The fluffy Pomeranian is named after Pomerania, a region now consisting of parts of Germany and Poland.

Poms are descendants from large, powerful sled and herding dogs found in the icy areas of Northern Europe, which include breeds like the Norwegian Elkhound and Alaskan Malamute. The Pom became one of Queen Victoria’s favorite during her reign as the queen of England from 1837 to 1901.

She worked at increasing the Pomeranian’s popularity and decreasing their size.

He has the look of his spitz-type cousins, with a square, sturdy, athletic body; thick, protective double coat and neck frill.

He also displays a fluffy tail that is carried over his back, has dark-almond shaped eyes and has a furry, fox-like face and pointy ears.

The Pomeranian can come in any color or pattern that you can think up, but they are most commonly seen in variations of orange and red.

Just like his sled dog forefathers, he can be protective and is a loyal watchdog. Most Pom breeders do not recommend this breed for families with children under 8 years of age, because they are known to be nippy.

Even though they are small now, they still possess the sled dog mentality. They think they still can pull sleds and that they should lead the pack, so don’t be surprised if they rule larger household dogs.

Pomeranians don’t let their size hold them back as athletes either.

The breed is known to excel in all canine sports. They do well in agility, conformation, flyball, and tracking. That said, not all Poms need tons of exercise, their needs vary from dog to dog.

A brisk, short, daily walk will do for the more active ones and small bouts of indoor play will do for the less active.

Within the AKC (American Kennel Club) they belong to the toy group. They should be small in size, weighing only 3-7 pounds and only standing 8-11 inches in height. Because of their tiny size, they are a very portable pooch.

They excel at living in an apartment or small house.

As with any breed, obedience training and socialization is recommended. Pomeranians are famous for barking, especially when there is more than one.

For this reason it is good for them to learn the “No Bark” or “Quiet” command early. If for no other reason, do it for your neighbors, they will appreciate it.

The Pomeranian is a bubbly, sociable, alert, smart, and energetic ball of fur. They adapt well to any size, indoor habitat and make a great family dog, but they are not recommended for small children.

If the Pomeranian sounds like the breed for you, you can learn more about them by contacting the American Pomeranian Club, Inc. at www.americanpomeranianclub.org.

Remember, every dog deserves to be treated like a show dog.

Tony Barker

The BARKer Shop