JUDGING THE POMERANIAN by DR. GENO SISNEROS
I n my fourteen years in the breed, I have been involved in many aspects of the Pomeranian, from breeding to exhibiting to serving on the Board of Th e American Pomeranian Club and representing the club as its AKC Delegate. For the past few years I wondered what was next for me and how can I better serve the breed I love. With encouragement from judges and fellow breeders, I took the next logical step and applied to judge Pomera- nians, so now I am a permit judge with several exciting assignments ahead of me. Th is, along with recent trips to Europe to learn more about the breed and its origins, has forced me to see the breed from a dif- ferent perspective, one that will hopefully positively influence its future. We must remember that Pomera- nians are Spitz-type dogs that came from Northern Europe and were originally sled dogs that were bred down to the three to seven pound dogs we see today. Several important facts come from this that we should remember when judg- ing the breed. While some people will say that toy dogs need only move well enough to get to the food bowl, their original function dictates that movement is indeed important. “Even though a Toy dog, the Pomeranian must be subject to the same requirements of soundness and struc- ture prescribed for all breeds.” Th ey should have “good reach in the forequarters and strong drive with the hindquarters, dis- playing e ffi cient ground covering move- ment that should never be viewed as ine ff ective or busy.” Pomeranians should double track, but as they move faster their legs should CONVERGE slightly toward a center line. In the FCI countries, Poms are judged alongside all of the other and larger, Spitz-type breeds, including the Akita, so a poorly moving dog will not be competitive. One of the most important aspects of the Pomeranian is probably the most obvious… the coat. It is a double-coated
breed and should have a soft undercoat with a dense, HARSH outer coat for protection and warmth. While coat tex- ture can vary with age and even coat color, an adult should not have a soft coat and should not be overly trimmed. “TRIMMING FOR NEATNESS and a clean outline is permissible.” Further, the revised breed standard allows any coat color, pattern and variation thereof to be shown and all should be judged on an equal basis. When it comes to judging dogs of color against the more common oranges, always try to choose the best dog, no matter the color. Th e tail is very important. Like the larger Spitz breeds, if a Pom were sleep- ing outside in the snow, it would require a long, plumed tail to adequately cover and protect its face and help to warm the air that is breathes, so a long, heavily- plumed, straight tail, set high and flat on the back, is desirable. PROBABLY THE MOST OBVIOUS… THE COAT.” “ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE POMERANIAN IS
Balance is important, too and this relies on the correct proportions. Th e correct ratio of body length to height is 1:1, measured from the prosternum to the point of the buttocks and from the withers to the ground. Also, when look- ing at the headpiece, the ratio of length of muzzle to skull should be ⅓ to ⅔ ; not too snipey, but not too Chow-like either. Ears should be small and set high and “proper ear set should be favored over size.” Eyes should be “dark, bright, medium sized and almond shaped.” Th e only disquali- fication in the breed is light blue, blue marbled or blue flecked eyes. When examining the Pomeranian, it is important to really put your hands on the dog and feel the structure, as the coat and trimming can cover up a lot. Th e important thing is to be gentle, as big, strange hands can be frightening for the small dogs, especially when examining the bite. Exhibitors will appreciate your really going over their exhibit, so feel free to check for bone or angulation, feel the chest or skull or tail or any reference points you need to see if proportions are correct. Pomeranian exhibitors usually have a brush or comb handy, so allow a few seconds for them to neaten their dog when your examination is complete. Th e Pomeranian has a long history and it is important to remember that in judg- ing the dogs that will determine its future. Pomeranians are a happy, fun, yet still noble breed. Enjoy your time in the ring with them. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Geno Sisneros has been exhibiting in the sport of purebred dogs for the past 14 years and has bred multiple group win- ners, Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show winners under the Castile prefix and consistently keeps dogs near the top of the rankings as an owner handler. He was recently approved as a permit judge in his breed, Pomeranians.
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M ARCH 2015 • 187
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