We want to know everything about dogs. Everything! But there are countless breeds of dog out there, and each one is a unique animal with its own history. That's why every week, we shine a spotlight on a different breed. This week, learn some fun facts about Pomeranians.
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POMERANIANS ARE SPITZ DOGS
"Spitz" is a dog type describing several breeds that share loosely common ancestry and traits. Physically, spitz dogs typically have thick and dense fur, pointed ears and muzzles, and puffy tails that curl up and over their rears. They descend from ancient breeds that came from Arctic regions. As spitz dogs, Pomeranians are related to breeds like Akitas, Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds. Pomeranians are the smallest spitz dogs.
MORE: 10 Spitz Dog Breeds
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POMERANIANS ARE ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL DOG BREEDS
Some dog breeds come in only one coat color. Others have a few. Pomeranians boast one of the widest variety of color options in one breed. The American Kennel Club lists 23 accepted colors and combinations, including beaver, black, black and tan, blue, blue and tan, blue merle, blue sable, chocolate, chocolate and tan, cream, cream sable, orange, orange sable, red, red sable, tri-colored, white, wolf sable, beaver sable, black and brindle, blue brindle, chocolate merle and chocolate sable.
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POMERANIANS ARE NAMED FOR A REGION ON THE SHORE OF THE BALTIC SEA
The area known as Pomerania, from which the Pomeranian gets its name, is found on the south shore of the Baltic Sea, and spreads over part of Germany and part of Poland. Pomeranians take their name from this place because the breed was largely developed there, although the ancestors of these dogs are originally from Iceland.
Pictured: The Polish city of Szczecin, the capital of the West Pomeranian Province.
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A POMERANIAN WATCHED MICHELANGELO PAINT THE SISTINE CHAPEL
One of the earliest known Pomeranian fanciers was Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, the great Italian sculptor, painter and Renaissance man. Legend has is that while Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling, his Pomeranian sat relaxing on a silk pillow, watching the master at work. We can't say that the Pom was Michelangelo's muse or anything, but its charming presence couldn't have hurt.
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ENGLAND'S QUEEN VICTORIA MADE POMERANIANS POPULAR
Before 1888, Pomeranians were an obscure breed. But that was the year Queen Victoria took a fateful trip to Italy, where she saw her first Pomeranian, named Marco, and fell in love with the breed. When the Queen of England becomes an advocate for a particular dog breed, people notice, and so the breed's popularity exploded. Victoria was also responsible for developing Pomeranians into the dogs we recognize today. At the time, Poms were much larger, around 20 pounds, and closer in resemblance to their Akita and Samoyed cousins. But one of Victoria's dogs was particularly small and cute, so breeders bred other Poms down to around 6 pounds, more closely resembling the queen's pooch
MORE: 35 Amazing Corgi Mixes
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U.S. PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT OWNED A POMERANIAN
Teddy Roosevelt owned lots of animals including parrots, ponies, pigs, rabbits, cats, and many dogs. One of these dogs was a Pomeranian named Gem. Not much is known about Gem, but in a letter to his son, Kermit, Roosevelt described having to give the dog to a family member. "Mother is going to present Gem to Uncle Will," Roosevelt wrote. "Gem is really a very nice small bow-wow, but Mother found that in this case possession was less attractive than pursuit. When she takes him out walking he carries her along as if she was a Roman chariot. She thinks that Uncle Will or Eda can anchor him."
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TWO POMERANIANS SURVIVED THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC
There were several animals aboard the doomed ship RMS Titanic, including various birds, cats and dogs. Of all the animals, including at least 12 pet dogs, only three dogs survived when their owners brought them aboard life boats. Two of the three were Pomeranians, while the third was a Pekingnese. Elizabeth Rothschild owned one of the Poms. Rothschild refused to board her lifeboat without her dog. Margaret Bechstein Hays owned Lady, the other Pom. Hays wrapped Lady in blankets and took her aboard lifeboat No. 7.
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POMERANIANS ARE ONE OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE DOG BREEDS
According to the AKC's registration statistics, Pomeranians are among America's top 20 most popular breeds, and have been for years. They're currently ranked 19th, which shows a drop from 13th place between 2008 and 2012. Still, out of 177 recognized and registered breeds, being 19th most popular is nothing to sneeze at.
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THE "WORLD'S CUTEST DOG" IS A POMERANIAN
Boo, the self-proclaimed "World's Cutest Dog," is arguably the most famous Pomeranian of all time. With his unique, short haircut and plushy-cute face, Boo took the Internet by storm in the early 2010s on several fronts, particularly Facebook and YouTube. Boo's popularity eventually afforded him the chance to travel the world and even "write" a book.
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