Connie Piper Smalley
Pipers Kennels
GULFPORT MS 39503
228-328-3455
alabamagirl2345@yahoo.com

alabamagirl2345@yahoo.com

In 1888, Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed (at that time bred down to its present size) on a trip to Italy, and brought a Pomeranian back to England.
Because Victoria was such a beloved queen, the breed's popularity quickly grew.
The Pomeranian's coat is short, soft, thick and glistening. It looks as if it requires a lot of care, but is actually quite easy to groom.
A weekly brushing will keep it in good condition. Diminutive size, docile temper, vivacious spirit and sturdiness make the Pomeranian a magnificent companion.

Height at shoulder: 6 1/2-7".
Weight: 3-7 lbs.
AKC group: Toy Dogs.

AKC History
A member of the family of dogs known unofficially as "the Spitz group," the Pomeranian has descended from the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland, if we are to consider type as indicative of heritage.
The name, of course, traces to Pomerania, not, however, as a point of origin, but possibly because the breed may have been in process of being bred down to size there.
At any rate, in its larger form the dog served as an able herder of sheep. In fact, when it first came into notice in Britain about the middle of the 19th century, some specimens are said to have weighed as much as thirty pounds and to have resembled the German wolf spitz in size, coat, and color.

The Pomeranian was not well known until 1870, when the Kennel Club (England) recognized the so-called spitzdog. In 1888 Queen Victoria fell in love with a Pomeranian in Florence, Italy, and brought the dog, "Marco," back to England.
Since the Queen was very popular and her activities well chronicled and copied, the breed's popularity grew.
Queen Victoria is credited for advocating and publicizing the trend toward smaller Poms.
On her dying day, in 1901, the Queen requested that her favorite pet, a Pomeranian named "Turi," be brought to her bedside. "Turi" was lying beside her when the Queen died.

Specimens of the breed were shown in the United States in the Miscellaneous Class as far back as 1892, but regular classification was not provided until 1900 at New York. In 1911 the American Pomeranian Club held its first specialty show.

The majority of early American winners were heavier in bone, larger in ear, and they usually weighed under six pounds. Generally speaking, they had type and good coat texture, although they lacked the profuseness of coat in evidence today.
American-breds show marked improvement over those early winners, as the patient efforts of fanciers have brought them closer to the standard. Indeed, American-breds have held their own with the best from anywhere; for instance Ch. Pall Mall His Majesty went to Europe and on several occasions defeated all Toys for the coveted Best in Show.
Over here as well, home-bred Pomeranians have contended successfully for highest honors at all-breed fixtures.

Diminutive size, docile temper, and a vivacious spirit plus sturdiness have made Pomeranians great pets and companions.

Copyright (c)1997 Pet Care Forum, a division of the Veterinary Information Network & Howell Books, a division of Macmillan Digital USA.
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