Schip-A-Pom

The Pomeranian is a true toy breed with an ideal height of eight to eleven inches at the withers and a weight ranging from three to seven pounds, with show specimens preferred at four to six pounds. Despite their diminutive size, these dogs present a compact, well-balanced appearance with a short-coupled body that is almost square in proportion. The breed is a member of the Spitz family and shares the characteristic features of its larger northern ancestors including a wedge-shaped head, small erect ears, and a tail that curls up and over the back. Their small stature belies the larger dogs from which they descended, as early Pomeranians weighed up to thirty pounds before being bred down to toy size, largely through the efforts of Queen Victoria in the late nineteenth century. The most stunning feature of the Pomeranian is undoubtedly their luxurious double coat, which gives them their signature puffball appearance. The undercoat is soft, dense, and fluffy, while the outer coat consists of long, harsh-textured guard hairs that stand off from the body. A thick ruff of fur surrounds the neck and chest, framing the foxy face and extending over the shoulders in what breeders call the cape. The hindquarters are heavily feathered from the top of the rump to the hocks in distinctive culottes. The plumed tail lies flat against the back and is covered with profuse hair that fans outward. Pomeranians come in an remarkable array of colors, making them one of the most varied breeds in this regard. Common colors include orange, red, cream, sable, black, brown, blue, and white, with various patterns and combinations also acceptable. The breed's fox-like face features bright, dark almond-shaped eyes that convey intelligence and alertness, a short muzzle with a well-defined stop, and a small black nose. The ears are small, erect, and set high on the head. Their expression is animated and inquisitive, reflecting their lively personality. The double coat requires regular grooming including brushing once or twice weekly, with more frequent attention during seasonal shedding periods.

The Schipperke is a small, sturdy dog with a distinctive silhouette that gives the appearance of sloping from the highest point at the withers down to the base of the tail. Males typically stand between eleven and thirteen inches at the shoulder while females are slightly smaller at ten to twelve inches, with weights ranging from ten to twenty pounds depending on size and build. The breed has a compact, thickset body with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs, conveying an impression of substance and strength despite its modest size. Their characteristic fox-like head features a wedge-shaped muzzle, small pointed ears that stand erect, and dark oval eyes that project an alert, questioning expression. The Schipperke's coat is one of its most distinguishing features, consisting of a double layer with a soft, fluffy undercoat covered by a somewhat harsher and longer outer coat. The coat forms a distinctive pattern with a pronounced ruff around the neck and extending over the shoulders and chest, along with a cape over the back and culottes on the rear of the thighs. This gives the breed its characteristic silhouette and appearance of a miniature lion. The coat is most commonly solid black, which gives the breed a striking appearance, though cream and blonde colorations also occur, and rarely a liver-red shade may be seen. The Schipperke may be born naturally tailless, with a partial tail, or with a full tail that was traditionally docked. The breed's small, cat-like feet are tight and round, designed for the agile movement that made them effective ratters on canal barges and in Belgian shops. Their movement is brisk and smooth, with a distinctive quick stride that reflects their energetic nature. The breed's coat requires weekly brushing to maintain its condition and control shedding, with more frequent attention needed during their heavy seasonal shedding periods that occur twice yearly when the undercoat is shed in dramatic fashion.