legs, chest and collar. Tan Points – Any solid color or allowed pattern with markings sharply defined above each eye, inside the ears, muzzle, throat, forechest, all lower legs and feet, the underside of the tail and skirt. The richer the tan the more desirable. Tan markings should be readily visible.
Major Fault – Distinct white on whole foot or on one or more whole feet (except white or parti) on any acceptable color or pattern.
Classifications –The Open Classes at specialty shows may be divided by color as follows: Open Red, Orange, Cream, and Sable; Open Black, Brown, and Blue; Open Any Other Color, Pattern, or Variation
GAIT
The Pomeranian’s movement has good reach in the forequarters and strong drive with the hindquarters, displaying efficient, ground covering movement that should never be viewed as ineffective or busy. Head carriage should remain high and proud with the overall outline maintained. Gait is smooth, free, balanced and brisk. When viewed from the front and rear while moving at a walk or slow trot the Pomeranian should double track, but as the speed increases the legs converge slightly towards a center line. The forelegs and hind legs are carried straight forward, with neither elbows nor stifles turned in nor out. The topline should remain firm and level with the overall balance maintained.
Disqualifications
Eye(s) light blue, blue marbled, blue flecked.

Pomeranian Health Issues

The life expectancy of a Pomeranian is 12 to 15 years.  A well-bred dog on a good diet with appropriate exercise will have few health problems, and if kept trim and fit a Pomeranian is a sturdy dog.  The breed does have similar health issues to many dog breeds, although some issues such as hip dysplasia are uncommon due to the Pomeranian's lightweight build.  Some health issues can develop as a result of lack of attention to grooming, and teeth, ear and eye cleaning. With routine care these problems can be avoided.

Common problems 

Merle colored dogs may suffer from mild to severe deafness, increased intraocular pressure, ametropia, microphthalmia and colobomas. Merle dogs born from parents who are also both merles may additionally suffer from abnormalities of the skeletal, cardiac and reproductive systems.

Luxating patella is another health issue in the Pomeranian breed.  It occurs when, through either malformation or trauma, the ridges forming the patellar groove in the knee are not prominent and are too shallow to allow the patella to properly sit securely. This can cause the patella to "luxate" (jump out of the groove) sideways which will cause the leg to lock up with the foot off the ground.  Whilst the muscles are contracted the patella cannot return to the correct position. The initial pain is caused by the knee cap sliding across the ridges of the femur. Once out of position, the dog does not feel any pain caused by the slipped disc.

Close up of the muzzle and facial features of the Pomeranian

Tracheal collapse is caused by a weakening of the tracheal rings in the windpipe. It occurs when the rings that normally hold the shape of the windpipe collapse, closing the airway. The symptoms of a collapse include a honking cough that can sound similar to a goose honk, an intolerance to exercise, fainting spells and a cough that is worsened by hot weather, exercise and excitement.
In Pomeranians, a condition often called "black skin disease" occurs which is a combination of alopecia (hair loss) and hyperpigmentation (a darkening of the skin). Other names for this condition include wooly coat, coat funk, pseudo-Cushing's disease, or severe hair loss syndrome. This condition affects male Pomeranians more than females, and may be inherited.  Although most affected dogs show signs following puberty, it can occur at any age. Other conditions can mimic this condition including Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, chronic skin infections, and reproductive hormone disorders.
Another common disorder in male Pomeranians is cryptorchidism.  This is when either one or both of the testicles do not descend into the scrotum.  It is treated through surgical removal of the retained testicle.

Pomeranian Breed Temperament

Pomeranians are typically a very friendly and lively breed of dog. They love to be around their owners and are known to be protective of them.  They bond quickly with their owners, and can suffer from separation anxiety if not trained to spend time alone.  Pomeranians are alert and aware of changes in their environment and barking at new stimuli can develop into a habit of barking excessively in any situation. They are somewhat defensive of their territory and will thus bark when they encounter any outside noises.  Pomeranians are intelligent dogs, respond well to training, and can be very successful in getting what they want from their owners.The Pomeranian is an extrovert, exhibiting great intelligence and a vivacious spirit, making him a great companion dog as well as a competitive show dog.

Did You Know?

• The Pomeranian is a member of the family of dogs known unofficially as the "Spitz Group."
• The Pomeranian is a descendent of sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland.
• The name, naturally, traces to Pomerania, not as a point of origin, but possibly because the breed may have been in process of downsizing there.
• Not well known until 1870, when the Kennel Club (England) recognized the so-called spitzdog. In 1888, Queen Victoria fell in love with a Pomeranian in Florence, Italy, and brought the specimen back to England, influencing its popularity dramatically. In fact, a Pomeranian lay beside the Queen at her death.
• Specimens of the Pomeranian were shown in the US as far back as 1892, but they were not officially classified until 1900.
• In 1911, the American Pomeranian Club held its first specialty show.

Pomeranian Breed History

The Pomeranian descended from the Spitz family of dogs, the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland. The breed takes its name from the historical region of Pomerania that makes up the southern coast of the Baltic sea (now present day Germany and Poland), not because it originated there, but because this was most likely where it was bred down to size. In its larger form, the dog served as an able herder of sheep. When it first came to notice in Britain in the middle of the 19th century, some specimens were said to weigh as much as thirty pounds and to resemble the German wolf spitz in size, coat and color.
In 1870 the Kennel Club (England) recognized the so-called spitz dog. In 1888 a Pomeranian named "Marco" was sent from Florence, Italy to become the beloved companion of Queen Victoria of England. Because the Queen was a popular monarch, the breed's popularity grew as well. In fact, the Queen is credited for advocating the trend toward the smaller Poms.
Pomeranians were shown in the United States in the Miscellaneous Class as far back as 1892, but regular classification was not provided until 1900 at New York. In 1911 the American Pomeranian Club held its first specialty show. Early American winners were heavier in bone, larger in ear and usually weighed under six pounds. They had type and good coat texture, although they lacked the profuseness of coat in evidence today.
Diminutive size, docile temper and a vivacious spirit plus sturdiness have made Pomeranians great pets and companions.

Pomeranian Pics

AKC Registered Breeders

Pomeranian Parent Club: American Pomeranian Club, Inc.
Breeder Referral: Jane Lehtinen; CST (218) 741-2117
Breeder Directory: website
Regional Clubs: website

      

| Home | Terrier Group | Breed Rescue Group | Registered Breeders | Training Tips | Ask a Vet |