Origin

The Pomeranian is a miniaturized relation of the powerful spitz-type sled dogs of the Arctic. The breed is named for Pomerania, the area of northeastern Europe that is now part of Poland and western Germany. It was there, hundreds of years ago, that the Pom's ancestors were bred down from their much bigger, burlier cousins.

The Pom, also known as the Zwergspitz in some countries, is the smallest of the spitz breeds. With their elegant appearance and regal bearing, you might say Poms are 'fit for a queen' and you'd be right. The Pom's popularity is largely due to Queen Victoria, who became smitten with the breed while visiting Florence, Italy. When the dog-happy Dowager Queen returned to Britain with Poms in tow, the breed's fame was assured.

Victoria became a serious breeder and exhibitor of Poms. At the 1891 Crufts dog show, Victoria showed six of her breeding. One of her favorites, Windsor Marco, won first place in the breed. (A British historian wrote, "It would have been a brave judge to have placed her second.") Victoria is credited for reducing the Pom's size from about 30 pounds to their current toy stature. It was reported that as the aged queen lay dying in 1901, her favorite Pom, Turi, kept vigil at the foot of her bed.

Do Pomeranians shed?

As part of the Spitz group, Pomeranians are closely related to cold-weather breeds, like Huskies. For this reason, they have thick coats that shed all year round, especially during the spring season as the weather gets warmer. There’s nothing you can do to stop your dog shedding, but regular brushing can help to keep loose fur under control and keep your Pomeranian’s coat in top condition.

A daily companion

Pomeranians are a companion breed and will love nothing more than the company of their owner. They will happily accompany their owners anywhere and everywhere and don’t tolerate being left alone very well. As they are prone to separation anxiety, it’s best to avoid leaving your Pom alone for too long, but if you do have to, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep their mind busy.

Pomeranians and Kids

As affectionate companion dogs, Pomeranians tend to get on well with children, and their smaller size makes them ideal playmates. However, Pomeranians can be feisty and may be quick to react to rough play, so children should be taught how to play with and handle your dog. As with any breed, Pomeranians should always be supervised when around children to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.