Complete Information Regarding the Pomeranian Toy Dog
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Throwback Pomeranian Dogs
What is a Throwback Pomeranian?
If you have a big Pomeranian, this may be due to having a Throwback. Aside from being overweight, a Pomeranian may be larger than the breed standard due to their genes being "throwback" genes.
What is a throwback Pomeranian? A throwback Pomeranian is a Pom who is larger than the standard size Pom of today's world.
The Pomeranian that we know of in modern times, descended from the ancient Spitz dog. The Spitz dogs were on average, 30 pounds (13.60 kg).
Let's discuss why a Pomeranian may be a throwback and any behavioral or health issues that may be relevant.
What is a throwback Pomeranian? A throwback Pomeranian is a Pom who is larger than the standard size Pom of today's world.
The Pomeranian that we know of in modern times, descended from the ancient Spitz dog. The Spitz dogs were on average, 30 pounds (13.60 kg).
Let's discuss why a Pomeranian may be a throwback and any behavioral or health issues that may be relevant.
The ancestors of the Pomeranian, the ancient Spitz dogs, looked quite similar to this Volpino Italiano dog. As you can see, a throwback Pomeranian will be a "trhowback" to this much larger Spitz dog and be much larger in appearance than the standard size.
The ancestors of the Pomeranian dog, these large Spitz dogs of 30 pounds ( 13.60 kg) were used as sled dogs in Iceland and as hunting and herding dogs in the surrounding areas of the far north.
In time, these dogs were brought down into Europe. It was Queen Victoria who fell in love with the breed. She took it upon herself to create a breeding program to reduce the size of the dogs. It was popular at the time for those in royalty to have very small lap dogs.
Creating her own personal dog kennels and developing a breeding program... with time, these Spitz dogs became the small Pomeranian that we now have. In 1892, the Pomeranian was introduced to America.
A throwback Pomeranian is the term applied to a dog who has the appearance (and sometimes the behavior as well) of its larger ancestors. While not common, this does happen randomly and is all due to the dog's genes mutating or altering back to those of its ancestors. Therefore, it is possible for a purebred Pomeranian to weight up to 18 pounds (8.16 kg).
How do I Know if I Have a Throwback Pomeranian?
The AKC standard size weight for a purebred Pom is a maximum of 7 pounds (3.17 kg). As with any dog breed, there will be smaller than average and larger than average dogs.
A Pom of 8 pounds (3.62 kg), for example, can not be clearly classified as a throwback dog. This 8 pound dog would simply be a dog who is a bit larger than the standard.
A Pomeranian having partial throwback genes is a full grown adult Pom who is not overweight and is larger than 10 pounds (4.53 kg).
A Pomeranian considered to be clearly classified as a throwback would be a full grown adult who is not overweight and is larger than 14 pounds (6.35 kg). Therefore, if you have a big Pomeranian, this does not mean that you do not have a purebred (although that is always a possibility if you did not obtain him or her from a reputable breeder), but more likely it is due to genetics that are out of the breeder's control.
Can This Affect Behavior?
The modern Pomeranian as it stands, already does possess certain behavior thought to be throwback behavior, such as being very alert and independent. Many Pomeranian dogs love to travel and are usually very adaptable to new situations... this characteristic is also theorized to be of throwback behavior of the Spitz dog.
Studies have shown that in some cases, a throwback Pomeranian or any other throwback dog, may also have throwback behavior of a deeper nature. In some instances, a throwback Pomeranian may show signs of not conforming to domestic life...the dog may have instinctual urges to "be out in the wild". They may actually have instincts to "hunt" while outdoors and so forth.
Do keep in mind that in a loving home, with proper care and socialization, a big Pomeranian who is a Throwback can be just as adoring, lovable, cuddly and well mannered as any other standard sized Pom.
Can This Affect the Pomeranian's Health?
Studies show a throwback Pomeranian does not have any health issues above what a standard sized Pom would have. Being a sturdier, larger size can actually be an asset in regard to very small Pomeranian dogs having the possibility of being injured by jumping from heights, etc and a studier throwback Pomeranian dog being able to handle more activity such as jumping.
To Summarize
For those few people who do have a throwback Pom, they have a very special dog...a dog who allows us a glimpse in to the past...and one who shows characteristics of the noble ancestor of the Pomeranian.
More Information
The rate at which puppies grow, knowing if your dog is overweight, understanding behavior and health...these are all important elements to owning a Pom. If you wish you had all of the information in 1 spot and the ability to ask specific questions to the PetPom Team & have answers sent directly back to you, find out about the PetPom 400+ Page Book.
In time, these dogs were brought down into Europe. It was Queen Victoria who fell in love with the breed. She took it upon herself to create a breeding program to reduce the size of the dogs. It was popular at the time for those in royalty to have very small lap dogs.
Creating her own personal dog kennels and developing a breeding program... with time, these Spitz dogs became the small Pomeranian that we now have. In 1892, the Pomeranian was introduced to America.
A throwback Pomeranian is the term applied to a dog who has the appearance (and sometimes the behavior as well) of its larger ancestors. While not common, this does happen randomly and is all due to the dog's genes mutating or altering back to those of its ancestors. Therefore, it is possible for a purebred Pomeranian to weight up to 18 pounds (8.16 kg).
How do I Know if I Have a Throwback Pomeranian?The AKC standard size weight for a purebred Pom is a maximum of 7 pounds (3.17 kg). As with any dog breed, there will be smaller than average and larger than average dogs.
A Pom of 8 pounds (3.62 kg), for example, can not be clearly classified as a throwback dog. This 8 pound dog would simply be a dog who is a bit larger than the standard.
A Pomeranian having partial throwback genes is a full grown adult Pom who is not overweight and is larger than 10 pounds (4.53 kg).
A Pomeranian considered to be clearly classified as a throwback would be a full grown adult who is not overweight and is larger than 14 pounds (6.35 kg). Therefore, if you have a big Pomeranian, this does not mean that you do not have a purebred (although that is always a possibility if you did not obtain him or her from a reputable breeder), but more likely it is due to genetics that are out of the breeder's control.
Can This Affect Behavior?
The modern Pomeranian as it stands, already does possess certain behavior thought to be throwback behavior, such as being very alert and independent. Many Pomeranian dogs love to travel and are usually very adaptable to new situations... this characteristic is also theorized to be of throwback behavior of the Spitz dog.
Studies have shown that in some cases, a throwback Pomeranian or any other throwback dog, may also have throwback behavior of a deeper nature. In some instances, a throwback Pomeranian may show signs of not conforming to domestic life...the dog may have instinctual urges to "be out in the wild". They may actually have instincts to "hunt" while outdoors and so forth.
Do keep in mind that in a loving home, with proper care and socialization, a big Pomeranian who is a Throwback can be just as adoring, lovable, cuddly and well mannered as any other standard sized Pom.
Can This Affect the Pomeranian's Health?
Studies show a throwback Pomeranian does not have any health issues above what a standard sized Pom would have. Being a sturdier, larger size can actually be an asset in regard to very small Pomeranian dogs having the possibility of being injured by jumping from heights, etc and a studier throwback Pomeranian dog being able to handle more activity such as jumping.
To Summarize
For those few people who do have a throwback Pom, they have a very special dog...a dog who allows us a glimpse in to the past...and one who shows characteristics of the noble ancestor of the Pomeranian.
More Information
The rate at which puppies grow, knowing if your dog is overweight, understanding behavior and health...these are all important elements to owning a Pom. If you wish you had all of the information in 1 spot and the ability to ask specific questions to the PetPom Team & have answers sent directly back to you, find out about the PetPom 400+ Page Book.
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