Where The Pomeranian Actually Came From
The History Of The Pomeranian traces back to much larger spitz-type dogs from the Arctic regions. Contrary to what most people assume, these little fluffy dogs weren't always bred to be companions the size of a house cat. They originated in the Pomerania region, which sits on the border between modern-day Germany and Poland. The dogs that lived there were sled and herding dogs, probably weighing between 20 and 30 pounds, built for cold climates with thick double coats and a sturdy frame. The breed's transformation happened primarily over the last 150 years. Queen Victoria owned a Pomeranian named Marco around 1888, and he tipped the scales at about 12 pounds. That was already significantly smaller than the standard working type. She liked them small enough to sit on her lap. Other European royalty followed her lead, and breeders started selectively mating the smallest dogs from the larger stock. By the early 1900s, the standard had shifted enough that kennel clubs recognized the modern toy-sized Pomeranian as distinct from its working ancestor. The American Kennel Club registered its first Pomeranian in 1898. The breed quickly gained popularity in the United States, partly because Victorias influence made small dogs fashionable among wealthy circles. The first Pomeranian club in the US formed in 1899, just one year after the AKC recognized the breed. Club members spent most of their early years arguing over coat colors and body proportions, which tells you something about how divided breeders were about where the standard should go.
What Changed In The Modern Era
Post-World War II breeding saw some concerning trends. The focus on extreme tiny size led to health problems that still affect the breed today. I worked with a breeder in Ohio who had to stop a particular bloodline after three consecutive litters produced puppies with collapsed tracheas and severe hypoglycemia. The dogs were all under 3 pounds. That is below the breed standard minimum and it literally nearly killed the puppies. She culled that line from her program and documented everything, which is the kind of record keeping most backyard breeders skip entirely. Modern Pomeranians typically weigh between 3 and 7 pounds. The average Show-quality Pomeranian you see at Westminster lands somewhere around 4 to 5 pounds. Anything over 7 pounds is considered oversized for conformation showing, though it rarely matters for a pet home. The coat requires daily brushing, and if you skip it for even a few days, the undercoat mats against the skin in humid weather. I had a client once who thought weekly brushing was sufficient. The dog ended up with hot spots from trapped moisture and the mats had to be shaved off completely. Two hours under anesthesia because someone did not understand a double coat.
Common Misconceptions People Have
Many people believe Pomeranians are low maintenance because they are small. This is completely wrong. Their grooming needs are comparable to a German Shepherd in terms of time investment, even though they come out half the size. The undercoat sheds heavily twice a year during blowout season, and during those weeks you will be brushing every single day or your house will look like a snow globe exploded in it. Another mistake is assuming the breed is inherently healthy because it is popular. Hip dysplasia does occur in Pomeranians, patellar luxation is extremely common, and dental disease hits this breed harder than most toy dogs. I recommend starting dental cleanings by age two rather than waiting. A lot of owners wait until the teeth are visibly bad, which is already too late. At that point the tooth has to be extracted rather than just cleaned. The breed standard calls for a fox-like face with a short muzzle and bright dark eyes. Some breeders have pushed this toward an overly extreme brachycephalic type, which creates breathing difficulties. If you are looking at a Pomeranian with a face so short it looks like a bulldog, step away. That is breeding for appearance at the expense of function. A healthy Pomeranian should breathe quietly at rest, and its muzzle should allow full nasal breathing without effort. I always tell people to watch the dog walk and breathe before they worry about coat color or ear set.
Get the Full Details
The History Of The Pomeranian is a straightforward case of directional selection, nothing mystical about it. Large working dogs were bred down to toy size over roughly a century, with some periods of stagnation and some periods of rapid change. The health issues we see today are mostly downstream from those same breeding choices. Recognize that, and you will make better decisions regardless of whether you are buying a puppy or just learning about the breed.
