Pomeranian isn’t your ordinary breed of dog. Their little peculiar looks, laced up with a loving personality and compact size, makes them one of the most adorable breeds you can find.
Pomeranian is NOT only cute, but it’s also credited as one of the brightest dogs around.
Described as a stick of dynamite in a small package, this little feisty furry friend is considered an all-rounder as far as dog breeds are concerned.
While they’ll be happy to curl up on your laps and keep you company as you catch an episode of your favorite TV show, Pomeranian loves playing outside and interacting with the outside world.
History
Poms are direct descendants of the Nordic Spitz hounds, whose name is derived from their pointy noses.
Although the breed is originally from the Northern countries, it’s named after a part of West Germany called Pomerania.
That’s because it’s in this region that the breed was developed into the small-sized version of the powerful sled dog.
The original Pomeranian weighed between 20 to 30 pounds, which was a little bit larger compared to the Pomeranian we know of today.
The breed rose into the limelight after it was spotted by Queen Victoria in 1888 which vacationing in Italy.
She was so enamored by the breed that she decided to bring one with her to England on her way back.
And that’s when the entire world took note of it, prompting its popularity to take off.
The breeds interest would then spread like a conflagration from Atlanta all the way to the USA, where the first specialty show for Pomeranian would be held in 1911 at the Hotel of Waldorf Astoria.
The earlier Poms were so much different from the breed we know today.
First, they had a foxier face and were more likely to come in a broad range of color shades including white, cinnamon, chocolate, cream, and brown.
Poms still come in varied colors or patterns, with red and orange colors being the most common.
As it stands, Pomeranian is among the most popular breeds of dogs, ranked 15 among the breeds that are registered with the American Kennel Club.
Pomeranian Care
Poms are very popular, but the number of registered pedigree Pomeranians is on the extreme low.
The Kennel Club notes the breed population size as being low.
That means the breed has one of the smallest gene pools compared to the other breeds of dog.
Also, it’s small population increases its risk of genetic diseases.
As a Pom owner, it’s crucial that you understand some of the health issues the dog is exposed to, such as:
Joint Problems
Poms experience a serious health problem with their kneecaps, where they fail to be set properly by the joint.
And when this happens, the dog becomes lame, in addition to being in excruciating pain.
They’re also more likely to suffer from elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia, where they end up with malformed joints over and over again.
Eye problems
Pomeranians also tend to suffer a whole lot from dry eyes, cataracts, and ectropion to name a few.
Another common health issue among this breed is distichiasis, where their eyelashes stretch beyond their normal size before turning in.
Skin Disorder
Poms are also likely to suffer from a series of skin disorders or experience problem with fur growth. Learn about Beagle here (another cool dog).
Dental issues and so forth
How to Protect Your Pomeranian furry friend from injuries
Poms are extremely frail, stacking extremely soft and vulnerable throats that are easy to injure or damage.
It’s therefore recommended that you walk them on a harness instead of the traditional collars and leashes people use on dogs.
Despite their fragile nature, Poms have the personalities and attitude of a big dog.
In other words, they have a strong enthusiasm and zeal for life, besides lacking the body to back it up.
Meaning, it’s upon you as the dog owner to protect them from big breeds of dogs, when jumping down the stares, from getting kicked, or from getting accidentally sat on.
Pomeranians Puppies
A small Pomeranian looks a lot like a Pomeranian that’s been interbred with a chihuahua.
That’s to say, their heads will be rounder and they’ll have a wider set of eyes that looks a lot like those of a chihuahua.
While the small, handbag hounds can come in any color, but mostly they come in light brown color.
Their Lifespan
Their diminutive size is both a curse and a blessing.
Curse in the sense that it makes them vulnerable in the face of danger, and a blessing in the sense that it ensures that they have a longer lifespan compared to their larger counterparts.
When well cared for, treated, and fed, your little Pom friend should be able to live up to 15 years of age, unless otherwise.
It’s a Wrap
As you can see, Pomeranians are both cute and fun to be around.
They might be fragile and delicate, but they aren’t too complicated to take care of.
They’ve been in existence for more than a century now, and it’s safe to say that they’re among the most evolved and advanced toy breeds to consider bringing into your home. Learn about Husky which another beautiful dog.