THE POMERANIAN OR SPITZ DOG. 199 



Whatever may be the cause, it cannot be denied that the colley is the more general 

 favourite ; and at our large dog shows, while his classes are filled by scores, those 

 of the Pomeranian dog are only made up of units. 



In his native country the Pomeranian dog is employed as a sheep dog, for 

 which he is fitted by his peculiarly woolly coat and ample frill, rendering him to a 

 great degree proof against wet and cold. Like the colley, he is impatient of control 

 in playing tricks, and indeed can seldom be taught to display them even for a 

 time, his intelligence not being of a very high order at all events, if the attempt 

 is made in any direction but that of his peculiar calling, for which, as far as I 

 know, he has never been employed in this country. But he is always cheerful in 

 the house, generally free from smell either of coat or breath, and readily taught 

 to be cleanly in all his habits. He has not the fondness for game generally 

 exhibited by the colley, and on that account is more suited to be a ladies' pet, 

 nor is he so pugnacious as that dog, being as a rule inclined to run away rather 

 than fight, when the choice lies between those alternatives. From these peculiarities 

 it may be gathered that he is quite up to the average in his fitness to fill the position 

 of companion. 



The following are the generally recognised points of this dog, though hitherto 

 no attempt has been made to define them : 



POINTS OF THE POMERANIAN Boo. 



Value. 



Head 10 



Muzzle 5 



Ears and eyes 5 



Shoulders 5 



Value. 



Chest 5 



Loin 10 



Legs 10 



Feet 10 



35 



Grand Total 100. 



Value. 



Coat 15 



Colour 15 



Tail 5 



Symmetry 5 



40 



1. The head (value 10) is very wide between the ears, and tapers towards the 

 eyes still more than in the colley, resemblng the head of the fox almost exactly. 

 Upper surface flat, with a slight furrow down the middle. There is a marked 

 occipital protuberance, but not so much pronounced as in some breeds. Brow 

 sufficiently raised to prevent a straight line. 



2. The muzzle (value 5) tapers from the cheeks, which are wide, to the point of 

 the nose, which is very fine and fox-like. The tip should be black. Lower jaw 

 generally shorter than the upper. 



3. Ears and Eyes (value 5). The ears must be small and pricked, resembling 

 those of the fox in shape, and only very slightly exceeding them in size. 

 A large ear is a great defect, even if properly pricked. The eyes rather 

 large, and generally of a dark brown or hazel colour. Eyelids generally set 

 obliquely. 



4. The shoulders (value 5) are greatly hidden by the frill, but they must be 

 oblique and muscular. 



