by Victoria Oelerich POMERANIAN LIVING WITH THE
C anines are canines. They are de- scendants, theoretically, from the wolf, but veered off as a spe- cies because of their desire to be a companion to man. The varying breeds possess many similar qualities despite the obvious differences be- tween them. They are nonetheless all part of the same species, canis famil- iaris . But what is so fascinating about purebred dogs are the differences that have been purposefully bred into them in order to make them uniquely distinct. Each breed is unique, not only in how they look and in their abilities to do the jobs they were cre- ated to do, but also in the different nuances of behavior, particular to their breed. Pomeranians are “a cocky, command- ing breed, buoyant in deportment and inquisitive by nature,” according to the newly revised Pomeranian breed standard. Those adjectives have been in the standard and handed down through breed standards for decades. The traits that make a Pom act like a Pom are not at all accidental, but the result of microscopic threads of DNA that are transferred through genera- tions. It is because of the dedicated breeders who continue to create this breed to not only look like Poms but to act like Poms as well. This breedwas originally amuch larg- er-sized dog from the Baltic region. They were bred for multiple purpos- es—protectors on boats, herding, and even as small sled dogs. Even though their size has been diminished 25%, their character has remained pure.
44 • T op N otch T oys , J anuary 2022
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