Back in the day – way back – ancestors of the Pomeranian were much larger than the breed is today. In Iceland, these spitz-type dogs were used to herd, hunt, and even pull sleds. They could weigh up to forty pounds, were “ripped” with muscle, and because of their thick double coats, were regarded as outside dogs.
Size began to change when Queen Charlotte imported a pair of Pomeranians to England in 1767. It wasn’t Charlotte, herself, who impacted size, but her granddaughter, Queen Victoria, who became a fancier of the breed. Victoria, in fact, is universally regarded as responsible for shrinking the size of the modern Pomeranian. She established a large and influential kennel which worked on reducing the breed’s size, and at one time, there were 35 Pomeranians in the royal kennels.
Today, this terrific little dog remains deservedly popular. Large Pomeranians, however, didn’t vanish. They occasionally pop up in litters, and because of their genetic ancestry, are sometimes called “throwback” Poms. These larger “throwback Pomeranians” are genetically more similar to their Spitz-type sled dog ancestors than the Pomeranians we see more of today. As adults, they are far heavier than the preferred 4 to 6 pounds written in the breed standard. Sometimes these are just fat Poms. Sometimes they’re not really purebred Poms, and sometimes, a heavier body structure that’s up to four times bigger than what is expected is due to poor breeding.
Non-heritage breeders have come to market these bigger Poms as “Victorian Poms,” no doubt a “throwback” term to Queen Victoria. Technically speaking, Poms by this name don’t exist outside the Internet, and many regard the name in the same vein as “teacup” Pomeranians, another term one won’t find used by a preservation breeder.
In the spirit of education, we try to share terms you might encounter when looking for your next companion, and if that dog is a Pomeranian, it helps to know what a “Victorian Pomeranian” is, and why you won’t find heritage breeders selling puppies by that name.
Image: “Tiny Pomeranian” by Jai Johnson is available for purchase here
Hello,
We have a beautiful great natured sweet Victorian Pom: Chips. We just had his DNA done and we found out that he is a throwback/ Victorian Pom. We live in Nova Scotia Canada – and hope to find another Pom Like him some day. Do you know of any Canadian breeders? Thanks so much.
Renee
We don’t, Renee, but perhaps one of our readers does….
I have Victorian poms..
I just lost my Victorian Pom. He was 24 pounds. I’ve had two now. I’m looking to get another one. I’m in Maryland but will travel a little in order to get a new friend. Does anyone out there know of someone that has the larger dogs?
Hi Renee, I have a girl Victorian Pom, thought I was getting a little girl Pom, but nope that wasn’t the case. She’s 24 pounds at the age of 10 months. I live in Philadelphia Pa. I had to do some reading on her because of her size.
Hello Sissy. we would like a big pom too, and we live near philadelphia. do you mind sharing the name of the breeder you bought her from ?
I’m going to raise these Victorian poms, have 4 of them..
An you share the breeder of your throwback Pom.
We are looking for one.
I lost my “fox-faced” red Throwback Pom recently and I am devastated!! I rescued him in a snow blizzard 12 years ago. He had been abused and neglected and was afraid of men. He became the sweetest and most loving dog we have ever had, and he adored my husband and I.
He washed my Lhapsa’s face daily, and protected our Maltese & Teddy Bear. Will I ever find another one?
We’re so sorry for your loss, Pamela. You ask the question:” Will I ever find another one?” Our answer is no, not JUST like the one you lost. You will find another Pom who will be amazing, loving, loyal, affectionate, smart, and you will love him or her, but he or she will be different from the Pom you lost. We’ve often thought that a dog leaves a hole in our heart that is a unique shape that no other dog can fill. Other dogs will leave their own uniquely shaped holes of grief in our hearts, but nothing other than that shape can fill it. It’s an awkward analogy, sorry about that, but we never forget those special dogs. We once read that it’s a disservice to a dog’s memory not to get another dog. Dogs give us so much love that they leave us with enough to share. We hope you get another one.