Are Pomeranians Chinese Dogs?

Pomeranians, or pom poms, belong to the toy group of dogs, weighing up to seven pounds. They are witty, outgoing and energetic. The breed has been recognized by the American Kennel Club since 1888. Pomeranians look like miniature chow chows, which are believed to be a breed of Chinese descent. This similarity in appearance makes some people wonder whether the pomeranians are a Chinese dog breed. However, pomeranian dogs have different origins.

  1. The Origin of Pomeranians

    • Pomeranians take their name from Pomerania, which is the name of a region in present-day Germany and Poland. They are believed to come from this region, but there is little information about these dogs before 1870. The dog used to weigh up to 30 pounds and people kept them for herding purposes. However, the breed evolved and Pomeranians today weigh between three and seven pounds. Queen Victoria liked the pomeranian, one of which she saw in 1888 while visiting Italy. She adopted it and took it with her back to England.

    Pomeranians and Chow Chows

    • Pomeranians are similar in appearance to chow chows. Both breeds have a fluffy double coat and a similar rounded shape. Chows come in five colors, three of which are also found in pomeranians (red, black and blue). However, the main difference is that pomeranians are toy dogs, while chow chows are between 17 and 20 inches when measured at the shoulders. Chow chows also have the distinctive blue tongue. In terms of personality, pom poms are happy and outgoing, while chow chows are said to be stubborn, independent and less eager to please.

    Chow Chow Origins

    • According to the American Kennel Club, the origins of chow chows are not precisely known, but they are found on pottery and paintings dating from the Chinese Han Dynasty. Certain scholars speculate that the chow chow is the among the ancestors of the pomeranian, samoyed, Norwegian elkhound and keeshond. However, there is no sufficient proof to state clearly that pomeranians and chow chows are related.

    Other Chinese Dog Breeds

    • Other dog breeds that originate from China include the pekingese, pug, shih-tzu, shar-pei and Chinese crested. With the exception of the shar-pei, the other breeds are all toy breeds. There are also other breeds that are said to originate in China, such as the Chinese chongqing or the Chinese foo dog, but these breeds are not recognized by the American Kennel Club.