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For other uses, see Pomeranian.
Pomeranian

A orange-sable pomeranian
Other names Deutscher Zwergspitz


Toy German Spitz
Zwers
Country of origin Germany
Nicknames Pom
Traits

The Pomeranian is a breed of dog in the Spitz family, named for the Pomerania region in Central Europe, which is today part of modern eastern Germany, and northern Poland, and classed as a toy dog breed because of its small size. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic Dogs with characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans bred from a known foundation The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order Spitz -type Dogs (the correct German plural is Spitze, though Spitzen is commonly used in the United States are a type of dog characterized Central Europe is the Region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Toy dog traditionally refers to a very small Dog or a grouping of small and very small breeds of dog As determined by the ICF the Pomeranian is part of the German Spitz breed, and in German and many foreign speaking countries known as the Zwergspitz (`Dwarf` Spitz), or Toy German Spitz. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI ( English, World Canine Organisation) is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium Pomeranians are generally alert, but also stubborn and demanding of attention.

Contents

Appearance

Tri-Colored Pom
Tri-Colored Pom

One breed standard calls for a cobby, balanced dog. A cobby dog is as long or shorter than it is tall; try to picture it as a circle in a square. A balanced Pomeranian fits together logically and in proportion. For instance, a small, delicately boned Pom with a large head looks unbalanced because its head type doesn't match its body type. A balanced Pom displays legs in proportion to its body: neither so short as to make him appear dumpy nor so long as to make it look like he is walking on stilts.

The head of the Pomeranian is wedge-shaped, making it somewhat foxy in appearance. A fox is an Animal belonging to any one of about 27 Species (of which only 12 actually belong to the Vulpes genus or 'true foxes' of small The ears are small and set high. Its tail is characteristic of the breed and should be turned over the back and carried flat, set high. The tail is the section at the rear end of an Animal 's Body; in general the term refers to a distinct flexible Appendage to the Torso. When born, the tail is not spread out; it may take months for it to grow over the Pomeranian's back, and flatten. Beneath the Pomeranian's fur is a small but muscular dog, similar in appearance to a Chihuahua (dog). The (Chihuahueño is the smallest breed of Dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.

Size

At an average of 3 to 7 lb (1. 4 to 3. 2 kg) according to AKC standards, the Pomeranian (Pom) is the most diminutive of the northern breeds. The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is a registry of Purebred Dog pedigrees in the United States. However, there are some that may weigh up to 15 pounds, as the teacup or toy size is not guaranteed.

Coat and color

White Pom with a treat.
White Pom with a treat.
Chocolate is an less common, but perfectly acceptable color for the Pomeranian.
Chocolate is an less common, but perfectly acceptable color for the Pomeranian.

The Pom's coat possesses two coats, an undercoat and a top coat; the first is soft, thick, and fluffy; the latter is long, straight and coarse. Down hairs, also called the ground hairs, are the very fine fluffy hairs closest to the Skin on some Mammals The hairs are short and crimped Guard hairs are the longest most coarse hairs in a Mammal 's coat forming the topcoat (or outer coat) The undercoat is shed once a year by males, by intact females when they are in season, after delivering a litter, and during times of stress.

Coat colors vary across the breed. All colors, patterns and variations thereof are acceptable according to the 1997 standard and should be judged on an equal basis. Such colors include: black, black & tan, blue, blue & tan, chocolate, chocolate & tan, cream, cream sable, orange, orange sable, red, red sable, and sable, beaver, brindle, chocolate sable, white, and wolf sable. Patches of one or more colors over a white undercoat are called "Parti-Color. " Pomeranians also come in the color merle. There are also tri-color Pomeranians that may be any combination of these colors.

Health

A black and tan Pom with an eye injury.
A black and tan Pom with an eye injury.

Poms often live 12–19 years. Some very healthy Poms have even been known to live past 20 years of age or more.

The most common problem in Pomeranians is luxating patella. Luxating patella (or trick knee, subluxation of patella, or floating patella) is a condition in which the Patella, or kneecap dislocates or Also Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome and hip dysplasia can occur, but are rare in this small breed. Patent ductus arteriosus (a congenital heart defect) and collapsing trachea have become serious problems in Poms. Patent ductus arteriosus ( PDA) is a Congenital Heart defect wherein a child's Ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth. Tracheal collapse is a condition characterized by incomplete formation or weakening of the Cartilagenous rings of the trachea resulting in flattening of the trachea

Dry eye, tear duct disorders and cataracts that can appear in young adulthood and often lead to blindness are also common. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS, also called Keratitis sicca, sicca syndrome, A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the Eye or in its envelope varying in degree from slight to complete opacity Skin diseases are quite common, especially allergies (that often leads to acute moist dermatitis or "hot spots") and follicular dysplasia (also known as alopecia X). Follicular dysplasia is a genetic disease of Dogs causing Alopecia, or hair loss Other problems that occur regularly include hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and hypoglycemia. Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans and animals caused by insufficient production of Thyroid hormone by the Thyroid gland. Epilepsy is a common chronic Neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Hypoglycemia or hypoglycaemia is the medical term for a pathologic state produced by a lower than normal level of Glucose ( sugar) in the blood Occasionally, hydrocephalus can occur in Pom puppies. Hydrocephalus (pronunciation ˌhaɪˌdɹoʊˈsɛfələs is a term derived from the Greek words "hydro" meaning water and "cephalus" meaning head and this condition Poms, like many toy breeds, are prone to bad teeth and harmless episodes of reverse sneezing. Reverse sneezing (also called backwards sneezing) or inspiratory paroxysmal respiration is a phenomenon observed in dogs particularly in those with brachycephalic Also, it is important that Poms are trained not to mingle around peoples feet. Because of their loyal tendencies, they will follow from room to room, easily getting stepped on. Their delicate bodies will injure easily this way.

Grooming

A female Pomeranian during its shedding cycle.
A female Pomeranian during its shedding cycle.

Coat care for the Pomeranian is similar to the Pekingese. A daily or twice weekly (damp) brushing against the hair weekly is essential to keep the thick, plush coat, which sheds seasonally, free of mats. Brushing also helps to prevent dry skin and dandruff. A Pomeranian's coat needs very little trimming only every now and then. Combing is seldom necessary and sometimes totally unnecessary. Some people prefer to keep the coat short and trimmed, often referred to as a "puppy cut" (hair is cut down to one to two inches long), but most prefer to maintain the long coat with regular brushing and grooming. Regular ear and nail care is recommended, along with generally only peak-seasonal bathing. It is unadvisable to bathe Pomeranians too frequently as excessive bathing can damage their skin and coat by removing essential oils, especially if using anti-flea products. Pomeranians are also prone to teeth problems, and it is recommended that their teeth be brushed at least once a week. Ideally, their teeth should be brushed daily and the dog receive dental and vitamin treats.

History

The Pomeranian originated from the sled dogs of Greenland and Lapland, which were eventually brought into Europe in Pomerania. Sled dogs, known also as sleightman dogs sledge dogs or sleddogs are types of Dogs that are used to pull a wheel-less vehicle Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat meaning "Land of the Greenlanders" Grønland is a self-governing Danish Province located between the This region, bordered on the north by the Baltic Sea, has been under the control of Wendish Slavs, Poles, Swedes, Danes, Prussians and Germans, at various times, and most recently Poles again. The Baltic Sea is a Brackish inland sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N Latitude and from 20°E to 26°E Longitude. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe The Kingdom of Prussia (Königreich Preußen was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918 and from 1871 was the leading state of the German Empire, comprising Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland This region extends from the west of the Rügen Island to the Vistula River. Rügen (ˈʁyːgən or Rugia is Germany 's largest Island. It is located in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern The name Pomorze or Pommern comes from Slavic "along the sea". Breeders in Pomerania improved the coat and bred the dogs down for city living, but they were still 20 pounds or more when they reached England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland

English breeders, through trial and error and Mendelean theories, are credited for reducing the dog's size and developing the many colors. Gregor Johann Mendel ( July 20, 1822 &ndash January 6, 1884) was The Pomeranian of today is small due to selective breeding, but the breed still retains the hardy disposition and thick coat typical of dogs in cold climates.

A black and white Pomeranian.
A black and white Pomeranian.

Queen Charlotte first introduced the Pomeranian to English nobility; however, the Pom gained international popularity when her granddaughter Victoria returned from vacation in Florence, Italy with a Pomeranian named Marco. Queen Charlotte, (née Duchess Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; 19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was the Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Florence ( Italian: Firenze Florentia and Fiorenza) is the Capital City of the Italian region of Tuscany

The dogs owned by Queen Charlotte & Queen Victoria were much larger and were German Spitz and a Volpino Italiano. Queen Charlotte, (née Duchess Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; 19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was the Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland The same is true of any other historical Pom from before the 19th century.

The FCI classifies the German Spitz as one family consisting of the Dwarf (Pomeranian), Small and Standard (American Eskimo Dog), and Wolfsspitz (Keeshond). Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI ( English, World Canine Organisation) is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of Companion dog and semi- Sled dog originating in the USA. Additional close relatives of the Pomeranian are the Norwegian Elkhound, the Schipperke, and possibly the Samoyed.

Owners

Historical

Pop culture

References

External links

The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is a registry of Purebred Dog pedigrees in the United States.
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