THE HISTORY OF THE POMERANIAN by CATHY DRIGGERS & KELLY D. REIMSCHIISSEL
W ith more coat than body, Pomeranians have quite an interesting history behind them. The Pomeranian, as we know it today, descended originally from the Spitz family of dogs in the frozen Arctic region of Iceland. These Spitz dogs were much larger than the modern Pom as evidenced by their primary purpose of pulling sleds, hunting and guarding. In Italy they were used to watch over their owner’s items. The Pomeranians would alert their owner of someone coming or attempting to stealtheir valuables. Spitz breeds mean a type of dog that has several wolf-like characteristics. For instance, small ears to help reduce the risk of frostbite. The insulating undercoat that is more dense than the guard hairs to trap the warmth and protect them from the heat. At some point in time, the Spitz was transported into Europe, most commonly
along the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. This particular Baltic region was called Pomerania, which now includes parts of present day Poland and Germany, and is where the Pomeranian name came from. Pommore or Pommern means “on the sea.” Canine historians also believe that this is the location that the breed was first downsized to about 30-40 lbs. Morespecifically Pomeranians are part of the German Spitzen group, a subgroup of the Spitz type, which is comprised of five different sizes of dogs. FCI and German historians consider the German Spitz to be the oldest breed of dog in Central Europe from which other breeds have been produced. This theory is substantiated by archaeological discoveries in Switzerland and throughout Germany. Pomeranians are the group’s smallest members. Prior to securing the breed name of Pomeranian, they were called by several other names: Fox Dog, Lulu, Pommer, Wolfsspitz German Spitz, Volpino and Spitz Dog.
An interesting fact—Germany did not accept the breed to be named Pomeranians until 1974. All five sizes were generically called the German Spitz. So many times, references are made about these “new” parti-colored or white Pomeranians. The original Pomeranians were white, black, brown and parti-colored. The red and orange colors were quite rare at that time.
Many people don’t realize that some of the first recorded pictures and paintings of the Pomeranian dog are of white and parti-colored Pomeranians. Many of the paintings and prints from the 18th century feature Pomeranians of various color and size. The Prince of Wales had a black and white parti Pomeranian, named Fino, that was painted in 1791. James Boswell and “Pomer” are the first known recorded reference in British Literature to the Pomeranian breed. Mainz and Manheim November 2, 1764. “The Frenchman had a Pomeranian dog named Pomer whom he was mighty fond of.” Queen Charlotte influenced the evolution of the breed when she brought two Pomeranians to England in 1767. Named Phebe and Mercury, the dogs were depicted in paintings by Sir Thomas Gainsborough. These paintings depicted a dog larger than the modern breed, reportedly weighing as much as 30–50 lbs (14–23 kg)but showing modern traits such as the heavy coat, ears and a tail curled over the back.
Toy Pomeranian with Child Greek tombstone from Alexandria, Egypt (about 3rd century B.C.)
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2017 • 263
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