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The ancestors of the Pomeranian dogs of today originally came from the Arctic
Circle. Specifically, Iceland and Lapland. Today's Poms share bloodlines with
the Alaskan Malamute, American Eskimo, Chow Chow, Finnish Spitz, Keeshond,
Samoyed, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, and Siberian Husky.
In the cold Arctic lands, the Pom's ancestors carried loads, pulled sleds, hunted and guarded for their masters. In the 1700's, explorers brought dogs home with them to an area of Germany called Pomerania, where they were also used for herding livestock. The Deutscher Spitz is most likely the dog that Pomeranians were bred down from. It's average weight was 30 to 35 lbs. Queen Charlotte of England, the wife of King George III, brought a white dog, weighing about 15 lbs., home to England from Pomerania. This is when the name, Pomeranian was given to the breed. Wealthy people in England wanted small dogs and the Pom still wasn't small enough, so the quest began to down size them. Along with down sizing the breed, came some genetic problems, the major ones being luxating patella (trick knee) and teeth problems. In 1870, Pomeranians were recognized by The Kennel Club of Great Britain and in 1900, The American Kennel Club recognized them also. Today, the average weight of a Pom is 3 to 7 lbs. Poms range in color from black, white, brown, red, orange, blue, sable and parti-colored. The Pom is a terrific companion and watchdog. These little cuties are bouncy, curious, playful and just plain lovable. Bay deep-mouth'd welcome as we draw near home; 'Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark Our coming, and look brighter when we come. -Lord Byron 
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