Today's tiny Pomeranian has an unexpected canine lineage. This fluffy member of the toy group has ancestors who were sturdy members of the working group - the Spitz sled dogs of Lapland and Greenland. Early cousins of the Spitz also worked herding sheep in the early 19th century. In fact, it's easier to imagine today's Pomeranian yapping around the edges of a herd of sheep than pulling a sled through snow. Still, traces of the Spitz can be seen in the Pomeranian's colors and winter-textured coat.
Pomeranians got their name because they were imported into Europe through Pomerania, a land on the southern Baltic coast where present day Germany and Poland now sit. In Pomerania, the dogs were bred down closer to their modern-day size.
Traces of the Pomeranian's lineage can be seen in the breed's coat and color, which are reminiscent of the wolf blood in the Spitz breed. One of the best known Pomeranian owners in history was Queen Victoria of England, who ruled between 1819 and 1901. Queen Victoria first saw the dog as a girl, when her mother, Queen Charlotte kept one as a pet. Queen Victoria got Marco, a Pomeranian of her own, in 1888.
Perhaps the most famous Pomeranian owner was Queen Victoria of England, who was introduced to the breed by her mother, Queen Charlotte. Certainly the most famous Pomeranian of the 19th century was Queen Victoria's dog Marco. Her Majesty was one of the breed's biggest fans. At one time she is said to have had thirty-five Pomeranians in the royal kennels. Her work with the breed paid off, and she is credited with having reduced the size of the Pomeranian even further. In 1891, Queen Victoria showed six of her dogs: Fluffy, Nino, Mino, Beppo, Gilda and Lulu, and at least two of the dogs won championships.
Besides royalty, other famous Pomeranian owners include a wide range of artists and celebrities, from Michelangelo, whose dog watched him paint the Sistine Chapel, to actress Kate Hudson, who is by now as well known as her mother, Goldie Hawn. Hudson's Pomeranian is named Pom Clara Bo.
Actresses love Pomeranians. Kate Hudson has one; Cindy Williams who will always be remembered as Shirley in "Laverne and Shirley," appeared in weight loss advertisements with her Pomeranian. And the best-known canine television star of the 1980s was Chester, who co-starred with his real-life owner Fran Drescher in "The Nanny."
The Pomeranian is a natural performer. Actress Cindy Williams, of "Laverne and Shirley" fame, appeared with her dog in commercials for a weight loss program. And then there's Chester, who belonged to actress Fran Drescher in real life, and co-starred with his owner in the hit TV show "The Nanny."
Pomeranians inspire their owners. The composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart dedicated one of his arias to his Pomeranian and Chopin wrote a piece for a Pomeranian that belonged to his girlfriend. Pomeranians aren't just for royals and celebrities. This confident, intelligent, breed will make a great pet for anyone who loves small dogs and wants a loyal, attentive companion.
Article Source: http://www.orbitaloc.com/
About the author: Rosie Allan is a passionate lover of the Pomeranian and has a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Pomeranian. Among other topics at this website, you can also learn all about Pomeranian types plus a whole lot more.
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