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.
Rick
Beauchamp is a freelance writer and judge licensed with
both the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
He is author of many dog books.
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