Pomeranian: Descendant of the Spitz

It’s hard to believe it, but the tiny Pomeranian descended from the Spitz sled dogs in Lapland and Greenland. Before the Pomeranian was bred down to a smaller size, the larger dogs worked as shepherds. Indeed, it is not difficult to imagine today’s Pomeranian yapping around the edges of a herd of sheep.

Pomeranians got their name because they were imported into Europe through Pomerania, a land on the southern Baltic coast where present day Germany and Poland now sit. In Pomerania, the dogs were bred down closer to their modern-day size.

Traces of the Pomeranian’s lineage can be seen in the breed’s coat and color, which are reminiscent of the wolf blood in the Spitz breed. One of the best known Pomeranian owners in history was Queen Victoria of England, who ruled between 1819 and 1901. Queen Victoria first saw the dog as a girl, when her mother, Queen Charlotte kept one as a pet. Queen Victoria got Marco, a Pomeranian of her own, in 1888.

Queen Victoria was one of England’s most beloved monarchs, and the Pomeranian breed grew more and more popular as the public followed the progress of the queen’s six show dogs, Lulu, Gilda, Beppo, Mino, Nino and Fluffy, in newspapers and cheered when her dogs were named champions. The British public began getting Pomeranians of their own, and the Pomeranian remains one of the United Kingdom’s most popular breeds today.

Besides royalty, other famous Pomeranian owners include a wide range of artists and celebrities, from Michelangelo, whose dog watched him paint the Sistine Chapel, to actress Kate Hudson, who is by now as well known as her mother, Goldie Hawn. Hudson’s Pomeranian is named Pom Clara Bo.

Actresses love Pomeranians. Kate Hudson has one; Cindy Williams who will always be remembered as Shirley in “Laverne and Shirley,” appeared in weight loss advertisements with her Pomeranian. And the best-known canine television star of the 1980s was Chester, who co-starred with his real-life owner Fran Drescher in “The Nanny.”

The Pomeranian is a natural performer. Actress Cindy Williams, of “Laverne and Shirley” fame, appeared with her dog in commercials for a weight loss program. And then there’s Chester, who belonged to actress Fran Drescher in real life, and co-starred with his owner in the hit TV show “The Nanny.”

The Pomeranian appeals to royalty and celebrities, but this delightful breed also makes a great pet for everyday people. Anyone who loves small, confident, intelligent dogs will love the Pomeranian.

About the Author:

Rosie Allan is a passionate lover of the Pomeranian and owns a popular website that can teach you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Pomeranian. Among other topics at this website, you can also learn all about Pomeranian types plus a whole lot more.