Round and cute, Pomeranians resemble fluffy animated stuffed toys, but their loving, intelligent companionship is what draws people to them

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

You may still be watching it, but I binged the new Netflix show “Bridgerton” on Christmas Day. All eight episodes. And one of the things I loved best was the tuft of Pomeranians -- yes, that’s a real phrase describing a group of three or more Poms -- accompanying the character Queen Charlotte, sitting in her lap or being held by her ladies-in-waiting.

While the show’s writers took liberties with the social conventions of the time (Britain’s Regency period, which lasted from 1811 to 1820), Queen Charlotte’s love of Pomeranians was the real deal. As a 17-year-old princess from the German duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who was about to become queen of England through her marriage to George III in 1761, she traveled to her new country with a pair of Pomeranians, Phoebe and Mercury. Cheerful and lively herself, the young princess may have appreciated Pomeranians for the same characteristics.

Not much is known about Charlotte’s dogs, but clearly they were special to her. A 1779 portrait of her by Benjamin West includes a white Pomeranian at her feet. And when she and George moved into Buckingham House (now better known as Buckingham Palace), the furnishings included a “square deal tub” for bathing her dogs.

The queen is said to have given Poms as gifts to her ladies, and artist Thomas Gainsborough painted a pair of Pomeranians belonging to musician Carl Friedrich Abel in 1777 (“Pomeranian Bitch and Puppy,” now at London’s Tate). Gainsborough also depicted the foxy looking dogs in his paintings “The Morning Walk,” in the National Gallery, and “Perdita (Mrs. Robinson),” in the Wallace Collection. Gainsborough himself had a pair of the dogs, Tristram and Fox, whom he painted as well.

The canine actors in “Bridgerton” are smaller than they would have been in Queen Charlotte’s time. The Poms of the 18th century were larger, weighing up to 30 pounds. Pomeranians take their name from a region of northern Europe on the Baltic Sea and are members of the Spitz, or Nordic, family of dogs: the ones with prick ears, thick double coats and tails that curl over their backs.

Poms were gradually bred down in size, moving from the 30-pound range to 20 pounds to the current breed standard calling for dogs of 3 to 7 pounds. Although you won’t see them prancing in the show ring, it’s not out of the question for modern Poms to produce pups that grow to be on the larger side: 12 to 14 pounds. Poms of this size may be good choices for families, but little Poms and little kids aren’t a good mix. Children should be old enough to know the difference between a toy-size dog and a toy, says breed expert Charlotte Creed.

Whatever their size, Pomeranians have a big-dog demeanor. Golda Rosheuvel, who played Queen Charlotte, said in interviews that the dogs on the set were feisty and rowdy.

Creed admires their glorious coat, smiling foxy face and vivacious personality. Speaking of that glorious coat, it comes in an array of colors and patterns. In real life, Queen Charlotte’s dogs were typically white or cream, but these days orange and orange sable are the most popular colors. Pomeranians can also be black, cream, blue, brown, black and white, brindle, merle, black and tan, and tricolor, to name just a few of the many colors and patterns that make up their palette.

Whether “Bridgerton” will have an effect on the Pomeranian’s popularity is yet to be seen. In 2019, the Pom was the 23rd most popular breed registered by the American Kennel Club and the fourth most popular toy breed. It wouldn’t take much to bring these former royal favorites back into the spotlight.

Q&A

How to make

brushing fun

Q: Our puppy hates being brushed; he runs and hides when he sees the brush come out. How can we get him to welcome being groomed?

A: Puppies have a good memory for experiences that are painful or scary. If you accidentally pulled his fur during previous grooming sessions, he may want nothing more to do with it. The secret to getting him back into the grooming groove is to pair brushing with positive and enjoyable experiences. Before you do that, though, schedule a veterinary visit to make sure he doesn’t have a painful condition, such as an ear infection, that is causing him to balk at being touched. Once that is ruled out, you can start teaching him to love being groomed.

First, make sure the grooming tools you’re using don’t have hard metal bristles that pull at his fur, or bristles that have lost their protective ends, causing them to poke into his skin. Try a soft, flexible detangling brush and a dog-specific detangling product to help make tangle removal less painful. Work out tangles slowly and gently.

Start to associate the brush with good things. Place it on the floor and surround it with treats. Let him investigate it at his own pace -- and snarf up the snacks. Once he’s comfortable around it, sit on the floor and hold it. Let him approach it, and give treats and praise when he does, even if all he does is look at it.

When you start brushing, keep it brief. Continue only as long as he remains in place without struggling. Offer a plentiful stream of treats to hold his interest. You can gradually increase the amount of time you spend brushing before you hand out a reward. You can find more Fear Free care tips at FearFreeHappyHomes.com. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Pets gain weight

during lockdown

-- Has your pet joined you in putting on pandemic pounds? A recent study by Hill’s Pet Nutrition found that 33% of pet owners say their pets have become overweight during the pandemic. And it’s not just because of the holidays. With people spending most of their time at home, showing love to pets in the form of treats has become a full-time occupation. More than half of the survey respondents reported giving their pets treats for no reason. “Ironically, too much ‘treat love’ during these difficult times is the main culprit,” officials said in a statement.

-- Dogs with extremely short muzzles and rounded heads are called brachycephalic, from the Greek words for “short” and “head.” Those features give them an adorable, almost-human expression, but they also bring with them a host of related health challenges. Bulldogs, boxers, pugs and other brachycephalic breeds often have difficulty breathing after even slight exertion. They drool and snore from one end and produce stinky, gaseous emissions from the other end. Brachycephalic dogs are notoriously heat intolerant, and their teeth are crammed into a mouth that’s too small, causing dental issues. And those large, round eyes with the endearing expression? They have a tendency to pop out in response to rough play or other head trauma. Facial wrinkles commonly develop infections. If you have one of these dogs, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help relieve these problems.

-- Cats like to watch the world go by, but they also want to keep themselves safe from predators. That’s why you’ll often find them curled up in a small space or checking things out from on high. A tall perch or the sides of a box, basket or drawer provide protection -- a little cat-size fortress -- and a safe place to sleep. What could be better? -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Rabies vaccinations protect more than our pets. Wildlife benefits, too

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Just over a year ago, my husband and I were in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountain National Park, in search of Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis). The world’s rarest wild canid, numbering fewer than 500, is tall, with red fur and white markings on the legs and chest. They resemble a coyote or jackal, or perhaps a fox on stilts.

As with so many endangered animals, habitat loss is taking a toll on the species. Farmers move herds higher and higher into the mountains, seeking more grazing land for livestock. Another threat is interbreeding with free-ranging domestic dogs. Hybridization produces fertile offspring that are a genetic mixture and could eventually wipe out Ethiopian wolves as a distinct species. (This is a concern in other rare species as well, such as Scottish wildcats.)

But rabies is perhaps their greatest threat. Many of the wolves fall victim to the viral disease through encounters with domestic dogs. Rabies and other infectious diseases are a leading cause of mortality in African wild dogs, another rare species whose numbers are declining.

“Rabies transmission from domestic dogs into wild canid populations is a potential threat that can have devastating consequences,” says wildlife biologist Bill Given of Golden, Colorado.

It’s a human health issue as well. Approximately 59,000 people die annually from rabies, and the World Health Organization has a goal to eliminate human rabies deaths by 2030. Rabies is preventable through vaccination, but that’s easier said than done.

“There are 10,000-plus dogs drifting around the outside of this park,” says Guy Levene, managing director of Bale Mountain Lodge, where we stayed. “You can’t really vaccinate 10,000 dogs. All it takes is for one or two rabid dogs to get through, and your very delicate population of wolves is in danger.”

In Ethiopia, at least, vaccinating the wolves themselves is a more practical option because of their small population. Levene says oral rabies vaccines are available that can be placed in mouse-size pieces of meat and gobbled up by the wolves. They are closely monitored by Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Unit and the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, so it’s easy to know which ones have taken the bait.

But rabies vaccination programs for wild dogs require local, political and economic support. If oral vaccines aren’t an option, it’s expensive, not to mention stressful to the animals, to capture individual wild dogs for vaccination. Local decision-makers can be reluctant to give the go-ahead for fear that the rare animals might not survive the experience.

What do rabies vaccinations for animals -- wild and domestic -- in other countries have to do with you and your pets? Public health everywhere includes animals. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, transmissible between animals and humans. Anti-rabies programs, such as the attempts to vaccinate Ethiopian wolves and the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s efforts to vaccinate domestic dogs and cats in Namibia, contribute to the worldwide One Health Initiative. In the United States, federal and state programs distribute oral vaccine doses in areas of Alabama, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The OHI collaboration between veterinarians and human health experts expands and improves health care for animals and people and protects the environment. Land development and climate change affect habitat, often in ways that bring us in closer contact with wildlife. If you live in the western United States, for instance, you’ve probably seen this up close and personal, with coyotes, foxes, bears and even mountain lions making themselves at home in suburban and urban neighborhoods. That can result in greater transmission and spread of rabies, including to companion dogs and cats.

Vaccinating animals against rabies, anywhere in the world, helps to reduce the risk and incidence of rabies. Supporting rabies vaccination programs in tandem with protecting natural environments is good for wildlife, good for us and good for our domestic animals.

Q&A

Cat ears itchy?

Might be mites

Q: My cat keeps scratching at her ears. Does she have an infection?

A: That’s possible. She could also have an infestation of ear mites.

Ear mites are most common in kittens and cats who have come from community situations such as feral colonies or, in some cases, rescue or shelter housing, but any cat can get them. The microscopic invaders feed on ear wax and other skin debris and reproduce rapidly.

Cats with ear mites experience intense itchiness. You may notice them frequently shaking their heads and scratching at their ears to relieve the itch. In severe cases, they end up with raw skin or hair loss around the ears, often complicated by a bacterial infection.

If your kitten or cat’s ears have a dry, crumbly, dark-brown waxy discharge that looks like coffee grounds, chances are good that he has ear mites. If you have sharp eyes and examine a sample of the discharge through a magnifying glass, you may see the tiny white mites, about the size of a pinhead, moving around inside the ear wax.

Ear mites don’t affect humans, but they are highly contagious between cats and can spread to dogs, as well. That means that even if only one cat is diagnosed with the itchy critters, you’ll need to treat not only her, but also any other pets in the household.

The good news is that it’s much easier these days to treat ear mites. Your veterinarian or her technician will thoroughly clean out the ears and apply a topical medication. Back in the bad old days, a cat’s ears had to be treated regularly for as long as a month. Now, medicated ear drops in combination with a whole-body or systemic parasite treatment will get rid of mites much more quickly and easily. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Dog diversity

dates to Ice Age

-- A global study of ancient dog DNA, led by an international team of scientists and archaeologists, found evidence of at least five different types of dogs with distinct genetic ancestries. In the study, published last October in Science, researchers sequenced ancient DNA from skeletal remains of 27 dogs found across Europe, the Middle East and Siberia. The dogs, which lived as many as 11,000 years ago -- before other animals were domesticated -- are examples of early canine diversity during the time of hunter-gatherers. Over the last 10,000 years, these early dog lineages mixed and moved, giving rise to the dogs we know today. The researchers also compared the evolution in dog history to changes in human evolution, lifestyles and migrations. In many cases, comparable changes took place, likely reflecting how humans would bring their dogs with them as they migrated across the world. Studying the ancient DNA of dogs helps scientists learn more about human history. Greger Larson, author and director of the Palaeogenomics and Bio-Archaeology Research Network at the University of Oxford, says: “Dogs are our oldest and closest animal partner. Using DNA from ancient dogs is showing us just how far back our shared history goes and will ultimately help us understand when and where this deep relationship began.”

-- Have you met the nebelung? The long, slender cat with a wedge-shaped head; wide-set green eyes; large ears; dense, medium-length fur; and plumed tail takes his name from the German word “nebel,” meaning “mist” or “fog.” Nebelungs are often lap cats, known for their mild-mannered nature.

-- Pet ferrets are highly social and require frequent handling from an early age. The furry escape artists need a large, sturdy cage and home ferret-proofing to prevent them from squeezing into or out of tiny spaces. For good health, they must be spayed or neutered. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Five ways to ring in a new year for your dog or cat

By Kim Campbell Thornton and Dr. Marty Becker

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s a few days into the new year; do you have your resolutions ready yet? Yeah, we don't either. A good place to start, though, is with your pet. Helping your cat or dog change his life for the better has benefits for both of you. A healthier, happier pet not only puts less pressure on your wallet, it also brings more smiles to your face multiple times a day. Here are some ideas to get you started.

-- Brush those teeth. Keeping your pet's pearly whites clean isn't just about improving his breath, although that is definitely a bonus. Brushing your pet's teeth several times a week -- yes, even for cats -- prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar, which trap bacteria and eventually cause periodontal disease. Brushing reduces the number of bacteria circulating through your pet's system and helps ensure that he keeps more of his teeth into old age. Dentures aren't an option for him, after all.

-- Watch his weight. Does your dog or cat look like a plump cocktail wiener on toothpicks? That's not normal or healthy. Use your eyes and hands to determine if Roxy or Snowball could stand to lose a few pounds.

Nutrition specialist Tony Buffington, DVM, says that when you look at a pet from the side, you should see an abdomen that's tucked up, not hanging low. As you look down at him, you should see an hourglass figure, with the waist curving inward just before the hind legs. When you pet your dog or cat on the side or back, you should be able to feel the ribs or spinal bumps, but not see them.

-- Measure your pet's food. This is one of the easiest ways to help a dog or cat slim down. Instead of leaving food out all the time, give a set amount once or twice a day. Use the recommendation on the bag or can as a starting point, but recognize that individual animals have different metabolisms and may need more or less than the suggested amount. Ask your veterinarian's advice about how much your pet should be eating, and don't be afraid to experiment.

-- Start an exercise plan. Getting off the couch and on the move is good for both of you. For dog owners, take a brisk walk or play a rousing game of fetch. For cats, dangle or pull a fishing-pole toy for them to chase. Wriggle the pole a little so the object on the end of the string resembles a bug or other critter scurrying along the ground. Your dog may enjoy this kind of play, too, as long as you don't let him know he's chasing a cat toy.

Better yet, have your dog or cat "work" for his meals by hiding small amounts of food around the house (this works only if you have a single pet), placing food up high -- on a washer or dryer, for instance -- so cats have to make an effort to get to it, or placing kibble in puzzle toys that pets must manipulate to make the food come out. These are all good ways to exercise your furry predator's body and brain and make his day more interesting, especially if you're off at work and he has nothing else to do.

-- Make time for him. When your pet nudges your hand or bumps you with his head, don't just automatically hand him a treat. Instead, reward him with a scratch between the ears or a few minutes of play. You'll both be better for it.

Q&A

Newspaper habit

frustrates owner

Q: I recently adopted a stray cat. For the most part, she is adjusting well to life in our home, but she has one problem that's driving me crazy. She urinates inside the litter box, but she defecates on the newspapers I've placed beneath it. I've tried adding two more boxes, but she's not getting the message. Do you have any suggestions?

A: Cats can definitely be quirky when it comes to using the litter box. You are doing all the right things, but let's see if we can dig a little deeper for a solution.

What type of litter are you using? You might try offering different types of litter in the other boxes. Your cat might be fine with peeing on clay litter but prefer to defecate in a box filled with sandy clumping litter.

You might also try presenting her with one of the litters made from recycled paper. For whatever reason, she may simply like its texture and smell. It's made to produce little dust, and it's nontoxic. Be sure you don't fill the box with too much of it. Keep the level at 2 to 3 inches, or it may be difficult to find your cat's deposits. You can even try lining the litter box with sheets of newspaper, lifting them out and tossing them as they're used.

Finally, try scooping the box as soon as you know it has been used. Your cat may not like defecating in the box if it already has urine in it. If that's not possible, consider investing in a box that automatically scoops the litter after every use. You both might be happier. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Company shares

unique pet names

-- What’s in a name? For a Chinese crested dog called Scarlett No Haira and a dark, moody cat known as Edgar Allen Paw, it is the distinction of heading up the list of Nationwide’s Wackiest Pet Names of 2020. Each year, the pet health insurance provider checks its roster of pet clients to seek out the most imaginative names of the year, as voted by Nationwide’s pet parents. Without further ado, the remaining finalists in the dog category are Anakin Tailwagger, Andre Igoudogla, Joan of Bark, Madame Squishy Van Wrinkleface, Stella Barktois, Sugar Bubbles Fancypants, The Other Dude, Trillium Points Jacobs Ladder and Zoe Max Berger Sacks. In the cat, er, category are Admiral Turbo Meowington, Captain Sushi, Copurrrnicus, Ella Whiskers Oreo Hurst, Fernsbane the Inquisitive, Macaroni Bob, Mingus Pookiebutts, Neville Furbottom and Tika Meowsala.

-- Contrary to popular belief, pets' fur coats don't make them immune to the cold. Protect pets from winter's onslaught by shortening walks in extremely cold weather and bringing them indoors when temps drop below freezing, even if they have long or thick coats. Animals who are old or arthritic are more at risk of falling on snow or ice, and pets with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or Cushing's disease may have difficulty regulating their body temperature, so it's important to protect them when they go outdoors. And cat lovers: Knock on the hood before starting your car to make sure you scare out any cats who may have sought shelter inside your vehicle when the engine was warm.

-- Paw maintenance is one of the most important aspects of grooming your dog. That includes trimming nails regularly, trimming hair between the toes or on the bottom of the feet, and protecting pads from injuries such as burns and bruises. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.