The modern day Pomeranian is the smallest member of the Spitz family of dogs and is descended from various Nordic/Arctic breeds including the Iceland dogs. It's closest living relative is the Samoyed. Pomeranians were originally named after Pomern, a region between Poland and East Germany. Queen Charlotte the young bride of Prince George III introduced them to Europe after they were married. She claimed they were from Pomern, the neighbouring state to Mecklenburg where she had lived. They then became known as Pomeranians and were the first dogs to live in Buckingham Palace after George became King. Originally Poms were much larger dogs than todays lap dogs and weighed up to about 15kg. They were also a working breed used to herd sheep and pull sleds in Iceland and Lapland. German breeders improved their coat and bred them down to a smaller size, which was the size Queen Charlotte owned. It was Queen Victoria, the Granddaughter of Charlotte who is attributed to the Pomeranian gaining popularity in the late 1880's, after bringing her first dog, Marco, from Italy. Victoria loved her Poms so much that as she lay dying she asked for her favourite one, Turi, to be brought to her bedside. | 