Red Pomeranians are adorable dogs that have been popular for over 100 years. These dogs have a rich history, surprising pedigree, and fun personalities. There is much more to the Red Pomeranian than what first meets the eye. This overview covers everything you need to know about Red Pomeranians, including their history, fun facts, suitability as a family pet, and more.
Breed Overview
Colors:
Red, auburn, copper
Suitable for:
Chill families; people looking for a small dog
Temperament:
Sweet and snuggly; vocal; loyal companion
A Red Pomeranian is simply a color variation of regular Pomeranians. Red Pomeranians are red. It is as simple as that. Red Pomeranians have a very distinct color, but they are not a different species or different breed from regular Pomeranians. The standard Pomeranian can be bred in 27 different colors, with red being one of them. In that way, Red Pomeranians are no different from a Blue Pitbull or White Shepherd.
Red Pomeranian Breed Characteristics
The Earliest Records of Pomeranians in History
The earliest written record of a Pomeranian dog comes from a journal entry written on November 2nd, 1764. The entry was written by James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck, a Scottish lawyer, and writer. The entry mentions the Pomeranian as a distinct dog saying:
“The Frenchman had a Pomeranian dog named Pomer whom he was mighty fond of.”
It is a misconception that the Pomeranian originates from the region of Pomerania. While the dog gets its name from this region which encompasses northern Germany along the banks of the Baltic Sea, the Red Pomeranian was actually descended from the German Spitz. That means that Pomeranians actually originated in Germany rather than Pomerania.
People in the region of Pomerania started breeding these variations of the German Spitz and exporting them, which is where the name comes from. Pomeranians began arriving in the United Kingdom, the center of early dog breeding and enthusiasm, in the 17th century.
How Red Pomeranians Gained Popularity
The Red Pomeranian began rapidly gaining in popularity when they caught the attention of one Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria reigned in England from 1837 until 1901. When she was young, she gained an affinity for Pomeranian dogs and began breeding them. She even owned a Red Pomeranian later in her life, which she named Windsor’s Marco.
Once the queen started breeding Red Pomeranians and speaking about her own beloved companion, the dog began to gain attention as a desirable dog breed. Windsor’s Marco was a very small Pomeranian. It weighed just 12 pounds. Before that, Pomeranians were much larger dogs weighing between 30 and 50 pounds. After the queen was seen in possession of a small Red Pomeranian, the tiny variation of the dog exploded in popularity.
Since Queen Victoria turned the world onto the cuteness of small Red Pomeranians, they have been a staple of popular dogs ever since. Pomeranians routinely rank in the top twenty for popular dog breeds in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Recently, the popularity has dipped slightly as other small dogs, such as Pugs and French Bulldogs, have gained in popularity. Today, Pomeranians, including Red Pomeranians, remain very common and popular with people of all stripes.
Formal Recognition of Red Pomeranians
The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Pomeranian in 1888. The first official breeding club for Pomeranians was founded in England in 1891. The breeding club was the first to write an official breed standard for the Pomeranian and incorporated the more popular small stature into the breeding standards. The Pomeranian was officially recognized as a standard dog breed in the United States beginning in 1900. All of this occurred in the wake of Windsor’s Marco becoming a popular dog figure in the United Kingdom after accompanying the queen.
The 6 Unique Facts About Red Pomeranians
1. Pomeranians Are Descended from Ancient Sled Dogs
The German Spitz is a large and hardy sled dog. Since Pomeranians are directly descended from the German Spitz, that means that Pomeranians are closely related to large northern sled dogs. They might not seem like much with their small bodies today, but Pomeranians have a tough pedigree. That is why many people say Pomeranians think they are much bigger dogs than they actually are. It also explains why they have such bushy coats. Red Pomeranians would stick out in the snow, but the original breed was likely white.
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Dedicated an Aria to His Pomeranian
Mozart is one of history’s most famous composers, and he dedicated an aria to his beloved Pomeranian. An aria is an accompanying song meant to be played underneath a vocal solo in an opera. Clearly, Mozart’s Pomeranian was a muse for him at times.
3. Two Pomeranians Managed to Survive the Sinking of the Titanic
There were only three dogs that managed to survive the horrifying sinking of the Titanic. Two of them were Pomeranians. One Pomeranian escaped in lifeboat six and one in lifeboat seven. The dogs were kept by their fearful owners as the ship went down.
4. Pomeranians Are Often Trained as Service Dogs
Pomeranians do not look like the typical service dog, but they do serve a special purpose. Many Pomeranians are trained as service dogs for the deaf and hearing impaired. Pomeranians are very attentive and vocal dogs, so they make great service dogs for people who cannot hear very well. Next time you see a little Red Pomeranian with a service dog vest on, remember that it could be legitimate!
5. Pomeranians Have Been Owned by Numerous Famous People
Pomeranians made many appearances throughout history, even before the official breed standards became a thing. Pomeranians have been owned by famous people such as Queen Victoria, President Teddy Roosevelt, Martin Luther, and Mozart. It has even been speculated that Michelangelo owned a Pomeranian. Michelangelo is one of the earliest potential advocates of the emerging Pomeranian breed.
6. You Can Still Occasionally Find a “Throwback” Pom
A throwback Pomeranian is one that is bred with its old characteristics in place rather than the modern ones. Throwback Pomeranians are much larger than typical Pomeranians, weighing between 20 and 30 pounds. They are also often pure white and do not throw colors in their coats as they age, like typical examples of the breed. These are traits that were present when Pomeranians were first bred out of the original German Spitz, which is why they are a throwback today.
Do Red Pomeranians Make Good Pets?
Yes. Red Pomeranians make great pets. Pomeranians have been common for decades and popular for centuries. That is because these dogs are fun to own. Pomeranians can make great family dogs if they are socialized appropriately. Everyone loves Pomeranians’ little faces, small stature, and luxurious coats.
There are some things to keep in mind if you plan on getting your own Red Pomeranian. First, they do require regular grooming. Pomeranians do not need as much grooming as they look at first glance, but they do need brushings and baths. Second, Pomeranians can be very yappy. They like to bark, which can be a problem for some people. Lastly, Pomeranians can sometimes be a tad aggressive. They can nip at other dogs and children in certain circumstances. All of these problems can be mitigated, but they do need to be accounted for.
Conclusion
Red Pomeranians are a color variation of the popular Pomeranian. They have been around for centuries and have been very popular. Red Pomeranians can make excellent family dogs, and they are very fun to own. It is easy to see why the world fell in love with this dog breed after Queen Victoria began popularizing them in the 19th century.
Featured Image Credit: Oksamutnaya, Shutterstock
