FCI Standards for Pomeranian Breed
Overview:
The Pomeranian, classified under FCI number 97, belongs to Group 5: Spitz and Primitive Types. This breed is characterized by specific standards related to height, weight, head structure, body conformation, limbs, tail, gait, and disqualifications.
Height and Weight:
- Male Pomeranians: Shoulder height 7.1-11.8 inches (18.0-30.0 cm)
- Female Pomeranians: Shoulder height 7.1-11.8 inches (18.0-30.0 cm)
- Weight Range: 4.4-6.6 pounds (2.0-3.0 kg) for both males and females
Head Structure (Head, Face, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Muzzle, Lips, Jaw/Teeth):
- Head: Medium-sized when viewed from above, wedge-shaped, with the widest part at the back and tapering towards the nose.
- Stop: Moderately defined, not abrupt.
- Nose: Round, small, and black; brown fox-colored Pomeranians may have a black-brown nose.
- Muzzle: Proportionate and not too long.
- Lips: Not exaggerated, fitting closely to the jaws.
- Jaw/Teeth: Normal development with 42 teeth forming a complete scissor bite. Missing premolars are allowed in toy and small fox Pomeranians.
Facial Features:
- Face: Round
- Eyes: Medium-sized, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, black. Eyelids are black, varying in color for brown fox Pomeranians.
Body Conformation (Neck, Chest, Ribs, Back, Forequarters, Skin):
- Neck: Medium length, wide, slightly arched, richly coated.
- Back Line: Straight, forming a soft curve with a well-covered tail.
- Shoulders: High with sloping shoulder blades.
- Back: Straight, sturdy, well-developed.
- Loins: Short, wide, and strong.
- Hindquarters: Wide, short, and prominent.
- Chest: Deep, naturally expanding, well-developed forechest.
- Abdomen: Chest extending backward, slightly tucked up.
Limbs (Forequarters, Shoulders, Upper Arm, Elbows, Forearm, Pasterns, Front Feet, Hindquarters, Thighs, Hocks, Hind Feet):
- Forequarters: Straight, reasonably wide.
- Shoulders: Long and naturally sloping, forming a 90-degree angle with the upper arm.
- Elbows: Strong, close to the chest.
- Forearms: Medium length, straight.
- Pasterns: Strong, at a 20° angle when standing.
- Front Feet: Small, round, compact, known as “cat feet.”
- Hindquarters: Well-muscled, parallel when standing.
- Thighs: Equal in length to upper thighs.
- Hocks: Strong, at a proper angle.
- Hind Feet: Small, compact, arched, known as “cat feet.”
Tail:
- Position: High, medium length, carried upward and curled forward over the back.
- Coat: Covered with dense fur, forming a double curl at the tip.
Gait/Movement:
Forward movement, well-driven, with smooth and elastic actions.
Disqualifications:
- Deviations from specified standards.
- Head too flat or conspicuously apple-shaped.
- Flesh-colored nose, eyelids, and lips.
- Teeth defects or incompleteness.
- Awkward movement.
- Aggressive or excessively shy temperament.
- Eversion or inversion of eyelids.
- Ears half-erect.
- Obvious white spots, excluding white fox Pomeranians.
Note: Any deviation from the above points is considered a defect, and dogs showing obvious abnormalities in body or behavior are disqualified.