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Pomeranian Facts & Worksheets

Descendants of large sled dogs, the now-tiny Pomeranians are distinguished by their smiling, foxy-faced looks; gorgeous coat; and spirited personality.

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Descendants of large sled dogs, the now-tiny Pomeranians are distinguished by their smiling, foxy-faced looks; gorgeous coat; and spirited personality. Dubbed as the “little dog who thinks he can”, playful and friendly Poms are among the world’s most loved toy breeds.

See the fact file below for more information on the Pomeranians or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Pomeranian worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • Pomeranians originated in the province of Pomerania, a region along the Baltic Sea in northwest Poland and northeast Germany. Early Poms weighed no more 30 pounds.
  • Large, working sled dogs were the ancestors of today’s Pomeranians.
  • These dogs are classified as the Wolfspitz, or Spitz type, a German term for “sharp point”. This term was initially used by Count Eberhard zu Sayn in the early 16th century in reference to the dog’s nose and muzzle. Some of their closest relatives include the Norwegian Elkhound, Schipperke, German Spitz, American Eskimo Dog, Samoyed, and other members of the Northern Spitz canines, all of which are distinguished for their wedge-shaped heads, pointed ears, and thick coats.
  • Even in their early days, Poms were already well-known. Theologian Martin Luther owned a Pom named Belferlein that was often mentioned in his works. Artist Michelangelo had a Pom that sat on a satin pillow and observed him paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
  • Physicist Isaac Newton also had a Pom named Diamond that chewed most of his manuscripts. Composer Mozart dedicated an aria to his Pom, Pimperl.
  • In 1761, 17-year-old Princess Sophie Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz brought a pair of Poms to England. They were mostly white dogs named Phoebe and Mercury. Although these dogs were popular royalty, they did not catch the eye of the public that much.
  • Queen Charlotte’s granddaughter, Queen Victoria, helped popularize the breed. During her six decades as the Queen of England, she produced more than 15 various dog breeds, including the Pomeranian, which she first sighted in 1888 during a trip to Italy. One of her favorite dogs was a small, red sable Pomeranian named “Windsor’s Marco”. He reportedly weighed 12 pounds. Today, many assume that Marco was the inspiration of other enthusiasts to breed smaller Pomeranians.
  • Marco competed in a lot of conformation shows and won many awards. In 1888, Queen Victoria also bought three Poms on her trip to Florence, Italy.
  • Gina was a female Pom that was owned by the Queen. She also bagged awards at London dog shows.
  • Queen Victoria adored her Poms so much that, as she lie dying, she asked for Turi, her favorite Pom, to be brought to her bedside.
  • The Queen’s love of Pomeranians influenced English dog enthusiasts to start breeding smaller Poms. From 1900 to the 1930s, Poms had the highest number of entries at Britain’s national championship. This is where the breed standard was established, with the size coming down to its current weight and the coat developing its distinctive frilling. It was also around that same time that several colors of Pomeranians became available. Early Poms were typically white, black, chocolate, or blue, but after an orange dog started winning at dog shows in the 1920s, the spectrum of colors broadened.
  • The Pom’s popularity catapulted and spread across the Atlantic. In 1888, Dick was the first Pom to be registered in the American Kennel Club studbook. In 1892, the first Pom joined a dog show in New York.
  • After being recognized by the AKC in 1900, Poms easily grew in popularity in the United States. In 1909, the American Pomeranian Club was acknowledged as a member club of the AKC and was assigned as the Parent Club for the Poms.

APPEARANCE

  • Generally, Poms stand 7 to 12 inches tall and weigh 3 to 7 pounds.
  • They are compact, short-backed, tiny dogs with wedge-shaped heads.
  • They display a fox-like face, medium-sized bright eyes with rims outlined in black, pointed ears, well-laid shoulders, round and well-curved feet, and heavily plumed tails.
  • Pomeranians are also known for their thick, double coats. Their bodies are covered with short, dense undercoats with long, textured guard hair, developing the longer outer coat. The top coat forms a ruff around the neck that frames the head, extending the feathery hair to the hindquarters.
  • Their coats range in a spectrum of colors, including beaver, black, blue, brown or chocolate, cream, lavender, orange, red, sable, red sable, orange sable, cream sable, wolf sable, chocolate sable, blue sable, and white.
  • Their fluffy coats also form a variety of color patterns, such as: tan points, which can be combined with black, brown, and blue; brindle; parti-color; and merle.
  • Pomeranian markings accepted by the AKC include black muzzle, brindle, parti-color, black mask, and white markings.
  • Pomeranians are alert and inquisitive by nature, exhibiting intelligence in their expression. They make great watchdogs and will bark at anything unfamiliar. They love learning new tricks but have short attention spans.
  • They are extroverted dogs that are typically vivacious. Pomeranians enjoy meeting strangers, and they get along well with other animals.
  • However, they sometimes think they are a lot bigger in size than they actually are, challenging other bigger dogs in the assumption that they are the same size or larger than these dogs.
  • Oftentimes, they are somewhat protective of their territory. Thus, they may bark when they hear outside noises. They are known for escaping tiny holes or gaps in fencing or climbing over short fences.
  • Pomeranians are lap dogs. They love family companions. They are active toy dogs, but they can be exercised with indoor play and short walks.
  • Despite their glorious coats, Pomeranians shed moderately. Males lose their undercoats once a year. Females, on the other hand, shed after giving birth or whenever they are stressed.

HEALTH AND CARE

  • Pomeranians have a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.
  • Allergies. Pomeranians are prone to food allergies (symptoms include dry, itchy skin; too much scratching or licking; bald patches; and a number of hotspots), contact allergies (caused by a reaction to flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemical substances), and inhalant allergies (brought about by airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew). Curing allergies depends on the cause and may include diet restrictions, medications, and a change in environment.
  • Epilepsy. A hereditary condition that can cause mild or severe seizures.
  • Eye Problems. Poms are exposed to a lot of eye problems, including proptosis (the eyeball is dislocated from the socket), distichiasis (irregular growth of eyelashes on the margin of the eye), progressive retinal atrophy (condition of the retinal visual cells that causes blindness), and entropion (the lower eyelid rolls inward, making the hair on the lid irritate the eye).
  • Hip Dysplasia. An abnormality in the hip socket, causing crippling lameness and painful joint inflammation, such as arthritis.
  • Legg-Perthes Disease. A deformation of the ball of the hip joint, caused by wearing and arthritis.
  • Patellar Luxation. Also referred to as “slipped stifles”, this condition is common to small dogs. It is caused when the patella is not properly lined up. This problem results in lameness in the leg or an abnormal walk that usually looks like a skip or a hop.
  • Dental Problems. Poms are usually plagued with teeth and gum problems and early tooth loss.
  • Because of their fluffy coats, it is important for owners to brush and comb their Poms at least twice every week.
  • Since they are curious and active breeds, owners should provide them with exercise and mental stimulation. They love long walks, but always remember that they are small and sensitive to heat.
  • Always find time to play with Poms since they get bored easily. They love toys that challenge them.

Pomeranian Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Pomeranians across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Pomeranian worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Pomeranians which are distinguished by their smiling, foxy-faced looks; gorgeous coat; and spirited personality. Dubbed as the “little dog who thinks he can”, playful and friendly Poms are among the world’s most loved toy breeds.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Pomeranian Facts
  • Friendly Poms
  • Breed Standards
  • Fetch Some Facts
  • Growing Up a Pom
  • Pom FAQs
  • Pom Faces
  • Pom Coat Colors
  • Taking Care of a Pom
  • Pros and Cons of a Pom
  • German Spitz Classified

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Link will appear as Pomeranian Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 8, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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