The White Pomeranian

Pomeranians, or Pom-Poms, are a breed of toy dog that were originally bred from the German Spitz as circus dogs. Because of their long, fluffy fur and loveable temperament, they make extremely popular pets, especially for families with young children. They come in a variety of colors, including apricot, black and white with colored markings. A pure white Pomeranian, however, is a very rare breed, and requires expert selective breeding.

Breeding a Pure White Pomeranian

An understanding of the breeding of a white Pomeranian first requires a basic understanding of genetics. There are three ways in which a white Pomeranian may be bred. The first is if the Pomeranian is an albino. Albinos are the result of a genetic mutation which is recessive, meaning that it does not manifest itself unless it is present in both parents. In other words, the only way to be assured of breeding an albino Pomeranian is to mate two albinos together.

The second type of white Pomeranian is one with white spotting. White spotting appears in colored Pomeranians, too, but occasionally, one appears which is white with white spots. The color in these Poms is uneven and pure white will often be mixed with cream or ivory colors, but this is only noticeable on close inspection. However, other colors may start to appear in the fur later in the dog's life, so if you have your heart set on a pure white Pomeranian, be sure to check its parentage when buying a white spotted puppy. Find out what other colors appear in the pup's genetic make up and ask if you could live with patches of those colors appearing in its white fur.

The third type of white Pomeranian is one with a dominant white gene. Like the albinos, this can only be achieved by breeding a white Pomeranian with another white Pomeranian. Unlike the albinos, however, doing this can often result in a lowering of genetic quality in subsequent generations, and is often linked to genetic defects such as deafness.

Looking After Your White Pomeranian

In the wild, white Pomeranians, like any albino animal, would be at a disadvantage. Their white coats would make them easy for a predator to spot, which is why albino wild animals are so rare. However, white coats are considered a highly desirable characteristic by humans, which is why white Pomeranians often sell for much more money than Poms of other colors. Together with the Pomeranian's naturally lively personality, a result of its performing origins at the circus, the white coat makes them a much sought after pet.

Pomeranians are considered one of the more intelligent breeds of dog. They are naturally curious, and love to perform tricks. Because they are such little bundles of energy, they need at least one walk a day and plenty of exercise.

Gum disease and early tooth loss are a common problem with Pomeranians, particularly white Pomeranians bred from dominant white parents, due to the genetic dilution mentioned earlier. The best type of food for them is dry dog food, especially one that is formulated to care for your dog's teeth and gums such as Hill's Science Diet Oral Care Dry Dog Food, which is made using a unique blend of interlocking fibers that help to scrub teeth and prevent plaque build up, as well as containing nutrients that are specially blended for oral care.

Is My White Pomeranian Deaf?

As previously mentioned, deafness is a common genetic trait in non-albino white Pomeranians. If you are concerned about deafness, for example if you want to breed Pomeranians, there are certain signs to look for.

A deaf dog may refuse to obey commands, or only obey them when it can see its owner and thus respond to body language. Pomeranians are normally very intelligent and obedient dogs, so a white Pomeranian that consistently refuses commands from its owner probably isn't just being stubborn. A dog that hears commands but which appears disoriented or moves in the wrong direction may be deaf in one ear.

Another sign of deafness in a white Pomeranian may be that it sleeps more than normal and only wakes up when touched by its owner, due to an inability to hear the oral stimuli that wake most animals (and people) in the mornings.

Finally, physical signs may include shaking of the head or pawing of the ears, if the dog can hear only faint noises, because it is trying to unblock its ears. Check with your vet to see if this is just a sign of temporary deafness due to earwax or the like. None of which is to say that a deaf dog can't be just as lovable as a hearing one.

Attention: To discover how YOU can have the Happiest, Healthiest and Best Behaved Pomeranian, get a copy of this Pomeranian Guide NOW!

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