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Pomerat |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Germany <> U.S.A. -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Pomerat |
| The Pomerat is a hybrid breed composed of a pure-bred German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian and a pure-bred Rat Terrier. They are lively, affectionate little dogs that do best with families who have older children. They are playful and affectionate with their owners and don't like to be left alone for any length of time. Despite their small size, they have big personalities and will need a firm hand in training, otherwise they'll try to run the household. Common colors are black, black and tan, brown and white. Some have short hair and resemble the parent Rat Terrier breed, while others have the long hair of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian. They are relatively easy to groom and shed moderately. |
History of the Pomerat |
| The Pomerat is a combination of a German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian, the smallest member of the Spitz family, and a Rat Terrier. |
A little of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian |
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| Martin Luther, Michelangelo and Mozart were among the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian owners also known as Zwergspitz, Spitz dwarf and Loulou. They are descended from the Spitz family of dogs, the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland, and take their name from the province of Pomerania, Germany, where they are said to have been bred to size. Originally much larger, weighing up to 14 kilos, they were bred to be smaller. The English Kennel Club recognized the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian in 1870. They became more popular when Queen Victoria, who bred over 15 breeds of dog, saw the breed in Italy in 1888 and brought one home. His name was Marco and he weighed 5.5 kilos. That same year, a German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian was entered in the American Kennel Club stud book. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1900. | ||
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| Standard of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian |
A little of the Rat Terrier |
| The Rat Terrier was bred in the USA as a versatile farm dog for killing rats and hunting small game. Its ancestors include the Old English White Terrier, Manchester Terrier and Bull Terrier, which were probably crossed with Beagles, Whippets and Italian Greyhounds. President Theodore Roosevelt is said to have named the breed after his own Terrier solved the rat problem at the White House. Most farms had a Rat Terrier between the 1910s and 1940s, but the breed declined when farmers began using poison to kill rats and other vermin. A few breeders maintained the breed and today they are still popular as pets and working dogs used by police as search dogs for contraband and comforting people living in hospices or assisted living facilities. |
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| Presentation of the Rat Terrier |
Appearance of the Pomerat |
| Pomerat dogs are small hybrid breeds and are a cross between a Rat Terrier and a German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian. They are small dogs weighing up to 7.5 kilos and measuring up to 30.5 centimeters. They can be black, black and tan or brown and white. Depending on the parent breed they take after most, they can be short-haired or long-haired. Your pet is likely to have a small, fox-like face with almond-shaped brown or hazel eyes with an alert expression. These are sturdy little dogs with erect ears that usually rest on the top of the head. The tail usually curves over the back. |
Temperament of the Pomerat |
| The Pomerat is a small dog with a big personality. They are lively, friendly dogs who like to let off steam with family members. They are suitable for older children, but not recommended for the very young, as they can be injured quite easily and break if handled roughly. These dogs will enjoy playing with other dogs provided they are socialized from an early age. They are likely to be wary of strangers and bark, making them good watchdogs. They are energetic little dogs who thrive on the company of their owners, and are therefore suitable for people willing to invest time and energy in their pet. If left alone for too long, they can develop bad habits such as yard digging and barking. They are intelligent dogs that are easy to train, but need a confident owner who can make sure they know their limits. They are suitable for new dog owners. |
Needs and activities of the Pomerat |
| For a small dog, the Pomerat is very energetic, especially if it takes after the Rat Terrier. Your pet will need daily walks and will be very playful, but will be more than happy to chase a ball around a yard and even play indoors with toys. They're prone to digging and trying to escape, so plenty of exercise is the best solution to this. Games and activities that stimulate them physically and mentally are best. They'll adapt easily to apartment life as long as they have company and get regular exercise. Your pet is relatively tough but won't do well in extreme conditions, so keep it warm in winter and don't exercise it when it's too hot in summer. |
Maintenance of the Pomerat |
| The Pomerat doesn't shed excessively and is considered low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Even if your pet has the longest German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian hair, it won't need more than a brush and comb twice a week to keep the skin healthy and avoid any matted effect. Shorthair varieties are even easier to groom with weekly brushing. These dogs don't need to be bathed regularly, and only with dog shampoo. To prevent dental problems, try to brush your dog's teeth every day and check the ears for dirt. Nails should also be trimmed from time to time. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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