Pomeranians are very tiny dogs and should weigh not more than 3 to 6lbs maximum as adults, males are smaller, correct size is 4 - 4.5 lbs, and bitches 5.5lbs
Therefore if you are viewing puppies, ensure you see both parents to ensure you are buying a genuine Pomeranian - there are so many scams on the internet it is a minefield!
Males should be smaller than females, and should weigh between 4 to 4.5lbs as an adult.
Females are larger and can weigh up to 6 or even 7lbs (as a good breeding bitch), as an adult.
The head and skull should be rounded, not domed, see the image above, the ears should be SMALL and sit high on the head, always UPRIGHT,never folded forwardor pointing down even slightly!n The ears must always be upright and "pricked".
Also, be aware of an "Open Fontanelle" which is the area on the top of head, the skull should NOT have any "soft" spots, this is due to bad/incorrect/genetical/inbreeding problems.
The "bite" - the correct bite should be the front top teeth should meet in proper alignment e.g. this is called a "scissors bite" this is where the top teeth engage with the inner surfaces of the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed - this requires the jaws to be of equal length, and the teeth erupt at 90 degree angles from the jaw.
Body Conformation: The Pom's neck and body are short and compact and should not slope backwards e.g. like a GSD.
The coat should be, in a puppy, very, very fluffy at 12 weeks, beware of any pups that are "not all fluff" as these certainly are NOT pure Pomeranians.
Coat Quality in an adult should be a heavy double coat, with a fine undercoat and a course top coat, the top coat is very long and course in texture, and should be profuse from the neck to the shoulders, forming a large frill, like a lion.
The coat is short and dense on the head.
The flanks, front and rear legs have very long hair, known as feathers.
The eyes are very important, they should be dark in colour, bright, set well into the skull, medium sized and almond shaped
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American Kennel Club - Pomeranian
Dog Breed Standard
AKC POMERANIAN TOY GROUP
General
Appearance
The Pomeranian dog is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog. He has a soft,
dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured outer coat. His heavily plumed
tail is set high and lies flat on his back. He is alert in character, exhibits
intelligence in expression, is buoyant in deportment, and is inquisitive by
nature. The Pomeranian is cocky, commanding, and animated as he gaits. He is
sound in composition and action. Size, Proportion, Substance The average weight
of the Pomeranian is from 3 to 7 pounds, with the ideal weight for the show
specimen being 4 to 6 pounds. Any dog over or under the limits is
objectionable. However, overall quality is to be favoured over size. The
distance from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks is slightly
shorter than from the highest point of the withers to the ground. the distance
from the brisket to the ground is half the height at the withers. He is
medium-boned, and the length of his legs is in proportion to a well-balanced
frame. When examined, he feels sturdy.
Head
The head is in balance with the body. The muzzle is rather short, straight,
fine, free of lippiness and never snipey. His expression is alert and may be
referred to as fox-like. The skull is closed. The top of the skull is slightly
rounded, but not domed. When viewed from the front and side, one sees small
ears which are mounted high and carried erect. To form a wedge, visualize a
line from the tip of the nose ascending through the centre of the eyes and the
tip of the ears. The eyes are dark, bright, medium in size and almond-shaped.
They are set well into the skull on either side of a well-pronounced stop. The
pigmentation is black on the nose and eye rims except self-coloured in brown,
beaver, and blue dogs. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. One tooth out of
alignment is acceptable.
Major
Faults: Round,
domed skull; under-shot mouth; overshot mouth.
Neck,
Topline, Body
The neck is short with its base set well into the shoulders to allow the head
to be carried high. The back is short with a level topline. The body is compact
and well-ribbed with brisket reaching the elbow. The plumed tail is one of the
characteristics of the breed, and lies flat and straight on the back.
Forequarters
The Pomeranian has sufficient layback of shoulders to carry the neck and head
proud and high. The shoulders and legs are moderately muscled. The length of
the shoulder blade and upper arm are equal. The forelegs are straight and
parallel to each other. Height from elbows to withers approximately equals
height from ground to elbow. The pasterns are straight and strong. The feet are
well-arched, compact, and turn neither in nor out. He stands well up on his
toes. Dewclaws may be removed.
Major
Faults: Down in
pasterns.
Hindquarters
The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters. The
buttocks are well behind the set of the tail. The thighs are moderately muscled
with stifles that are moderately bent and clearly defined. The hocks are
perpendicular to the ground and the legs are straight and parallel to each
other. The feet are well-arched, compact, and turn neither in nor out. He
stands well up on his toes. Dewclaws, if any on the hind legs may be removed.
Major
Faults:
Cowhocks or lack of soundness in hind legs or stifles.
Gait
The Pomeranian's gait is smooth, free, balanced and vigorous. He has good reach
in his forequarters and strong drive with his hindquarters. Each rear leg moves
in line with the foreleg on the same side. To achieve balance, his legs
converge slightly inward toward a centre line beneath his body. The rear and
front legs are thrown neither in nor out. The topline remains level, and his
overall balance and outline are maintained.
Coat
A Pomeranian is noted for its double coat. The undercoat is soft and dense. The
outer-coat is long, straight, glistening and harsh in texture. A thick
undercoat will hold up and permit the guard hair to stand off from the
Pomeranian's body. The coat is abundant from the neck and fore part of
shoulders and chest, forming a frill which extends over the shoulders and
chest. The head and leg coat is tightly packed and shorter in length than that
of the body. The forequarters are well-feathered to the hock. The tail is
profusely covered with long, harsh, spreading straight hair. Trimming for
neatness and a clean outline is permissible.
Major
Faults: Soft,
flat or open coat.
Colour
All colours, patterns, and variations there-of are allowed and must be judged
on an equal basis.
Patterns
Black and Tan - tan or rust sharply defined, appearing above each eye
and on muzzle, throat, and forechest, on all legs and feet and below the tail.
The richer the tan the more desirable.
Brindle - the base colour is gold, red,
or orange-brindled with strong black cross stripes;
Parti-colour - is white with any other colour
distributed in patches with a white blaze preferred on the head.
Classifications
The Open Classes at specialty shows may be divided by colour as follows: Open
Red, Orange, Cream, and Sable; Open Black, Brown, and Blue; Open Any Other Colour,
Pattern, or Variation.
Temperament
The Pomeranian is an extrovert, exhibiting great intelligence and a vivacious
spirit, making him a great companion dog as well as a competitive show dog.
Even though a Toy dog, the Pomeranian must be subject to the same requirements
of soundness and structure prescribed for all breeds, and any deviation from
the ideal described in the standard should be penalised to the extent of the
deviation.
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