The Pomeranian is a fluffy and charismatic little canine. And there is a lot you’ll want to know about this extremely popular small breed. So here are the top Pomeranian facts.
The Pooch From Pomerania
The Pomeranian is named for its home country, Pomerania. However today, Pomerania is no longer a country. Geographically it was located in what is now the northeastern corner of Germany and reaching into Northwestern Poland.
Royal Fashion
Queen Victoria of England had a huge influence on the breed’s past popularity in England and America. Once she acquired her Pomeranian named Marco her subjects were quick to copy her, and the breed became a fashionable pet that no stylish woman of the day wanted to be without.
Not Always So Small
One of the Pomeranian history facts that many fans of the breed are unaware of is that it wasn’t always so small. Originally it weighed around thirty to thirty-five pounds. Once it became popular as a result of Queen Victoria, however, it was bred down to a much smaller size.
Color Options
This breed is available in a surprising array of colors. Acceptable Pomeranian colors include red, orange, white, cream, black, black and tan, brown, brown and tan, blue, and sable. Spotted and even brindle coats are acceptable according to the breed standard as well.
Spitz-Type Dog
The Pomeranian is considered to be one of the northern dog breeds, also known as spitz-type dogs. Dogs in this group include some of the oldest breeds and have very similar physical characteristics such as erect ears, dense undercoats, and curled tails.
Little Dog With Big Dog Proportions
Unlike many other small dogs, the Pomeranian is literally a miniature version of a bigger dog. It has the same proportions that a larger spitz-type dog would have, just on a smaller scale. In Germany, it is actually referred to as the “Zwergspitz” which means, “Dwarf Spitz”.
Not A Toddler Playmate
As one of the small fluffy dog breeds, the Pomeranian looks like it would be an ideal pet for small children. Yet one of the most surprising Pomeranian dog facts for many people is that the breed is actually not recommended for families with very young kids.
It is simply too delicate of a dog to be able to handle the rough play and handling of toddlers. Because of this many breeders actually won’t sell a dog to a home with children that are under the age of around six or seven.
Large Ego
Without a doubt, one of the common Pomeranian traits is overestimating their size. They seem to think they’re actually big dogs. This is something they have in common with another small dog breed the Jack Russell Terrier.
The overconfidence of this tiny dog can often startle larger canines and cause them to back down from a Pomeranian. While this can be funny to watch, you’ll need to make sure your little pet doesn’t pick a fight where it can get hurt.
Pint-Sized Watchdog
While it is certainly no guard dog, the Pomeranian is a very capable watchdog. Historically small Spitz dogs were used as watchdogs, and this one is not shy about sounding the alarm when something is suspicious.
It is actually well-known for having exceptional hearing and a fondness for barking both of which make it a natural watchdog. However, the breed’s tendency to bark is one of the Pomeranian temperament facts that prospective owners will want to keep in mind when considering this dog.
Distinct Coat
A distinguishing characteristic of the breed is its fluffy coat. It has a soft and dense undercoat and an outer coat with long, straight, and harsh-textured hairs. The undercoat causes the outer coat to stand out from the body giving the dog a unique puffball or powder puff appearance.
White Color And Size
It is strongly believed that there is an association with white color in the Pomeranian and the gene for a larger size. When breeding only white dogs after several generations the offspring will become bigger, have larger ears, and have longer snouts. It’s therefore hard for breeders to keep the white Pomeranian small.
Extra Years
Of all the Pomeranian facts, the one which owners typically appreciate the most is that the breed generally has a long lifespan. The average is about fourteen to seventeen years. And this can give you quite a few extra years with your pet that you wouldn’t get with most of the bigger breeds.
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