GROUP 1 - TOYS

Brief History
It is quite incredible to believe that the ancestors of the dainty Pomeranian were the early spitz breeds of dogs descended from wolves. He hails from the province of Pomerania, now part of Germany and Poland. As the tiniest member of the Spitz family, Pomeranians also have a shared ancestry with Keeshonds and Samoyeds and similar Arctic dog breeds. The patronage of Queen Victoria made them extremely popular and desirable thus cementing their reputation as one of the most popular Toy Dogs.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 10 to 16 years.

Temperament
Pomeranians are incredibly intelligent and relish learning new things. They are outgoing, loving, playful, loyal, energetic and effervescent personalities.

General Breed Description
A Pomeranian is a small, compact, ball shaped dog with an abundant coat. His profuse coat is the perfect match for his over-the-top personality. He has a keen, refined face giving him a foxy expression. His tail, which resembles a lady’s fan, is carried high over the back. His whole demeanour is reminiscent of a buoy bobbing on the ocean and thus enthusiasts refer to him as being buoyant. The Pomeranian comes in a multitude of colours including: Chocolate: Chocolate Sable, Orange, Orange Sable, Cream, Cream Sable, Parti-colour, Blue, White, Beaver, Wolf Sable and Black.

Coat and Care Requirements
Although a Pomeranian’s coat will not need as much care as some of the other coated dog breeds, it is still essential to groom him a minimum of 2 to 3 times each week. Because he is small, he does not require too much exercise. However, short walks or a run around the garden are necessary activities each day to keep him healthy and fit.

Size
Weight: Males 1.8 to 2kgs, Females 2 to 2.5 kgs.

Health
The Pomeranian is generally a healthy breed. However, there are still some health issues as there are in all breeds. Common problems for Pomeranians can include coat loss issues and patella luxation.

Suitability
Owing to the breed’s miniature size and high energy levels, the Pomeranian is not recommended for families who have very small or boisterous children. They are ideal companions for elderly people or people living in units and flats because they are loyal, extremely intelligent and do not require too much exercise.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs.  With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular, the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/30