Italian Volpino

Team Atecho`s

## Quick Facts

The Dachshund is a German hunting dog in FCI Group 4, developed to work both below and above ground. The breed comes in nine varieties: standard, miniature and rabbit, each combined with a smooth-haired, long-haired or wire-haired coat. It is therefore wiser to choose a Dachshund by size, coat, the breeder's aims and the dogs' actual characteristics than by the breed name alone.

- **Uses:** hunting below ground, hunting by scent, tracking wounded game and companionship.
- **Working style:** persistent, independent and strongly scent-oriented.
- **Size:** determined by chest circumference, not height at the withers or a general weight figure.
- **Coat:** smooth, long or wire, with distinctly different care requirements.
- **Important health issue:** intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation, often grouped under the term IVDD.
- **Best suited to:** someone who wants a low-set hunting dog with a strong desire to work and can provide daily exercise, scent work and consistent training.

The final size variety is not confirmed until the dog is at least 15 months old. The parents provide a reasonable indication, but the puppy's final variety cannot be promised before measurement.

## Appearance & Coat

The Dachshund should be low and long-bodied, yet compact, muscular and agile. Its body was built to work freely in confined spaces, not to be extremely long or heavy. The breed standard specifies ground clearance of about one-third of the height at the withers and a ratio of height to body length of approximately 1:1.7–1.8.

Chest circumference is measured after 15 months of age, from the highest point of the withers to the lowest point of the ribcage. The current ranges are:

- **Standard Dachshund:** males more than 37 cm but no more than 47 cm; females more than 35 cm but no more than 45 cm.
- **Miniature Dachshund:** males more than 32 cm but no more than 37 cm; females more than 30 cm but no more than 35 cm.
- **Rabbit Dachshund:** males 27–32 cm; females 25–30 cm.

The three coat types are more than a difference in appearance. The smooth-haired Dachshund has a short, dense, close-lying coat that normally needs limited routine care but should still be checked after time in rough country. The long-haired Dachshund has an undercoat and longer feathering that should be combed where tangles form easily, particularly behind the ears and on the legs, belly and tail. The wire-haired Dachshund has a topcoat, undercoat, beard and pronounced eyebrows. A correct wire coat is hand-stripped when needed; clipping it does not produce the same coat texture.

Accepted colours and patterns depend partly on coat type. Red, black or brown with tan markings, merle (dapple) and brindle are included in the standard, while wild-boar colours are typical of wire coats. Coat colour is not a shortcut to temperament or hunting drive, but some colour combinations matter for health. Ask the breeder to explain both the registered colour and its inheritance if the puppy is merle.

## Temperament & Personality

The ideal Dachshund is friendly and even-tempered, without fear or aggression, but is also energetic, persistent and self-assured. Its independence comes from work in which the dog must make decisions at a distance from its handler. In daily life, the same trait may appear as a Dachshund checking whether a rule really applies every time.

Hunting drive, sociability, vocality, interest in play and ability to settle vary between individuals and family lines. The Swedish analysis of the Behaviour and Personality Assessment for Dogs, BPH, describes many confident Dachshunds but covers less than one per cent of the Swedish-born population studied. It cannot therefore promise the personality of an individual puppy. Claims that a particular coat type is always calmer, easier to train or less interested in hunting are also too broad.

Instead, ask how the parents and close relatives behave at home, with visitors, on walks and in unfamiliar settings. For a working Dachshund, trial results and practical use are relevant; for a companion, it is equally important to hear specific examples of how the dogs settle after activity, how vocal they are and how they respond to handling. A responsible breeder should be able to describe both strengths and areas that require work.

## Training & Exercise

A Dachshund needs daily physical activity and meaningful scent work, but one fixed number of minutes will not suit every dog. Age, fitness, surface, size variety, health and the way the dog works all affect the appropriate load. A healthy adult can be an enduring walking and outdoor companion, while a puppy should build strength and coordination gradually and a dog with back symptoms needs a veterinary plan.

Tracking, search games, human scent trails and carefully placed food searches allow the Dachshund to use its greatest asset: its nose. Short, clear sessions with a reward the dog genuinely values often work better than repetitions without a clear purpose. Start recall, stop cues, staying with the handler and disengaging from a scent trail early. Obedience does not remove hunting drive, so a long line and thoughtful choice of environment are important when recall is not reliable. In Sweden, dogs must not chase or pursue wildlife outside hunting, and particular supervision is required where wildlife may be present from 1 March to 20 August.

Protecting the back does not mean that a healthy Dachshund should live a sedentary life. There is no evidence that a total ban on all stairs or jumping on and off furniture prevents IVDD by itself. Instead, develop good basic fitness, keep the dog at a healthy body condition, reduce slipping hazards at home and avoid uncontrolled high jumps or collisions. Tailor help on stairs and when lifting to the dog's age, size and health.

## Health

Intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation are the Dachshund's most important breed-specific health issue. IVDD means that the discs between the vertebrae change and may press on nerves or the spinal cord. Seek veterinary care promptly if a Dachshund suddenly develops obvious back or neck pain, arches its back, refuses to move, walks unsteadily, loses strength in its legs or has difficulty controlling urination or defecation. Do not wait for mild neurological signs to resolve on their own.

The Swedish Kennel Club's official spinal X-ray screening for Dachshunds counts calcified discs. It is performed from the dog's second birthday until the day before its fourth birthday, and the result is reported as K0, K1–K2, K3–K4 or K5–K26. K0 means that no calcifications were detected, while a higher K number means more fully or partly calcified discs. The result provides breeding and risk information; it does not guarantee that a dog will never develop, or will definitely develop, clinical problems. Information about disc herniation in parents, siblings and previous offspring is therefore also important.

Spinal screening and eye examinations are voluntary for Dachshunds in Sweden. The Swedish Dachshund Club's breed-specific breeding strategy nevertheless recommends considering back and family history and having breeding dogs' eyes examined before first breeding and later in life. PRA occurs in the breed. The current registration provisions for Dachshunds regulate matters including variety, coat, colour and final size measurement, but do not list back or eye examinations as compulsory conditions for registration. A buyer should therefore ask for the actual results rather than accepting the phrase “health-tested parents”.

Monitor body condition too: a waist should be visible and the ribs should be easy to feel with light pressure. When merle is part of a mating, the breeder should be able to explain the colour genes. Inheriting merle from both parents can result in double merle, which in dogs is associated with an increased risk of hearing and eye problems.

## History & Origins

The Dachshund was developed in Germany from low-legged hunting dogs for work below ground. Such dogs have been known since the Middle Ages, while organised breeding took clearer shape during the nineteenth century. The German Dachshund club was founded in 1888, and breeding came to encompass the three sizes and three coats that make up today's nine varieties.

The breed's low outline, powerful forequarters, stamina and independence have a practical explanation. The Dachshund needed to follow quarry below ground, but could also work as a scent hound or flushing dog and assist in tracking wounded game. In Sweden, it became particularly important as a slow-working scent hound when the roe deer population increased during the 1940s. The Swedish Dachshund Club was founded as early as 1901.

That historical role is still apparent in daily life. A Dachshund that will never hunt still needs outlets for scent work, problem-solving and movement. This is also why a buyer should ask what the breeder genuinely prioritises: work below ground, scent hunting, tracking wounded game, showing or primarily companionship.

## Living with the Breed

A Dachshund can live well in a flat if it receives enough time outdoors, activity and training around sounds in the stairwell and outside the door. The size of the home matters less than the content of the dog's day. Plan several opportunities to go out, time to sniff at an unhurried pace and a place where the dog can rest undisturbed. Time alone should be taught gradually; stop and make the exercise easier if the dog shows distress. The Swedish Board of Agriculture's advice to take an adult dog out at least every six hours during the day concerns toileting and exercise, not how long an individual Dachshund should be left alone.

A Dachshund can be a good family dog with children, but young children and dogs should always have an adult present. Children need to learn not to disturb the dog while it is eating or resting. Young children should not carry a Dachshund; a small dog is easily dropped, and the back and hindquarters need proper support when it is lifted. The dog should always have a safe, undisturbed resting place.

Living with other dogs or cats depends on the individual, previous experience and hunting drive. Make introductions calmly, use a barrier and give both animals separate safe areas. A Dachshund with a strong drive to chase may not become reliable with a rabbit, guinea pig or cat simply because introductions are practised. Secure physical separation may be the right long-term solution.

Before buying, ask for specific answers to the following questions:

- Which size and coat is the puppy expected to have, and how confidently can this be predicted?
- What are the parents used for, and how do they and their close relatives behave in daily life?
- Is there an official K result and information about clinical back problems in parents, siblings or previous offspring?
- When were the parents' eyes last examined, and what do the results show?
- Which BPH, hunting or show results are registered and relevant to this particular litter?
- How have the puppies been introduced to handling, household sounds, people and short periods away from their littermates?

The best match is not automatically the smallest puppy, the quietest one during a visit or the colour that first catches your eye. Choose the combination in which the breeder's aims, the dogs' documented health and temperament, and your own daily life all point in the same direction.

Dachshund

UK Dachshund Club

British Veterinary Association

FCI - Fédération Cynologique Internationale

The Kennel Club (UK)

Svenska Kennelklubben (Swedish Kennel Club)

Dachshund: bold, long‑backed, short‑legged hunting dog, originally bred for badger and rabbit. Comes in smooth, long and wire coats, standard and miniature sizes. Loyal, scent‑driven, independent and vocal. Needs regular but careful exercise and weight control to protect its spine.

Kirsten Næss

## Quick facts

The Greenland Dog, known in Swedish as the grönlandshund, is a powerful polar dog originating in Greenland. The breed was developed for sustained work as a sled dog in Arctic conditions. It is energetic, independent and generally friendly towards people, but also has a strong prey drive. Its need to work, physical strength and need for a stable social life are important considerations before choosing this breed.

- **Size:** males should stand at least 60 cm at the withers and females at least 55 cm. The FCI standard specifies neither an upper height limit nor a fixed weight range.
- **Activity level:** very high. The breed needs regular opportunities to use its strength and stamina through activities such as pulling work and active outdoor pursuits.
- **Coat care:** a dense double coat that needs regular brushing, with more attention when the undercoat sheds. The Royal Kennel Club gives weekly grooming as a general guideline.
- **Life expectancy:** the Royal Kennel Club lists over 10 years as a general breed guideline. This is not a guarantee for an individual dog.
- **Best suited to:** an experienced, committed owner who wants to take part in pulling work, hiking and other physical activities, and can provide the dog with a secure social life.

Ask the breeder how their adult dogs work, how they get along with people and other dogs, and what health test results are available. Choosing this breed should be about more than an interest in its appearance. You also need to want to live with its enthusiasm for work, independence and prey drive for many years.

## Appearance and coat

The Greenland Dog is a very strong spitz-type dog with substantial bone, well-developed muscles and a body that is slightly longer than its height at the withers. The head is broad, the muzzle powerful, and the ears relatively small, triangular and upright. The tail is set high and carried curved or loosely curled over the back. Its overall build should support sustained work in demanding terrain and weather.

Males should stand at least 60 cm and females at least 55 cm at the withers. Some variation in size is accepted as long as function and proportions are maintained. The coat consists of a soft, dense undercoat and straight, coarser guard hairs. Solid and multicoloured coats are permitted, but the 2022 FCI standard excludes albinism and merle markings. Blue eyes and eyes of different colours are also disqualifying faults under the standard.

Coat care mainly involves keeping the dense coat in good condition and removing loose undercoat during shedding. At these times, grooming needs can be much greater than during the rest of the year. Check the coat regularly and ask the breeder to demonstrate suitable tools. Adapt your routine to your dog's coat and shedding cycles rather than assuming the same amount of work will be needed every week.

Check the skin, ears, nails and paws at the same time. A dog that works and spends a lot of time outdoors needs regular checks so that you can spot chafing, wounds and other changes. Get your puppy used to having its body touched, its paws lifted and its ears examined. Calm, brief handling sessions and rewards for cooperation make ongoing care easier.

## Temperament and personality

The Greenland Dog should be energetic, mentally resilient and fearless. It is described as friendly even towards unfamiliar people, and the breed standard states that it is not suitable as a guard dog. As a sled dog, it has not been bred to depend on one particular handler. This creates a different basis for teamwork than with dogs that constantly look to their owner for guidance.

The breed is independent and has a strong pack instinct. A good social life is important, but this does not mean that every individual will do well in a large group of dogs. The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) notes that the breed is not always comfortable in large packs. Ask how the parents get along with other dogs, how introductions are handled, and what the breeder does when dogs need more space or different group arrangements.

The breed ideal does not tell you everything about an individual dog. The Swedish breed-specific breeding strategy (RAS) from 2025 highlights the need for continued work on confidence and sound temperament, partly following observations of fearfulness at events. Try to meet adult dogs and ask how they react to unfamiliar people and environments. Give your puppy calm, positive experiences and avoid pushing it into interactions it is not ready for.

## Training and exercise

Start with the breed's role as a working sled dog. Pulling a sled or pulk, skijoring and hiking with a dog pack are examples of activities mentioned in breed sources. Ask an experienced handler or breeder to help you plan how to introduce your dog to equipment and work. The parents' documented working achievements can provide valuable insight into the traits the breeder prioritises.

Build physical capacity gradually and adapt the work to the dog's age, health and fitness. A puppy needs shorter activities, and the workload must change as the dog develops. Plan around the weather and temperature, too. The thick coat and high exercise needs make it important to offer suitable activity even when the weather limits harder work. In warm weather, adjust the level of exertion and ensure the dog has access to water and somewhere cool.

Everyday training deserves as much attention as physical conditioning. Work on engagement, waiting, handling and walking on a lead in quiet settings before increasing the difficulty. Use rewards your dog values and be consistent about which behaviours are rewarded. A strong prey drive means you need to plan for safe walks and controlled training environments. Do not assume that good teamwork in harness automatically means reliable recall when wildlife appears.

## Health

Kennel club sources describe the Greenland Dog as a generally healthy working breed, but health should be assessed using documented information. Hip dysplasia (HD) does occur. Because not all dogs are X-rayed, results from those examined cannot reliably be used to establish the prevalence of the condition across the whole breed. Ask for officially recorded results and information about the health of close relatives.

Under SKK's 2026 registration rules for the Greenland Dog, both parents must have an official hip score before mating for their offspring to be eligible for registration. In its 2025 RAS, the breed club also recommends that breeding dogs have an HD grade of A or B. Distinguish between the requirement for a known result and the club's recommendation about which results should be used for breeding. Ask to see the parents' identities and exact results.

The 2025 RAS also draws attention to reports of gastric torsion, including in younger dogs, but states that official insurance statistics are not available for the breed. Gastric torsion is an acute, life-threatening emergency. Signs may include attempts to vomit without bringing anything up, restlessness, excessive salivation or a swollen abdomen. Contact a vet immediately if you suspect it; do not wait for all the symptoms to appear together.

A sufficiently broad breeding base is also important for the breed's future health. The breed club works to preserve genetic diversity and enable more suitable dogs to contribute to breeding. Ask the breeder how the planned pairing was chosen in terms of relatedness, temperament and working ability. A health assessment is more useful when it considers the individual dogs, their families and the planned pairing.

## History and origins

The Greenland Dog descends from the sled dogs of Greenland's Inuit people. It has long played a role in transport, hunting and subsistence in a harsh Arctic climate. Strength, hardiness and stamina were crucial in determining which dogs could work and pass on their traits. The FCI lists Greenland as the country of origin and Denmark as the breed's patron country, responsible for its standard.

The breed also played a part in the history of polar exploration. Dogs that accompanied expeditions contributed to the Norwegian population, and exchanges with Norway have been important for Greenland Dogs in Sweden. In Sweden, the breed has mainly been kept by people using it on trips through forests and mountains. The Swedish RAS continues to emphasise preserving pulling ability, hardiness and an effective working style alongside sound conformation and temperament.

## Living with the breed

A Greenland Dog is best suited to someone who wants to devote a substantial part of their free time to their dog and to active outdoor pursuits. Plan for the whole year, including periods without snow or when temperatures make pulling work more difficult. Ask the breeder what a typical week looks like and what experience you need to get started. The breed needs an owner who can provide meaningful work and a well-managed daily life.

Friendliness towards people is a valued trait, but the dog's strength means adults must take responsibility in a family with children. Teach children to treat the dog gently and respect its rest and mealtimes. Young children should always have an adult present when they are with the dog. Also ask what experience the parents and puppies have with children and the various situations they will encounter in family life.

The prey drive needs to be taken seriously in homes with cats, small pets or poultry. The Danish Kennel Club (DKK) notes that these animals can trigger hunting behaviour, while SKK stresses that the breed is difficult to let off lead in the countryside. Plan for physical control and secure enclosures. A friendly attitude towards people does not mean the dog can be left unsupervised with other species.

The breed is well adapted to spending a great deal of time outdoors, but its environment must also meet its needs during warm periods. Think through access to shade, water, a cool place to rest and ways to adapt activities. A garden or dog run needs to be combined with companionship and working together. Choose your living arrangements and routines around the dog's actual needs for exercise, social contact and recovery.

Even an independent polar dog needs to learn to feel secure when left alone. Start with short periods and increase them gradually according to the dog's response. Arrange care and company during working days. The fact that a dog enjoys the presence of other dogs does not mean that any canine companion will be a good match, or that people are no longer needed in its daily life.

Before buying, check three things: how you will meet the dog's need to work, how you will provide a secure social life, and what documented health information and working records are available for the planned pairing. When these elements fit together, the Greenland Dog can be a tireless companion for someone who wants their dog to play an active part in life outdoors.

Greenland Dog

A powerful polar dog with a compact body, upright ears, and a dense, protective double coat. Bred for endurance sled work, the Greenland Dog thrives on pulling, carrying packs, and joining challenging outdoor adventures. Energetic, independent, and generally friendly toward people, it needs an experienced, active owner who can provide work, companionship, and thoughtful training.

Anne Katinka Mossin

## Quick facts

Norwegian Hound is the English name for the dunkerstövare, known as the Dunker in its native Norway. It is a tireless hunting hound that gives voice on the trail and is used primarily to hunt hare and fox. The breed is described as friendly and sociable, but its hunting instinct is a defining trait. It suits a keen hunter who also wants an affectionate companion at home.

- **Size:** males stand 50–58 cm at the withers and females 47–54 cm. The ideal height is 52–54 cm for males and 49–51 cm for females. The breed standard does not specify a weight range.
- **Activity level:** energetic and tireless, with a strong hunting instinct. Needs hunting training, daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- **Grooming:** the short, dense coat is easy to care for. Routine care includes bathing when needed and regular checks of the skin, ears, nails and paws.
- **Life expectancy:** no sufficiently reliable range for the breed as a whole could be established from the kennel club and breed sources reviewed.
- **Best suited to:** an owner with a strong interest in hunting who can give the dog opportunities to work as a scent hound, alongside a sociable family life.

Before buying a puppy, ask the breeder how the parents hunt, what they are like at home and what health information is available about them and their relatives. Choose the breed based on its working purpose and the daily life you can realistically offer. The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) does not recommend it solely as a companion dog.

## Appearance and coat

The Norwegian Hound is medium-sized and distinctly rectangular, with a powerful body that should convey stamina. It should be strong without appearing heavy. The head is elongated, and the ears hang close to the cheeks. The eyes have a calm, expressive look, and the tail is long with a slight upward curve.

Males stand 50–58 cm at the withers and females 47–54 cm. The coat should be straight, harsh, dense and not too short. It may be diluted black with tan markings, or blue mottled, also known as dappled or merle, with pale tan markings and white markings. Blue eyes are permitted in merle dogs, although dark eyes also occur.

Coat care is relatively straightforward. Bathe the dog when it is dirty, and adjust its grooming routine to how much it works and spends time outdoors. Ask the breeder to show you how to keep the coat clean and in good condition. They can also help you choose tools for the dense coat and explain how to tailor grooming to your dog’s needs.

Make a habit of checking the body, ears, nails and paw pads. After outings over rough ground, these checks can also help you spot wounds, ticks and skin changes. Get your dog used to gentle handling from puppyhood. Start calmly, reward cooperation and ask the breeder to show you how to examine the paws and ears without making the dog uncomfortable.

## Temperament and personality

The Norwegian Hound is described as affectionate, friendly and sociable. The breed standard highlights a steady, trusting temperament, and the Norwegian Kennel Club describes a dog that works well with its owner. These qualities can make it pleasant to live with and train. Even so, prospective puppy buyers should assess how the adult dogs actually behave in everyday family life.

The breed has a strong hunting instinct, which has been an important factor in breeding selection. It works alone as a scent hound, so it needs to solve problems in the field while maintaining a working partnership with its handler. A friendly attitude towards people does not therefore mean that the dog will automatically stay close when it picks up an interesting game trail. Everyday obedience and hunting skills need to develop side by side.

Socialisation should include calm, controlled encounters with people, dogs and different environments. The puppy needs positive experiences at a pace it can manage. Do not let it greet or play freely with every dog simply because the breed is described as sociable. The aim is for it to feel secure and remain under control even when its surroundings are exciting.

## Training and exercise

Start from the understanding that the Norwegian Hound is a hunting dog. Hunting training and work in the field are important parts of the life it was bred for. Ask the breeder how a young dog is introduced to this work and how training can progress according to age and maturity. Hunting trials and documented information about the parents’ working qualities can tell you more than a general description of the dog as active.

Alongside hunting training, the breed needs regular exercise and mental stimulation. Walks, scent-search exercises and everyday obedience can all form part of the routine. Adjust the workload to the dog’s age, health and fitness, and build it up gradually. A puppy needs several shorter activities, while a healthy adult can cope with more extensive work. No fixed number of exercise minutes will suit every dog.

Spend time teaching engagement, recall, loose-lead walking and acceptance of handling. Begin in a quiet environment and use rewards your dog enjoys, such as food, play or praise. Make success easy before adding more challenging distractions. Keep the dog on a lead wherever you cannot reliably keep it under control. Its hunting instinct makes it especially important not to overestimate a recall that only works when there is no game nearby.

## Health

The SKK notes that there are too few Norwegian Hounds in Sweden to assess the breed’s health reliably. However, a Norwegian health and behaviour survey conducted in 2022 received 381 responses. This provides a broader evidence base, but it relies on owners’ reports and should be read as an overview. The fact that a breed is used for demanding hunting work does not, in itself, establish that every dog or family line is healthy.

Hip dysplasia (HD) is one of the conditions being monitored. The Norwegian Kennel Club’s (NKK) breeding programme for Norwegian hare hounds recommends hip screening for breeding dogs. Ask for the parents’ identities and documented results, and find out how the breeder takes these into account. Norwegian breeding recommendations should not be confused with Swedish registration requirements; check the current rules with the relevant kennel club before buying or breeding.

Epilepsy and hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid gland, are specific areas of focus in the Norwegian breeding programme. The health survey also includes reports of deafness or impaired hearing. Ask about illnesses in the parents, siblings and previous offspring, rather than simply whether the two prospective parents appear healthy. Problems reported in a survey do not mean that every dog in the breed faces the same risk.

Genetic diversity is another important part of efforts to safeguard health. The breed has historically had a limited breeding pool, and controlled outcrossing has been used to broaden it. Ask how the breeder chooses pairings with regard to relatedness, health and working qualities. A thoughtful breeding programme needs to weigh several sources of information and monitor outcomes over time, rather than rely on a single test result.

## History and origins

The Norwegian Hound originated in Norway and takes its Norwegian name, Dunker, from Captain Wilhelm Conrad Dunker. During the early 19th century, he crossed various hound breeds to develop a useful hunting dog. Local Norwegian hare hounds formed part of the wider population. In 1902, the Norwegian hare hounds were divided into two main groups, which became the Dunker and the Hygen Hound. The breed’s identity remains closely tied to its work as a scent hound.

Demand declined during the Second World War but rose again afterwards, before falling once more after the 1970s. During the 1980s, the close relatedness of many dogs became a significant breeding concern. Crosses with other hound breeds were later permitted to improve genetic diversity. Conservation work continues today, focusing on both health and working ability so that the breed’s hunting qualities can be preserved within a viable population.

## Living with the breed

A Norwegian Hound needs a home where hunting is a genuine part of life. Its sociable nature is best supported by a workable plan for work, exercise and rest. Think about the whole year, including periods outside the hunting season. Tell the breeder how often you hunt and what opportunities you have to train and occupy the dog in between.

Within a family, the breed’s friendly, affectionate nature can be a great asset. The Norwegian Kennel Club’s hunting profile describes a calm, good-natured dog at home. Children still need to learn to handle the dog gently and leave it alone while it eats or sleeps. Adults are responsible for supervising interactions and ensuring that the dog’s needs for rest and activity are met.

With other animals, you need to take its hunting instinct into account. The Norwegian behaviour survey includes reports that many of the dogs want to follow game and cats. Even a sociable dog may therefore need careful introductions and close supervision in these situations. Ask about the dog’s previous experiences, and plan encounters so that you can control distance and contact. Do not assume that animals can safely live together simply because the breed has a friendly temperament.

Your living arrangements need to allow you to meet the dog’s practical needs for work and exercise. A garden alone is not a complete activity plan. Think about noise, too: barking is part of the breed’s work, but this does not tell you exactly how vocal an individual dog will be at home. Ask the breeder about day-to-day barking, visitors and how the dogs react to things happening around the house.

Time alone must be introduced gradually, even for a dog that is confident and independent while hunting. Start with very short periods and build up carefully. Arrange company and care during working days, and take your own dog’s reactions into account. If it struggles to be alone, the arrangements need to change; independence in the field is no guarantee that it can cope with long periods without people at home.

Before buying, check how the dog will get to work, what documented health and hunting information is available, and how its adult relatives behave in an ordinary home. Ask the breeder to describe both its strengths and the areas that require training. Given the right conditions, the Norwegian Hound can combine tireless work in the woods with a friendly, sociable family life.

Norwegian Hound

The Norwegian Hound is a medium-sized, tireless scenthound with a rectangular body, drop ears, and a dense, coarse coat. Bred to hunt hare and fox, giving voice as it follows the trail, it combines a strong hunting drive with a friendly, sociable nature. It is best suited to an owner with an interest in hunting who can provide hunting training, daily exercise, and mental stimulation. Its coat is easy to care for.

Skjønnås

## Quick Facts

The Miniature American Shepherd is a small, athletic herding dog and a distinct, internationally recognized breed—not simply an informal name for a small Australian Shepherd. Although the breed was developed from small Australian Shepherds in the United States, it now has its own breed standard and is registered separately.

- **Origin and purpose:** United States; developed as a farm, herding and companion dog.
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 1, Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs.
- **Height at the withers:** males 35.5–46 cm and females 33–43.5 cm.
- **Weight:** the breed standard gives no fixed range. A healthy weight depends on the dog's height, sex and build.
- **Coat:** a medium-length double coat that may be straight or wavy.
- **Activity level:** high, with a need for physical activity, mental work and recovery.

This is a compact dog, but not an easy shortcut to herding-dog traits in a smaller package. The breed is best suited to someone who wants to train, spend time outdoors and also teach the dog to settle. It can work for a first-time owner who has the time, patience and interest in reward-based training. It is a poorer choice for someone mainly looking for an uncomplicated dog with low demands for activity and everyday training.

## Appearance & Coat

The Miniature American Shepherd should be well balanced, agile and strong without looking heavy or exaggerated. The body is slightly longer than tall. There is a clear size difference across the permitted heights, which is why a single weight range is misleading. Assess body condition, proportions and muscle with a veterinarian rather than comparing every dog with one number for the whole breed.

The coat consists of weather-resistant outer hair and an undercoat whose amount can vary by season and climate. Regular thorough combing is often enough for routine care, but loose undercoat needs more attention during shedding. Bathe the dog when it is actually dirty. The coat should generally be left natural; extensive shaping is not part of normal grooming for the breed.

Accepted base colors are black, red, blue merle and red merle, with or without tan points and white. White may occur in defined areas but should not dominate the head or body. Eyes may be brown, blue, hazel or amber, and a dog may have eyes of different colors or more than one color in the same eye. An unusual eye color is a permitted variation in appearance, not evidence by itself of vision, health or temperament.

The tail may be long or naturally short, known as a natural bobtail, NBT. A short tail is therefore not automatically docked. Docking is prohibited in Sweden, and a Swedish buyer should distinguish a natural bobtail from a surgically shortened tail on an imported dog.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed standard describes the Miniature American Shepherd as intelligent, biddable, adaptable and loyal, with herding and guarding instincts. It is often alert to its surroundings and quick to react. This can produce excellent responsiveness in training, but also a dog that notices movement, sounds and changes its owner barely registers.

The breed may be reserved with strangers. Reserve means that the dog may wait and observe without seeking contact; it is not the same as being shy, fearful or threatening. Forced greetings rarely make a reserved dog more confident. Instead, give it space, let it observe and reward calm initiatives of its own.

Swedish BPH behavioral-assessment data shows above all that variation within the breed is considerable. Some dogs greet readily, others show little interest, and reactions to surprises, noise and uncertainty differ between individuals. BPH describes the dog's reactions on that day and does not issue a pass or fail. When choosing a puppy, the behavior, recovery and everyday function of the parents and close relatives are therefore more informative than a single label such as “typical temperament.”

The breed's close attention to its family should not be romanticized into a claim that every individual is automatically confident, sociable and easy-going. Ask the breeder how the adult dogs manage visitors, new environments, handling, sounds and quiet inactivity. Request concrete examples and consider any BPH results in context.

## Training & Exercise

The Miniature American Shepherd needs an active life, but there is no fixed schedule that suits every individual. A good routine includes walks and free movement where safe, scent work or problem-solving, short training sessions and genuine rest. The dog's age, fitness, health and ability to recover should determine the workload.

Agility, rally obedience, tracking, nosework, obedience, search work, herding and trick training are examples of suitable activities. No particular sport is compulsory. What matters is that the dog uses both body and mind without every day escalating to a higher level of intensity. If the dog still struggles to settle after activity, clearer pauses and better-adjusted training may be the answer—not automatically more exercise.

Reward-based training with clear criteria suits a quick and responsive dog. Start early with engagement, recall, leash skills, handling and waiting calmly. Also train the skills that are easily forgotten: lying quietly while the family eats, disengaging from a task, watching people or dogs pass without intervening, and returning to calm after play.

In daily life, herding and guarding behaviors may appear as following movement, trying to control running or sounding the alarm when something happens. This does not mean that every dog chases children, herds cats or barks a great deal. Observe what triggers the individual dog and teach alternative behaviors before a pattern becomes a habit. Puppies need short, positive experiences and age-appropriate movement; they should not be exercised like fully grown dogs.

## Health

Hip dysplasia, HD, occurs in the Miniature American Shepherd, but the Swedish population is young and evidence for reliable frequency estimates for several other conditions is limited. Insurance coding, small datasets and the low average age of the dogs have made older summaries difficult to interpret. A long list of possible diagnoses therefore says less than verified results from the puppy's parents and close relatives.

It is important to distinguish the Swedish Kennel Club's formal registration rules from the breed club's breeding recommendations. The Miniature American Shepherd has no special breed-specific health program marked as a registration condition in the Swedish Kennel Club's current registration rules. The Swedish Miniature American Shepherd Club does, however, recommend that before mating both parents have:

- an HD result of A or B and an ED result of 0
- a clear eye examination no more than 18 months old
- known prcd-PRA status, with a carrier bred only to a genetically clear dog
- known NAD status, using a clear-to-clear or clear-to-carrier combination.

Ask to see the actual result, examination date and how the parents' results are combined. The word “health tested” is not enough. A DNA test can answer only for the variant it targets and does not replace a clinical eye examination.

MDR1, also known as ABCB1, is a gene variant that can affect how the dog handles certain medicines. If the dog has been tested, keep the result and show it to the treating veterinarian. Medication choice and dosage should never be decided from general online breed advice.

Merle must not be bred to merle because the combination can produce puppies with two copies of the merle allele and an increased risk of serious sight and hearing problems; such a mating conflicts with Swedish Kennel Club basic rules. A natural bobtail is associated with the NBT trait. The breed club urges caution with NBT-to-NBT combinations while the issue continues to be monitored, which should not be confused with the explicit prohibition of merle-to-merle matings.

## History & Origins

The Miniature American Shepherd was developed in California in the late 1960s by breeding small Australian Shepherds. The aim was a smaller, enduring herding dog that could work sheep and goats, among other livestock, while fitting into a mobile ranch and equestrian life. From 1980 the name Miniature Australian Shepherd was used in registration before the breed later received its current name.

The American breed club was formed in 1990, and the breed entered the American Kennel Club's development registry in 2011. Full American recognition followed in 2015, and the FCI recognized the breed in 2019. The first Swedish litter was born in 2006, while Swedish registration as Miniature American Shepherd began in 2017.

Sweden also has a controlled crossbreeding program in which Australian Shepherds may be used under Swedish Kennel Club registration rules and the offspring are registered as Miniature American Shepherds. This does not alter the dogs' status as members of the recognized breed; the program is a regulated breeding tool. For a buyer, it makes the pedigree and the breeder's aims especially relevant, because traits and size can vary even within the breed standard.

## Living with the Breed

The Miniature American Shepherd can live well in either a house or an apartment. The size of the home matters less than how daily life works: the dog needs to get outside, use its senses, train and be able to rest without constantly monitoring the stairwell, windows or garden. A garden can be convenient but does not replace shared activity or environmental training.

With children, adult supervision, clear rules and a resting place where the dog is left undisturbed are essential. Running and loud noise can attract the attention of a herding dog that is sensitive to movement, so calm interactions and breaks before the dog becomes over-aroused matter more than assuming the breed is “good with children.” Children should never be responsible for reading or handling a dog under pressure.

Living with another dog or a cat depends on the individual, previous experience and the introduction. Let meetings happen gradually and under control, give the cat escape routes and its own resources, and interrupt fixation or chasing early. The breed comes with no guarantee of compatibility, but its herding background does not make problems inevitable either.

Alone-time training should progress gradually when the dog feels safe, has been exercised and is ready to rest. Start with very short periods and watch how that particular dog responds; prolonged barking, pacing or an inability to eat and rest indicate that training has progressed too quickly. A closed crate may not be used as routine confinement or as a solution to separation problems in Swedish homes.

Before buying a puppy, check more than registration and color. Ask to see the parents' health results and dates, ask about MDR1 and other relevant DNA results, examine temperament and recovery in the family, and discuss how the breeder prioritizes working drive, noise reactions, reserve and the ability to settle. A responsible match is about the kind of daily life the dog was bred and raised for—not just finding the right appearance.

Miniature American Shepherd

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK)

Dansk Kennel Klub (DKK)

Compact, athletic herding dog bred in the U.S. as a smaller Australian Shepherd. Intelligent, devoted, and “velcro” with family, often reserved with strangers. Needs regular training, mental work, and exercise. Medium double coat in varied colors; generally healthy with 12–15 year lifespan.

Zet-Emerald

Ella Emmeline Engebretsen

Lill Bredvold

Astrid Nornes

Brazilian Terrier

Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Dansk Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

Verein für Deutsche Spitze (German Society for German Spitz and Related Breeds)

The Brazilian Terrier is a medium‑small, athletic, tricolor farm terrier from Brazil, bred for ratting and watchdog work. Energetic, intelligent, and often bonded to one person, it needs daily exercise, consistent positive training, and mental stimulation. Grooming is simple; sourcing puppies abroad can be difficult.

Eirin Egeland Lohne

Parson Russell Terrier

Svenska Terrierklubben (Sweden)

Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V. (Germany)

Société Centrale Canine (France)

Parson Russell Terriers are medium‑small, long‑legged, athletic fox‑hunting terriers with smooth or broken white coats. Energetic, intelligent, bold, and affectionate, they need plenty of exercise, consistent training, mental stimulation, and clear boundaries in an active home.

Valda Puckiene

## Quick Facts

The German Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized, powerful German working, herding and service breed for an owner who wants to train actively and systematically. The breed is cooperative and versatile, but the considerable variation within the breed makes the choice of breeder, parents and litter particularly important.

- **Origin:** Germany
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 1, Sheepdogs and Cattledogs
- **Height at the withers:** males 60–65 cm, females 55–60 cm
- **Weight:** males 30–40 kg, females 22–32 kg
- **Coat:** stock coat or long stock coat, both double coats with an undercoat
- **Activity level:** high; the breed needs physical activity, scent work, problem-solving and cooperation
- **Important before buying:** check the health, temperament, working traits and movement of the parents and close relatives, not only what the breeder calls the line or which show merits the dogs have

A German Shepherd Dog can be a highly capable family and training companion when daily life matches the individual dog's drive to work. It is rarely a good choice, however, for someone who mainly wants an uncomplicated companion dog. A first-time owner needs to be prepared to attend classes, train regularly and seek help early if the dog develops fear, stress, a strong urge to chase moving things or difficulty settling.

## Appearance & Coat

The German Shepherd Dog should be powerful and well muscled without exaggeration in either construction or movement. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. According to the breed standard, males should stand 60–65 cm and weigh 30–40 kg; females should stand 55–60 cm and weigh 22–32 kg.

The back and the croup are not the same thing. The breed standard describes a straight back continuing into a slightly sloping croup. A markedly arched or falling loin and an over-angulated, cow-hocked or unstable hindquarter are not the breed ideal. The Swedish Kennel Club's breed-specific instructions identify the topline and hindquarters as areas of risk and state that movement should be assessed at both walk and trot.

For a puppy buyer, natural movement is more informative than an extreme show pose. Ask to see the parents walk and trot on a level surface. The hind legs should work steadily and remain parallel when viewed from behind, without the hocks collapsing inward or looking unstable. Look at adult relatives as well; a puppy does not yet show how its mature body will function.

The breed has two accepted coat varieties. The stock-coated German Shepherd Dog has a dense, harsh and close-lying double coat. The long-coated variety has longer, softer outer hair that does not lie as close to the body. Both must have an undercoat and both shed. Brush and comb as needed, more often during shedding periods, and pay particular attention to longer hair behind the ears and on the legs and tail. Bathe the dog when dirty rather than according to a fixed schedule.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed standard calls for a well-balanced, steady-nerved, self-assured, attentive and biddable German Shepherd Dog. This is a breeding goal, not a guarantee for every individual. Temperament, working drive, sociability, fearfulness and the ability to settle can differ considerably between dogs and family lines within the breed.

German Shepherd Dogs are often described as intelligent, loyal or naturally protective, but such labels say too little about daily life. A dog with strong working drive may be focused and responsive in suitable work but demanding without clear tasks. Awareness of the surroundings can support good teamwork with the handler, but it can also result in barking or strong reactions if the dog is insecure, stressed or poorly trained. The breed should not be chosen on the assumption that every individual will automatically be a reliable guard dog or an easy family dog.

In some parts of the breed, breeding has focused primarily on working trials and service work; in others, showing has carried more weight. Labels such as “working” and “show” still cannot predict activity level or suitability for family life. Ask the breeder how the parents behave around strangers, dogs, noises, quiet downtime and new environments. Request results and descriptions of everyday behaviour for littermates, half-siblings and previous offspring as well.

During the Swedish Mental Description Dog, MH, the dog's reactions are documented in situations involving contact, play, chasing, inactivity, surprises, threats and gunshots. MH is a description, not a test that the dog passes or fails. Read the full record and compare several close relatives instead of being satisfied that a dog merely has “known mental status”.

## Training & Exercise

The German Shepherd Dog needs to use both body and mind every day, but there is no single number of hours that is right for every individual. Needs are affected by age, health, recovery, fitness and what the activity actually involves. A young dog requires different levels of strain from a fully grown, well-conditioned adult.

A workable routine combines walks and free movement in safe areas with scent work, problem-solving and cooperative exercises. Tracking, search work, obedience, working trials and other tasks that allow the dog to concentrate suit the breed's background. Vary surfaces and environments, but increase duration, difficulty and physical strain gradually. The aim is not to exhaust the dog every day, but to build fitness, body control, self-control and the ability to recover.

Reward-based, individually adapted training makes the desired behaviour clear without building cooperation on fear or discomfort. Start early with recall, engagement, handling, loose-lead walking, working at a manageable distance from distractions and releasing objects. Also train the less spectacular skill of lying quietly when nothing is happening. A German Shepherd Dog given only high-intensity activities may become very good at becoming aroused but struggle to settle again.

Puppies should not be exercised like adult dogs. Short periods of exploration, play at their own pace, rest and positive exposure to new environments are more important than long distances, jumping or sharp turns. Increase the physical load gradually as the dog grows. If the dog becomes lame or stiff, is reluctant to move or shows a changed gait, adjust the exercise and contact a veterinarian.

## Health

Hip dysplasia, HD, and elbow dysplasia, ED, are the central documented health checks when buying a German Shepherd Dog registered in Sweden. Both areas are prioritised by the Swedish Kennel Club and the breed club's breeding strategy. Skin problems and disorders of the musculoskeletal system also occur, while the Swedish breeding strategy notes that consolidated documentation is lacking for some widely discussed back and itching problems. Long disease lists without information about relatives therefore tell a puppy buyer less than verified results and the health of close relatives.

Under the Swedish Kennel Club's registration rules in force in 2026, both parents must have official HD status before mating. Because the breed has an HD index, the average index of the parents at the time of mating is recommended to be above 100, and dogs graded HD D or E must not be used for breeding. The German Shepherd Dog also requires official ED status; for parents born on or after 1 January 2006, the result must be ED 0. An average ED index above 100 is a recommendation. Rules can change, so always check the current version with the Swedish Kennel Club.

When buying a puppy, check more than whether both parents meet the minimum requirements:

- compare the parents' HD and ED results and current indices
- find out how many dogs in previous litters and among close relatives have been screened
- ask about skin problems, recurring itching, movement problems and other diagnoses in the family
- read MH or MT results for parents, siblings and previous offspring
- watch adult dogs move naturally at walk and trot, and ask how they function in work and daily life

One good individual result does not eliminate risk. Results from the whole litter and close family give a better picture before purchase.

## History & Origins

The German Shepherd Dog was developed in Germany as a versatile herding and working dog. After the German breed association was founded in 1899, planned breeding began using herding dogs from central and southern Germany. The aim was to combine functional construction with temperament and working ability.

The first breed standard was written in 1899 following proposals by A. Meyer and Max von Stephanitz. The breed's working ability soon led to uses beyond herding. The German Shepherd Dog has since gained a prominent role as a working, competition and service dog in many fields.

This history explains why cooperation, endurance, scent work and a functional body remain central to the breed. It also explains why the breed should not be judged only by silhouette or colour. A sound German Shepherd Dog should be able to work and move efficiently; appearance should support function.

## Living with the Breed

The German Shepherd Dog can live well in a family and even in an apartment, but only if the owner can provide training, recovery, space and safe day-to-day management. A garden does not replace activity, and the type of home does not replace planning. In a building with poor sound insulation, owners also need to prevent and train barking and reactions to sounds in the stairwell or outside windows.

An adult must be present around children, especially because the breed is large and strong. Children should not be responsible for walks or intervene in highly aroused situations. The dog needs an undisturbed resting place, and children and dogs should not be left alone together. Suitability for family life depends on the individual dog's temperament, experiences and training, not on the breed name.

The same caution applies to other animals. A German Shepherd Dog can live with another dog or a cat, but this cannot be promised on the basis of breed. Let dogs meet calmly, preferably on neutral ground. When introducing a cat, provide dog-free escape routes for the cat; use a barrier and a lead, and prevent chasing from the first meeting. Proceed only when both animals are relaxed and supervise them until their interaction is stable.

Time alone must be trained gradually. A young puppy should not be left alone, and a secure adult that has been trained to stay alone can normally manage a few hours rather than a full working day. Increase the time in small steps and arrange a dog sitter or another solution if daily life requires more time alone than the individual dog can handle calmly.

The best home for a German Shepherd Dog does not have a particular address. It has adults who want to train, can read the dog's signals, follow up its health and provide both meaningful activity and genuine rest throughout the dog's life.

German Shepherd Dog

Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. (Germany)

Den Danske Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

The German Shepherd Dog is a medium‑large, athletic working breed, highly intelligent and trainable. Loyal and naturally protective, it needs extensive daily mental and physical exercise. It has a double coat with notable shedding and is widely used in police, military, and search and rescue roles.

Tor Wilhelm Hoffstrøm Johansen

Leif Vidar Belgen

Phalène

Swedish Kennel Club

The Norwegian Kennel Club

The Danish Kennel Club

Verein für Deutsche Spitze und Phalène

The Kennel Club UK

The Phalène is a small, elegant toy spaniel with drop ears, a long silky coat, and a white body marked in various colors. Lively yet sensitive and people‑oriented, it is highly trainable, enjoys dog sports, moderate daily exercise, and close companionship.

Anne Lise Nystrand

Lygna

Håkon Hyld Akselsen

Anne Marit Olsen

Marianne Sevaldson Nilsen

Kristian Eiken Olsen

Bjørn Snorre Baust Ness

## Quick Facts

The Pomeranian is the smallest variety of German Spitz: a very small but lively companion dog with a dense double coat, an alert nature and a readiness to bark. It is best suited to someone who wants to train and engage a real dog in a small body, rather than someone looking for a dog that will mainly be carried.

- **Breed and origin:** German Spitz, Pomeranian/Zwergspitz, originating in Germany and later developed in England
- **Size:** typically 18–23 cm at the withers and around 2–3 kg; the breed standard specifies 21 cm with permitted variation and says weight should be appropriate for the dog's size
- **Expected lifespan:** approximately 12–16 years is a guide, not a promise for an individual dog
- **Temperament:** often alert, cheerful, affectionate and quick to learn, although the individual, upbringing and daily life all have a major influence
- **Activity:** daily walks, scent work and short training sessions, with time for calm and recovery
- **Coat care:** a thorough groom approximately every other week and more often during shedding
- **Points to consider:** barking, dental care, patella status and safe handling around young children and much larger dogs

“Teacup Pomeranian” and “mini Pomeranian” are not separately recognised size varieties. They are marketing terms that offer no more reliable prediction of adult size, health or temperament. The official variety is called Pomeranian or Zwergspitz. Assess the parents, adult relatives, health information and the breeder's aims instead of relying on a sales label.

## Appearance & Coat

The Pomeranian is compact and squarely built, with a small, pointed head, small upright ears and a profuse tail carried high over the back. Its abundant coat gives it a rounder outline than the body underneath.

The breed has a double coat. The outer coat should be long, straight and standing away from the body, while the undercoat is short, dense and soft. The coat forms a distinct ruff around the neck, breeches on the hind legs and a bushy tail. The standard describes a natural coat that should not look shaped by trimming. Recognised colours include white, black, brown, orange and wolf grey, as well as several other defined colours and combinations.

A thorough groom approximately every other week is a useful starting point according to the Swedish Kennel Club, but many dogs need more frequent brushing while shedding. Work through the coat down to the skin rather than merely smoothing the surface. Increase care as soon as small tangles begin to form. Frequency should follow the dog's coat, the season and its daily routine; one fixed schedule will not suit every individual.

Coat quality matters more than maximum volume. A correct double coat contains both outer coat and undercoat. An abundance of undercoat combined with a lack of outer coat is a recognised problem in the breed and can make the coat difficult to manage. When meeting a breeder, it is therefore useful to see adult dogs, not only a puppy's soft puppy coat.

## Temperament & Personality

Pomeranians are often alert, lively and strongly attached to their people. The breed standard describes a cheerful, affectionate and trainable dog without a pronounced hunting instinct, but this is a breeding ideal, not a guarantee of how every individual will behave with strangers, children or other animals.

The Spitz's watchfulness means it may react quickly to sounds, movement outside a window or someone arriving at the door. Barking has its roots in the breed's alarm role. The aim need not be a dog that never announces anything, but one that can stop, seek guidance from its handler and settle again. Limit opportunities to rehearse long bouts of barking, reward pauses and practise a calm routine around recurring triggers.

Socialisation is valuable but does not promise a particular temperament. Let the puppy meet people, environments and steady dogs at a pace at which it can still think, make contact and recover. More exposure is not necessarily better if the dog feels overwhelmed.

A BPH behavioural assessment can show how the dog being assessed reacted during standardised exercises, but the result is not a pass or fail and does not predict everything. The available Pomeranian data are also limited. Consider any BPH result alongside the parents' everyday behaviour and what the breeder can tell you about adult relatives.

## Training & Exercise

A Pomeranian needs physical and mental activity every day, but there is no universal number of minutes that suits every dog. A sound routine combines walks at the dog's pace with scent work, cooperation, play and undisturbed rest. Judge the balance by the dog's body condition, movement, concentration and ability to settle, not only by the distance covered.

The breed may enjoy nosework, rally obedience and agility when the tasks and setting are adapted to the dog's size and experience. Loose-lead work, recall, tricks and searching for food or objects can also provide worthwhile engagement. Let the dog's interest determine the length of each session rather than following a fixed five- or ten-minute schedule.

Reward-based training helps the dog understand what pays off without making it more uncertain. Prioritise the following early on:

- calm handling of paws, mouth and coat
- attention and recall even when something moves or makes a sound
- being able to withdraw and rest
- a learned pause after the dog has noticed a sound
- confidence on different surfaces and during everyday travel

The small body calls for safety, not inactivity. Pick the dog up when a situation presents a genuine risk, but also let it walk, sniff and solve simple tasks independently. Prevent falls from furniture or people's arms and stop rough play with much larger dogs before the difference in size becomes a problem.

## Health

When buying a puppy in Sweden, the parents' registered patella status, information about teeth and bite, and any coat problems in adult relatives are particularly useful. Identified dogs, registered results and open answers tell you more than a long list of possible diseases.

Patellar luxation occurs in Pomeranians and other small dog breeds. In Sweden, patella examination is not a compulsory health programme for the breed, but the Swedish Pomeranian breed club recommends examining breeding dogs. The club recommends that dogs graded 2 or 3 are not used for breeding and that grade 1 is only paired with grade 0. This is a breeding recommendation, not a guarantee of a puppy's future health.

Ask for the parents' registered names or registration numbers and check the results in the Swedish Kennel Club's Hunddata or Avelsdata databases. Verify the dog's identity, examination date and status for both parents. The statement “the parents have been tested” is not sufficient if the identity and result cannot be traced.

Hair loss is sometimes described as “black skin disease”, BSD or alopecia X. The breed's current Swedish breeding strategy stresses that BSD is neither a disease in itself nor a scientific diagnostic term, but an informal umbrella term for several conditions that can cause coat loss. Unexplained hair loss therefore needs veterinary assessment. Ask how the coats of the parents and older relatives developed, but do not demand definite assurances about inheritance when the causes are unclear.

Teeth, jaws and bite are also important in the breed. Accustom the puppy to having its mouth examined and start toothbrushing early; ideally, the teeth should be brushed daily. Seek help if the dog is in pain, has difficulty eating or if its bite appears to injure soft tissue in the mouth.

## History & Origins

The Pomeranian originated in Germany and belongs to the German Spitz family. Zwergspitz means Dwarf Spitz, while Pomeranian is the internationally familiar name for the same official size variety.

The breed's modern type was developed further in England. The Pomeranian Club was formed there in 1891 and an early breed standard was produced. Its documented history is therefore best summarised as a German Spitz background with important further development in England, rather than an unbroken, certain story about one particular prehistoric type of dog.

The breed's former alarm role helps explain its present-day watchfulness and tendency to bark. Today the Pomeranian is kept primarily as a companion, but it retains the Spitz's alertness and often enjoys tasks that involve cooperation and using its nose.

## Living with the Breed

A Pomeranian can live successfully with children, other animals and in a flat, but only when the adults adapt the environment to a very small, alert dog. Neither the breed name nor early socialisation makes interactions automatically safe.

Young children and dogs should always have an adult close by. The child should sit down for contact, allow the dog to leave and never carry it without help. The dog needs an undisturbed resting place. A Pomeranian is not a toy, and a fall from someone's arms or high furniture can have serious consequences even though the breed is lively and robust for its size.

With other dogs, controlled meetings matter more than numerous meetings. Choose calm individuals, practise calm contact at a distance and interrupt uneven physical play. Introduce a cat gradually, preferably beginning with scent and a barrier. The cat must have its own escape route, and chasing must not become a rehearsed behaviour. Do not leave the animals alone together until their interactions are stable.

Living in a flat can work when the dog receives activity outdoors and can relax indoors. The central issue is often noise rather than floor space. In a building where sound travels, the owner needs to prevent window and door guarding, practise calm routines and take the impact on neighbours seriously.

Pomeranians are often described as strongly attached to their people and should learn to be alone gradually. A puppy cannot be left alone from the outset. Begin with very short periods in a safe setting and increase them only while the dog remains calm. If it begins to bark persistently, pace, scratch or cannot settle, the exercise has become too difficult and needs to be simplified.

Before buying a puppy, check more than colour and a promised adult weight:

- meet the dam and, if possible, other adult relatives
- ask how they behave around sounds, strangers, handling and rest
- verify the identity and patella result of both parents
- ask about teeth, bite and lasting coat loss in the family
- ask the breeder to explain the aim of the mating and how previous offspring have developed
- reject sales claims that present “teacup” or “mini” as a health guarantee

A good match is a Pomeranian whose likely temperament and care needs suit your daily life, from a breeder who provides documentation, knows their adult dogs and can speak as openly about variation and risks as about the breed's charm.

Pomeranian

Norsk Kennel Klub (Norwegian Kennel Club)

Deutscher Spitz Club (Germany)

Tiny, fox‑like Spitz with a fluffy double coat in many colors. Weighing 2–3.5 kg, Pomeranians are lively, alert, people‑focused companions and good watchdogs. They need regular grooming, gentle positive training, daily walks, mental games, dental care and protection of their small joints.

Dog Breeders

For Buyers

For Sellers

Tools

Dogs

Cats

Get a Pet