Bear-type Pomeranian Spitz: advantages, disadvantages and subtleties of care
Most dog breeders involved in breeding dwarf dogs, the Pomeranian breed is of particular attention. Many kennels are engaged in breeding dogs exclusively with a fox's face, they quite often take prizes at exhibitions. Along with the fox type of pomeranians, there are other varieties that are gaining more and more popularity every year, namely, puppet subspecies and mini-dogs that resemble the face of a bear cub. It is these babies that evoke special feelings and emotions in the soul of every person.
Origin story
Not every breed of decorative dog can boast of such an interesting origin story. The first specimens of the described breed were bred in Pomerania. A distinctive feature of their appearance was the snow-white coat color. Until 1700, these dogs were used as guards for private property. After some time, nobility and wealthy families became interested in peat dogs with a cute and charming appearance.
Many wealthy ladies began to attend social events, accompanied by four-legged friends, similar to bears. Thus, the dwarf species of dogs began to gain popularity on the European continent. At the same time, dog breeders from different countries were engaged in breeding representatives of the described breed with the smallest sizes and, through selection, managed to achieve an extraordinary result. They have achieved not only the small size of the dog, but also a significant reduction in the body weight of the dogs.
The end of the 18th century for the Pomeranian Spitz breed was the beginning of the rise of animals from serving commoners to decorating noble houses. Queen Victoria herself, conquered by the external data of the Pomeranians, began to acquire representatives of the breed around the world with the smallest sizes. And after a while she created her own kennel, where she bred decorative mini-bears.
It was only in 1871 that England adopted the Pomeranian as an official breed.... Then the fashion for miniature dogs conquered Germany, Holland, France, the USA and Russia. It is very difficult for the modern owner of Pomeranian dogs to believe that the ancestors of their furry pets were the Icelandic and Scottish sled dogs. After all, modern breeders keep dwarf cubs for indoor keeping, breeding, or to participate with them in exhibitions.
Modern specimens of the breed inherited a temperament from their peat ancestors, thanks to which a strong friendship develops between the owner and the owner.
Description
Representatives of this breed have a special physique. The height of the dog at the withers must be identical to the length of the body. Thus, the body of the dog resembles a geometric square. It is quite difficult for a simple amateur to assess these proportions, since all features of the body are hidden under a rich coat with a thick undercoat. On the baby's neck there is a magnificent collar of thick, thin and soft hairs, on the hind legs there are small "pants".
According to the breed standard, the coat of small pomeranians should be straight and soft to the touch. The ears are small and erect. The tail, as well as most of the baby's body, is covered with a delicate downy. The shape of the hair bends into a ring and fits on the back. In many specimens of pygmy spitz, the tail may have two curls.
In the weight ratio, Pomeranian bear-type males have weight from 1.8 to 2.3 kg. Females are characterized by a weight not exceeding 3 kg. With these indicators the growth of males "cubs" should not exceed 22 cm, and the height of females at the withers should vary from 16 to 20 cm. According to information received from the majority of Pomeranian breeders, the life cycle of decorative bears is 15 years old, although there were cases when the animal lived to be 20 years old.
Cynologists, for their part, note intelligent data of miniature dogs. They assure that the representatives of the decorative breed have a rather lively mind that allows four-legged pets to find a common language with any person. The same factor has a positive effect on teaching a kid about commands and tricks.
It is important to note that in the characteristic of bear-type Spitz there is a gene for guards. But judging by the size of the animal, few people will be able to believe that representatives of this breed will be able to protect movable or immovable property from someone else's encroachment. The exceptional barking of a pet, which resembles the voice of large dogs, can scare away uninvited guests.
Pomeranian "cubs" have a fairly fast metabolism. That is why, if even a small ailment occurs in a four-legged friend, its owner should immediately contact the veterinarian for help.
Not every dog lover can afford to have a bear-type Pomeranian. These dwarf babies require special attention and careful care. They have no particular preferences as a place of residence. They are quite easy to adapt both in an apartment and in a large country house.
It is forbidden to keep the animal outside, despite the fact that the "teddy bears" have a warm undercoat that does not allow them to freeze in the bitter frost. Dwarf oranges should receive a constant load. For this it is not enough to play with the dog at home. The baby loses most of its energy on outdoor walks during active games. It should be noted that it is necessary to walk with an adult dog in any weather, only strong sunshine can become an exception, but in this case, the animal should be taken outside in the shady zone.
All mini-Spitz, regardless of their subspecies and types, are smart creatures, But at the same time may be stubborn and try to dominate the ownerif he expresses indifference and does not put himself in charge of the relationship.
The only difficulty you have to deal with is quite frequent and very loud barking. It is difficult, but possible, to wean a dog from this habit. Bear-type pomeranians, as well as any miniature dogs, differ in shedding of wool. In males, this physiological feature occurs twice a year, in females, much more often.
An important aspect due to which parents choose dwarf "teddy bears" for their children is lack of aggression in four-footed creatures towards babies. And yet, for children under the age of seven, this is not a suitable pet option.
Of course, a dog is suitable for games, but an adult must be in the role of its owner and educator.
Bear-type Pomeranian Spitz is quite comfortable and cozy in a large and friendly family. Often they are ready to brighten up the life of a lonely person, if he has time to support and care for the baby. For people with a busy schedule, which is why they are rarely at home, this breed of dog is not suitable.
The Teddy Bear-like Pomeranian differs from its counterparts in its personality, firmness of character and charming appearance. New owners should find a special approach to each fluffy lump.
Body structure
According to the World Dog Handlers Association, the bear-type Pomeranian has certain standards according to which animals are evaluated at exhibitions. In appearance, the body of a fluffy orange should be proportional. The shape of the body is square. The coat is thick, rich. The hair on the cheekbones should give a plump look to the dog's cheeks.
The muzzle of a thoroughbred baby is slightly flattened. The head is miniature, wedge-shaped in shape. The dog's skull should not exceed medium size. The frontal lobe is rounded, with a smooth transition. The length of the muzzle ranges from 3 to 5 cm. The described subtleties of the body structure are almost invisible, since most of the body is covered with thick wool. According to the standard, 42 teeth should be present in the mouth.
Scissor bite is not a deviation for show specimens. The nose of the Pomeranian bear is small, black, round and slightly raised. The eyes are set fairly close to the nose. A neat black line is located along the contour, which any fashionista will envy.
The back of the dwarf cubs is short. The straight lumbar region is strong enough with slight bulges. The belly is tucked up, the neck is slightly elongated. The chest is deep and muscular. The tail of medium length is characterized by increased fluffiness.
The front paws of the bear-type orange are distinguished by a pronounced straightness, they have a wide frontal line. Muscles stand out on the hind legs. In addition, when examining the hind limbs, the straightness of the stance and their parallelism are visible. Due to the peculiarities of the limbs, the cubs have a pronounced free gait, thanks to which they move easily and smoothly on any surface.
Any feature not related to the breed standard is a deviation, which indicates the cull of the animal.
Color
The woolen coat of bears has a huge palette of color options. It can be black, white, chocolate, brown, beige, cream and other colors.But the most common specimens are representatives of the Pomeranian dogs, endowed with red shades of a fur coat, namely red or fiery. Dwarf bear cubs of white and black flowers are quite rare representatives of the breed. For this reason, their cost significantly exceeds the amount of a puppy with the most familiar color.
Some breeders are confident that if you breed Pomeranian cubs of the same color, you will get puppies of the same color. Only this opinion is erroneous. Newborn babies can get the coat color that their great-grandmothers or great-grandfathers were endowed with, which is at the genetic level.
In some cases, puppies born to parents that are identical in size and color may turn out to be somewhat coarse, and their coats will be rough and harsh to the touch.
Character
The character of ornamental bear cubs practically does not differ from the character of standard Pomeranian Spitz. These dogs are proud, energetic and highly intelligent creatures. They are always ready to learn about the world around them and immediately go on any journey with their owner. Dwarf bear cubs, by their nature, show not a hefty learning ability. Spitz quickly and easily get used to the daily schedule of their owner, accept his habits, due to which they become full members of the family.
Because of their curiosity, mini-spitz sticks their nose into all kinds of holes and nooks. During their outdoor walks, they are ready to get acquainted with various plants, insects and animals.
A distinctive feature of their character is self-confidence. They are ready to defend their owner and rush into battle for him, sensing even the smallest danger. In this case, it does not matter whether it is a branch that has fallen from the top of a tree, or a large-sized dog, peacefully passing by. Dwarf cubs do not show an aggressive attitude towards children. The same applies to animals with which the fluffies grew up from puppyhood.
But if another dog appears on the territory of an adult dwarf bear, it is quite difficult for a representative of decorative sizes to get along with it. The same goes for strangers. In some cases, the baby may not bark easily at a stranger, but even bite. The newly made owner should stop such actions in the bud and, if necessary, punish.
An interesting enough, and in some cases a bad character trait of a pygmy bear cub is cockiness. It is these fluffy lumps that most often become the instigators of fights with other dogs of all sizes. At the same time, when attacking a formidable opponent, the cubs do not try to hide under the feet of their owner. Such actions of the guilty party can lead to the worst ending. For this reason when walking the animal, you must use a leash.
Pros and cons of the breed
The breeding procedure for Pomeranian Bears, like any other dog breeds, has a certain list of advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, in this case, there are many more advantages than disadvantages. The breeders themselves are ready to share notes on the positive aspects of keeping dwarf bear-type babies.
- Due to the miniature and unusual appearance of the dog, the owner of the animal will never be left without the attention of others. During the walk, children of all ages and adults will be touched by the image of a dwarf bear, as well as appreciate the owner's efforts to maintain the neat appearance of a miniature pet.
- Each owner assures that these fluffy lumps are the friendliest and most cheerful creatures in the world. Thanks to their special face shape, they seem to be constantly smiling and enjoying life. But if the baby is in a bad mood, even the smiling lip contour will emphasize the drooping mood of the dog.
- The playful temperament of the dwarf cubs allows them to have fun, be mischievous and lead an active lifestyle day and night, which has a very positive effect on families with small children. Surrounded by young owners, the Spitz feel at ease and are ready to explore the world around them with their children.
- Bear-type Pomeranian Spitz is distinguished by its loyalty to its owner. They look forward to the arrival of their masters, they are very bored in their absence. Mini-bears are incredibly happy to communicate with any member of the family.
- They are ready to live and be accommodated in different environments, easily adapting to any environment. The main thing is that the owner of the dog is nearby, which means that there should be no worries.
- Dwarf cubs are quite easy and quick to adapt and adjust to the schedule of all members of their family. They can wake up earlier than the prescribed time, but they will not wake up a person unnecessarily.
- The baby's graceful fur coat protects the animal during cold weather and from overheating on hot days. Therefore, climatic changes cannot become an obstacle to the compulsory walks of the pet.
- Despite the grooming that a person applies to his animal, Pomeranian Spitz from a very early age take care of their cleanliness on their own. Like cats, they lick their paws, wash their ears and clean the fur in places where they can reach.
- Bear-type Pomeranian Spitz are distinguished by excellent health, in case they did not receive any abnormalities at the genetic level.
- Regular training and education of the animal allows you to teach your pet various commands and tricks, without much effort.
Unfortunately, in addition to the advantages of keeping the described breed, many owners of Bear Pomerances note a small number of shortcomings that may frighten future owners.
- Dwarf cubs are highly excitable creatures. They rears up when they hear a rustle outside the front door.
- Despite their size, dwarf cubs most often become the instigators of fights. They rush at their opponent, try to bite him and bark at him. At the same time, the mini-bears do not care what dimensions his opponent is endowed with. Accordingly, if the enemy side responds with aggression, then a bilateral conflict cannot be avoided.
- The high activity of Pomeranian bears is considered an undoubted plus, but only when small children live in the house. Otherwise, the pet owner will have to constantly play with the dog, communicate and do everything so that the pet can channel its energy into a peaceful channel. Otherwise, clothes, furniture, wires and any objects in his access will be damaged.
- Pomeranians have a fairly loud and very long barking. Pets start from half a turn, but it is extremely difficult to calm them down. Without proper education, the animal will become uncontrollable. This indicator is a huge disadvantage when babies live in the house, whose sleep comes every three hours.
- It is not possible to invite friends or colleagues with whom the dog is not familiar. A small dog, seeing strangers, is capable of showing aggression.
- The primary and rather significant factor in the acquisition of a bear-type Pomeranian Spitz is its cost. The price of pedigree puppies from show parents is quite high, and the demand for these animals in many ways exceeds the supply. An inexperienced person can fall for deception and acquire a puppy that only looks like a dwarf bear cub.
Experienced breeders note that unscrupulous sellers put on the market puppies with poor genetic inheritance, which can cause the dog to suffer from various diseases.
How to choose the right one?
Pomeranian dogs with a bear-like muzzle are very popular and in great demand.The unique look of furry creatures is endowed with a special charm, which is impossible to resist. When purchasing a dwarf bear in his house, the newly-made owner must determine in advance for what purpose he starts the animal. This factor will largely affect the price of the pet. Besides, a potential buyer needs to ask the seller for a veterinary passport for the purchased puppy. It should contain vaccination marks.
It is important to note that dwarf cubs do not immediately show their distinctive features of appearance, which is why the animal you like must be reserved for yourself by making a small deposit. And already at 4 months of age, the puppy will begin to show clear signs of its belonging to the bear subspecies. During this very period, the formation of the muzzle and ears, which are the hallmark of the breed, begins in the dwarf bear.
Unfortunately, unscrupulous sellers cheat buyers and sell them to the common Pomeranian instead of the bear breed. The buyer should know the main differences between dwarf bears. The ears of the Pomeranian are much larger and stand upright on the crown of the head, while in the bear type the tops of the ears are slightly curved to the sides.
In addition to meeting your future pet, it is advisable for the newly-made owner to look at his parents, get acquainted with their pedigree, find out in which exhibition events they participated and, possibly, were prize-winners... In this case, the puppy will not necessarily look like its parents. At the genetic level, babies receive only the density of their ancestors' fur.
In order not to fall for the tricks of scammers, future owners of miniature bears need to acquire fluffy beauties in specialized nurseries with a good reputation. This is how it will be possible at the official level to issue a reserve and make a deposit for an animal.
Nurseries also provide the opportunity to visit a potential family member at any time. As a rule, puppies are put up for sale when they are one and a half months old. Accordingly, before the day of purchase, the newly made owners have time to prepare the place of residence and the very territory of the animal. You will need to check and close all the cracks where the miniature bear can climb. Hide the wires so that they are gnawed, remove all objects from the lower shelves, as they can become a toy.
It is important to hide the trash can away and, most importantly, to secure the lattice balcony.
Feeding
The diet of bear-type oranges should be balanced, with sufficient amounts of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Moreover, the bulk of the protein elements must be of animal origin. The cubs should receive daily food enriched with vitamins and microelements. The main thing is not to overfeed the baby, each portion should be completely eaten by the pet.
The nutrition of the puppy in the new home should correspond to the feeding that the baby is accustomed to while living with the breeder. After that, the newly-made owner must decide on the transfer of the dog to another diet or leave the usual feeding for the bear cub.
When changing the diet, the owner must choose whether to feed the puppy with natural food or ready-made food. At the same time, it is forbidden to mix dry pads with other types of food. The dry food is balanced and easy to dose. The main thing is that these feeds are premium, and even better, super premium.
Natural feeding, in turn, makes caring for the animal quite difficult. The owner will need to devote a lot of time to preparing the food, as the food from the table does not always suit the puppy's diet. The teddy bear's menu must be made according to an individual plan, where the main ingredient will be meat, fish, cottage cheese and vegetables.Separately, you will have to calculate the daily amount of vitamins and mineral supplements.
In general, the menu of dwarf bears can be of the same type, the main thing is that the food is balanced... It is proposed to use beef, low-fat lamb and chicken as the main ingredient in the natural diet. Pork, due to the large amount of fat, does not suit the delicate stomach of the baby. It is important to cut the meat into small pieces and serve it boiled or raw.
Do not forget about cereals, which should make up 10% of the dog's daily diet, for example, it can be buckwheat or oatmeal. Fish is given to the cubs twice a week, while meat is excluded on these days. In addition, miniature dogs love boiled eggs and dairy products. Vegetable meals should be kept fresh, so the pet owner will have to prepare the food before feeding. New foods introduced to the puppy's diet should be introduced gradually.
It is strictly forbidden to accustom a dog to foods from the harmful list, namely sweet, starchy foods, salty and smoked foods. The puppy should not be given legumes, semolina, pearl barley and wheat porridge.
When choosing ready-made feeds, a new owner should take special care. Do not believe the commercials that talk about high-quality and irreplaceable animal feed. When buying, you must carefully read the composition of the dry pieces.
If the packaging indicates the presence of meat products, their full listing should be present next to them, and in the first place the main component is prescribed, which is used in large quantities. The composition of the feed should also contain plant products, vitamins and minerals.
Dry food, the packaging of which indicates the use of dyes, aromas and flavor enhancers, should be discarded. These components are most often used in poor-quality nutrition that is harmful to the health of the pet.
Feeding an adult is much easier than feeding a puppy. Cooked food can be stretched for several days, only preheat it to room temperature. You do not need to heat dry food; it is simply poured into a dog's bowl. The number of feedings for adult cubs is twice a day.
Care
Distinctive features of the bear-type Pomeranian Spitz are a rounded muzzle and charming fur. At first glance, it may seem that taking care of the fur coat of miniature bears is difficult, but this opinion is erroneous. It's enough to scratch the dog 2 times per week, at the same time, pay special attention to the area of the ears, where tangles are most often formed. It is necessary to comb the animal just against the grainwhile using a moisturizing conditioner, thanks to which it will be possible to get rid of dead hairs and create the necessary volume.
By the way, it is also necessary to stroke the dog against the grain.
The procedure for bathing dwarf cubs should be carried out a maximum of 2 times a month, using a special shampoo for long hair. It is better to purchase conditioner as an additional cosmetic product. After bathing, it is very important to dry your pet's coat with a hairdryer. For this reason, cubs are taught to use this device from an early age.
The procedure for trimming the claws of mini-bears is carried out once a month.using a special device - a clipper. Then the claw plates are filed to remove the sharpness. When caring for a decorative bear cub, you need to pay special attention to the eyes. Every morning, the eyes should be treated with a cotton pad to get rid of sleepy discharge.
The hair clipping procedure has several important nuances. It is necessary to shorten the fur coat to a certain length, but so that it does not turn out to be less than the undercoat. Short hair can ruin the appearance of a pygmy bear. Therefore, before taking up scissors, the dog owner should go through a master class.... Otherwise, the dog will be either short-cropped or cut in pieces.
If the dog's hair is done on the eve of the exhibition, it is better to use a professional master, since it will not be possible to make the original styling on your own. A professionally trimmed dog can claim victory.
The spitz shedding procedure takes place twice a year. At the same time, females shed much more often than males. An important advantage is the fact that the owner does not have to collect dog hair throughout the house during the shedding period. When falling off, it does not get enough sleep, but is in the general head of hair and is removed with the help of a slicker.
Despite their diminutive size, the Bear-type Spitz have a ton of energy that they must expend throughout the day. For this reason, walking with an animal should be accompanied by active games.
With a small puppy, the owner will have to spend at least 5 hours a day outdoors... Adults require two walks a day, each of which should last about an hour or an hour and a half. A collar with a leash or a harness should be used as a walking accessory. Although the breeders say that it is best to use a harness, as with a sharp jerk of the leash, the collar can injure the cervical vertebrae of the dog. The harness for a fluffy "ball" should have a rounded shape, due to which the probability of wool rolling under it is minimized.
With the onset of cold weather, the bear needs to wear clothes. For autumn and spring, a raincoat will be very useful. Its cut will hide the dog's belly and delicate fur from dirt. For winter, insulated jackets or a vest are considered relevant.
The winter suit should not completely cover the body of the animal, otherwise the hair structure will deteriorate, although the Spitz live freely without these accessories. When it rains and snows, it is recommended that little bears wear shoes. Dogs should be taught to this accessory from childhood. With their help, it will be possible to avoid the negative effects of chemicals on the paw pads.
Keeping Pomeranian cubs only at first glance seems difficult, in fact, all members of a large family will be able to cope with grooming.
Upbringing
As breeders note, Pomeranian Spitz are intelligent and docile dwarf dogs. The same goes for all varieties of the breed and their subtypes. With the perseverance of the owner and the sequence of actions in education, the little bear will very quickly be able to master the necessary commands. In the process of upbringing and training, it is strictly forbidden to give the animal any indulgences. If the dog notices softness, he will immediately begin to cunning, thereby avoiding training.
The most important friend of the dwarf bear training process is periodicity. The upbringing of the animal must be constantly engaged. Of course, this does not mean that the dog needs to be taken to the sports grounds every day and develop the correct pet behavior there. It is enough to demand the execution of commands if necessary. For example, if a dog asks for food from the table, the person needs to stop it and do so every time the dog tries to beg for food. Otherwise, all efforts may fail.
In the process of raising a Pomeranian bear, you should remember about its watchdog qualities. They are ready to stand up for their territory in any possible way. In the absence of training, puppies and mature individuals guarding human property can behave badly. Barking alone can bring the owner to a nervous breakdown. Therefore, it is important from childhood to wean dwarf dogs from this terrible habit.
A distinctive feature of Pomeranians of the Bear Cub subtype is their tendency to dominate, which is very difficult to correct, but still possible.
See below for more details.