The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership soar to record levels.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Pomeranian – they are one of the UK’s most popular small dogs and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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![Arguably the world's most famous Pomeranian was Boo who, before his death in 2019, had over 16million likes on Facebook and was the subject of four books.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmEzMTIxMTQ1LTM0OWEtNDg4NS05MWQwLTAzZGUyY2E1MWY5MjpiNmYyOWUzNy1mZjA1LTRkMzgtOTYzNy1lNTE5YmNhN2ZmNWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Social media superstar
Arguably the world's most famous Pomeranian was Boo who, before his death in 2019, had over 16million likes on Facebook and was the subject of four books. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![The Pomeranian is descended from the far larger German Spitz breed of dog. Due to this, in many countries it is known as the Zwergspitz, or Dwarf Spitz.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjE2MTYyN2E1LTc0MTQtNDM5OC04MmIxLTM5ZDU2YTg0NGFlNzo4N2Y2MDM0OC05ZjIyLTQzZDctOWE3ZS1iNTc3ZTFmMWM1OGM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. A larger lineage
The Pomeranian is descended from the far larger German Spitz breed of dog. Due to this, in many countries it is known as the Zwergspitz, or Dwarf Spitz. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![The Pomeranian is named after the Pomerania region of Central Europe where it was developed - in modern times it straddles parts of north-west Poland and north-east Germany.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmY5NDRiNDkwLTUxZGYtNDMyOS04M2U0LWE5ZjY0MWYzNWU1Mjo5MzliNjc5Yy0yZDUyLTQ0NjgtYmQxYy00NjZmZjY5ZWYwNTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. What's in a name?
The Pomeranian is named after the Pomerania region of Central Europe where it was developed - in modern times it straddles parts of north-west Poland and north-east Germany. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![The Pomeranian is particularly popular in the US state of Hawaii - where it regularly features in the top five breeds list.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmFlYjkyNDMyLWIyNDYtNDUxYS1iMjRkLTcwNzJlNWE0YjhhYjoyN2Y0MTNiZi04YjY0LTQ3OWEtYTlhMS0yMTM5NjIzNzM2NDY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. Aloha
The Pomeranian is particularly popular in the US state of Hawaii - where it regularly features in the top five breeds list. Photo: Canva/Getty Images