History Of The Pomeranian Breed

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 2:17 am

Looking at the sturdy Spitz dogs that pull sleds though the deep winter snow of Lapland and Greenland, it's hard to believe that these dogs were the forefathers of the diminutive Pomeranian. It's true, though. The tiny Pomeranian was much a considerably larger dog, large enough to work herding sheep. It's not hard to imagine.

The region that comprises the south coast of the Baltic Sea, now known as Germany and Poland, was once known as Pomerania. The Spitz sled dogs were imported into Europe through Pomerania, where breeders worked through generations of dogs to reduce the thirty pound dogs closer to today's Pomeranian, weighing well under ten pounds. The Kennel Club in England recognized the breed as we know it in 1870, calling it the "spitz dog." 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.

The English royal family had then, and has now, a keen interest in breeding horses and dogs. Queen Victoria applied this enthusiasm for breeding to the Pomeranian, at one time keeping 35 Pomeranian dogs. The monarch is credited with further reducing the size of the Pomeranian through her efforts. Her show Pomeranians – Fluffy, Nino, Mino, Beppo, Gilda and Lulu, competed in many dog shows and won at least two championships. According to her biographers, in 1901, from her deathbed, the Queen asked for her pet Pomeranian Turi, who was brought to her and remained at her side until she died.
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.

According to Sir Isaac Newton's biographers, a Pomeranian can drive a person mad. Newton's Pomeranian, Diamond, once knocked over a candle that burned some of his work papers, and the ensuing stress caused Newton to have a nervous breakdown.

Pomeranians are inspirational. Mozart dedicated an aria to his Pomeranian, and Chopin composed music for a Pomeranian belonging to his girlfriend. The name of historical church leader Martin Luther's Pomeranian Belferlein pops up here and there in his writings.

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.

The Pomeranian ancestors are Spitz sled dogs who exported the breed to the southern Baltic coast. Later breeders, including Queen Victoria of England, bred the dog to its smaller size. Pomeranian information about history is fun and fascinating to owners of this delightful breed.

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