Pomeranian standard does your dog measure up and does it matter

Pomeranians are a special breed of toy dog. They are loyal, energetic and protective towards their owners. Pomeranians are full of character and many people fall in love with their friendly faces. They are also a happy dog most of the time and very noticeable as well. They like to jump and with their two front paws they will wave at you.

Pomeranians love to be shown off. Whether it’s during a walk and they insist of socializing with any dog in your path, or at shows. They are courageous to a fault and will not be afraid of even the largest dogs.

According to the American Kennel Club the ideal Pomeranian has the following characteristics:

General Appearance:

The Pomeranian is a compact active toy dog. The Pomeranian has a soft, thick undercoat and a profuse, harsher textured out coat. The Pomeranian has a thick plumed tail lies flat on his back. The Pomeranian has an alert character and has an intelligent expression. He has an inquisitive nature and can be cocky, commanding and animated in his gait.

Size, Proportion, Substance

The ideal show specimen is between 4 - 6 pounds. The Pomeranian shouldn't weigh any less than 3 pounds and no more than 7 pounds. The Pomeranian is medium boned and the length of his legs is in proportion to his well-balanced overall frame.

Head

The head must be in balance with the body. The muzzle of the Pomeranian is short, straight, fine and never snippy. His expression is alert. The skull is closed. The top of the skull is slightly rounded. The ears are small and mounted high. The ears are carried erect. The eyes are almond shaped, dark, bright and medium in size. The eyes are set well into the head. The Pomeranian has black pigmentation on the nose and around the eyes. The teeth meet in a scissors bite.

Major faults:

- Round domed skull

- Undershot mouth

- Overshot mouth

Neck, Topline, Body

The Pomeranian has a short neck well set into the shoulders. The head is carried high. The topline is level and the back is short. The Pomeranian has a compact. Well-ribbed brisket which reaches the elbow. One of the characteristics of the breed is the plumed tail, which lies flat and straight on the back.

Forequarters

The shoulders and legs are moderately muscular. The shoulder blade and the upper arm are equal in length. The forelegs are straight and parallel. The pasterns are straight and strong. The feet are arched, compact and straight. Dewclaws may be removed.

Major fault:

Down in pasterns

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are angled in such a way as to balance out the forequarters. The Pomeranian's buttocks are well behind the tail. The thighs are moderately muscled with stifles that are moderately bent and well defined. The hocks are set perpendicularly to the ground. The legs are straight.

Major faults:

Cowhocks

Lack of soundness in hind legs or stifles

Gait

The Pomeranians gait is smooth and free. His gait is balanced and vigorous. He has a good reach with his forequarters and strong drive with the hindquarters.

Coat

The Pomeranians coat is its glory. The undercoat is thick and fluffy; the top coat is long and straight.

Colors

The American Kennel Club recognizes 13 colors and color combinations in Pomeranians.

Temperament

Pomeranians are energetic and lovable. They are rated the 23rd most intelligent dog (out of 79 breeds) by Stanley Coren is his publication "The Intelligence of Dogs".

Pomeranians require regular grooming. They house train and are easier to train than the other toy breeds. They are suitable for people living in apartments and those with limited space for a pet. With proper care the Pomeranian can live a long life - until 15 or 16 years.

Finally please note that just because your Pomeranian or the one you plan on purchasing may not quite measure up to these standards. These are the standards if you plan on showing your Pomeranian and if you don’t then these guidelines don’t mean anything. Every Pomeranian is perfect just the way it is.

Intelligent, courageous and loyal - what more could you ask for in your furry companion?

Allergic to your dog or cat

Pets definitely help us live longer and healthier lives. This is especially true of the elderly and those of us who live alone. Pets make wonderful and faithful companions. They are always there for us. However, this relationship can become strained, and sometimes even be broken when someone in the household develops an allergy to a beloved pet.

Studies show that approximately 15% of the population suffers from an allergy to a dog or cat, and about one third of those with an allergy to cats choose to live in a household with a cat despite the allergy. Some allergy suffers live happily with a pet for a year or two before an allergy starts.

There are sometimes long term health ramifications of repeated allergy flair up's, especially for children. Repeated flair-up's can cause permanent lung damage in children. This should be carefully and thoroughly discussed with your physician. One of the ways to live happily with an animal you are allergic to is to decrease your exposure to the animal. Keep the animal outside if possible.

If the allergy sufferer only has a mild reaction to the animal there are ways for the two of them to live together in harmony, but it takes work. The animal should not be allowed in the allergy sufferers bedroom or on the bed. Keep the animal off of any upholstered furniture in the house as dander can be transferred to upholstered furniture. Use a room purifier to remove airborne animal dander. Remove carpets from the home if possible and replace with wood floors. Wash area rugs on a regular basis with warm water. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter in order to trap dander. The allergy sufferer should wash his or her face and hands after handling the animal. The animal can be bathed weekly in specially formulated shampoo that removes dander.

In some cases where the above methods and the use of over the counter antihistamines and decongestants do not help, the allergy sufferer may need to seek the help of an allergist. Immunotherapy can be thought of like a vaccination against your allergies. Given on a regular basis as shots, immunotherapy helps your body build up a natural tolerance to specific allergens.

With the use of the above methods you'll be able to live a long and healthy life with your pet!

Hidden cameras for pets

:
You can find hidden cameras for all sorts of purposes now. They come in all sorts of things too. You can get teddy bears with a camera in the nose, to watch the babysitter. A pack of cigarettes that is actually a camera can record your conversations. However, there is one camera invention that I haven't yet seen marketed: hidden pet cameras.

I imagine it has been done a number of times by those who play with - I mean work with - surveillance equipment. It seems a natural thing to look at the dog one day and say, "Hey, let's put a camera on Fido." Now we just need someone to make it into a workable product.

Hidden Cameras On Collars

Most likely, the cameras would have to be attached at the collar of either dogs and/or cats. The weight isn't an issue now, since there are cameras that weigh an ounce out there. Hiding the camera might be the real challenge. Perhaps a flower or bow on the dogs collar might do the trick, with the lens in the center.

Of course, the camera would have to transmit the image to a remote monitor or recording device. The range on these types of cameras is enough now to get a clear image from around the neighborhood.

Why Hidden Cameras For Pets?

Novelty value is a start. Just strap the camera on Spot, and let him go wander the neighborhood while you watch the show. Just don't tell the neighbors you saw what happened in their backyard. Naturally, all the surveillance enthusiasts out there would have to add this invention to their collections.

With a trained dog, you could use this system for more specific spying. It has probably been done before, whether or not such a camera has been marketed yet. The first such use might be for a reporter's expose of the conditions in dog kennels.

Now the people at PETA might not like this next idea for these hidden cameras, but it is a natural. In a war zone, dogs could go into areas that are too dangerous for soldiers, and provide a view of what's going on. There might be similar applications in criminal investigations too.

Finally, have you ever wondered where your cat goes all day? Or where the kids go when they have the dog along? You could easily find out with these hidden cameras.

How to navigate on-line pet classifieds and protect yourself

Whether you’re looking to purchase a new pet or advertise pets for sale, the Internet is perfect for seeking out information, reputable breeders and potential pet-buyers. However, with the convenience and vast selection that on-line pet classifieds provide, there also comes the need to check references and ask lots of questions. Keep reading for great tips on how to get the most out of advertising pets for sale or purchasing a pet online.

1. Ask for references

Always ask for references. As a pet buyer, you want to make sure that the breeder from whom you’re purchasing is reputable and known for placing their animals in good homes. Actually call up the references and ask about the breeders follow-up, their health screening and the conditions of their breeding business.

If you’re a breeder and posting a "pets for sale" online classified, then you also want to make sure that your prospective buyer is the kind of person that will love and properly care for the animal. Feel free to ask them for character references or a veterinary reference if they own other animals.

2. Access the online pet/breed community

The Internet offers animal researchers a wealth of animal information, including access to pet communities with forums, image galleries and lots of breed information.

If you’re looking to purchase a new animal (dog, cat, horse, bird, etc) through an online classified ad, try locating an Internet based pet community and joining. Once you’re a member, ask questions, request referrals for quality breeders and solicit advice on your particular breed or species. It’s like a neighborhood meeting, but specifically tailored to your pet questions.

A good pet classifieds site will also include information about different breeds and animals, as well as access to these valuable communities.

3. Ask for a picture

If you’re trying to buy a dog online (or cat, horse, or bird), always ask for pictures or video. Many quality breeders will be happy to provide remote buyers with short video footage of the prospective puppy playing and interacting with his brood.

If the animal is being sold as a purebred or as having been born from registered parents, ask for scans of the parental registration along with all the paperwork. Feel free to phone up the appropriate club or registration association to confirm the information.

4. Ask questions

If you’re trying to sell an animal online through pet classifieds, don’t be afraid to ask the prospective buyer questions. You want to make sure your prized horse, puppy, bird or kitten is going to a good home, so don’t hesitate to ask about yard size or living conditions.

Buyers, the person selling you the animal should also be willing and ready to answer questions about everything from specific breed requirements to feed suggestions to how they house and care for their animals.

Remember, the Internet is a great opportunity to get in touch with qualified breeders and buyers all over the world, but with that potential comes a certain amount of responsibility. So, get documentation, ask questions, get references and access your online pet community.

Stable barn cleaning

At some stage in your life, as a horse owner you may find it necessary to stable your horse. It may only be for a couple of nights, a week or a more permanent situation. No matter your reason or the length of your horses stay it is important that you clean the stable or barn at least once a day.

So you arrive at you horses stable with a cheery “Good Morning!” you organize their breakfast, change there pajamas (rugs), maybe go for an early morning ride (nice and chilly on those crisp winter mornings), but no matter what else you do there is one thing every owner of a stabled horse does and that is to clean the mess up from the night before.

What a mess!! It really amazes me the mess one horse can make within 8-10 hours! I have been greeted with a wide variety of “Good Morning” situations from my horses over the years from finding poo in the feed dish (which is still hanging on the door!), to finding poo right in front of the door in the walk way! No matter the mess, it still needs to be cleaned up. Not only can a dirty or poorly cleaned stable cause diseases to fester, but they smell bad too.

Here are some simple steps to help you in cleaning out your stable! You will need a good stable fork/rake and a wheelbarrow or bucket.

It is always helpful if you can remove your horse from the stable, so that you aren’t worried about him/her escaping. Otherwise make sure they are tied up securely.

Remove any other objects which may get in your way, such as water buckets and horse toys.

Using your stable fork/rake remove all large piles of poo that are visible.

Remove any obvious wet patches.

Starting on either your left or right in a circular pattern around the stable, toss a fork full of stable bedding towards the side of the stable, remove any poo or wet that this process uncovers.

Remember to dig down to the floor so that all the bedding gets exposed, and continue till you are back to where you started.

Your stable bedding should now be all piled up around the sides of the stable and the floor exposed. If the floor seems wet (will be in most cases) it is great if you can leave it exposed for a few hours to dry out, otherwise continue on.

Starting at either the right or left, pull the bedding down with your stable rake so that the bedding comes back to its original level and covers the previously exposed floor. Continue around till you are back at the start.

You may find that you need to smooth out the bedding so that it is level and covers the floor evenly.

I have always found it a good idea to leave an area in front of the door free from bedding, this will help reduce the bedding that gets ‘walked’ or ‘kicked’ out by your horse.

You may find that when cleaning, some bedding drifts into the water. It is always a good idea to clean out your horses’ water after finishing the stable.

It may be necessary to add more new bedding to you stable, this is usually down once a week, but depends on your horse.

It will also be necessary to remove all bedding from your stable on a regular base. This will depend on numerous factors and is up to your discretion. If it is getting smell then its time for a full clean out!

Now that you’re done you can enjoy some quality time with your beloved horse!

Happy Horsing

Tina Williamson