Today's tiny Pomeranian has an unexpected canine lineage. This fluffy member of the toy group has ancestors who were sturdy members of the working group – the Spitz sled dogs of Lapland and Greenland. Early cousins of the Spitz also worked herding sheep in the early 19th century. In fact, it's easier to imagine today's Pomeranian yapping around the edges of a herd of sheep than pulling a sled through snow. Still, traces of the Spitz can be seen in the Pomeranian's colors and winter-textured coat.
Pomeranians get their name from a region on the southern Baltic coast known as Pomerania, where the dogs were imported into Europe and bred down to size. It must have taken many generations of breeding to reduce the thirty pound Spitz to a much-reduced size much closer to the size of today's Pomeranian. In 1870, the Kennel Club in England recognized the Pomeranian breed, calling it the "spitz dog."
Perhaps the most famous Pomeranian owner was Queen Victoria of England, who was introduced to the breed by her mother, Queen Charlotte. Certainly the most famous Pomeranian of the 19th century was Queen Victoria's dog Marco. Her Majesty was one of the breed's biggest fans. At one time she is said to have had thirty-five Pomeranians in the royal kennels. Her work with the breed paid off, and she is credited with having reduced the size of the Pomeranian even further. In 1891, Queen Victoria showed six of her dogs: Fluffy, Nino, Mino, Beppo, Gilda and Lulu, and at least two of the dogs won championships.

As one of the most beloved monarchs in British history, Queen Victoria's style had an enormous influence on popular culture, and the Pomeranian quickly became one of the most popular breeds in Great Britain. Her Majesty remained fond of the breed until her death. Indeed, her beloved Pomeranian Turi was at her side when she died.
Besides royalty, other famous Pomeranian owners run the gamut from Michelangelo, who brought his dog to work when he painted the Sistine Chapel, to the actress Kate Hudson, who named her Pomeranian Clara Bo. Legend has it that Sir Isaac Newton's Pomeranian, Diamond, drove him to madness when she knocked over a candle that burned some important papers, causing a nervous breakdown.

Mozart and Chopin composed music for Pomeranians, and the great church leader Martin Luther mentions his Pomeranian named Belferlein in his written works. Actress Cindy Williams, also known as Shirley on "Laverne and Shirley," appeared in commercials for a weight loss program with her Pomeranian. And who can forget Chester, actress Fran Drescher's Pomeranian, whom she made her co-star in the hit TV show "The Nanny."

The Pomeranian is not just for royalty and celebrities. This delightful breed also loves to belong to everyday people like you and me.

The Pomeranian, a favorite of royalty, is a descendant of the Spitz sled dogs. Queen Victoria of England, who once had 35 Pomeranians, made the dog popular in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Keep a scrapbook of photographs of your Pomeranian. Include Pomeranian information, anecdotes, and trivia among the pictures to keep the scrapbook interesting.