Pomeranian Breed Magazine - Showsight

Trimmed (above) & Untrimmed (below)

THE TAIL AND TAIL SET The Pomeranian’s tail set is very high and when combined with the cor- rect flat croup, it will give a carriage right on top of the back and as tight as possible. When the tail is set properly there will be a “shelf” behind as well. Combined with the long hair forming a plume, the tail and set provides another very specific breed trait. Our standard emphasizes this characteristic in three different places so look for a high tail set and reward it. Our standard does list a low tail set as a major fault.

The presentation of the coat gives the breed specific look. There should be enough length to give the Pom a “round all over” shape or think of cir- cles. The correct length of coat and cor- rect moderate trimming the Pomerani- an will look round from the side, round from the front, round from the back and round from the top. Trimming has gone through many trends over the past decades but today you will see dogs that are trimmed rather well. When you see a dog that is over trimmed, it will lose the round look, or the circles, from various angles. Too much guard hair, or outer coat, will be trimmed off to the point where you cannot evaluate the texture of the guard hair.

STRUCTURE AND MOVEMENT

Pomeranian structure should be sound. The Pomeranian was a working and herding Nordic/Spitz breed that was bred down to its current small size. The standard desires a well-angulated shoulder with the rear balancing the front. The legs should be straight and the feet are round, tight and arched which allows the Pom to stand well up on its toes. The Pomeranian should

have a ground-covering gait and move- ment should not be busy or ineffective. Even though a Toy dog, the Pomer- anian must be subject to the same requirements of soundness and struc- ture prescribed for all breeds, and any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. PROCEDURAL ITEMS The Pomeranian needs a gentle touch during exam but feel free to feel under the coat to examine what the actual structure of the Pomeranian is like. Please evaluate the expression and ear set on when the Pomeranian is on the ground. This can be done on the down and back. I hope this has proved helpful in terms of judging the Pomera- nian and placing proper emphasis on breed-specific traits.

“EVEN THOUGH A TOY DOG, THE POMERANIAN MUST BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME REQUIREMENTS OF SOUNDNESS AND STRUCTURE”

S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2017 • 267

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