In this instance the name of the breed has nothing whatever to do with its point of origin. It is claimed that the breed was reduced in size to its present smallness in the Duchy of Pomerania. No explanation is made of how it got there however, the fact is not emphasized or sworn to. Let us just accept the name and, as in the case of other blessings, ask no questions.

We do know that the Pom was once a much larger dog than it is today. In fact, when first noticed in Britain it was not a toy dog at all. Its genetic background at that time was more discernible than now. It is related to, and shares the same basic ancestry as, the Keeshond, Spitz, Norwegian Elkhound and Samoyed. The background of all these breeds were the sled dogs of the Arctic zones.

As a matter of fact, the Pom is said to once (when it weighed up to 30 pounds) have greatly resembled in size, coat and colour the German wolf-spitz breed. Closest to the Pom genetically today is the Spitz. When the English Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1870 it was called the Spitzdog.

Bred down to true toy size, the Pomeranian is one of the best known toys in the world and its very name is synonymous with canine smallness.