Levi going over broad Jump
THE POMERANIAN: NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE! by BARBARA MCCLATCHEY
P omeranians are one of the best- kept secrets in the world of dog sports. Th eir original use as herding dogs, before they were bred down in size, means that many of them still retain the same instincts that make Border Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs so responsive to training. Poms have shown these abilities since the early days of Obedience competition. In 1943, Pomeranian Georgian’s Betty UDT (Utility Dog Tracking) was actually the top Obedience dog in the United States. Her picture in the April 1944, National Geographic Magazine shows her holding a dumbbell that must have been meant for a much larger dog. Since then, with many Toy breeds competing in Obedience, dumbbells, gloves and articles have been made that will fit these smaller dogs and Poms are participating in all sports where they are allowed. Most people think of Pomeranians as cute little lap dogs, but when allowed to show their stu ff , they are much, much more.
Among recent top OBEDIENCE Pom- eranians is OTCH Gidget’s Cinnamon Prince UDX8 OM3 VER RE TDI. “Levi” was the first Pom to earn UDX3, UDX4, UDX5, UDX6, UDX7, UDX8; and the first to attain the OM1, OM2 and OM3. (A Utility Dog Excellent title requires earning qualifying scores in the Open and Utility classes at the same trial on 10 dif- ferent occasions. Th e Obedience Master title requires the dog to achieve a specified number of points based on high scores.) Levi was also the first Pom to achieve the United Kennel Club’s Obedience Cham- pion title. As a therapy dog, Levi visited nursing homes, making life better for people who needed the joy that a dog can bring. His call name, Levi, was not always heard correctly, though. On one occasion, an Obedience judge was overheard telling someone, “And she calls him ‘Flea Bite’! Isn’t that cute?” Can they do Obedience? Pomeranians have brains! RALLY is sometimes called “Obedi- ence with signs.” Th e dog and handler
complete a course designed by the judge; moving from one sign to another, they per- form the skill required by that sign. Rally became an AKC titling sport on January 1, 2005. On that weekend, 3 Pomeranians became among the first dogs to receive the AKC Rally Novice title. By November of 2005, there was a Rally Advanced Excel- lent Pomeranian, the highest level title available in Rally other than added num- bers on the end of the RAE. Can they do Rally? Pomeranians can read the signs! AGILITY is a natural venue for Pom- eranians. Th eir love for running and exploring pays o ff when they find the joy of jumping, climbing and racing around a ring. CH MACH15 Carleez Boom Boom Boom MXB5 MXS5 discovered this joy early on. In addition to his breed cham- pionship, “Boomer” has run more than 100 miles at the AKC Master level since 2008, qualifying more than 80% of the time. Th ose runs were on grass, mud, rub- ber and turf. Can they do Agility? Pomera- nians have legs!
190 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M ARCH 2015
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