The Pomeranian: Not Just a Pretty Face!

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, March 2015 issue.

The Pomeranian: Not Just a Pretty Face!

Pomeranians are one of the best-kept secrets in the world of dog sports. Their original use as herding dogs, before they were bred down in size, means that many of them still retain the same instincts that make Border Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs so responsive to training. Poms have shown these abilities since the early days of Obedience competition. In 1943, Pomeranian Georgian’s Betty UDT (Utility Dog Tracking) was actually the top Obedience dog in the United States. Her picture in the April 1944 National Geographic Magazine shows her holding a dumbbell that must have been meant for a much larger dog.

Since then, with many Toy breeds competing in Obedience, dumbbells, gloves, and articles have been made that will fit these smaller dogs and Poms are participating in all sports where they are allowed. Most people think of Pomeranians as cute little lap dogs, but when allowed to show their stuff, they are much, much more. Among recent top OBEDIENCE Pomeranians is OTCH Gidget’s Cinnamon Prince UDX8 OM3 VER RE TDI. “Levi” was the first Pom to earn UDX3, UDX4, UDX5, UDX6, UDX7, UDX8; and the first to attain the OM1, OM2, and OM3. (A Utility Dog Excellent title requires earning qualifying scores in the Open and Utility classes at the same trial on 10 different occasions.

The Obedience Master title requires the dog to achieve a specified number of points based on high scores.) Levi was also the first Pom to achieve the United Kennel Club’s Obedience Champion title. As a therapy dog, Levi visited nursing homes, making life better for people who needed the joy that a dog can bring. His call name, Levi, was not always heard correctly, though. On one occasion, an Obedience judge was overheard telling someone, “And she calls him ‘Flea Bite’! Isn’t that cute?”

Can they do Obedience? Pomeranians have brains! RALLY is sometimes called “Obedience with signs.” The dog and handler complete a course designed by the judge; moving from one sign to another, they perform the skill required by that sign. Rally became an AKC titling sport on January 1, 2005. On that weekend, 3 Pomeranians became among the first dogs to receive the AKC Rally Novice title. By November of 2005, there was a Rally Advanced Excellent Pomeranian, the highest level title available in Rally other than added numbers on the end of the RAE.

Can they do Rally? Pomeranians can read the signs! AGILITY is a natural venue for Pomeranians. Their love for running and exploring pays off when they find the joy of jumping, climbing, and racing around a ring. CH MACH15 Carleez Boom Boom Boom MXB5 MXS5 discovered this joy early on. In addition to his breed championship, “Boomer” has run more than 100 miles at the AKC Master level since 2008, qualifying more than 80% of the time. Those runs were on grass, mud, rubber, and turf. Can they do Agility? Pomeranians have legs!

Pomeranians have been THERAPY DOGS for years, with no credit given other than in the hearts of those on the receiving end of all that love. AKC has just recently begun to realize that the training and work that goes to make a Therapy Dog should have official recognition. These dogs go into nursing homes and hospitals and schools, not only offering love, but also assisting in many ways. They listen to children read aloud, walk beside someone using a walker, or respond to someone who is trying to form a command: “Sit.” One Pom would always lick out her tongue when anyone blew into her nostrils, perfect for Speech Therapy. Can they be Therapy Dogs? Pomeranians have hearts! Then there is COURSING ABILITY. While Lure Coursing trials and titles are reserved by AKC for sighthounds, a similar type of trial has recently been opened to all breeds.

Pomeranians were not slow to get into this sport. On March 31, 2012, UCH, UAG1, URO1, UCD Rone’s Bjorn to Fly CA, RA, RATN RATI CGC became the first AKC Coursing Ability titled Pomeranian. “Mikko” also has 7 legs out of the required 10 for the Coursing Ability Advanced title. Additionally, Mikko is titled in UKC Agility, Rally and Obedience, as well as in AKC Rally and Barn Hunt. This 5½ lb. dog is learning to do weight pull, too. And in his spare time, Mikko participates in Conformation, needing just one more major for his breed Championship. Are they able to do Coursing? Pomeranians cut to the chase!

One of the newest titles in AKC (we have several lately!) is for BARN HUNT. Most people think of this as a terrier sport, but it is open to all breeds. The AKC does not actually sanction Barn Hunts, but it does recognize Barn Hunt titles from the Barn Hunt Association. There are at least 5 Pomeranians working in Barn Hunt trials now and they love hunting through and over bales of hay to find the very bored rat waiting in a cage.

Can they do Barn Hunt? Pomeranians know critters! In addition to AKC titling sports, Pomeranians are participating in K9 Nosework, Flyball, Dock Diving, Weight Pull and Back Packing. In K9 NOSEWORK, the dog performs as a search dog might when looking for drugs, but in a controlled trial situation. Starting with “hides” of specific scents in a box chosen from a number of other boxes, the dog progresses to more difficult searches. Pomeranian PTE MN EC URO1 Second Chance Ted E. Bear BN RE was the 3rd dog overall in the country to attain the UKC Master nosework title. For an Exterior search, Ted found a bag on the picnic table and lay on top of it to indicate his find. To pass the Master Vehicle search, “Ted” had to find 4 hides on 7 cars and trucks while ignoring 2 distractions (beef jerky!) and do it in less than 8 minutes.

Ted did his first search in 3 minutes, 28 seconds, and his second in 4 minutes, 30 seconds. That second search was among 4 large pickup trucks, one large, unwashed and smelly horse trailer, and 2 mini-vans. There were three “hides” on the second search, one on the horse trailer and one on the front and one on the back of the same pickup truck. His handler thought there could not be two hides on the same vehicle, but she trusted her Pom’s nose. Can they do Nosework? Pomeranians have noses! FLYBALL is sometimes called “drag racing for dogs.” This is a team relay effort, with 4 dogs going over 4 jumps, catching a ball that pops out of a spring-loaded box and racing back over the jumps again. Second Chance Kanga ONYX is currently rated #6 in Flyball Pomeranians.

His retired “brother,” Second Chance Pippin FDGCh MBDCh Iron Dog AXJ, still holds the #1 spot for Flyball Poms. (There is yet a 3rd Pom doing Flyball from that household, Second Chance Alfie FM MBDX. All were rescues.) If you have heard the loudest barkers ever, all in full voice at the same time, you may have heard the excitement that dogs feel as they anticipate their turn to run. Can they do Flyball? Pomeranians love to race!