About the Pomeranian breed
Temperament
The Pomeranian temperament matches his proud looks. Alert and inquisitive, Poms spend their days lively and active, without being hyperactive. They're very clever dogs who can adapt from snuggling on your lap (they love to give kisses!) or trotting around the house on some self-prescribed mission to competing on agility courses and going for brisk walks to greet everyone in the neighborhood. They are born extroverts.
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History
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The Pomeranian is a descendant of spitz-type sled dogs from Iceland and Lapland. Several hundred years ago, these predecessors to the Pom made their way to Pomerania, which is now parts of Poland and Germany. While there, breeders somewhat diminished the dogs' size. The modern Pom is the smallest spitz-type dog breed.
The Pomeranian's popularity rose when members of the British royal family took a liking to it. At that time, the breed was still larger than today's version. But in the late 1800s, Queen Victoria became a breeder and won a breed competition with a particularly small Pomeranian. After that, it became popular to breed the dogs even smaller.
Some notable Pomeranian owners throughout history include Marie Antoinette and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Two Pomeranians also were among the three dogs that survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
The Pomeranian gained popularity in the United States around the turn of the 20th century and today remains a popular dog breed. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1888.
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Do Pomeranians shed?
Yes, Pomeranians do shed all year round and twice a year they will have a heavy shed, usually in the spring and fall. Brushing your Pomeranian should be done regularly to prevent matting. There are different types of coats that a Pomeranian can have. Some coats are more course and some coats are silky smooth. The course type of coat tends to stand up, and require a bit more maintenance, while the silky coat tends to lay flatter and can go longer between grooming.
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Do Pomeranians do well in an apartment?
Yes, Pomeranians can be good apartment dogs, they don't require a ton of exercise and can handle living in a small space. They can be barkers when they hear outside noises so if you live in an apartment, it would be good to get your puppy started with a trainer right away to avoid having noise complaints from your neighbors down the line.
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Are Pomeranians easy to train?
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Like all breed, no two are alike. Some are driven to please you and love to learn tricks and new commands, while others can be stubborn and could use help from a trainer. Like humans they all have their own personalities.
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Are Pomeranians good with children?
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If you are getting a puppy and you're bringing him or her to a home with children, then yes, they will be good with children. However, are children good for a Pomeranian puppy? Pomeranian puppies are very small, and their bones are very fragile. Children should be taught to not pick up a puppy or push a puppy off the couch. Fractured limbs of a puppy can happen if not handled with care. Even a jump off a couch can cause a serious injury. If you have small children, I recommend seeking a puppy that is expected to grow to a larger size as they tend to be less fragile.
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Are Pomeranians good with other pets?
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The great thing about getting a puppy is that it is a fresh start and what you bring your puppy home to, will be their normal, puppies adjust to other people and pets very well. The more you expose your puppy to while they are young the less likely it is that they will have trouble accepting a new family member in the future.
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What does Parti mean?
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Parti is a color pattern, it's a white Pomeranian with patches of color. The color can be varied, for example a black and white parti is a white dog with black patches. A red parti is a white dog with red patches and so on.
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What does Merle mean?
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Merle is also a color pattern. The best way I can describe a Merle is to dip a paint brush in paint and flick it. The pattern is random and not patchy like a Parti. If the Merle color lands in the Pomeranians eye you can see it there too. Miami has a blue eye and a brown eye with a speck of blue in it. Some Merle Poms will have one eye that's half blue and half brown or they can have two blue eyes, it depends on where that gene lands. It doesn't affect their vision at all, it just effects color.
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What does Sable mean?
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Sable is also a term used for coat color. Sable is when one strand of fur has multiple colors. Maui is a sable; his fur is cream colored at the base and black tips of the same strand of fur.
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What is a Throwback?
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A throwback Pomeranian is a purebred Pom that has more of their ancestors' genes. Pomeranians were originally 30-pound dogs and we have bred them over time to be smaller and smaller, throwback Poms are bigger than their parents as adults, the largest throwback Pomeranian I ever saw was 30 pounds, but 15-pound throwbacks are much more common than a 20 or 30 pound one. The benefit of owning a throwback Pomeranian is that they are more solid and less fragile than their litter mates.