| Pomeranian puppies are beautiful examples of toy | | | | children. Pomeranians tend to snap at children who pull |
| dogs. Their fox-like faces, alert dark eyes, luxurious | | | | their tails or annoy them. Overall, Pomeranians are |
| double coats of fur, and thick, furry tails are just a few | | | | good family dogs and do well with older children, other |
| of their attractive features. Pomeranians are | | | | pets and adults. |
| considered toy dogs because they only reach an adult | | | | Pomeranian breeders should be knowledgeable of all |
| size of three to seven pounds and a height of eight to | | | | the positive and negative traits of the breed. They |
| eleven inches. The American Kennel Club classifies the | | | | should inform potential buyers of the medical conditions |
| Pomeranian as a member of both the toy and Spitz | | | | common to Pomeranians such as dental and heart |
| groups. The term "toy" refers to their diminutive size. | | | | problems. Pomeranians have a relatively long life span |
| The Spitz group includes the Pomeranian and all other | | | | (up to 20 years) but may suffer knee dislocations and |
| breeds descended from an area south of the Baltic | | | | other Pomeranian-specific health problems throughout |
| Sea in what is today Poland and Germany. Sledding | | | | their lives. Any reputable breeder will have had the |
| dogs from this region are ancestors of breeds such | | | | parents and puppies evaluated for pre-existing medical |
| as the Chow Chow, Samoyed, German Spitz and | | | | conditions. |
| Pomeranian. | | | | Choosing the right puppy from a litter of Pomeranian |
| In the 1800s, it became the fashion of British royals to | | | | puppies is not a difficult task. A potential buyer should |
| breed dogs down to a more manageable size. | | | | research the breed first and understand its |
| Specific types of Spitz were bred to be smaller | | | | characteristics and needs to determine if it will fit into |
| versions that could act as household pets. The | | | | the buyer's lifestyle. The buyer should then research |
| Pomeranian, for example, is a toy version of the much | | | | breeders. Choosing a reputable breeder is much more |
| larger German Spitz. | | | | difficult than choosing a pet from several Pomeranian |
| Pomeranian puppies, in general, resemble baby foxes. | | | | puppies. Breeders should have an actual kennel. They |
| They have heads shaped like inverted triangles, dark | | | | should have certification in breeding and/or training |
| noses and eyes, thick double-layered coats, and furry | | | | dogs. They should be able to provide the Pomeranian's |
| tails curled over the back. Pomeranians continue to be | | | | pedigree and medical records and they should be |
| bred smaller and have developed a more doll-like face | | | | affiliated with or run a rescue for abandoned or |
| and powder-puff appearance. | | | | neglected Pomeranians. Buyers should never, ever buy |
| The personality of the Pomeranian is as big as the dog | | | | a Pomeranian puppy from a pet store. These puppies |
| is small. Pomeranians are excitable, vivacious, | | | | are shipped and handled like any other merchandise |
| demanding, and even high maintenance. They are not | | | | and their parents are bred incessantly in what are |
| appropriate for households with infants or small | | | | called puppy mills which churn out puppies for money. |