This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, March 2015 issue.
In my fourteen years in the breed, I have been involved in many aspects of the Pomeranian, from breeding to exhibiting to serving on the Board of the American Pomeranian Club and representing the club as its AKC Delegate. For the past few years, I wondered what was next for me and how I can better serve the breed I love. With encouragement from judges and fellow breeders, I took the next logical step and applied to judge Pomeranians. Now, I am a permit judge with several exciting assignments ahead of me. This, along with recent trips to Europe to learn more about the breed and its origins, has forced me to see the breed from a different perspective, one that will hopefully positively influence its future.
We must remember that Pomeranians are Spitz-type dogs that came from Northern Europe and were originally sled dogs that were bred down to the three to seven-pound dogs we see today. Several important facts come from this that we should remember when judging the breed. While some people will say that toy dogs need only move well enough to get to the food bowl, their original function dictates that movement is indeed important. “Even though a Toy dog, the Pomeranian must be subject to the same requirements of soundness and structure prescribed for all breeds.” They should have “good reach in the forequarters and strong drive with the hindquarters, displaying efficient ground covering movement that should never be viewed as ineffective or busy.” Pomeranians should double track, but as they move faster, their legs should converge slightly toward a center line. In the FCI countries, Poms are judged alongside all of the other and larger Spitz-type breeds, including the Akita, so a poorly moving dog will not be competitive.
One of the most important aspects of the Pomeranian is probably the most obvious…the coat. It is a double-coated breed and should have a soft undercoat with a dense, harsh outer coat for protection and warmth. While coat texture can vary with age and even coat color, an adult should not have a soft coat and should not be overly trimmed. “Trimming for neatness and a clean outline is permissible.” Further, the revised Breed Standard allows any coat color, pattern, and variation thereof to be shown, and all should be judged on an equal basis. When it comes to judging dogs of color against the more common oranges, always try to choose the best dog, no matter the color.
The tail is very important. Like the larger Spitz breeds, if a Pom were sleeping outside in the snow, it would require a long, plumed tail to adequately cover and protect its face and help to warm the air that it breathes. So a long, heavily plumed, straight tail, set high and flat on the back, is desirable.
Balance is important too, and this relies on the correct proportions. The correct ratio of body length to height is 1:1, measured from the prosternum to the point of the buttocks and from the withers to the ground. Also, when looking at the headpiece, the ratio of length of muzzle to skull should be ⅓ to ⅔; not too snipey, but not too Chow-like either. Ears should be small and set high, and “proper ear set should be favored over size.” Eyes should be “dark, bright, medium-sized, and almond-shaped.” The only disqualification in the breed is light blue, blue marbled, or blue flecked eyes.
When examining the Pomeranian, it is important to really put your hands on the dog and feel the structure, as the coat and trimming can cover up a lot. The important thing is to be gentle, as big, strange hands can be frightening for the small dogs, especially when examining the bite. Exhibitors will appreciate your really going over their exhibit, so feel free to check for bone or angulation, feel the chest or skull or tail or any reference points you need to see if proportions are correct. Pomeranian exhibitors usually have a brush or comb handy, so allow a few seconds for them to neaten their dog when your examination is complete.
The Pomeranian has a long history, and it is important to remember that in judging the dogs, you will determine its future. Pomeranians are a happy, fun, yet still noble breed. Enjoy your time in the ring with them.
