552 BRITISH DOGS 



few persons before whom any of Her Majesty's dogs came to be judged 

 on the occasions when they were exhibited at some of the London 

 shows. Her Majesty did not go in for the largest sizes, nor for the 

 very small ones. Those in the Royal kennels were mostly what 

 would be called small medium in size, and of all sorts of colours, 

 many of them white with markings ; very few were whole- or 

 self-coloured. One of the few exceptions to this rule was Marco, 

 Her Majesty's special favourite and companion : he was red, 

 somewhat of the shade usually associated with Chows. 



At the present time Pomeranians are about the most popular 

 variety coming strictly under the designation of Pet, or Toy, breeds ; 

 command the largest entries at all the principal shows in the 

 kingdom, and not undeservedly, for they are very handsome, showy 

 animals, with much vivacity and intelligence, greatly attached to 

 their owners, and they make agreeable companions, house dogs, 

 and pets. It is not advisable to use collars or chains for them, 

 except for exhibition purposes, as they are likely to wear away the 

 hair of the mane and frill, which form very ornamental features 

 of this variety. 



In mating for colour, although good whites have sometimes 

 resulted from other colours, most of the best whites have been 

 bred from the union of two white parents. Good blacks, blues, as 

 well as browns, on the other hand, have often been bred from a 

 black and a brown or blue ; and some of the best browns have been 

 produced in this way. Of course it is best, when possible, to 

 ascertain the colours and sizes of the parents of the specimens 

 intended to be bred from, as Pomeranians very frequently " throw 

 back " to colours and sizes very different from those of their parents. 



It must strongly be urged upon those proposing to take up the 

 breeding of this popular variety that it is better to breed from 

 medium-sized bitches, coming from a small strain, using a sire 

 whose stock is known to be also small, than attempt to breed 

 from two specimens of diminutive size, as some of the best Toys 

 the writer has ever seen and without exaggeration he has had 

 thousands of the variety before him at one time or the other 

 have been produced in the way suggested. Besides, there is 

 considerably less risk in breeding from the medium-sized bitches 

 than from tiny Toys, to say nothing of the fact that the litter is 

 more likely to be reared by the mother. 



In the matter of breeding, a little experience and practice are 

 better than any amount of theory, and there are some black strains 

 that produce excellent browns and blues, as well as blacks ; and 

 there are blues and browns capable of bringing out good blacks, 

 besides many charming shades of their own colours. These things 

 can only be discovered by actual experience. 



In choosing a puppy, more regard should be paid to the shape 



