Pomeranian dog

For other uses, see Pomeranian.

Pomeranian
Other names	Zwergspitz; Spitz nain; Spitz enano; Pom; Zwers
Common nicknames	Pom
Origin	Germany and Poland
Kennel club standards Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Pomeranian (often known as a Pom/Pom Pom) is a breed of dog of the Spitz type, named for the Pomerania region in Central Europe (which today is part of modern 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.

Appearance

Pomeranians are small dogs. The Pomeranian has soft and fluffy fur. Their thick, fluffy tails fan over their backs. When born, the tails of Pomeranian are straight or slightly curved. It usually takes a Pomeranian's tail 1-3 months to curve over its back. Their teeth come to a scissor bite and they have almond shaped eyes. A Pomeranian's fur can be many different colors including white (or a light beige color),tan, black, brown, orange, sable, wolf, or white with colored markings.

Behavior

Pomeranians are typically very friendly, playful and active. The breed is very protective of their owners and love to be around them. They are very intelligent and are easily trained. They rank 23rd in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, being of excellent working/obedience intelligence. Pomeranians socialize well with other dogs, animals, and people. Pomeranians are extroverted and can develop the habit of barking excessively only if the behavior is rewarded (i.e. allowed to beg for food). Because of their long double-coat, they tend to seek out cooler environments and it is not uncommon to find them lying down on a cold floor or hard surface. Many people believe the Pomeranian to be a lap dog. They are extremely loyal and will sit or lie content at an owner's feet, but normally prefer not to be overhandled. Pomeranians should not be allowed to run free and should always be kept on a leash or enclosed in some kind of yard or inside. They tend to usually be good with kids from the age of 3+ if raised with them from the start. Because of their size, they do well in condominiums and apartments, but they are able to adapt to most any situation or environment.

Popularity

In the 1890's the Pomeranian "sports" breed began to be showed of in the ring and were about 10 pounds. Since then the size of the Pomeranian has decreased to 3-4 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 most recently released 2008 rankings having attained the same ranking in 2007 and 2003. Pomeranian dogs have been used as an "accessory" or a "prop" to some people, notably women and especially celebrities. The breed has appeared on television shows and commercials.

Notable owners

• Michelangelo is often mistakenly said to have kept a Pomeranian for company while painting the Sistine Chapel when, it actually was the Italian Pomeranian known as the Volpino Italiano.
• Sir Isaac Newton had a Pomeranian who once upset a candle on his important papers, which contained more than 20 years of research.
• Nicole Richie, an American actress and socialite, daughter of soul singer Lionel Richie, owns a Pomeranian named Foxy Cleopatra.
• Queen Victoria is said to have made them stylish throughout Europe.
• Fran Drescher continued to show off her Pomeranian on her sitcom The Nanny.
• Sandra Bennet is the owner of Mr. Muggles on the TV show Heroes.
• London Tipton has a fictional Pomeranian named "Ivana Tipton" on the TV show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
• Ai Kago, a former member of Morning Musume and W (Double You), has a black Pomeranian named, Downy.
• Hwangbo, a Korean singer and former member of music group Chakra, has a white Pomeranian named Jins.
• Charlie Miller, a Scottish football player, has a White Pomerenian named Roxy.
• Dana Scully, one of the main characters of the TV-series X-files, owns a Pomeranian called Queequeg (named after a character from Moby Dick). * Lucas Cruikshank, the actor of the popular Youtube series Fred, has two Pomeranian's that play the role of the Neighborhood Squirrels because of their squirrel-like appearance.
• Elizabeth Weber, notable educator and musician, owns a Pomeranian named Maya. On several occasions Weber has said she "loves that dog".

• Jared Followill, the bassist of Kings Of Leon, owns a Pomeranian named Chopper.
• Maria Sharapova, is a Professional tennis player, she owns a Pomeranian named Dolce.

Gallery

• 
  'Smiling' tan Pomeranian.
• 
  Pomeranian abashed.
• 
  Black & Tan Pomeranian Dog.

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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Liebers, Arthur; & Sheppard, Georgia M. (1959). How to Raise and Train the Pomeranian. TFH Publications. ISBN 0-87666-352-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Tietjen, Sari Brewster (1989). The New Pomeranian. Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-251-0.
• American Pomeranian Club, Inc.
• American Kennel Club

See also

• Lap dog
• German Spitz
• Companion dog
• Companion Dog Group
• Toy Group

External links

• Template:Akc standard
• Standard coat colors recognized by the AKC, according to the American Pomeranian Club, Inc. website
• Pomeranian Insights from a Champion Breeder