Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The World Of White Pomeranians

By Diane Foster


The Pomeranian is a popular breed of 'toy' dog, purposely bred to a small size. Those who are interested in white Pomeranians should be especially careful in choosing their breeder, since this color is usually achieved by careful selection of partners and can result in lesser overly quality. The best thing is to take great care to meet the puppy and its parents, to check all of them for temperament. A vet's examination is vital to make sure there are no incipient health problems.

This breed is very popular, for many good reasons. However, that means there are lots of people in the business just for the money. Unless you are dealing with a rescue or an adoption, where you can personally meet the animal and get to know its traits, beware of dealing with a breeder whose main qualification is having a cute dog to sell.

Poms were developed from a breed of sled dogs, called Spitz, that developed in Lapland and Iceland. The dogs were downsized deliberately in Pomerania, a country along the Baltic Sea in what is now Germany and Poland. In 1888, the Pom was recognized as a true breed by kennel clubs.

People who know them say that they are wonderful dogs. Adjectives include intelligent, lively, inquisitive, active, playful, animated, spritely, extroverted, alert, vivacious, and bold. Did you hear about the Pom that saved its Labrador housemate from a bear? The ideal is 3 to 7 pounds, 6 or 7 inches high, with a fluffy coat, curly tail, and a bright, foxy face.

They are great watchdogs but will not be yappy if properly trained. Their natural aggression is tempered by socialization; they should be allowed to meet and greet people and other pets from an early age. Even if shy, they are not biters; they merely keep away from strangers by barking and retreating under the table. Puppies are hard to housebreak but adults usually do well if allowed outside at regular intervals.

The white color is hard to stabilize. Merely breeding white to white usually doesn't work, which is a good thing. Breeding for color alone will often produce dogs of inferior quality and health. There are different shades of white. The most prized is 'ice', while 'ivory' is a creamier shade. The show people don't want any lemon tinge to the coat. A white puppy may turn palely parti-colored as it matures.

This is such a great animal that, unless you want to show competitively, it may be better to look first for health and personality and then later for color. If you really want the unusual color, it seems that breeders who mix the 'wolf sable' color with 'cream sable' are getting the best results. Remember that responsible dog owners don't want to encourage unscrupulous breeders by buying from people who may even be mistreating these lively little companion dogs with confinement and endless litter production.

Go online and look at the pictures of these amazingly beautiful animals. Their thick coats (seasonal shedding and lots of it, regular brushing required), 'I'm the boss!' attitude (teach them to respect you and they will, with all the love intact), and boundless energy makes them irresistible. They are truly wonderful dogs for anyone who is willing to train them (and they are biddable), socialize them, and groom then regularly.




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