A good Pomeranian breeder is concerned with improving the breed, rather than making money. If breeding is done right, it costs extra money for feeding the mother, for veterinarian bills, and for feeding the puppies for at least ten weeks before they are ready to go to their new homes. Good Pomeranian breeders show their dogs and have judges carefully measure them against breed standards, then match them with mates who will produce the best puppies for conformation, health, and temperament. Bad breeders who are in for it only for the money will breed any dog regardless of health or temperament, and sell puppies before they are ten weeks old. Selling a puppy too early can lead to a dog with poor manners or aggression, because the dam will not have time to teach the puppy not to bite the pack leader.

There are many things a good breeder will look for before breeding a Pomeranian. A responsible breeder will look at general appearance, size, proportion, substance, head, neck, top line, body, forequarters, hindquarters, gait, and coat. If any criterion for judging is thought to be imperfect, then the puppy will be spayed or neutered and sold to be a pet. This means that the pet will come from parents who were show dogs, and can be expected to be in good health.

The American Kennel Club recommends the American Pomeranian Club, Incorporated, for referrals to responsible breeders. The club has been in operation since 1900 and considers itself the guardian of the breed and encourages only ethical breeding. The fact that the club assists in events education, health and genetics research, welfare and rescue illustrates its mission to promote healthy puppies. The APC maintains the standard by which Pomeranians are judged. It maintains a list of breeders who are in good standing, and, although APC does not guarantee results, the list is a good place to start.

The APC keeps a list of breeders in good standing, arranged by state and country. California, for example, is listed as having twenty-one members in good standing with the APC. There is only one listing for New Mexico, and Wyoming has none, but if you live in Wyoming do not despair. A breeder is available in Pocatello, Idaho. There are four breeders listed in Canada, one in France, and one in Latvia.

Another way to locate a good Pomeranian puppy breeder is by attending AKC-sponsored dog shows. Not only will you see which breeders win the competitions, but you can also get to know people who know the breed. The Westminster Kennel Club’s 135t Annual Dog Show will be held in Madison Square Garden on 14-15 February of 2011. Local dog shows will take place all over the United States, and many will be devoted to Pomeranians. The Bay Colony Pomeranian Club of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, for instance, will sponsor a show on 28 May 2011. On the other end of the country, the Hawaiian Kennel Club will have an all-breed dog show on Oahu on 11 March 2011. The American Pomeranian Club, Incorporated, will be having a Pomeranian show on 14 March 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. The American Kennel Club has a schedule of dog shows listed by date. You can also check with the local Pomeranian clubs in your state for show information.