422 British Dogs. 



predominant property of perfection to recommend him." If lie deserved 

 this terribly bad character in the beginning of the century, he must have 

 been a sad dog indeed, and I am glad to be able to say that Master 

 Pomeranian has largely profited by the happy influences of English home 

 life, and is now morally a respectable, as he is physically an ornamental, 

 member of the canine family. 



In respect to colour, fashion seems to rule the day, but surely we 

 ought not to let fashion and prejudice injure a breed when all the while 

 dog show promoters and others profess to be doing all in their power to 

 promote canine interests. What could be prettier than a good cream- 

 coloured Pomeranian or a rich reddish fawn ? 



Some fifteen or twenty years ago there was a strain of the latter 

 colour in the neighbourhood of Handsworth, Birmingham, perfect models 

 in all points, and two years ago I saw a beauty of the same colour 

 in an open carriage in London, and I do not think it would be very 

 difficult to produce them. There was one, two or three years ago, at a 

 butcher's shop in Clapham, and a fair one is to be seen any day now in 

 Drury.lane. 



The white ones that now appear at our shows are for the most part 

 coarse and indifferent specimens, and the black ones a great deal worse. 

 The best black I have ever seen is the property of the proprietor of 

 Dolen's Hotel, Amsterdam. 



There are numbers of better Pomeranians in the hands of people who 

 never exhibit than nineteen out of twenty seen on the show bench. I 

 know of no class exhibited where there is more room for improvement. 



In judging Pomeranians but few points are considered, and these I 

 would describe and assess as follow : 



General appearance, symmetry, and condition. He presents the appear- 

 ance of being as square built as a pug, although he is not, his thick 

 outstanding coat causing the deception, aided by the cut-off look behind, 

 owing to his tail lying so tightly on his back ; yet that he is active 

 and nimble, his straight forelegs, well bent clean hocks, neat feet, sharp 

 muzzle, and bright little dark eyes assure the judge ; out of condition 

 he looks thin, meagre, flat-sided, and ragged. 



Size. I think a standard for size should be established. As it is, we 

 have them all sizes, from lOlb. to 251b. As they are essentially a lady's 

 dog, I would say the nearest to 161b. for dogs and 141b. bitches the better. 



