However, the cause must be investigated, for alopecia can be caused by many things, including hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, allergies, excessive female estrogen, stress, fleas, mites and mange.
In all, the Pomeranian is a healthy, long- lived companion that brings much joy to his lucky owners.
HEART PROBLEMS
Occasionally Pomeranians, like many other breeds, suffer from heart problems. It is therefore sensible to request your vet to check your Pom’s heart whenever you visit for routine examination or vaccination.
KIDNEY STONES
Kidney stones are not unknown in Pomeranians, but of course these can occur in many breeds and may appear in either sex. However, because the urethra of the male is longer and narrower than that of the female, obstruction is more common in males. Symptoms of kidney stones are frequent urination, bloody urine, dribbling urine, straining, weakness, depression, vomiting and pain, so it is evident that urgent veterinary advice should be sought. Although kidney stones can occur in dogs even less than two months old, they usually appear in adults between two and ten years of age.
WHELPING AND WHELPS
Newly born Pomeranian puppies are exceptionally tiny and can be held in the palm of your hand. Being so tiny and fragile, it is understandably important that they are treated with great care.
Although bitches are usually larger than males in this breed, small bitches can require Cesarean section. The likelihood of this should be discussed with your veterinarian prior to a mating taking place.
Physical Structure of the Pomeranian
BREED STANDARD FOR THE
POMERANIAN
Compact and short-backed describe the desirable appearance of the Pomeranian.
The American Kennel Club breed standard for the Pomeranian is effectively a “blue-print” for the breed. It sets down the various points of the dog in words, enabling a visual picture to be conjured up in the mind of the reader. However, this is more easily said than done. Not only do standards vary from country to country, but people’s interpretations of breed standards vary also. It is this difference of interpretation that makes judges select different dogs for top honors, for their opinions differ as to which dog most closely fits the breed standard. That is not to say that a good dog does not win regularly under different judges, nor that an inferior dog may rarely even be placed at a show, at least not among quality competition.
The breed standard given here is that authorized by the American Kennel Club. It is comprehensive, and so is reasonably self-explanatory. However, as with most breeds, there are variances between the standards used in the US and that in Britain, where the Pomeranian first emerged as a show dog.
Notably, the British standard allows less latitude in weight, reading, “Ideal weight: dogs: 1.8–2 kgs (4–4.5 lb); bitches: 2–2.5 kgs (4.5–5.5 lb).” Another interesting point in the American standard is the statement that the skull should be closed, clearly steering breeders away from producing Pomeranians with open fontanels, whereas such a statement is not incorporated in Britain.
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB STANDARD FOR THE POMERANIAN
General Appearance: The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog. He has a soft, dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured outer coat. His heavily plumed tail is set high and lies flat on his back. He is alert in character, exhibits intelligence in expression, is buoyant in deportment, and is inquisitive by nature. The Pomeranian is cocky, commanding, and animated as he gaits. He is sound in composition and action.
Size, Proportion, Substance: The average weight of the Pomeranian is from 3 to 7 pounds, with the ideal weight for the show specimen being 4 to 6 pounds. Any dog over or under the limits is objectionable. However, overall quality is to be favored over size. The distance from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks is slightly shorter than from the highest point of the withers to the ground. The distance from the brisket to the ground is half the height at the withers. He is medium-boned, and the length of his legs is in proportion to a well-balanced frame. When examined, he feels sturdy.
Head: The head is in balance with the body. The muzzle is rather short, straight, fine, free of lippiness and never snipey. His expression is alert and may be referred to as fox-like. The skull is closed. The top of the skull is slightly rounded, but not domed. When viewed from the front and side, one sees small ears which are mounted high and carried erect. To form a wedge, visualize a line from the tip of the nose ascending through the center of the eyes and the tip of the ears. The eyes are dark, bright, medium in size and almond-shaped. They are set well into the skull on either side of a well- pronounced stop. The pigmentation is black on the nose and eye rims except self-colored in brown, beaver, and blue dogs. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. One tooth out of alignment is acceptable. Major Faults: Round, domed skull; undershot mouth; overshot mouth.
Head study showing correct “foxy” expression.
Ears are too big, eyes are too light, muzzle too long.
A Pomeranian of correct type, balance and structure finished off with a mature stand off coat.
Neck, Topline, Body: The neck is short with its base set well into the shoulders to allow the head to be carried high. The back is short with a level topline. The body is compact and well-ribbed with brisket reaching the elbow. The plumed tail is one of the characteristics of the breed, and lies flat and straight on the back.
Forequarters: The Pomeranian has sufficient layback of shoulders to carry the neck and head proud and high. The shoulders and legs are moderately muscled. The length of the shoulder blade and upper arm are equal. The forelegs are straight and parallel to each other. Height from elbows to withers approximately equals height from ground to elbow. The pasterns are straight and strong. The feet are well-arched, compact, and turn neither in nor
