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Playful Pomeranians, the perfect childlike companions for you

by Ruwini Jayawardana

The Pomeranian is a breed of dog in the Spitz family, named from the Pomerania region of Poland and eastern Germany. The name Pomore or Pommern means "on the sea". It was brought to Europe to be employed to herd sheep. The Pom ancestors weighed up to 30 pounds.

These sturdy little dogs got their immense popularity through Queen Victoria. She was a Pomeranian fancier and even established her own kennel for their breeding. The Pomeranian's intelligence and talent for showmanship have also made it a superior circus performer. Today's Pomeranian is primarily a loving companion and a beautiful show dog.

The Pomeranian is a tiny, fluffy dog with a wedge-shaped head and pointed erect ears. All have bright, dark, almond-shaped eyes with an intelligent expression. The nose is either dark or the colour of its coat.

They possess a distinctive feathered tail that fans forward over the back. There is an abundant ruff around the neck and chest area. There are several colour combinations: black, tan, blue, chocolate, cream, orange, red and sable. Sometimes the coat is parti-coloured with white markings, black and tan, wolf or orange sable.

Poms usually weigh between 3-7 pounds (1-3 kg) and their normal height is between 7-12 inches (18-30 cm). Their life expectancy is about 15 years.

The Pom is a lively little dog. Very loyal to its handler and family, these dogs are usually eager to learn. Wilful, bold and sometimes temperamental, the Pom usually gets along with other dogs and household animals without any problems.

However, some of them seem to think they are much larger than they actually are and do not hesitate to attack much bigger dogs. It is an excellent watchdog with a resounding bark. Poms have a tendency to be reserved and bark at a stranger excessively. Teach this dog early that it may bark a couple of times when the doorbell rings or when there are visitors, but then to keep quiet.

Poms are alert, curious and busy little fellows, the most independent of the Toy breeds. They need a firm hand and will become too demanding if owners allow it. Too much attention from children makes these dogs nervous and they may become snappish. However, they can get along well with older, well-behaved children. It is a good companion for elderly people as well.

The Pom is good for apartment living in the city. It is an excellent dog for country living with its strong hunting instincts from its wild ancestors. They are very active indoors. As long as there is a small yard for the Pomeranian to play in, they will get enough exercise on their own. They are able to walk a long distance without becoming over-tired and would greatly enjoy a long walk.

Regular grooming is needed for the Pom's very long, double coat. If you work from the head, parting the coat and brushing it forward, it will fall neatly back in place. This task is relatively easy though it is time-consuming. The undercoat is shed once or twice a year. It is unadvisable to bathe Pomeranians too frequently as excessive bathing can damage their skin and coat by removing essential oils. Dry shampoo when necessary. Clean the eyes and ears daily and take the dog for regular dental checkups.

There are certain health problems that may affect Poms. Some bloodlines are prone to heart and skin problems, and eye infections. Since early tooth loss is a common problem, feeding dry food is recommended to keep the teeth and gums in good condition.

Newborn pups are rather fragile and are so tiny that they can be held in the palm of one's hand. Small females often need caesarean section deliveries. When the dog is old, it may become moulted with bald spots.