WITHIN the last twenty years this dog has been largely imported from Germany and France, in addition to those bred in this country; but, nevertheless, he has not become so general a favourite as was expected, owing in some measure to the fashion of the day tending towards the fox terrier and colley, and also to the temper of the Spitz, which is too short and snappish to make him fit to be trusted with children. It is true that the colley has the same disposition, but not quite to the same extent; and, being a better traveller with horses and carriages, he is more suited to act as a companion in country rides and drives that his more delicate rival.

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. Prom 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 Dog

Grand Total 100.

1. The Head (Value 10)

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)

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)

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

5. Chest (Value 5)

5. Chest (value 5) round, and rather deep; but the back ribs are generally very short, leading to a nipped loin.

6. The Loin (Value 10)

6. The loin (value 10), owing to the above cause, is often weak if examined carefully beneath the thick coat, which conceals this defect.

7. The Legs (Value 10)

7. The legs (value 10) are generally straight and strong, with elbows well let down, and clean hocks. Any defect therefore in these points will be severely penalised.

8. The Feet (Value 10)

8. The feet (value 10) are cat-like, and rather small; toes well arched; but the soles are apt to be thin and unfit for road work.

9. The Coat (Value 15)

9. The coat (value 15) is of a peculiar texture, differing from that of all other dogs in its resemblance to coarse fur rather than hair. It is so marked in this respect that the under-coat, which exists as in the colley, can scarcely be distinguished from it. The frill is of the same character, but rather more hairy in the texture of its long fibres. It is quite as full as in the colley, in the best specimens, and when deficient should be estimated accordingly. In the black varieties the coat is more hairy, and has even a tendency to be silky. In the best strains the coat stands out uniformly from the body like that of the fox or cat, without any disposition to collect in flecks or wavy curls. The fore legs are slightly feathered, but the hind are quite clean. The face is quite bare of all but very short hair.

10. The Colour (Value 15)

10. The colour (value 15) should be a dead flake white, -without any mixture of yellow. A patch of fawn is often to be seen on the head or body, but it is very objectionable. There is a black variety highly prized in Germany, though apparently the produce of a cross, as the texture of coat and size of ears are very different from the best specimens of the white breed. A red strain, closely resembling the fox in texture of coat, and in all respects but the tail, is also met with occasionally on the continent of Europe. This strain is in all respects like the Chinese sheepdog, of which many specimens exist in England, and one or two of them usually go to make up the foreign class in our large shows.

11. The Tail (Value 5)

11. The tail (value 5) is tightly curled over the back, shaggy, and rather short than otherwise.

12. In Symmetry (Value 5)

12. In symmetry (value 5) this dogs equal most of his compeers, all his several component parts being in good proportion.

The specimen I have selected for illustration is only of average perfection in the shape of body and head, but his coat is highly characteristic of the true breed. He took the first prize at the Islington Show of the Kennel Club.