General Pomeranian Information:
The Pomeranian is a member of the toy group of dogs. He is descended from the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland. The Pomeranian is a magnificent family pet, he is hearty and strong despite his fragile appearance. The Pomeranian's coat gives the appearance of being difficult to care for, but it is actually quite easy, a regular brushing will keep the coat in good condition..
We've had several people call or e-mail and ask about "teacup" Pomeranians. There is NO SUCH THING. For further information, please click HERE. This is what the AKC says about Pomeranians in relation to their appearance and size:
"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."
Most people think of a "teacup pom" as anything less than the official standard minimum weight of 3 pounds. I have seen teacup Pomeranians advertised as anything under 5 lbs. A Pom that weighs under 3 lbs at full grown may have been bred from unusually small parents (which could be unhealthy for the mother, especially if the male is larger than she is) or might be, in reality, just the "runt" of a litter. They would lose points in a dog show for being over-sized OR under-sized.
4/18/04