|
Before you buy a
Pomeranian Puppy…
-
Have you
considered a Rescue Pom???
There are very reputable Pomeranian Rescue Groups that offer Rescued
Pomeranians to deserving and loving homes.
Here is a link to
a list of Pomeranian Rescue Groups:
RESCUE
-
Have you checked
with your local shelter to see if they have any Poms available?
Many shelters
throughout the country have a very high percentage of purebred dogs that
desperately need new homes. Check
with your local shelter and any shelters within driving distance to see if they
have a Pom available to you.
You
may also want to check http://www.petfinder.com
-
Have you
considered a Retired Breeder???
A retired Pom
could be a great choice if you are looking for an older, less expensive Pom.
They are already grown so you know what size they will be and what they
will look like as adults. They are already altered, (spayed or neutered) and
through many rough “puppy stages” such as chewing.
If you are still
determined that you want a puppy here is some information to help:
How to Find or Determine a Good breeder:
-
Is
the breeder you are looking at registered with any National or Local Breed
Clubs?
The National Breed Club for Pomeranians in the U.S. is the American
Pomeranian Club or APC. Their
membership requirements are very strict to help ensure listed members are
reputable breeders.
-
What
registry does the breeder use to register pups?
AKC is the oldest and
most respected of all breed registries.
Parents of the puppy must be AKC registered with full breeding rights
before a puppy can be registered. AKC
also requires DNA testing for frequently used sires or litters in which
there is question of the parentage. They
perform regular inspections to breeder’s kennels to ensure the strict
paperwork they demand is in order and that the dogs are cared for and
treated in a satisfactory manner. A
dog cannot be shown except through AKC and all dog shows such as Westminster
or Eukanuba contain AKC registered dogs.
Click here for more information as to why AKC is the correct choice:
http://www.akc.org/public_education/regpromo.cfm
CKC or Continental
Kennel Club is not recommended because they are not a respected
organization. They will
register anything and call it a Pom just so long as you have two witnesses,
who can be anyone, to state that they think the dog in question is a
Pom.
I do not condone CKC and
none of my dogs are registered as such.
Do not confuse CKC, (Continental), with CKC, (Canadian), as they are a
respected organization such as the AKC.
-
Can you visit the breeder's home?
If so, can you see both parents, (provided an outside stud wasn’t
used)? Are the premises clean?
Is the breeder kind and willing to answer your questions?
Do the Poms seem friendly and outgoing rather than shy and frightened?
Can the breeder tell you without question the parents of the pup and
produce a pedigree? Does your
breeder seem very knowledgeable about the breed as a whole and the health issues
surrounding it? Is your
breeder familiar with the breed standard and can they provide a copy for you?
Can the breeder give you an explanation as to why they have bred the
puppy’s parents together? Does
the breeder show dogs or breed dogs that are of champion linage?
Does the breeder have a good, honest reputation with others?
If all of the above answers are YES you may have
found a good breeder!
Back
to Top
What’s a Show Breeder/Hobby Breeeder/BackYard Breeder/Puppy Mill?
-
Show breeders are people who breed dogs with health, quality and values
in mind. They work to improve the
Pomeranian breed and to keep it ever improving for generations to come. They
finish their dogs to championship in the show circuit and usually only breed to
obtain more showing stock.
They are
most always members of the National Breed Club and are very reputable breeders.
They are the pillars and the voice of the breeding community and are most
always looked up to.
-
Hobby breeders have the same values
in regards to health and quality as the show
breeders but do not actively show as much as a show breeder would. They also work to improve the Pom breed.
Hobby breeders are also usually members of the national breed club and
are also very reputable breeders.
-
Back Yard Breeders are called such because most of the time they get a
few Poms out of the local paper, throw them in the backyard and whatever happens,
happens. They don’t care about
the breed standard or improving the breed and are just out for a buck. They are one of the shames of the breeding community but most
of the time their dogs are not abused or treated cruelly but are used for
the incorrect motives. You will most
often see back yard breeders with low quality, CKC registered Poms.
-
Puppy Mills are horrible places where animals are abused and poorly cared
for. The dogs live in deplorable
conditions and are bred over and over with no concern for their health or
happiness. They live in tiny cages
and are never loved. They are puppy
machines and nothing more… The owner’s values are not pure and most have
never even heard of a “breed standard”.
They do not even show concern over the parentage or purity of the breeds
they own, which is usually more than one. If
you encounter a Puppy Mill report them!
Back
to Top
What Is the Difference in Show, Breeder or Pet Quality?
-
Pet Quality
refers to a Pomeranian that has a flaw that is usually invisible to
the untrained eye that makes that dog a poor choice for breeding. It isn’t something that a pet owner would notice but
may be something that would cause a judge to disqualify a Pom.
Usually an incorrect bite, testicle placement (in males), improper coat or
weight/size at maturity are reasons that a Pom would be sold as pet quality.
Pet Quality Poms are excellent candidates for obedience training and shows.
-
Breeding Quality
refers to a Pom that would not fair well in the show circuit but has the
potential to pass on proper offspring. Take
for instance an 8-pound female. Her
size would be a show disqualification but bred to a small male she could
possibly produce
quality pups in the correct size range.
A breeding quality Pom may be flawed in a way that would disqualify them from a
conformation show but not in a
way that is genetic.
-
Show Quality
refers to that elusive quality Pom that is so close to the breed standard
that the dog can be shown and finished with ease.
A show quality Pom will have an excellent bite, head, coat, structure,
movement and be of correct size.
Back
to Top
Common “Myths”
-
All Breeders Are All Out to Make Money and/or Breeding Dogs Is A Great
Way To Make Money
This could not be further from the truth!!
Responsible breeders do not breed for money but rather for the love of
the breed. When done the correct
way it is near impossible to ever pull a profit from breeding dogs!!
This is a common misconception, though and leads to the start and
eventual downfall of many “out for money” breeders.
A true responsible breeder breeds for one reason: to better
the breed!
Back
to Top
-
Aren’t All Breeders Puppy Mills?
This is not true. Puppy
Mills are horrible places where animals are abused and poorly cared for.
The dogs live in deplorable conditions where they are bred over and over
without any concern for their health or happiness. They
live in tiny cages and are never loved. They are puppy machines and nothing more…
The mill owner’s values are not pure and most have never even
heard of a “breed standard”. They
do not even show concern over the parentage or purity of the breeds they own,
which is usually more than one.
Buying from a puppy mill to “save a puppy” is a mistake
because you are further enabling their cruel ways. They don’t care why you buy a puppy, just as long as they
get your money… However, after a puppy mill is shut down their dogs are often
available through a shelter and can then be rescued.
If you feel you have encountered a puppy mill, please, turn
them in!! Call your local
authorities and animal shelter to have them investigated or the national breed
club of one or all of the breeds they own and hopefully together we can shut
these facilities down!!
Back
to Top
-
Quality Isn’t Important Unless You Are
Showing/Breeding
Not true… Quality is very important as you not only have a life long
companion that behaves the way a Pomeranian is supposed to behave, (not snippy
or aggressive or overly excited), but you are also ensuring that your new friend
is free from genetic defects and other health issues.
You want a Pom you
can be proud of, not a Pom that is 20 lbs. and has little to no coat that causes
people to constantly ask, “Is that a full blooded Pom?” You want a close-to-standard undoubtedly 100%
Pomeranian and with the proper research and the right breeder finding a quality pet
Pom isn’t hard at all!!
Back to Top
-
The
Smaller the Better!
Again, false. Small is great
but all things in moderation!! Special
concerns must be taken with Pomeranians that are smaller than the
recommendations of the breed standard (3-7 lbs. with the show specimen being
favored at 4-6 lbs.)
A tiny Pomeranian will more than likely need additional medical care, as
their small bodies are very frail inside and out.
They are prime candidates for Hypoglycemia (low-blood sugar), heart
and/or other organ problems and are usually only suitable in homes without children
and with people that can give them near-constant watch and care.
They sell much higher than average Pomeranians because they appeal to people
looking for that “rare” or “hard to find” aspect.
In nature “rare” isn’t always a good thing… consider this before
looking for a “tiny” or “teacup”.
Smaller than standard Poms do pop up from time to time, even with the
most careful breeder, and when that happens those pups deserve a
great home!
However, be leery
of anyone breeding specifically for “tinies” or “teacup” Poms.
More than likely they are not going to be a very responsible breeder as
health should always be priority #1!
Back
to Top
-
Cheaper is Better
Wrong! A lot of time,
effort, care, grooming, showing and money goes into good, quality, healthy Poms! When you see a Pomeranian in the newspaper in the $100-$400
price range it is
almost guaranteed you will not find any champion lines in that Pom’s
background. More than likely the
quality will not be there. It is
also very important to ensure that any puppy you are considering has had a
thorough health check by a reputable and licensed veterinarian.
Most of your “cheap” puppies will not have had the proper health care
they need and you could be looking at a very hard, heart breaking and expensive
lesson.
If you pay a few hundred dollars for an
apparently healthy Pom pup that has Parvo or a genetic disorder you could end up
paying about $500-$1000 in vet bills only for the pup to die anyways.
Make sure your new pup is healthy and that you are given a health
guarantee!!
Most especially when selecting breeding or showing stock
there should be no question into the potential breeding dog’s quality
or health and money shouldn’t be your main concern!
Back
to Top
-
The Higher the Price Means Better Quality
Wrong again! Just because a
Pom is selling for $2500 or $3000 does not mean it is a quality dog. That is where research, self-education (or help from a
mentor or trusted breeder), and good ol’ common sense come into play.
Are the parents champions?
Are their parents champions? Is
the dog and it’s parents of the quality expressed in the breed standard?
Don’t spend money solely based on a Pom’s color.
Color comes in quality, too.
Back to Top
-
Pet Shops Are Reputable Businesses
Definitely not! When you walk
into a pet shop you expect that the business is reputable and honest but when it
comes to “doggie shops” that could not be further from the truth.
Pet shops are out to make a profit. That isn’t wrong, it’s economics.
However, to turn a profit on a Pom think about where they are
coming from? If you see a $1000
Pomeranian in a pet shop I doubt that the shop owner paid $800 for a quality puppy
when there are hundreds of Puppy Mills that will sell their Poms for $100 or
less if the Pet Show Owner will agree to buy the whole litter… where is the better profit made?
Also, lots of time and hands on care is required to create a
properly socialized pup… unless a shop is highly staffed most puppies will not
receive that much needed love and care.
Another problem lies in the fact that as a puppy buyer you
need to be as educated on the breed as possible. A breeder can take the time
to properly educate you as well as guide you throughout the
puppy’s life.
Pet shops are usually way too busy for that type of a
commitment.
Buy your puppy's food at a Pet Shop and your puppy from a
responsible breeder!
Back
to Top
-
CKC is Just as Good as AKC, right?
No, AKC is the oldest and most respected of all breed registries.
Parents of the puppy must be AKC registered with full breeding rights
before a puppy can be registered. AKC
also requires DNA testing for frequently used sires or litters in which there is
question of the parentage. They
perform regular inspections to breeder’s kennels to ensure the strict
paperwork they demand is in order and that the dogs are cared for and treated in
a satisfactory manner. A dog cannot
be shown except through AKC and all dog shows such as Westminster or Eukanuba
contain AKC registered dogs.
CKC or Continental Kennel Club is
not recommended because they are not a respected organization.
They will register any dog as whatever breed you wish it to be just so long as
you have two witness, who can be anyone, to state that they think the dog in
question is what you say it is.
I
do not condone CKC and none of my dogs are registered as such.
Do not confuse CKC, (Continental), with CKC, (Canadian), as they are a
respected organization such as AKC.
Back
to Top
-
Showing Poms and Champions are not important.
This is so wrong. Many
people hear misconceptions about “show people” such as they are mean-spirited
or that they don’t care about their Poms but rather awards and recognition… all fires fueled by jealousy.
No doubt there are probably some show breeders that fit the above profile
but all things considered Show Breeders are the ones who keep the breeds alive!
Their values are high and health and quality are their number one
priorities!
Many people fail to realize but the main reason a dog is shown is to prove on record that
said dog is of
valued breeding stock. It is proof
that the dog is good enough to pass on offspring that will be of value
and improvement of the Pomeranian breed. Receiving
a championship is comparable to scoring a perfect score on an “is my dog good enough to breed” test.
Quality can still be achieved and maintained through Poms that are not recorded
Champions but in this day and age proof is everything!
A championship is the proof you need.
It is a common misconception that show breeders are
“mean”.
When you are showing
you are in competition with other breeders.
When people loose to another breeder there are sometimes hard feelings
and from there rumors start… (It’s the same thing as if your favorite
hometown football team lost in overtime after a very close game.
You probably wouldn’t have anything nice to say about the victors).
Not all breeders are good sports about loosing and therefore take losing
very personally…
If you hear a rumor,
take it with a grain of salt and make your own evaluations.
Some people also feel offended if a show breeder refuses to
sell them a puppy but it is obvious they have their reasons. If a show
breeder blows you off it doesn’t mean that breeder is mean.
Just keep looking and if your interests are in the right place you will
not encounter many problems!
A lot of times a Show Breeder will have a really nice Pom that exhibits
quality that the breeder has worked many years to achieve and therefore feel
the Pom MUST be finished.
It’s hard to entrust that Pom's future to someone you don’t know.
It’s
tough to be blown off but just try not to be too offended!
Back
to Top
Pomeranian Health Issues:
-
BSD/SHL
BSD, (black skin disease), or SHL, (sudden hair loss), is a
condition that affects an Artic Breed's coat. Unfortunately,
it is not only a cosmetic issue and many Poms suffer from the painful and
heartbreaking effects of this disease.
The dog will loose it's coat spontaneously, without any
explanation of why, usually before the animal reaches 2 years old.
The concern of BSD/SHL in Pomeranians is the growing
increase in the occurrence of the disease in the breed - a breed known for it's
luxurious coat.
This disease appears to
be genetic, (on the X chromosome), and affects most every show line...
It
is our duty as responsible breeders to help eliminate this disease from our
breed and educate others on how to do the same.
I have been privileged enough to
know Sylvia Hess, a Pom Lover that is dedicated and extremely well-informed in this
cause.
Her personal research is helping
to bridge the gap between those who ignore the disease and those helping
to eliminate it.
Please feel free to contact her
and use the following links for more information:
Sylvia Hess: upsprout@juno.com
Together with the help of
dedicated individuals such as Sylvia and the ongoing research of many
brilliant scientists we will see a decrease in BSD/SHL and hopefully an
eventual extinction.
Back
to Top
-
Patellar luxation
A patella is the “knee” of a dog. Luxation is the word used for “dislocation” of the
kneecap. Patellar Luxation is a
congenital deformation of the knee joint that causes it to dislocate or slide
out of its normal placement or troclear groove.
There are varying degrees of Patellar Luxation known as “grades” and
the most severe requiring surgery. Most
all grades eventually lead to arthritis in an older dog.
Most all grades also cause discomfort in some form or way to the affected
dog. Because the genetic
disposition is not completely understood it is not recommended to breed a dog
with Patellar Luxation.
The OFA (Orthepedic
Foundation for Animals) is a registry that records any said dog and their knee
grades.
Check their website for lots of Information and to obtain a form to have
your Pom graded:
http://www.offa.org/
Back
to Top
-
Seizures
Seizures are most commonly thought upon as a condition
where as the dog convulses and foams at the mouth.
Unfortunately, seizures will present themselves in other ways, too.
Strange repetitive actions or movements can also be a seizure.
(Excessive licking at the air, jerking of one or more legs, lunging back
and forth repeatedly or any strange repetitive movements). There are several health
conditions that can lead to seizures but it is also possible that the condition has been
bred into the dog.
If a Pom exhibits seizures or signs similar to a seizure have it checked
by your Vet to see if an underlying issue can be found. Any Pomeranian
that has seizures should be
spayed/neutered. Seizures are
genetic and passed on to the offspring.
Back
to Top
-
Collapsing
Trachea
This is a condition in which the tracheal rings become weak
and as a result the trachea fails to stay open while the dog is breathing.
It is most often noticed whenever a dog becomes excited or “winded”.
They will create a sound similar to a goose honking.
This condition is sometimes caused by damage to the trachea, which is a
good reason a harness is a better choice for a small dog.
This condition is most often treated with medication and
rarely is surgery required.
Back
to Top
-
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is the name for low blood sugar. It is most often seen in very small puppies.
The dog will exhibits signs of extreme weakness or confusion and will
sometimes shiver uncontrollably. The
dog will eventually become unconscious and die without treatment.
Fortunately, there are products that will bring a dog out of a
hypoglycemic state such as Nutrical. If
you do not have access to Nutrical or any similar product you can use a tiny
bit of honey to bring a pup around. It
is a good idea to always have your pup vet checked after a Hypoglycemic episode
to ensure no long-term damage was done and that the pup is ok!
Back
to Top
-
Retained Puppy Teeth
A Pom has a total of 28 puppy teeth that begin to emerge at
3 weeks of age. A Pom should have
all 42 permanent teeth around 8 months of age.
The puppy teeth are supposed to shed as the adult teeth start to
protrude. However, this is not
always the case. If the
puppy tooth fails to fall it is called a retained puppy tooth.
Left untreated a Pom will have a set of teeth in two rows and this can
lead to serious concerns such as permanent teeth becoming out of line and
increased dental trouble due to debris becoming trapped between the adult and
retained teeth. A veterinarian
should be consulted to remove these teeth and usually anesthesia is required.
Providing a growing puppy with lots of “chewing material” such as
knucklebones, etc. can sometimes help prevent puppy teeth retention.
Back
to Top
What’s A Merle and Other Color Questions/Concerns:
-
Merle refers to a coat pattern in which some parts of the coat are diluted or
washed out due to a lack of pigmentation. The
merle gene controls the pattern and it is a dominant gene. There is quite a bit of misconception about merles and when
bred improperly health issues can occur. Since
I do not personally own a merle I ask that you please visit the below link to receive
proper education on merles. You may
also want to click here
to Google “Merle Pomeranian Health Concerns” but just remember
there is quite a bit of unfounded information out there so do you homework!
http://www.lovelypomeranians.com/merle.htm
-
Blue Alopecia is a condition that only affects blue colored Poms.
The darkest blue dogs are most often affected.
The hair of the blue area falls out or becomes very brittle and
unmanageable. The dog will have a cotton-like easily tangled coat.
Blue alopecia is genetic therefore a dog with this disease should never
be bred.
-
Here is an exciting list of all available
Pomeranian colors!!
http://www.apc.org/colors.htm
Back
to Top
What is a teacup Pom?
-
There is no such thing. The
word “teacup” is actually just a selling ploy.
A
Pomeranian is by the breed standard 3-7 lbs.
Anything smaller can have serious health problems.
The APC has put a lot of thought and research behind the standard it creates
and that is why it is so important to follow it as closely as possible.
They realize that a Pom smaller than their recommendations is prone to be
unhealthy or unsound. Please keep this in mind before falling for the
"teacup" ploy. Most breeders advertising as such are not very
responsible.
-
Also see here:
Common “Myths” - The smaller the better!
Back
to Top
What are Puppy Uglies?
-
"Puppy Uglies" is the term commonly referred to
as the extreme shedding
process a Pomeranian goes through. At
about 3 months of age a Pomeranian will start to shed its fluffy puppy coat.
In mid-shed your puppy will be very scraggly and appear to be
almost completely “naked” while its feet and ears will appear huge!
This is all perfectly normal, though, and by 7 or 8 months your puppy
will start to grow in its beautiful adult coat and once again blossom into a
gorgeous fluff-ball!
Back
to Top
How Your Murcks Pom Has Been Cared For:
-
Starting at two weeks of age and every two weeks thereafter your puppy
has been wormed with Nemex II or Pyrantel.
This is to prevent any round or hookworms.
-
At 9 weeks of age your puppy is given a Duramune Max 5 shot by Fort Dodge
to prevent Parvovirus, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza and Distemper (If Parvo
is especially rampant at the time of year I will give a booster starting at 6
weeks of only parvo and distemper and then start the regular schedule at nine
weeks).
At intervals of 3 weeks your pup will receive an additional
vaccine until 16 weeks of age. At
that point Rabies vaccination is also given and their next booster is given at
one year of age.
*Maternal antibodies do interfere with vaccinations
therefore it is important not to expose your new puppy to any environment that
may be contaminated with Parvo, etc. until they have had several sets of
vaccinations.
-
Your puppy has been eating a diet of Purina Pro Plan Lamb and Rice for
puppies. I switched to Purina a few
years back whenever they were one of the very few companies that did not have to
recall their pet food due to an aflatoxin contamination of their corn.
-
Your puppy has been given huge amounts of love and handling from the day
it was born! I hand deliver all my
pups and they reside in our kitchen until they go to their new homes. They are weighed at birth and every day until they are 2
weeks old. From that point they are
weighted weekly. Any pup showing weight loss
is supplemented with hand feedings.
They
have been exposed to everyday household noises, (vacuuming, etc.) so they are
not afraid in their new homes. They
are handled many times a day and exposed to other people after their first shot
is given.
At about 8-10 weeks
old your puppy will visit the veterinarian for thorough health check.
Their eyes, hearts, testicle placement (males only), temperature and
fecal samples are all checked. They
are also checked for hernias and Patellar Luxation (which can occur later in
life).
-
My pups do not leave until they are at least 10 weeks of age. For smaller pups I actually prefer 12 weeks of age.
I do not force wean any of my pups although they are offered moist food
at 2-3 weeks of age. I let the mother decided when she feels it is time to wean,
which is usually about 6-8 weeks of age.
Back
to Top
Where May I View Your Contract?
You can click the below link to view a copy of our contract.
http://www.murckspoms.com/contract.doc
Back
to Top
How Your Puppy Is Shipped and What Is Involved
Shipping sounds a lot more frightening than it really is…
Here is how
the process works:
-
I will call ahead of time
(within a week of shipping the puppy) to make
reservations. The puppy is shipped
to the airport that is requested by the buyer. In
most all circumstances there is no problem shipping to that airport but just in
case it is important to have a second choice for pickup. I always try to schedule the flight with the fewest layovers so
that the puppy is in transit for as little time as possible.
-
Once the flight is reserved on the morning of the flight I
will take the puppy to the airport, 2 hours before takeoff.
Paperwork is filled out and the puppy is labeled correctly and ready for
its flight.
-
There are usually not any delays, etc. but it does take 15
or 20 minutes to unload the puppy from the plane after it arrives.
Each airport varies in policy but most often you will pick the puppy up
at either the ticket counter or baggage carousel.
You will need proper I.D. that exactly matches the name and address I
provide to them on the morning of shipping.
It is a good idea to have water for the puppy to drink and paper towels
with you in case of accidents!
-
Once you sign for the puppy it is all yours and ready to
start its journey to its new home!!
Back
to Top
How is life with a Pom and Is a Pom the Right Breed for Me?
-
Hopefully so! Life with a Pomeranian is great!! They
are very versatile dogs and can go from couch potato to full speed play in a matter of
seconds! They are small and make
great travel companions. Their high
intelligence shows when it comes to teaching tricks and obedience.
Poms are easily housebroken and are not a destructive breed.
They do have a tendency to bark a lot so it is a good idea to try to
break this habit while they are young!
NEVER
de-bark a Pom!
-
It is a good
idea to visit someone that owns a Pom or a breeder's home to see a Pom in action!
There you can get first hand experience on how a Pom behaves and
determine if it is the breed for you!
-
Read the below information for everything you need to know
about owning a Pom!
http://www.murckspoms.com/breedguide.pdf
http://www.murckspoms.com/pomguide.pdf
(dial-up warning: 1.36 MB)
Back
to Top
What Grooming Is Involved With a Pom?
Grooming a pet Pomeranian is not difficult!
-
Weekly brushing with a slicker brush followed by a thorough
combing with
a greyhound comb will keep you Pom in excellent condition.
-
Trimming of the ears and feet are nice for a neat appearance.
-
You can shave the belly and around the anus for sanitary purposes.
-
Bathing every couple weeks
to once a month will keep your Pom
smelling nice. Just remember that over-bathing can
lead to flaky skin.
-
Shaving a Pom
is not recommended because it can destroy the guard hairs and cause the hair not
to grow back!
Sometimes it is a
necessity, though, and a shaved Pom is 100% happier than a matted one!
Back
to Top
What If I Don’t Want My Puppy/Dog?
-
If you buy a Pomeranian from me and you decide you don’t want it for
any reason PLEASE bring it back to me!
I
always want my Poms to have a good home!
I
make a commitment whenever I breed a litter that I am there for those puppies
until they die… I don’t care why you have to place the Pom or if the Pom is
not in good condition please don’t hesitate to bring them back.
I understand that we all go through hard times and I will not judge you
or think ill of you for not being able to keep your Pom.
-
Never take a Pomeranian to a shelter!!
Even if it you didn’t get the Pom from me, please let me help you find
a home for it or please contact a Pomeranian rescue group!
Dogs placed in shelters have a set number of days to be adopted or they will
be euthanised.
Any Pom is welcome to live out it's entire life with us!
Back
to Top
Should I Breed?
In most circumstances, no. There
is a lot to breeding dogs and for those
Improperly educated or motivated it can
be overwhelming!
-
Anyone can breed
dogs and it is their right to do so but you have to ask yourself is it the best
thing for the dogs involved?
-
More
importantly is it in the best interest in the breed as a whole?
-
Are you willing to pay
around $1500 for each a suitable sire and dam?
-
Are you emotionally and physically prepared to deal with dead pups or the
birthing process as a whole?
-
Are
you willing to risk the death of your female should something go terribly wrong?
-
Are you prepared financially for the cost of a litter? (An emergency
c-section can cost well over $1000 and Poms are at high risk for caesarians)
-
Are
you comfortable with cleaning up LOTS of puppy and dog waste?
-
There are plenty of responsible breeders already out there… can you
provide something of value to the breed that they cannot?
-
Are you ready to take on the responsibility, heartache, financial strain,
stress and worry of being a breeder?
Study long and hard before deciding to breed Poms.
If you still believe that
breeding would be a suitable venture for you
Then I am so happy for
you and I wish the best of luck to you and may you
Be blessed with many healthy and happy pups!
Back
to Top
Should I Spay Or Neuter
-
Yes! Shelters are so
overpopulated and accidental pregnancies can occur even under the most careful
supervision.
-
Spaying can prevent mammary cancer, pyometra, and many
other problems.
It also prevents
that pesky 6-month problem of bleeding and the event of every male dog in the nearest 5 miles
harassing your female and family!!
-
Neutering
prevents testicular cancer and the urge to mate
which can cause your male to run away and expose him to being abducted, hit by a car,
turned in to a shelter or worse.
It
also prevents “hiking” or rising of the leg to urinate on items to mark
territory.
-
Your veterinarian should be consulted
for an exact timetable but most spay/neuter
surgeries are performed around 6-8 months of age.
Back
to Top
What is the Difference in a Male and Female?
-
There is no difference between a male and female when choosing a pet.
As long as both are spayed or neutered they make excellent pets!
They are equally sweet, loving and obedient.
I personally have always had males and I have never had a problem with
housebreaking troubles.
A spayed female doesn’t bleed and a neutered male
doesn’t hike.
Either sex makes an excellent pet!!
Back
to Top
What Should I know Before Buying a Breeding/Show
Pomeranian?
-
First you need to perfect your “eye” for a nice Pom.
Subscribe to as many Pomeranian literatures as possible and study what
you want in a Pomeranian. There are
many different styles to a Pom so you need to find what is best for your taste.
-
Decide if you will be breeding for color.
If so, you will need to find education on the color of your choice and
choose suitable breeding prospects.
-
Pedigrees are so important!!
They are a recorded history of how your Pom came to be and what can be expected
of your Pom to produced! Find a kennel that you love… then find a dog that stands
out to you and try to find dogs for your breeding program that go back to that
same dog.
Remember to always find a Pom
that closely resembles the breed standard.
-
Most importantly find a mentor or
a fellow breeder that is willing to help you out!! There
is a lot to know and having an advisor can be a big help!
Back
to Top
What is a Pom's Correct Bite?
Back
to Top
What is a Pom's Correct Coat Texture?
-
A Pomeranian’s coat texture should feel rough to the touch due to the
guard hairs in their proper, upright position.
A Pom’s coat should never feel cotton-like or soft to the touch.
That is an improper coat texture. It
should stand off a Pom’s body and not be flat or sparse.
It should especially be thick around the hindquarters, chest and head.
The coat should cause the ears to appear hidden or barely visible.
The hair on the feet should be neatly trimmed giving the appearance of a
“cat’s paw”. The coat itself can be trimmed for a neat outline according to the American
breed standard.
Back
to Top
What
Is A Designer Breed?
-
In all
honesty a designer breed is nothing more than a mix breed that just happens
to (sometimes) have full blooded parents.
They go by many names: ShizaPoo, CockaPoo, MaltiPoo, ShizaPom, Puggle,
etc.
All in all - Mix Breeds with a fancy name and price tag.
-
Don't buy a
designer breed dog... visit your local shelter and find a Mix that truly
needs your help and love.
-
If you are
unsure if the breed you are interested in is an actual breed visit the link
below for a list of all AKC recognized breeds.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds
-
I
do not condone designer breeds and will not willingly sell to any breeder
that wishes to use a Pom to create a designer breed.
Back
to Top
Buying from the Internet, is it safe?
-
Buying from the Internet can be very risky!
All in all I would say that buying from the Internet is not safe.
You do not know whom you are dealing with and you do not get to meet the
breeder in person. You do not get to see the dogs with your own eyes to ensure
they are properly cared for. Not to
mention the growing number of Scammers who pretend to sell puppies based on other
people’s pictures just to take your money and run.
-
Sometimes it can be your only option, though, and so it is a good idea to
ask for and check out references. Ask
for updated pictures of puppies or a small video clip to make sure the seller
really has the puppy. Try to pay
via Paypal or some other traceable form of payment whenever possible just in case the seller is a
scammer. Never pay via Western Union or
Cash. Check out the breeder’s
telephone number and address to make sure it isn’t a fake.
Contact AKC to see if the breeder is in good standings with them.
If anything seems suspicious at any time walk away!!!
Also be leery If a deal seems "too good to be true".
A good breeder understands the fears of buying via the Internet and will
work with you to make sure things go smoothly and safely.
Back
to Top
|
